Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020
100. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the situation for persons over 70 years of age who have been approved for SEAI grants to ensure warmer homes and so on and who are now being told they cannot get the work done, as over-70s are deemed at risk according to HSE guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30404/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded. Budget 2020 announced a budget allocation for the scheme of €52.8 million. This represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Earlier this year, in line with public health and Government guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, all works under SEAI funded schemes were advised to pause for a period of time. On June 29th, and again on July 20th, SEAI advised that works in homes that could be classified as lower risk under the scheme could resume, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for reopening society and business and Return to work safely protocol. The aim at all times was to minimise the risks for the homeowners and property occupants, contractors, their employees and the wider community.
On October 8th SEAI issued updated guidance for contractors working on the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme. This guidance is informed by the Government's Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. It also takes into consideration the inherent vulnerability of energy poor homes and their occupants, in particular the impacts of inadequate heat on health, wellbeing and general quality of life.
SEAI have advised that retrofit works may proceed where a contractor has fully assessed the risks and is fully satisfied that they can complete the works while complying with the guidelines set out in the Return to Work Safely Protocol. Contractors providing works under the scheme are responsible for undertaking a thorough risk assessment in order to minimise the risks for themselves, their employees, the property occupants and the wider community. The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for monitoring to ensure that workplaces comply with the National Protocol.
SEAI also state that prior to commencing, and throughout each upgrade, all public health guidelines must be considered when assessing employee, homeowner and occupant risks, within the working environment. Also, prior to commencing any home visit or works, contractors must secure any relevant consents and confirmations in writing from homeowners and property occupants.
The full guidance from SEAI can be found at https://www.seai.ie/covid-19-notice/
