Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a waiting list of one and a half years, in Drogheda, County Louth, for senior citizens who qualify to have their homes insulated under grant aided funding; the steps he is taking to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4443/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Coverage of the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) in County Louth is currently provided by a Dublin based provider. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has received an expression of interest from a Louth based community group interested in delivering this service and it is anticipated that additional service provision will be provided by a local organisation in 2009.

To date, more than 20,000 homes have been substantially addressed by the WHS. There are 20 community based organisations currently delivering the WHS, and represent coverage of just over two thirds of the country. It is a priority of the scheme that full national coverage is provided by community based organisations in 2009. It is planned to commence the introduction of new organisations from the end of quarter one this year.

A number of improvements to the WHS will be introduced over the coming weeks, including a new free phone service designed to assist householders identify their nearest provider. If outside of current coverage, their details will be recorded and notified as soon as the service becomes available in their area. In addition, a new website will be launched to allow homeowners, neighbours or relatives find out more information about the WHS and other grant schemes available in their area. In 2009 there is €20 million available to the WHS. This is expected to support energy efficiency interventions in 15,000 low income homes this year alone.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to increase grant aid in respect of home insulation for older people, whereby roofs are insulated, in order that waiting times for this service can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4457/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) is overseen by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), and is targeted at households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit. The WHS 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 nominal cost.

The total spend on the WHS in 2008 was €5.6M, which represented a doubling of the previous years allocation. In 2009 there is €20 million available to the WHS. This increased level of funding is expected to support energy efficiency interventions in up to 15,000 low income homes this year alone and should substantially reduce the time spent waiting for energy efficiency interventions under the scheme. There are 20 community based organisations currently delivering the WHS, and this represents just over two-thirds of the country. It is a priority of the scheme that full national coverage is provided by community based organisations in 2009. It is planned to commence the introduction of new organisations from the end of March 2009.

A number of improvements to the WHS will be introduced over the coming weeks, including a new free phone service designed to assist householders identify their nearest provider. If outside of current coverage, their details will be recorded and notified as soon as the service becomes available in their area. In addition, a new website will be launched to allow homeowners, neighbours or relatives find out more information about the WHS and other grant schemes available in their area.