Retrofit grants yet to be paid, claims councillor

SEAI asked to release funds to successful applicants

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has been asked to release funds to successful grant applicants.

Independent Shane P O’Reilly complained at the December monthly council meeting that a “major problem” existed where people have had work carried out, forms have been filed, but they were “still waiting to get paid by SEAI.”

Towards the end of this year it was reported that around 36,000 applications have been received by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) across all schemes, with around 28,800 homes being retrofitted.

The Government’s €8bn National Retrofit Programme, announced in February, is being administered through the SEAI and aims to carry out 500,000 deep retrofits, or around 30% of Ireland’s housing stock, with different grants.

Plans include the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, which is a one-stop shop offering grants for work to bring a home’s BER up to at least B2, including enhanced grants for heat pumps, while the Warmer Homes Scheme provides free upgrades to homeowners on low incomes.

Cllr O’Reilly told the meeting that even after people had struggled to get contractors to carry out work, and borrowed to meet the rising cost of materials, it was now a case that they were “not getting the grant rebate quickly enough”.

The Mullagh based representative said he knew of two such cases, where the families involved have children going to college. “People are relying on that money,” he said.

He said that Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan had acted as cheerleader for many of these schemes “but unfortunately when they went to the well there was no money”.

“Maybe he’ll deliver it around Christmas on his bike,” concluded Cllr O’Reilly.

His comments were supported by Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind).