Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he intends to combat fuel poverty in winter 2009; the number of persons who live in fuel poverty here; the number of homes that were part of the warmer homes scheme for 2008 and 2009; the delay in publishing the findings of the fuel poverty action research group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43345/09]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applicants each year and to date in 2009 for the warmer homes scheme; the waiting time for approval and participation in the scheme; if there are applicants who have applied in 2009 who will not be able to avail of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43363/09]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the findings of the fuel poverty action research project; when this was first due for publication and the reason for its delay; the numbers living in fuel poverty; the number of persons who benefited from the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43360/09]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the warmer homes scheme; the method of application; the average time of approval for applications; the number of approved applications to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43235/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 82, 88 and 90 together.

Quantifying the numbers of people who can be classified as fuel poor depends on the methodology employed. The ESRI estimates that some 300,000 or 19.4% of Irish households may have experienced fuel poverty last year. This figure is based on the share of income spent on household fuels. ESRI estimates that based on subjective assessment by householders, some 68,000 or 4.6% of households could not afford to heat their homes adequately in 2006.

The Government is committed to mitigating the impact of energy costs for vulnerable households through a combination of institutional supports, structural energy efficiency improvements to houses and advice for consumers. The effective communication of energy saving information and advice to the elderly and other vulnerable customers is crucial. The updated Keep Well and Warm booklet, and the associated website, provide energy saving advice as well as information on grant schemes and other supports. Some 132,000 copies of the booklet have been circulated this year.

I am working closely with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to ensure a fully cohesive approach to energy affordability. The Affordable Energy Strategy, currently being developed by the Inter Departmental Agency Group, will set out existing and future approaches to addressing energy affordability.

The Warmer Homes Scheme operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is the pivotal mechanism for alleviating the underlying cause of energy poverty — that of thermal inefficiency. Some €20 million has been provided for the scheme in 2009, which includes €5 million provided by ESB and BGE. Under the Scheme, structural improvements will have been made to an additional 15,000 homes by the end of this year. This represents a very significant up-scaling of the scheme and underlines the Government's commitment to those most at risk this winter.

The Warmer Homes Scheme provides energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, fuel poverty at zero or nominal cost. The scheme is primarily delivered by 22 community based organisations (CBOs). The CBOs work in partnership with their local network of poverty and community support organisations including public health nurses, MABS and St. Vincent De Paul to identify and address vulnerable homes.

Each CBO is responsible for managing applications in their own operational areas. Neither SEI nor my Department have data on the number of applications in each CBO area.

The waiting time for approval and participation in the scheme varies across CBOs. It depends on the level of demand in individual areas and available resources available to them. The average waiting time under the Scheme currently ranges between six and ten months. This is a significant improvement on previous years. It is the case that applicants who have recently applied under the scheme may not, in the time available, be assisted before the end of the year. They will however, be accommodated next year subject to available funding.

Apart from the Warmer Homes Scheme there is considerable financial assistance to alleviate fuel poverty provided under various schemes which are the responsibility of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.

The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project was established by Combat Poverty and SEI. The project was designed to assess the energy, environmental, thermal comfort and health benefits of the Warmer Homes Scheme.

The report was initially scheduled to be completed in 2008. However, I am advised that its completion was delayed due to the accidental loss of some key data. In August of this year the draft report was circulated to members of the research community for comment. Following this consultation process, publication of the final report is expected next month.