Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the new grant scheme for improving home insulation will be available; the eligibility criteria for persons wishing to avail of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The improvement of energy efficiency in the housing stock is internationally recognised as one of the most cost effective ways of reducing emissions and energy bills. Energy efficiency measures to tackle deficiencies in households also support and strengthen employment in the construction and energy services sectors.

I launched the national Home Energy Savings Scheme on Sunday last with a budget of €50 million in 2009. This is expected to support the upgrade of at least 27,500 homes, and with other building insulation programmes in my own Department and the Department of the Environment, will contribute to the creation of 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Experience from 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.

This Scheme offers grants of up to 40% of the typical cost of energy efficiency upgrade measures, varying depending on the measure concerned. Owners of homes built prior to 2006 can now contact SEI on 1850 927000 or hes@sei.ie to register their interest in this scheme. A list of eligible measures and fixed grant rates is set out in the following table.