Written answers

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Departmental Schemes

8:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 546: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available for persons in houses which are in need of insulation for heat preservation and retention if there are grants available for upgrading windows through Sustainable Energy Ireland or through his Department; if he will furnish the relevant documentation in support thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47253/08]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am providing funding for two programmes that assist households in need of improved insulation.

The Warmer Homes Scheme is targeted at households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit. The Scheme provides cavity wall insulation, attic insulation, boiler lagging jackets, 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 nominal cost.

The Warmer Homes Scheme is delivered principally through community based organisations. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) oversees the Programme. Applications for assistance under the Scheme should be made via the relevant community organisation, details of which can be found under the grants section of SEI's website (www.sei.ie/grants). I have increased the funding for this Scheme to €5 million in 2009 and have secured another €5 million in matching funding from ESB Customer Supply and Bord Gáis Éireann.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme, which is also managed by SEI, will provide grant assistance to householders generally to install energy efficiency measures from next year. I launched the Scheme on a pilot basis earlier this year, in a selected number of areas and with a budget of €5 million.

The pilot phase of the Scheme is providing 30% grants towards cavity wall insulation, wall lining insulation, external insulation, attic insulation, heating controls and low-e 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. I am currently finalising the operational details of the full Scheme, including the measures that will be supported, and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in respect of new applications at the beginning of 2009.

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