Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are grants available for the insulation of a house and for the replacement of windows in a house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3138/09]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when an application form in respect of the new house insulation grant will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3434/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.

The improvement of energy efficiency in the building stock is one of the most cost effective ways of reducing emissions and energy bills and is a key Government priority as reflected in the significant funding provided in Budget 2009. Energy efficiency measures to tackle deficiencies in households will also support employment in the construction sector and the development of an energy services industry.

Experience of the pilot phase of the Home Energy Saving Scheme in 2008 has demonstrated that there is considerable demand for a support scheme for energy efficiency measures, not only among householders, but also among building energy rating assessors, product manufacturers, installers and other market players. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) estimates that demand among householders across the country could well exceed 100,000 homes over the lifetime of the scheme. Homeowners can expect to save up to €700 on their energy bills if they implement the full suite of measures being proposed under the national scheme.

SEI is at present finalising the details for the national roll-out of the Home Energy Savings scheme and I intend to announce the details of the scheme shortly. While the pilot phase of the Scheme last year did not specifically include Galway, it will of course be included in the national scheme.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made by the inter-departmental group on energy affordability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3539/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Government is committed to protecting vulnerable consumers from the impact of high energy costs through a combination of institutional supports and investment in improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock. I am working closely with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to deliver a fully cohesive approach across Government.

I established, last year, an Inter Departmental/Agency Group led by my Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs, and which also includes the Departments of Finance, Taoiseach, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Health and Children, the Commission for Energy Regulation, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), ESB, BGÉ and the Institute of Public Health. The Group is also liaising with relevant groups and Agencies in Northern Ireland.

This intensive cooperation and coordinated working by all the relevant Departments, agencies and the utilities is ensuring the effective delivery of a comprehensive approach to addressing energy affordability. The Group has been conducting a series of meetings with representative groups and agencies including Age Action Ireland and Energy Action.

The group has finalised an advisory booklet to inform and assist those seeking advice about supports in relation to energy affordability. The booklet will be published this month alongside a new complementary website and will be widely disseminated. I have increased the 2009 funding for the Warmer Homes Scheme and secured further funding from ESB Customer Supply and BGÉ. At the request of the Group, SEI in consultation with ESB and BGÉ and other stakeholders, is reviewing the operation of the Warmer Homes Scheme with the aim of ensuring that maximum impact is delivered from the enhanced funding.