Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Programme C aims to deliver on the key elements of the Government's energy policy with a clear focus on energy efficiency measures across the residential, public and business sectors. Using less energy, and using it more efficiently, is the most cost effective way to combat climate change. The programme provides €10.9 million to cover operational costs of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and includes a significantly increased allocation of €117 million to fund expanded energy efficiency programmes.

They include: the better energy homes scheme for homeowners to provide grants towards a range of energy efficiency measures; the better energy warmer homes scheme to deliver a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households; the better energy communities programme to encourage community-based partnerships to improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the building stock and energy poor homes; and targeted interventions in the commercial and public sectors to deliver significant energy savings, while reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels. These schemes are anticipated to deliver energy measures to over 28,500 buildings, including 9,300 low-income homes and save over 120,000 tonnes in carbon emissions.

The overall energy programme also provides funding to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles and support for the installation of home and public charge points, with an increase in the number of rapid chargers. Investment of some €9 million in energy research aims to accelerate diversification away from fossil fuels to green energy.