Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the funding and number of applicants for the greener homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43355/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Greener Homes Scheme supports the installation by householders of renewable energy heating technologies including wood pellet and chip stoves and boilers, gasification boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. The grant is a fixed amount, based upon the technology selected, towards the cost of purchase and installation of the chosen scheme. Products and installers must be selected from published Sustainable Energy Ireland registered lists. The net number of applications from 2006 to date under the scheme is 29,000. Nearly 25,000 installations have been completed under the scheme. Exchequer funding to date has amounted to just under €62 million. The Greener Homes Scheme has created a stable market in domestic renewable energy technologies and has supported the development of the renewable heating industry. The current phase of the scheme was launched in July 2008. New homes ceased to be eligible with the introduction of the new building regulations under which it is now compulsory to include a component of renewable energy in new housing developments. The scheme is supporting a range of objectives, including more competitive offerings for the consumer, enhanced product standards, quality assurance and improved training standards and certainty for the renewable heating industry. The Exchequer allocation of €12.345 million for 2009 was increased by €3 million during the year in order to meet continued levels of demand under the scheme. Decisions in relation to funding for 2010 will be taken in the context of the Estimates process.