Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which the National Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme will be launched in view of the difficulties that there has been with expenditure in 2009 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37776/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department recently concluded a consultation process on the National Retrofit Programme, setting out a proposed framework and details of how it will operate over the next three years. The programme will be launched in 2011 and will entail the transition of the existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes over the course of the year. Whilst expenditure on these schemes to end-September 2010 is behind profile, it still amounts to some €55.263 million. I am advised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that they expect the end of year outturn to be close to the 2010 allocation.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme (HES) commenced in late March 2009 and provides grant assistance to homeowners for energy efficiency measures. Applicants are given six months in which to undertake the work. Not all projects were completed by year end, leading to less than anticipated expenditure in 2009. To date in 2010, 33,302 homes have been approved for energy efficiency upgrades.

The WHS provides energy efficiency upgrades to low-income houses. The scheme is delivered through a combination of community based organisations and private contractors, who were retained for programme delivery for the first time in 2009. Budget 2010 provided a substantial increase in funding which will allow for 22,500 homes to be delivered this year. I am advised by the SEAI that they expect to exceed this target.

The Greener Homes Scheme (GHS), which has been in operation since 2006, currently provides capital support for 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. To date, over 25,000 installations have been completed under the scheme.

In advance of the introduction of the new national retrofit programme, the HES, Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS), and GHS will continue to operate.