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We are proud to share a copy of correspondence our Executive Member, Norman Croke sent to Minister Darragh O’Brien on 8th September regarding qualification criteria for Warmer Homes Scheme.

This letter is in reply to less than satisfactory responses received by Norman in his efforts to get proper engagement on the anomalies within the scheme. We think you will agree that Norman’s letter displays the skill amongst our membership, being retired does not mean you lose your skills in advocacy.

Please share in your networks and raise the issue with your Elected Representatives

Excerpt from letter:

TWO PENSIONERS – SAME HOMES, SAME NEEDS, DIFFERENT OUTCOMES

A simple illustration of the anomaly in the SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme

Consider two retired people, both over 70, living next door to each other in identical semi-detached or terraced houses.

Their homes were built at the same time. Both houses have poor insulation, high heating costs and require similar energy upgrades.

Both pensioners receive the State Pension.

The principal difference is that one pensioner receives only the State Pension and qualifies for Fuel Allowance, while the other also receives a modest occupational pension earned through contributions made during their working life.

	Pensioner A	Pensioner B
Age	Over 70	Over 70
Home	Older, poorly insulated house	Identical older, poorly insulated house
State Pension	Yes	Yes
Occupational Pension	No, or limited additional income	Yes
Heating and electricity costs	High	High
Need for energy upgrade	Yes	Yes
Fuel Allowance	Qualifies	May fail means test because of occupational pension
Access through Fuel Allowance to Warmer Homes Scheme	Yes	No
Potential fully funded retrofit	Yes	Not through this gateway

What is the practical difference?

It is not:

• the age of the pensioners;
• the condition of their homes;
• the level of insulation;
• the cost of heating;
• the need for a warmer and healthier home; or
• the fact that both receive the State Pension.

The significant difference may simply be that Pensioner B contributed towards an occupational pension during their working life.

That occupational pension supplements the State Pension, as successive Governments and the trade union movement have encouraged workers to do.

Yet it can also result in the pensioner failing the Fuel Allowance means test.

The consequence can be:

Occupational pension
↓
Fails Fuel Allowance means test
↓
No Fuel Allowance
↓
No qualifying gateway through Fuel Allowance
↓
No fully funded Warmer Homes retrofit

For anyone interested in applying for the scheme check out our Resources Tab