Written answers

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Energy Costs

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the publication of the Fuel Poverty Action Research Project report; the contact he has had with poverty groups to ensure that those at risk of fuel poverty in winter 2009 are included in schemes such as the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4550/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project was established by Combat Poverty and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) to inform public policy on the merits of domestic energy efficiency programmes. The project involves an integrated and systematic ex-post assessment of the energy, environmental, thermal comfort and health benefits of the SEI-administered Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), which retrofits low income private homes with insulation and other energy saving measures. The report of the Fuel Poverty Research Project is due to be published for consultation at the end of March 2009 following a presentation to the interdepartmental working group on energy affordability.

The Warmer Homes Scheme provides energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, fuel poverty and is delivered by community based organisations (CBOs). The CBOs work in partnership with their local network of poverty and community support organisations including public health nurses, MABS and St Vincent De Paul to identify and address vulnerable homes.

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 for 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, SEI, ESB and BGÉ and the Institute of Public Health. 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 in addition to relevant groups and agencies in Northern Ireland.

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.

To date more than 20,000 homes have been substantially addressed by the Warmer Homes Scheme. In 2009 there is €20 million available to the WHS with a further 15,000 homes expected to be completed. SEI, in consultation with ESB, BGÉ and other stakeholders, is reviewing the operation of the Scheme with the aim of ensuring that maximum impact is delivered from the enhanced funding.

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