The Domestic Energy Efficiency Grants Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations enable the Department for Social Development to make or arrange for the making of grant for the improvement of energy efficiency in dwellings occupied by persons on low incomes with children, elderly persons on low incomes or persons in receipt of benefit relating to ill health. The Regulations replace the Domestic Energy Efficiency Grants Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994.

Among the changes made by the Regulations are the following—

• the introduction of new grants entitled Warm Homes and Warm Homes Plus;

• a restriction on the categories of person who may apply for grant and on the tenure of applicants (regulation 4);

• a wider set of purposes for which grant may be made (regulation 5);

• an increase in the maximum amount of grant payable (regulation 6).

Regulation 3 enables the Department to impose conditions on the making of grant and to appoint a scheme manager to carry out functions in connection with the making of grant.

Regulation 4 sets out the categories of persons who may apply for grant according to the benefits, allowances and pensions they receive and restricts grant aid to the private sector only.

Regulation 5 describes the purposes for which grant may be approved, including energy advice and energy efficient lamps.

Regulation 6 sets the maximum amount of grant payable, which, depending on the circumstances of the applicant and the works to be carried out, may be £750 or £2,700.

Regulation 7 provides for the making of applications, setting out the person to whom the application should be made and the general rules as to the form and content of applications.

Regulation 8 contains revocation and transitional provisions.