Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 326: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which the proposed pay as you save home retrofitting scheme will come into operation; the measures home owners may expect from the scheme; if the scheme will apply to rented properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30732/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to roll out a Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) energy retrofit scheme after 2013. Such a scheme will substitute for Exchequer funding currently being provided. The 2011 capital allocation is €91.4m. To date under Better Energy: Homes, efficiency upgrades have been completed in 45,990 homes this year and over 100,000 homes since the programme commenced in 2009.

The PAYS concept is an innovative financing mechanism that would allow consumers to finance upgrades directly through the energy savings generated. My Department has established a project team to undertake the necessary technical and financial analysis of a PAYS model in the Irish context and will submit an initial report to me in the coming weeks. The potential application of a PAYS mechanism to rental properties is being assessed as part of the analysis.