Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will address a ten to 12 month waiting list for an installation service relevant to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16596/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The allocation of funds and resources towards the Community Employment Scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation and not one in which I have any function.

The Warmer Homes Scheme, now an integral element of the Better Energy programme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme provides energy efficiency improvements to homes in, or at risk of, energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of community based organisations (CBOs) and a panel of private contractors. It was successfully delivered to over 24,000 homes across the country in 2010. The scheme has addressed over 64,000 fuel poor homes since 2000 and the extra funding allocated under the recent jobs initiative will deliver up to an additional 20,000 homes in 2011.

The success of the scheme in 2010 and the roll out on a national basis has led to increased awareness and demand. It is the case therefore that there has been an increase in waiting times. The SEAI are working to establish a national waiting list, which will assist in prioritising those homes which have been waiting for the longest periods of time. Within the existing mixed model, Donegal is currently serviced by three CBOs augmented with delivery through private contractors.