Written answers

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Grant Payments

3:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has plans to introduce a building insulation capital grants scheme in 2008; what the €5 million pilot programme for home insulation entails; the other specific funding that has been allocated in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35451/07]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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On top of the €50 million allocated in the pre-budget estimates for renewable energy and energy conservation measures, I secured an additional €13 million for this area in 2008 on Budget Day.

I am allocating €5 million of this funding to the new Home Energy Saving Scheme. My Department is working closely with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to fully develop the details of the Pilot Programme, which I intend to launch in the first quarter of 2008. Their work is being informed by considerations relating to value for money, cost of solution, overall energy efficiency and carbon reduction effectiveness.

I envisage that the Pilot Programme in 2008 will support investment by householders participating in the Pilot to improve the energy performance of their homes. In specific terms I would see improved roof and wall insulation as being of pivotal importance, together with other identified measures with the potential to significantly enhance the energy efficiency of the housing sector.

It has been estimated that of the 1.7 million homes in Ireland, up to one million are deficient in one or more significant energy efficiency aspects. This is particularly true of pre-1981 private sector housing, originally built with no energy efficiency features and of which over 300,000 remain of low efficiency standards.

The roll out of the Programme will have clear synergies with preparations for the mandatory home energy rating of existing housing put up for sale or lease after 1 January 2009. Building energy rating is a key measure of energy efficiency improvement before and after remedial action.

I am also providing additional funding to SEI to build on its 2007 energy efficiency programme for industry and Small and Medium Enterprises. A further €2 million is being provided to SEI to administer and oversee the Building Energy Rating Programme.

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