Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 934: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to improve energy efficiency in residential properties, particularly for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28300/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 935: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to improve energy efficiency in the homes of social welfare recipients, particularly for older people, as a means of reducing fuel costs and the incidence of fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28301/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 936: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to reduce fuel costs and the incidence of fuel poverty in view of the recent surge in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28302/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 934 to 936, inclusive, together.

Rising energy costs are a major concern for all sectors of the economy and all consumers but they have a particular impact on older people and those in receipt of social welfare payments. My Department is working closely with the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), Bord Gáis Éireann, ESB and other suppliers to ensure a fully cohesive approach to address the challenges of energy affordability and fuel poverty.

One of the root causes of fuel poverty is the legacy of older housing with poor energy efficiency standards. Sustainable Energy Ireland's (SEI) Low Income Housing Programme was established to systematically address this legacy problem. The Programme's primary focus is its Warmer Homes Scheme, which provides attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice at little or no cost to eligible households. These measures can significantly reduce the amount of energy required to heat and light the home. I have recently allocated a further €1 million to the Low Income Housing Programme, bringing the total 2008 allocation to €5 million. This will enable SEI to fund such energy upgrades for 5,000 vulnerable households this year. The scheme is delivered locally by community based organisations that cover different regions.

For those who do not qualify for the Warmer Homes Scheme, I launched a pilot Home Energy Saving Scheme this year, which incentives impact on the energy efficiency of older housing. This scheme has the potential to significantly improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock. SEI has estimated that those upgrading the energy efficiency of their homes with the support of this scheme can expect to save up to €500 per year on their energy bills and that was before recent rises in oil prices. I am also examining the feasibility of placing an energy efficiency obligation on electricity and gas supply companies. Such mechanisms can be a very cost effective way to improve energy efficiency in both the residential and commercial sectors and are already in place in other jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland. Such schemes often require that a percentage of the energy efficiency actions taken by the energy companies be directed towards the benefit of those on low incomes or suffering from fuel poverty.

The CER has also been given a role in protecting vulnerable customers in the energy markets. Under the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005 the CER was tasked with ensuring that there are adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable customers, including measures to help customers avoid disconnection. The CER has set out guidelines for the protection of household electricity and natural gas customers, particularly the elderly, customers relying on life support equipment and those with disabilities.