Written answers

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Departmental Funding

7:00 pm

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the money spent on the home energy scheme over the past five years; and the amount that will be committed on the home energy scheme for each year for the next three years. [21911/11]

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps that he will take, including doubling the funding, to increase home energy efficiency. [21162/11]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 418 together.

Capital funding of €60 million was allocated for energy efficiency initiatives in Budget 2011. As part of the Jobs Initiative, a further €30 million has been provided for this year which underpinned the launch of the Better Energy Programme in May. Better Energy replaces three energy efficiency and renewable energy programmes: the Home Energy Savings Scheme (HES), the Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) and the Greener Homes Scheme (GHS).

The obligations strand of Better Energy brings energy suppliers on board as partners, in fulfilment of Ireland's obligations under the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive. These companies have been asked to finalise voluntary agreements with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which will deliver 200GWh of energy saving measures in 2011. Energy companies can meet their target by directly offering upgrade services, or by subcontracting the work to third parties.

Better Energy: Homes - allows domestic customers to apply for an Exchequer supported incentive, currently a direct grant which will be replaced by 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. Energy upgrades were provided to 45,990 homes in 2010 and to 27,653 homes to the end of June 2011.

Better Energy: Warmer Homes - provides energy efficiency improvements free of charge 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. Energy upgrades were provided to 24,291 homes in 2010 and to 8,556 homes to the end of June 2011.

The amounts spent on the HES scheme are as follows:

Programme2008 (Pilot)20092010
Home Energy Saving scheme (HES) Total Capital Spend (€m)1.2514.92645.434

The HES scheme is now fully integrated into Better Energy: Homes. The capital allocation for Better Energy in 2011 is €91.4m. Decisions in relation to funding for 2012 and forward years will be taken in the context of the Government's review of the capital expenditure programme.

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