Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the greener homes schemes; the number of applicants waiting to receive grants; his views on the recent problems with wood pellet boilers in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to similar problems elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10559/08]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to promote the use of domestic renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7470/08]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the greener homes scheme will have sufficient funding in 2008; if he has plans to increase the funding available over the course of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10691/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 118 and 122 together.

The Greener Homes Scheme provides support to homeowners to invest in a range of domestic renewable energy heating technologies including solar panels, biomass boilers and stoves and heat pumps. There has been a strong interest in the scheme since it was launched in March 2006. On foot of the achievement of the scheme targets a full three years ahead of schedule, Phase I of the Greener Homes Scheme was closed on 3 September 2007. Phase II of the scheme was opened on 1 October 2007.

The objective in Greener Homes Phase II is to consolidate the market, underpinning it with quality standards and training and providing for a long-term future that is not grant dependent. The aim is to ensure that the market for these products, services and fuels continues to develop strongly in a robust manner and that consumers continue to be guided towards discerning choices. Continuing the scheme will help secure a range of objectives including more competitive offerings, revised product standards, improved training standards and stable growth across the renewable heating industry.

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is administering the scheme on behalf of my Department. I understand that there are approximately 500 applicants awaiting grant approval at any one time. Applications are processed and decisions issued within a matter of weeks of receipt. The Greener Homes Scheme will continue to be kept under review and will continue to evolve in light of maturing technologies and market developments. I am satisfied that sufficient funding is available to meet the commitments under the scheme in 2008.

The Wexford County Council development at Oylegate is one of the 128 developments which received funding support through SEI's House of Tomorrow Programme. SEI contributed funding of €140,000 for the sustainable energy design and technology features in this development and Wexford County Council in conjunction with its contractors managed the design, construction and installation of all elements of the development. The SEI funding contributed to the cost of the sustainable energy measures incorporated in the houses, including superior insulation, glazing, solar water heating system and a wood pellet stove heating system.

I am aware that certain difficulties subsequently arose in relation to a small number of wood pellet stove installations in the development and I am advised that Wexford County Council has taken action to resolve these issues. As SEI had no operational role in the construction of the houses, the installation of the energy technology features or any subsequent actions, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific actions taken by Wexford County Council. I understand that the development is continuing to achieve the target of energy savings in excess of 40% when compared to similar houses built to the Building Regulations applicable at the time the development was constructed.

One of the objectives of the Greener Homes Scheme is to accelerate the development of a previously immature market/supply chain and to promote best practice and professional behaviour. SEI has received approximately 30 complaints from dissatisfied householders relating to either poor installation biomass boilers and stoves or disappointment with system performance versus expectations. Such instances, while very unsatisfactory, are diminishing and the quality of installations, nearly two years on, has improved. This reflects the quality assurance and training initiatives put in place by SEI.