Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposed changes planned for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11162/11]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the rationale behind the reduction in grant aid levels under the home energy saving scheme (details supplied); the overall cost to the Exchequer of the scheme to date; if the scheme is cost neutral due to the stimulus that it provides to the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11758/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together.

I announced the launch of Better Energy: The National Upgrade Programme on Wednesday, 11 May 2011 on foot of the Jobs Initiative. Better Energy will replace the three existing energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS). There are three strands to Better Energy. The first strand allows domestic customers to apply for an Exchequer supported incentive, currently a grant but which will migrate to an up-front discount later in the year. The measures grant-aided under this strand include roof and wall insulation, high efficiency boilers, heating control upgrades and solar thermal.

The second strand brings 25 energy suppliers on board as partners. These companies have been asked to finalise voluntary agreements with the SEAI by the end of June, which will deliver 200GWh of energy saving measures in 2011. Energy companies can meet their target by directly offering upgrade services, or by sub-contracting the work to third parties.

The third strand provides support for energy efficiency upgrades in low-income private housing, covered by the Warmer Homes Scheme. Applications are collected centrally, via a managing agent, or through a network of 28 community-based organisations who deliver the retrofit work free of charge to the homeowner.

The SEAI will monitor all activity by recording the Building Energy Rating of every home before and after works are carried out, and verifying what measures have been carried out to the appropriate standards. The Better Energy grant levels have been set to ensure that the level of Exchequer support is in line with market prices. Since the HES scheme was launched in 2009, there have been substantial reductions in the prices being charged for most of the measures covered by the scheme, the exception being external insulation which is a relatively new technology in Ireland. It is clearly essential that the level of Exchequer support reflects market prices.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being prohibited from applying for the home energy savings scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, in view of the fact that a company (details supplied) is charging a fee of €800 to move their gas meter in order that external insulation fits. [11650/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The operation of the Home Energy Scheme is a day to day matter for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). I have no function in the matter.

It is a legal requirement under The Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 that all domestic gas works must be undertaken and certified by a registered gas installer (RGI) who is registered with the RGII (Register Gas Installers of Ireland).

Bord Gáis advises that the installation of external wall insulation to a property with an existing natural gas supply must ensure compliance with all relevant national gas, safety and technical standards. If the external insulation will have an impact on the gas service line/meter location, then Bord Gáis Networks should be contacted so that a suitable solution can be achieved. If the insulation is planned to cover an existing wall area where a gas service/meter is located, then either the meter can be moved to a non-affected location or temporarily moved for the period of works and then reinstated.

Only Bord Gáis Networks can move a meter and whilst this may result in additional costs for homeowners this is a necessary legislative and safety requirement. Any up-front costs associated with the installation of energy efficiency measures will be recouped through energy savings in future.