Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 969: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the request by the Irish Farmers Association to consider the introduction of a wood log gasifier grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27284/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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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. The scheme is kept under regular review and earlier this week I announced Phase III of the scheme, which introduces a new eligibility criterion that only second hand houses, at least one year old, will in future be eligible for support. This reflects with the recent coming into force of the new Building Regulations 2008, which for the first time see a compulsory requirement for a component of renewable energy in all new homes.

The installation of renewable heating systems in existing houses is typically more complex and therefore more expensive than installation in new builds. It is appropriate therefore to continue to provide incentivisation for owners of existing houses at this point in the developing market for renewable energy technologies. There will be a small reduction in the levels of scheme support for existing biomass technologies, which are maturing in market terms. I also announced that gasification boilers are being added to the scheme as a new biomass technology eligible for support.

The following table sets out the new grants available under the Greener Homes Scheme Phase III: