Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
114. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that is being made on his policy to roll out free solar panels to households at risk of energy poverty due to medical illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35186/22]
View answerThe National Energy Security Framework (NESF), published in April 2022, is a response to the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. The Framework provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability. Included in measures to address consumers under the NESF, in Response 8, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is tasked with introducing a targeted scheme for the installation of solar PV panels for vulnerable customers/households in Q2 of this year. SEAI is currently finalising the scheme in consultation with key stakeholders including the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), ESB Networks (ESBN), the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), and publication of the final details will follow this process.
