Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of contractors and suppliers of home insulation receiving an audit from the National Standards Authority of Ireland; if his further attention has been drawn to the number of external insulation contractors currently awaiting an audit and the measures he proposes to take in conjunction with the sustainable energy authority of Ireland to deal with this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30101/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are running a grant scheme called the "home energy savings scheme" which gives grants to homeowners to upgrade the thermal performance of their homes. Two of the methods that can achieve this are insulating the external wall using external insulation and/or full fill cavity insulation.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), operate certified installer schemes for contractors to allow them to offer services in accordance with the home energy savings scheme. In total, the NSAI currently has 3 installer schemes: Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation (262 registered installers); Blown Loft Insulation (10 registered installers); External Insulation (34 registered installers). NSAI has established these schemes where the quality of installation and workmanship is critical to the performance of the system/product. The schemes are focused on the verification of the competence of the installers and ensuring that they have a quality system in place.

An additional 125 applications are awaiting an audit. I am advised that all of these outstanding applications are for registration on the external insulation installer scheme. Of the 125 contractors waiting to be audited 78 have been contacted to arrange a suitable date for an audit.