Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 648: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to assist those on low incomes to avoid fuel poverty. [17932/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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There are a number of initiatives and schemes in the Energy Policy Framework designed to assist those on low incomes in relation to their energy expenditure. These initiatives include:

The Department of Social and Family Affairs, Fuel Allowances Scheme

Sustainable Energy Ireland's Warmer Homes Scheme- "Keep Well This Winter, Stay Well and Warm" publication

Various schemes relating to local authority rented dwellings, including the Remedial Works Scheme.

The Warmer Homes scheme provides insulation and other energy efficiency solutions to low income homes across Ireland. The service is coordinated by SEI and is delivered principally through Community Based Organisations. The scheme is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, Disability Benefit or Invalidity Benefit and is provided either free of charge or for a nominal fee (less than €100). Households are identified by community based installers working closely in association with other intermediaries including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Health Services and GP networks.

I have provided some €4 million to Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in 2008 to fund the Warmer Homes Scheme, which is an increase over the €2.5m available to this scheme in 2007.

The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project is assessing the effectiveness of the interventions delivered under the current Warmer Homes Scheme in addressing fuel poverty and the final report of the Fuel Poverty Action Research Project is scheduled for publication in mid 2008.

The information pack "Keep Well This Winter, Stay Well and Warm" contains information on all national and local schemes of assistance in relation to fuel poverty. This information pack was developed by a steering group comprising representatives from the Health Service Executive (HSE), ESB Customer Supply, SEI, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Age Action Ireland, Combat Poverty Agency and An Post. It contains advice for householders about

1. Keeping well and warm;

2. Heating their home;

3. Useful phone numbers of service providers;

4. A temperature card; and

5. Available allowances under the Social Welfare system, such as the fuel allowance scheme

6. The Warmer Homes Scheme, including a full list of providers.

The pack was published during winter 2006-2007 and is available in most pharmacies, post offices, doctors' surgeries and citizens' information offices. Approximately 250,000 copies were printed and further copies are available from the ESB and the HSE.

The Energy Policy White Paper proposes that the Inter Departmental/Inter Agency Group on Fuel Poverty will be chaired by the Office of Social Inclusion and a directory of all national and local schemes of assistance in relation to fuel poverty will be published. This Office is the Government office with overall responsibility for co-ordinating and driving the government social inclusion agenda and is based in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. My Department and the Social Inclusion Office will be liaising on the establishment of the group. It is intended to await the outcome of the fuel poverty research project currently in progress, as set out above, before the group is established.