Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This scheme has the potential to be a winner on three fronts: job creation, the environment and in making it more affordable for people to heat their homes. Essentially, as the Minister said, the Better Energy Homes scheme replaced three other schemes. Within that context, there was a reduction in the amount available and, in fact, the grant rates were cut twice last year. I have several questions. The changes taking place and the lack of certainty seem to be impacting on the level of confidence in the scheme. For example, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of calls and inquiries to theSustainable Energy Authority of Ireland from some 500 to 100 a day. This suggests something to us. The absence of continuity and certainty in transitioning from one scheme to another is impacting on people's ability to plan to employ themselves in this market. Is all of the €76 million committed to be drawn down this year? Does the Minister have information readily available on how many grants this sum would cover? It is as if we have stopped in the middle and are transitioning to something else, yet at the same time it appears that while the scheme to move towards the industry model was ready prior to the Government taking office, it will now be 2014 before it is rolled out. This has not provided the confidence people involved in the industry and those who would potentially employ themselves in it want.

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