Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of persons who have been approved for work on the warmer homes scheme since 1 January 2010; if he will provide a breakdown of the approved work to be carried out in the homes approved, in tabular form and by each particular piece of work as identified as available through the scheme; the number of persons who have had the work finished on their homes; the number waiting for the work to be done; the average waiting time once the grant has been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27018/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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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. 'Better Energy: Warmer Homes' delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors. Due to the mixed delivery model and variations across CBOs, the number of measures available to particular homes can vary from region to region.

To date, energy efficiency improvements in over 73,000 homes have been made under Better Energy: Warmer Homes. My Department and SEAI have a target of 20,000 homes this year of which 13,313 have been completed to the end of September, which equates to energy savings for recipients of approximately €9.4m.

The measures installed include attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, hot water cylinder lagging jacket and CFLs. Homeowners are also given energy advice.

In 2010, a total of 24,291 homes received works under the programme. In 2011, 11,488 homes received attic insulation upgrades, 7,719 got cavity wall insulation upgrades and 8,913 received draught proofing upgrades.

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 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.

There are currently 11,223 homes on the Better Energy: Warmer Homes waiting list, spread across twenty-six counties. While the waiting time for measures can vary, depending on demand and the CBOs/contractor capacity for that particular area, the typical waiting time for services would be six months.

The SEAI is currently working with the CBOs and private contractors to prioritise delivery in the coming months to those homes which have been waiting for the longest period, subject to resource availability.

During 2010, SEAI enhanced the IT system for capturing, scheduling and managing all applications under the Scheme. In the original system, while homes were individually managed and tracked, the specific measures installed in particular homes were only recorded in paper files and so it is not possible within the timeframe/resources available in responding to the Deputy's Question to indicate the specific measures installed in those homes during 2010. It is reasonable to assume however that the proportions would be broadly similar to the volumes in 2011.

Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a person (details supplied) can expect to have the work completed under the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/11]

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. The SEAI has advised my Department that an appointed contractor has recently been assigned to this particular case and will shortly be in touch with the applicant to arrange a suitable date for the installation of the measures. The intention is to have the work completed before the end of this month.

Any further 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.