Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons who have qualified for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants to improve their home insulation in the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20871/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. My Department is advised by the SEAI that almost 119,700 homes have received energy efficiency upgrades under Better Energy: Homes since the scheme was launched in May 2009.

The Better Energy: Homes programme is demand-led and open to all homeowners of dwellings built before 2006. The Better Energy: Homes programme provides support to homeowners towards the installation of attic and wall insulation, and heating system upgrades including solar thermal with the works being undertaken by privately appointed contractors. The following table outlines the numbers of applications to Better Energy: Homes from 2009–2012 up to 31 March 2012. This also includes situations where a homeowner makes an application, accepts the offer but subsequently decides not to proceed with the application.

The Better Energy: Warmer Homes scheme is available to low-income households and is delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. The table below outlines the number of homes who have received upgrades under the Better Energy: Warmer Homes scheme from 2009–2012 up to 31 March 2012.

The SEAI, at my request, is analysing the possible factors underlying the significant decline in applications to both schemes to date in 2012 and I expect to receive their findings shortly.