Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a company which produces fireplace inserts that burn cut and seasoned wood but provides an energy efficient system qualifies for existing grants. [19972/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Sustainable Energy Ireland administers a number of schemes, in support of the wider deployment of sustainable energy technologies including: - Greener Homes Scheme – stimulating installation of renewable heating systems in homes, including solar panels, biomass and gasification boilers, biomass stoves and geothermal heat pumps. - ReHEAT Scheme – supporting technologies for the commercial, public and community sectors. - Home Energy Savings Scheme - promoting the uptake of energy efficiency measures in homes including improved attic and wall insulation and upgraded heating system controls.

The objective of these programmes is to enhance the energy performance of systems/buildings, thereby reducing emissions, reducing Ireland's reliance on imported fossil fuels and improving the cost competitiveness of energy.

The specification for products supported under the Greener Homes Scheme or the Home Energy Saving Scheme would not cover the product in question, particularly as open fires by their nature are inherently inefficient with typically less than 30% efficiency.