Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
503. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are circumstances in which the home energy grant can issue in a scenario in which the applicant applies for the grant after the work is done due to a particular reason (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52771/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. As Minister I have no function in relation to individual grant applications.
The terms and conditions of the Better Energy Homes programme are in place to ensure the transparent administration of public monies. Achieving this requires that the processes and systems are clear and efficient and operate in a manner which is fair to all applicants. As a publicly funded programme, the rules around grant application are necessarily strict and must be adhered to by SEAI in all cases
The fundamental rules of the scheme, as per the terms and conditions are that:
- In order to be eligible for an insulation grant, the home must have been built and occupied before 2006.
- Grant approval must be in place before any works are carried out.
- An SEAI registered contractor must be employed for the grant-funded works.
Any homeowner can request that their case is referred to the SEAI Appeals Panel. As part of this appeal process, all the relevant details surrounding the case can be sent to info@betterenergyhomes.ie for review. More information is available at https://www.seai.ie/customer-charter/
If a homeowner is unhappy with how SEAI address their appeal they can take the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman which has been established specifically to examine complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by public bodies. More information is available at https://www.ombudsman.ie/making-a-complaint/make-a-complaint/
