Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 894: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the home energy savings programme will be finalised and grant aid available to the public. [10943/09]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 897: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received representations seeking to have replacement windows and doors included in the new insulation grant scheme; if up to 25% of home heat is lost through doors and windows; if the proposal to include replacement doors and windows in the scheme is under active consideration by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11768/09]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 898: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if grant aid is available to owners of zero energy or carbon neutral houses to assist further improvements in order to maximise energy reduction; if so, if he will outline the procedure for applicants if it differs from conventional homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/09]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 902: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to his recent announcement regarding the home energy scheme, his plans to address the concerns of those in receipt of social welfare payments, in particular those on State pension who own their own homes but who may not be in a position to come up with the 60% needed from their own funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10878/09]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 913: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the forms for the €100 million home energy savings scheme will be released to the public; when Sustainable Energy Ireland will receive the funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 894, 897, 898, 902 and 913 together.

Two key elements of the Government's National Insulation Programme are the Home Energy Saving Scheme and the Warmer Homes Scheme, which are administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). The Home Energy Saving Scheme is scheduled to be opened to applications from householders, shortly. The scheme provides grant assistance to homeowners for attic and wall insulation, efficient boilers, heating controls and BER assessments. Funding of up to €50 million to the scheme has been provided in 2009. Grant rates average 30% of the cost of works, although these rates vary depending on the measure concerned.

SEI advised on the measures for inclusion in the scheme. SEI has built up a considerable expertise on residential energy efficiency matters and oversaw the pilot phase of the scheme last year. The selected measures are deemed to be those most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners at the least cost. There are other measures, such as windows and doors, which are not currently included in the scheme. These may also improve the energy performance of a home but may not be as cost effective for the homeowner. Once the Scheme is up and running, the Department and SEI will be keeping it under constant review. If there is a strong cost-benefit case for adding other measures to the scheme, it will be given every consideration, subject to budgetary considerations.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme targets older less energy efficient homes with the aim of bringing them to much higher standards. By definition, zero energy homes are already at a high energy efficient standard and the measures supported by the Home Energy Saving Scheme are not appropriate to such homes. There are no plans to introduce any energy efficiency incentives for existing zero energy homes.

The second element of the Programme, the Warmer Homes Scheme, 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, boiler lagging jackets, draught proofing measures and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). Advice is also provided to householders on minimising energy use. The scheme provides these measures free or at a nominal cost to the householder.

Some €20 million has been made available to the Warmer Homes Scheme in 2009 including €10 million provided between ESB and Bord Gáis Éireann. 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. Further information on the Warmer Homes Scheme is available by calling 1800-250204, by emailing warmerhomes@sei.ie or at:

www.sei.ie/Grants/Warmer