Older people and boiler grants
Senator Murphy O'Mahony raised the end of the SEAI boiler grant and asked for a simpler support scheme for older people who just need a replacement boiler.
I congratulate Senator Kyne on being appointed the Leader of the Seanad. I know he will do a fantastic job.
I rise to talk about the now-ceased SEAI boiler grant. I understand the reason it was ceased but I am concerned about older people who just want a new boiler and a grant for one. The air to water and the retrofitting is just too much hassle for someone in their later stage of life. Can something be done, such as the reintroduction of something for older people who just want a boiler? In time, it could be phased out again. It is causing a lot of hassle. There are other great schemes, which are all very welcome, but some people just want a boiler. I would like a debate or to ask the Minister if we could reintroduce it, even for special circumstances, obviously not for new builds or anything like that, but perhaps for people over a certain age who do not want the hassle of getting big works done to their house.