Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of homes in County Kerry that have benefitted under the warmer homes scheme to date in 2011; and if he plans to extend the scheme in 2012. [37327/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Better Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households which 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. The measures installed include attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, hot water cylinder lagging jacket and CFLs. Homeowners are also given energy advice. To date, energy efficiency improvements in over 75,000 homes have been made under Better Energy: Warmer Homes. In 2010, 24,291 homes benefitted from the scheme, including 762 homes in County Kerry. A total of 16,400 homes have received energy efficiency improvements to the end of October 2011, including 510 homes in County Kerry.

There has been a significant uptake in applications for the scheme over the last three years, the success of the scheme having led to increased awareness and demand. There are currently 9,220 homes nationwide on the Better Energy: Warmer Homes' waiting list, of which 461 are in County Kerry. The SEAI is working towards a six-month timeframe for service delivery. This scheme remains open and eligible homeowners can register for the scheme by calling the dedicated hotline number at 1800 250 204. In publishing the Affordable Energy Strategy on 27 November, I reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the Warmer Homes Scheme, funding for which in 2012 will be finalised in the context of overall budgetary decisions.