221. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration has been given to allowing all appropriate window and external door replacement works identified during an assessment under the warmer homes scheme to be completed as part of the one fully funded retrofit rather than requiring an eligible household to separately access another SEAI grant scheme for an external door. [64093/26]

222. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the rationale for the replacement of qualifying windows being an eligible measure under the SEAI warmer homes scheme in certain circumstances, while the replacement of inefficient external doors is not included as an eligible measure; and whether an assessment has been undertaken of the energy-efficiency and heat-loss implications of excluding external doors from the scheme. [64092/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of 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 revenues and the European Regional Development Fund.

There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Warmer Homes Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property.

These can include:

• attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;

• wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;

• secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting; and

• in certain circumstances, heating system and window replacements.

For each eligible home, the SEAI’s technical surveyor determines which upgrades can be installed and funded.

The Warmer Homes Scheme currently provides for the replacement of all single-glazed windows identified during the technical assessment process, and only where a primary measure of attic or wall insulation is also being installed. The inclusion of window replacement is based on their contribution to improving the thermal performance and energy efficiency of the home. External door replacements are not currently an eligible measure under the Warmer Homes Scheme. While the energy efficiency performance of external doors is recognised, the programme prioritises measures that deliver the greatest overall impact on heat loss and home energy performance.

Appendix 1 of the scheme application guidelines (Scheme-and-Application-Guidelines.pdf) provides further details on the conditions for the various recommendations for energy efficiency upgrade measures, including the conditions for when replacement windows may be recommended.

Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Housing Adaptation Grants can assist older people and 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. This may include door replacements in certain circumstances.

Further detail on this scheme is available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.

My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.