Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
198. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland free home energy upgrade for persons in receipt of the blind pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30608/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rationale for excluding persons in receipt of disability allowance that do not have a child under the age of seven years from the free home energy upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30609/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria which were considered when deciding which social welfare payment recipients would qualify for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland free home energy upgrades. [30610/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 198, 199 and 242 together.
The Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Eligibility for the Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments. Since 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.
A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for the scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected as they represented the Department’s view on those areas where the 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.
In line with commitments in the National Retrofit Plan to improve the targeting of free energy efficiency upgrades, a number of changes to the scheme were announced in February this year. One of these changes was to extend the scheme eligibility criteria to include those in receipt of the Disability Allowance for over 6 months and have a child under 7 years. This change brings the eligibility criteria for the scheme for those in receipt of Disability Allowance in line with the existing criteria for the scheme for those in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance. Young children are at particular risk of long-term impacts from living in a cold home.
I understand that the Blind Pension is a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance, which is a means tested payment. Households can contact the Department of Social Protection to check whether they meet the relevant means test.
All information on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is available on the SEAI website at https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/free-upgrades-for-eligible-homes
