Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number and capacity of wind or other alternative energy generating systems currently contributing to the national grid or waiting to do so; if difficulties have been experienced in the matter of access to the grid; if he intends to legislate to ensure ready and smooth access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister is generally satisfied that arrangements for access to the grid reflect the need to enhance the contribution of wind and other renewable energies to electricity generation in a way which manages in particular the actual or potential impacts of wind powered plant on the grid.

ESB Networks publishes a list of renewable and alternative projects connected to the networks and other projects which have signed connection agreements but have not yet connected to the electricity networks. Details of projects which have requested connections but have not yet contracted are regarded as commercially sensitive and are not published — the total capacity of these unpublished projects is approximately 3,000 megawatts, MWs. I have set out the available information in the following tables.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the full extent of financial assistance available for installation or conversion purposes in respect of houses or buildings with low insulation or energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13839/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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In the December 2005 budget, funding of up to €65 million over five years for renewable energy schemes was announced. The first stage of this funding is the greener homes scheme which was launched on 26 March 2006 and provides up to €27 million in grant aid for domestic renewable heat technologies including the installation of wood pellet stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. Grant aid of €1,100 to €6,500 will be provided depending on the individual technology used. Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, implements the scheme and application forms are available via its website —www.sei.ie— and its dedicated lo-call telephone number.

This builds on SEI's earlier schemes such as the house of tomorrow, HOT, programme which is still operating in parallel. This scheme has directed financial support to encourage developers of housing, both new-build and refurbishment, to incorporate design and technology features which deliver significantly superior energy and CO2 performance. By targeting developers of schemes of houses, from the private or social housing sectors, the aim is to establish a nationwide network of accessible examples of more sustainable energy design and technology practices.

To date the programme has committed over €9 million funding to 48 projects comprising a total of 2,269 housing units. All feature an integrated approach to design, orientation, building fabric and the supply and use of energy that achieves performance of at least 20% better than current building regulations and, in the majority of projects, 40% better. The sustainable energy features across the range of projects funded include: solar hot water systems, ground source heat pumps, condensing boilers, group heating schemes and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery along with higher levels of insulation.