Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has welcomed the new guidance given to SEAI Warmer Homes and Warmth & Wellbeing contractors that they will allow them to get back to people’s homes and finish works that may have been outstanding for over six months.

Teachta Crowe said:

“For the past number of weeks, I have been pressing Minister Eamon Ryan to allow the home improvement works by the SEAI’s Warmth and Wellbeing scheme to recommence. Some people have been waiting since March for works on their homes to be finished.

“I am glad that the Minister and his Department have applied some common sense and put a framework in place so that contractors and those relying on measures to heat their homes can now finally take place. These essential home improvements clearly need to be carried out and applicants many who have underlying health issues should have some added hope that there will be no further unforeseen delays. Hopefully homes left for months with half finished jobs like unsealed windows or without adequate heating as has been reported to me by some unfortunate constituents will now get done.

“This may necessitate some people moving from their homes for a number of days, but many of the applicants who contacted me were willing to go through this as long as it meant these works would finally be completed.

“I understand the risk of transmission of COVID necessitated a heightened caution of working in people’s homes, but that is not an excuse for leaving homes covered in scaffolding or with wind and rain seeping in through unsealed windows.

“These are vital works for those suffering from conditions like asthma and COPD. We are coming into the Winter now and all homes must be sealed and finished before weather conditions pose a very real risk to people’s health and wellbeing.”