Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the required contractor declaration of insurance (details supplied); when these changes come into effect; what supports are being provided to businesses in the Northern Ireland to support them to continue their work in southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/24]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
Entities seeking to register as an SEAI contractor under any relevant scheme must agree to adhere to the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice, Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents. Contractors must also demonstrate tax compliance and insurance cover and co-operate with the SEAI’s quality assurance programme.
As part of these requirements, when registering as a SEAI Contractor, it has always been a condition that entities hold a valid insurance policy with coverage in the Republic of Ireland. This means the respective insurance company must be authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The SEAI has advised my Department that recent updates to the Contractors Declaration of Insurance form, which came into effect in Q3 2023, were made to provide additional clarification to SEAI contractors in relation to the requirement to ensure that their insurance provider is authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBOI). The revised Contractors Declaration of Insurance Form does not constitute any change in the requirements for contractors.
The SEAI has advised my Department that, with regard to the specific case raised by the Deputy, the matter was resolved directly with the Contractor and subject to meeting all other terms and conditions and contractor registration requirements, they will be reactivated as a registered contractor in due course.
