Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of applications he has received to date under the SEI greener homes scheme for each of the product categories that are covered; if there are limits on the number of applications that can be approved in any one year; if the amount of grant approved to each application is flexible or is fixed dependent on the size and type of heating system that is being has decreased since the introduction of the scheme; and when is the projected exhaustion of moneys allocated to the scheme. [20778/06]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will consider introducing carbon credits for private dwellings using solar, geo thermal, wood pellets, wind energy or insulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20573/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 294 together.

The Greener Homes grant aid package for the domestic sector is being rolled-out over a five-year period from 2006 to 2010. The scheme supports investment in renewable energy heat technologies. The level of funding currently available under the package is €27m overall for the three technologies covered, flexibility will be maintained regarding the transfer of funding within the package subject to demand. Subject to funding availability there is no limitation on the number of applications which can be approved in any one year and my Department will keep funding under review throughout the year in light of demand. The programme will be monitored closely to ensure that it delivers on objectives to meet and stimulate demand for renewable energy.

There has been a very high level of interest in the scheme so far. In the eight week period since the scheme was launched Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has received 2,500 applications for grant aid broken down as in the table.

Grants under the scheme, which are available to all homeowners meeting the conditions of the scheme, are at fixed levels in the case of heat pumps and wood pellet/ chip boilers and stoves. For solar technology grant support is at a level of €300/m2 subject to a maximum of 12 m2. In certain circumstances, where particular eligible technologies are used in combination, grant levels applying may be adjusted.

In addition to the Greener Homes scheme SEI also runs a number of other schemes directed at improving the energy efficiency of private dwellings. The issue of carbon credits for private dwellings using renewable energy products or insulation is not feasible or appropriate in the current context of tradeable carbon credits and EU parameters. Currently the only market available in Europe for carbon is underpinned by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme Directive. This Directive is explicitly targeted at large industry and high carbon emitters, and only companies identified as meeting the requirements to participate are given permits to trade.