Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
307. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of funding that was allocated for the solar PV scheme for medically vulnerable customers; the number of individuals that have received the solar panel grant since it was launched; and what the process of selection is/was; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10047/26]
View answerThe Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for customers/households who are registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register. These households have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies such as dialysis machines or respirators. As such, these households may have a higher energy demand than the average user and this scheme is designed to go some way towards helping to reduce those energy costs.
The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in conjunction with energy suppliers, with each energy supplier contacting their own eligible customers directly in line with the work plans for their solar PV installers. Eligible households can avail of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system including survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works Building Energy Rating. It is important to note that suppliers, who manage the administrative aspects of the scheme under the SEAI, issue offers to eligible homeowners in batches.
The scheme was launched in 2022 with an overall budget allocation of €20 million. The SEAI report that 137 systems were installed in 2024 with expenditure of €1.78 million. 473 systems were installed last year with expenditure of €2.4 million. This year will see a major expansion of delivery with an allocation of €11.7 million to support over 1,900 homes.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
