Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
261. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to expand the warmer homes scheme to people who live in a property held in trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15818/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
The scheme is available to owner-occupied homes built before 2006 where the household meets the Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment-related eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the DSP, to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department. There are no plans currently to expand the criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
The Deputy may wish to note that Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:
The DSP's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service or the DSP. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/
