Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will give a full report on all available insulation grants for householders; the funding being provided for this in 2008; and the measures he is taking to provide householders with full information of all available assistance to access low carbon home heating systems and home insulation. [11084/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I expect to make an announcement later this month on the commencement of a Home Energy Saving Scheme. This scheme will be a pilot for the full national insulation scheme to be rolled out from next year. The pilot scheme will test a number of different energy efficiency technologies. It will also trial different options for best delivering on the Government's objectives for the scheme, which are to reduce energy use and lower CO2 emissions from existing housing stock, while promoting the development of a market for energy services. I have made some €5.5 million available to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in 2008 for this scheme. The Programme for Government commits to a €100m scheme over the lifetime of this Government.

I have also made some €2.5 million available in 2008 to SEI for the Low Income Housing Programme, which through its main component, the Warmer Homes Scheme, provides funding to some 18 community groups to upgrade the energy efficiency of low income homes, particularly through improved insulation.

My colleague, John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, introduced a new Housing Aid for Older People Scheme on 1 November 2007, with the aim of providing targeted support to improve conditions in the existing housing of older people. The scheme may assist with works that can improve the energy efficiency of homes, such as insulation, provision of central heating and repair or replacement of windows and doors. Both SEI and my Department's Power of One campaign provide information on best practices in home insulation. This information can be accessed at www.sei.ieor www.powerofone.ie.