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Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Ceisteanna (107)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

107. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans that are in place to expand the SEAI criteria for homes eligible for retrofitting in order to increase the number of those in fuel poverty under retrofitting programmes and to help achieve the target of 50,000 retrofits per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35795/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, the Government has provided funding for free upgrades to over 143,000 homes under the scheme and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. €109 million in capital funding has been provided this year to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million of this funding allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation and is the highest ever budget for this scheme. The scheme is currently available to households in receipt of:

- Fuel allowance under the National Fuel Scheme;

- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);

- Family Income Supplement;

- One-Parent Family Payment;

- Domiciliary Care Allowance;

- Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected as they represented those areas where the limited resources available to the scheme could have the greatest impact. They are kept under ongoing review with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department.

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