Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify the situation regarding insulation of houses being sponsored and grant aided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; if planning approval is required in exterior insulation schemes; if so, the reason the SEAI does not inform persons of same, the reason it does not ask if planning approval has been granted before awarding grant approval; if a standard approach can be taken by all local authorities; if Dublin City Council can now be instructed to withdraw the warning notice under section 152 issued to a person (details supplied) who has done everything in accordance with the SEAI but has no planning approval. [42207/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Home Energy Saving (HES) scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, provides grant assistance for a range of energy efficiency measures, including roof insulation, internal and external wall insulation, boilers and heating controls. The measures selected for inclusion in the scheme are considered to be the most optimum to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners at least cost and represent best use of budgetary resources.

I am advised by the SEAI that the grant application process under the HES scheme requires that applicants accept the requirement that they must obtain all necessary consents, permissions and statutory approvals and have authority to install the measures in his or her home. The SEAI does not audit compliance with this requirement as part of the application approval as it may not arise in all instances. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to secure permits as may be required, and some applicants may choose to have grant approval in place before proceeding with planning permissions. Obviously no grant is paid unless the work is certified as having being completed.

The SEAI further advise that if there is any doubt as to whether the particular external insulation proposed will affect the character of the structure, the SEAI grant applicant is advised to contact their local planning authority to clarify the matter. It is therefore a matter for individual local authorities, operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to ascertain whether the application of external wall insulation comprises works as envisaged under the planning regulations and not a matter in which I have any function.

The issue as to whether a standard approach can be taken by all local authorities is a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.