Paul Kehoe
Question:123. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Communities Energy Grant ends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49140/22]
View answerThursday, 6 October 2022
Questions (123, 124, 125, 126)
Paul Kehoe
Question:124. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if all applications currently submitted for the Communities Energy Grants will be evaluated and granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49141/22]
View answerPaul Kehoe
Question:125. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans for a new scheme to replace the Communities Energy Grant in the case that the grant ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49142/22]
View answerPaul Kehoe
Question:126. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that a Communities Energy Grant application by a company (details supplied) has not been processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49143/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 124, 125 and 126 together.
The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.
The Communities Energy Grant Scheme (CEG) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. As part of their administrative role, the SEAI operate standard procedures to ensure that the terms and conditions of the schemes in place are complied with and that the works are carried out appropriately and to the requisite standards.
The Call for Projects for 2022 launched on 21st March this year and demand has been very positive for the Scheme. Figures provided by SEAI show that 26 applications have been submitted under the Scheme and of these, 14 have been grant awarded, 2 have been unsuccessful and 10 are under evaluation. Under the Scheme, contracts for works will be extended to 12 months. This will better support year-round delivery of services and allow for more complex projects. The Communities Grant Scheme guidelines were published in March 2022 and there have been no changes to the guidelines since. There are no plans for a new scheme to replace the Community Energy Grant Scheme.
Applications under SEAI schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
In addition, the SEAI advise that live updates are available for project coordinators for the Community Energy Grant Scheme on the SEAI web site: www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/project-criteria-and-funding/grant-tracker/?__toolbar=1.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 122.