Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grant aid available from his Department to install insulation in family homes. [44862/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Financial supports are available to homeowners under two schemes funded by my Department to improve the energy efficiency of existing houses. For households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit, the Warmer Homes Scheme managed by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) will install cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, a boiler lagging jacket, draught-proofing measures and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Advice is also provided to householders on minimising energy use. These measures are provided free or at a token cost. Funding of €10 million has been made available for this Scheme in 2009, which includes a contribution of €5 million from ESB and Bord Gáis.

Householders generally will be in a position to avail of grants for energy efficiency improvement measures under the Home Energy Saving Scheme from next year. I launched the Scheme this year on a pilot basis, in a selected number of areas, and with a budget of €5 million. The pilot Scheme is grant aiding cavity wall insulation, wall lining insulation, external insulation, attic insulation, heating controls and low emission double glazing. This pilot phase is informing the design of the wider roll out of the scheme in 2009 for which provision of €20 million has been made.