Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will review a decision to amend a grant approved under the warmer home scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who had received confirmation that an application for central heating, wall and attic insulation were approved, and they have now been notified that their central heating will not be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. The energy poverty strand of Better Energy aims to provide energy efficiency improvements to low-income homes unable to afford the cost of implementing such measures. An additional €10 million was provided for low-income housing retrofits in the recent Jobs Initiative. This will enable over 20,000 low-income homes to benefit from energy efficiency retrofit measures this year.

There has been a significant uptake in applications and interest in the scheme over the last three years. The success of the scheme in 2010 has led to increased awareness and demand, and a subsequent increase in waiting times. This has resulted in SEAI having to prioritise lower cost measures in homes, in order to secure and address the maximum number of vulnerable homes this year.

Surveys were carried out on eligible homes and homeowners were informed of measures that their homes may be suitable to receive. Correspondence will issue shortly from the SEAI to clarify the measures currently available to applicants. The SEAI is currently working with community based organisations (CBOs) and private contractors to prioritise delivery in the coming months to those homes which have been waiting for the longest period, subject to budgetary availability. Queries in relation to individual applications can be addressed to the SEAI hot line - 1800 250 204 where all queries from scheme applicants and public representatives are dealt with immediately.