Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: 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. [3265/09]

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 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, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), ESB and 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.

In 2009 there is €20 million available to the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and this is expected to support energy efficiency interventions in up to 15,000 low income homes this year alone. At the request of the Group, SEI in consultation with ESB and BGÉ and other stakeholders, is reviewing the operation of the WHS to ensure that maximum impact is delivered from the enhanced funding.