Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Mureas, a company operating under the warmer homes scheme, is not completing applications approved for attic and wall insulation, which has meant that only the attic has been finished with promises that staff would return to complete walls; the steps he will take to ensure those half finished projects are completed; the steps he will undertake to have Mureas complete its commitments under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30862/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. This will enable over 20,000 low-income homes to benefit from energy efficiency retrofit measures this year. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors. Due to the mixed delivery model and variations across CBOs, the number of measures available to particular homes can vary from region to region.

Most, but not all, of these CBOs are in a position to deliver cavity wall insulation (CWI) as well as standard measures under the scheme. Standard measures include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jacket, CFLs and energy advice. In County Roscommon there are two CBOs operating – one which delivers standard measures only (Mureas) and a second which delivers standard measures plus cavity wall insulation, Roscommon Integrated Development Company (RIDC). In defined circumstances last year the SEAI allowed RIDC to deliver cavity wall insulation to homes that were allocated to Mureas. If the Deputy has information that suggests there are homes that were promised cavity wall insulation by Mureas, but who have not yet received it to date, then I will ensure my officials investigate the matter fully.

There has been a significant uptake in applications and interest in the Warmer Homes Scheme over the last three years. SEAI's objective is to maximise the number of vulnerable homes to receive support, in line with budgetary and other resources. While SEAI advises that surveys are carried out on eligible homes to identify a range of potential measures, lower cost measures are given priority in order to address the maximum number of vulnerable homes within available resources. Interventions are limited to single visits per home.

The SEAI recently held an information day for members of the Oireachtas. Staff from SEAI were on hand to explain the current range of schemes and programmes and to address any queries. Queries in relation to individual applications are an operational matter for the SEAI and dedicated hot lines for both schemes are available (Better Energy: Warmer Homes hot line - 1800 250 204 and Better Energy: Homes hotline - 1850 927 000). In addition, the SEAI has recently established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.