Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
199. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered introducing age-related grants for solar panels for houses of elderly people in a bid to combat both fuel poverty and climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17352/23]
View answerThe Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants for Solar PV through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Applications for the Domestic Solar PV grant scheme saw record levels in 2022, with over 10,000 applicants supported. While this level of interest indicates that the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.
SEAI are also currently finalising a scheme to provide Solar PV to vulnerable customers registered as being dependent on electrically powered assistive devices. This €20m scheme is targeted to provide direct support to over 3,000 vulnerable customers who may have limited opportunity to reduce their demand.
There are also supports already in place for vulnerable customers. As part of its statutory role, the CRU sets out a number of rules for suppliers to follow in the Electricity and Gas Suppliers Handbooks. These include special provisions for vulnerable customers around areas such as billing and disconnections. These include:
Extended debt repayment periods
Reduced debt burden on pay-as-you-go top-ups
Better value for those on financial hardship meters
Promotion of a Vulnerable Customer Register
A vulnerable customer is defined as a household customer who is critically dependent on electrically powered equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment. This category of vulnerable customers cannot be disconnected for non-payment at any time. Vulnerable customers are also defined as those who are particularly vulnerable to disconnection during the winter months for reasons of advanced age or physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental health. It is important that people who are in such a situation contact their energy supplier to register with them as a vulnerable customer. Their electricity supplier will then notify ESB Networks. ESBN maintains a Vulnerable Customer Register based on the information provided to them by suppliers.
