Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the grants or other schemes available to private householders for insulation, particularly outside insulation, who are unemployed and aged under 66 years; if he can make a statement on the matter in relation to present and any future planned initiatives. [3054/11]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) on behalf of my Department. The scheme aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty and is targeted at householders who are in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, Disability Benefit or Invalidity Benefit. Measures undertaken include attic insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets, energy efficient lighting, cavity wall insulation and energy advice at no cost to eligible households. While a small number of households received external insulation under a pilot programme in 2010, it is not normally available under the Warmer Homes Scheme.

In circumstances where the homeowner is not in receipt of Department of Social Protection benefits, the applicable scheme is the Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme, administered by SEAI, which is available to owners of homes built before 2006, including landlords and owners of multiple properties. The scheme provides grants of up to 40% of the typical cost of upgrade measures, including roof insulation, wall insulation, boiler upgrades and heating control upgrades. Dedicated hot lines for both schemes are available (WHS hot line - 1800 250 204 and HES hot line - 1850 927 000), and provide information on eligibility for the schemes.

Both these schemes will transition during 2011 into the new National Retrofit Programme, together with the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). In advance of the transition to the National Retrofit Programme, the schemes will continue to operate.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the national retrofit scheme he plans to introduce in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3143/11]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) concluded a consultation process on the National Retrofit Programme towards the end of 2010. My Department is currently engaged in extensive dialogue with key participants in finalising a framework for the operation of the programme over the next three years. The programme will be launched in the near future.

The programme has an allocation in 2011 of €69.4 million and entails the transition of the existing Warmer Homes Scheme, Home Energy Saving Scheme and Greener Homes Scheme into the programme over the course of the year. In addition, the new energy efficiency tax relief scheme announced by the Minister for Finance on Budget Day will fully complement the retrofit programme. The programme envisages the involvement of energy supply and distribution companies, energy services providers, the construction sector, energy auditors, BER Assessors, SEAI and my Department working together to deliver very high levels of energy savings, energy cost reductions and ultimately smaller carbon footprints for energy customers throughout the country.