Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:185. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the vetting procedures in place for approving contractors for the retrofit scheme. [11268/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 7 April 2022
Ceisteanna (185)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department recently launched the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. Under this new Scheme, SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance.
One Stop Shop (OSS) applicants must apply to SEAI to become a registered OSS. SEAI will assess each application against set prequalification eligibility criteria and application evaluation criteria outlined in the OSS Registration Guidelines which are available on the SEAI website. There is essentially two steps:
Step 1 - Successfully meet all pre-qualification criteria, as set out in the OSS pre-qualification eligibility list and provide evidence of such.
Step 2 - Invited to complete the OSS Application - Strategic Plan and provide evidence to demonstrate compliance with the various application criteria.
The aim is that the applicant must be able to demonstrate that they can meet the criteria under the key areas of:
- Financial Probity and Business Standing
- Organisational Capability and Technical Competence
- Governance and Legal Requirements
- Business Systems and IT Capability
- Market Engagement
- Skilled Workforce (direct or partnerships)
- Quality Assurance
- Obligated Party if relevant
- Commitment as a partner and key stakeholder in national retrofit
Submitted applications are assessed based on defined evaluation criteria and scoring outlined in the registration guidelines.
SEAI are focused on engaging organisations capable of professionally managing all aspects of a One Stop Shop service. Organisations interested in becoming a registered OSS should visit the SEAI dedicated One Stop Shop registration webpage www.seai.ie/register-with-seai/one-stop-shop/
Aside from this new development with One Stop Shops, there are of course arrangements already in place for the registration of installers/contractors to various SEAI schemes or technologies. For example to register as an installer for Solar PV the installer would be required to be a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) with Safe Electric and have completed a recognised solar PV course. The installer/contractor would also have to be tax compliant and have appropriate insurance in place to cover the works they are installing.