Written answers

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Departmental Schemes

8:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date applications will be accepted under the national insulation programme; the qualifying conditions for these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6425/09]

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when application forms for the home energy saving scheme will be available to house owners to apply for the scheme; if it is mandatory that home owners must employ building energy rating assessors; the person who will validate the completed job to enable grant payment to be made; if contractors such as plasterers, plumbers and electricians who have tax clearance certificates will be eligible to carry out work on this scheme; if there is a minimum expenditure by the home owners below which grant aid will not be awarded; if home owners can apply for grant aid on more than one house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6620/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 224 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, with the minimum grant level set at €500. Homeowners can apply for grant aid on more than one house. A list of eligible measures and fixed grant rates is set out in the following table:

MeasureFixed grant rate
Roof Insulation250
Cavity Wall Insulation400
Internal Wall Insulation2,500
External Wall Insulation4,000
High Efficiency Boiler with Heating Controls Upgrade700
Heating Controls Upgrade Only500
Building Energy Rating Assessment200

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.

Following completion of any work carried out under the scheme, the homeowner and contractor must sign a "declaration of work completed", which must then be furnished to SEI in order to receive payment of the grant.

The second element of the National Insulation Programme for Economic Recovery, 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 provides 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. The scheme is now open for applications and 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_Homes_Scheme.

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.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants available under the greener homes scheme; if there has been change in the qualifying conditions of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6426/09]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Greener Homes Scheme, since its launch in March 2006, has provided support for home owners investing in renewable energy heating technologies. The scheme has evolved over that period, supported by appropriate budgetary allocations year on year. Phase III was launched in July 2008 and continues to support the installation of a variety of technologies in existing homes.

Any support scheme such as Greener Homes must evolve over time to a point where the industry is self sufficient and this overall approach has been reflected in the adjustments made to this scheme at appropriate junctures to date. The scheme has stimulated the development of a new sector, improving the supply chain for the products, services and fuels. The application of product standards, installer training and the quality framework has ensured that consumers are both informed and confident in their choices.

The Building Regulations, which came into force on July 1st 2008, make the inclusion of renewable energy regulations in new homes mandatory. It is therefore no longer appropriate to grant aid installation of renewable technologies in new homes, with consequent impact on the budgetary requirement for the scheme. Also, the Building Regulations mandatory requirement will of itself significantly stimulate demand for renewable energy products and services. The installation of renewable heating systems in existing homes, which is typically more complex and more expensive, warrants continued support in the short to medium term while the market reaches maturity.

The scheme is administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and further information, including how to apply for a grant is available on its website at www.sei.ie. The current levels of grants available are:

TechnologyGHS* IGHS II
Biomass — Boiler4,2003,000
Biomass — Stove1,1001,100
Biomass — Stove w/Back boiler1,8001,800
Heat Pump — Vert'l ground6,5003,500
Heat Pump — Horiz'l ground4,3002,500
Heat Pump — Water to water4,3002,500
Heat Pump — Air Source4,0002,000
Solar — Flat Plate300/m2250/m2
Solar — Evacuated Tube300/m2300/m2

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