The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 145,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level.
Applications under grant schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. 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.
SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure is in place. If following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can seek an independent review from the Office of the Ombudsman of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/.