Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the mechanism available to applicants to access application forms for the proposed new insulation grant programme; if there are impediments or guidelines that prohibit recipients of other grants from local authorities previously from receiving the new grants; if there is an age limit on persons who can receive such a grant; when the scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5732/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when details of the national insulation programme will be announced; when the scheme will be up and running; if contractors will be required to register with his Department in advance of grants being awarded; the way such a process will be implemented; the way the scheme will be verified; the persons by whom it will be verified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6052/09]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will make a statement regarding the recently announced grants for home insulation; the amount of funds available for this scheme in 2009; and the locations where applicants should apply for these grants. [5719/09]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grant schemes available for home insulation and particularly for older houses and for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the type of grants available to individuals to assist them in installing heat conservation measures and for insulated doors, windows and so on in their dwelling houses; the amount of the grants available and the eligibility criteria attached thereto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6142/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 412, 413, 421, 429 and 437 together.

On the 8th of February last, together with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I launched the National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery. The Programme entails a three pronged approach to addressing the legacy of older housing with poor energy efficiency standards.

The Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme is the largest element of the Programme with a budget of €50 million in 2009. This scheme has the potential to support the upgrade of in excess of 27,500 homes in 2009. Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) estimates that demand for this scheme could ultimately exceed 100,000 homes.

Homeowners can expect to save up to €700 per year on their energy bills if they install the full suite of measures available under the scheme. The scheme offers grants of up to 40% of the typical cost of energy efficiency upgrade measures, varying depending on the measure concerned. A list of eligible measures and fixed grant rates is set out in the following table.

The HES Scheme has been launched now in order to allow installers who wish to participate in the scheme, to register with SEI. Registered contractors will be required to sign up to a code of conduct and comply with a range of terms and conditions to ensure the quality of work carried out under the scheme. They will also have to carry a specified level of insurance and be fully tax compliant. SEI will be implementing a quality assurance and inspection programme to ensure compliance with these requirements. Contractors wishing to register with the scheme may contact SEI at 1850 927000 or at hescontractor@sei.ie.

The scheme is open to anybody owning a house that was built prior to 2006. Homeowners and landlords will be able to apply under the scheme from next month. In the meantime, homeowners can register their interest with SEI on 1850 927000 or at hes@sei.ie. Homeowners may arrange to have a building energy rating carried out immediately, if they wish, but this is not a requirement for participation in the scheme. However, homeowners should not take any action on the other measures until they have received grant approval from SEI.

Where a homeowner previously received a grant from a local authority or any other source to upgrade the energy efficiency of the home, they can still be eligible for a grant under the HES Scheme, provided further significant eligible works are necessary. They cannot receive a grant towards efficiency measures already installed, whether previously grant-aided or not.

The National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery will greatly assist those on low incomes or in social housing. The second element of the Programme, the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), is designed to assist private households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of Fuel Allowance, Invalidity or Disability Benefit. The scheme for the installation of a range of energy efficiency measures, including 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. The WHS provides these measures free or at a nominal cost to the householder.

I have made available some €20 million to the WHS in 2009. This greatly increased level of funding is expected to support energy efficiency interventions in up to 15,000 low income homes in this year alone. There are 20 community based organisations (CBOs) currently delivering the WHS, and this represents just over two-thirds of the country. Under our initiative to extend the scheme nationwide in 2009, SEI plans to commence the introduction of new CBOs to the scheme from the end of March 2009.

A number of improvements to the WHS are gradually being introduced this quarter, including a new free-phone service designed to assist eligible homeowners in identifying 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.

Further information on the WHS is available by calling 1800-250204, by emailing warmerhomes@sei.ie or at www.sei.ie/Grants/Warmer

The third element of the National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery will involve providing similar energy efficiency upgrade measures in social housing. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will be making further announcements on this element of the programme in due course.

The National Insulation Programme has the potential to contribute to the creation of 4,000 direct and indirect jobs thus contributing to the Government's priority objective of maintaining and creating employment as part of economic renewal.