Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26319/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme.

Exchequer funding of €76.146 million has been allocated to the Better Energy Programme in 2012, which is projected to deliver 524GWh in energy savings. The Better Energy Programme includes Better Energy Homes, Warmer Homes and Better Energy Workplaces.

Better Energy Homes provides financial assistance to householders who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying BER. Since the scheme commenced in March 2009 the SEAI has disbursed over €133m in grants and supported the installation of over 300,000 such measures in 126,761 homes.

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 SEAI and delivered through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. Since the commencement of the Programme in 2000 energy efficiency upgrades have been delivered to 82,669 homes amounting to €82.959 million in Exchequer funding.

The table below details the number of energy efficiency measures delivered and grants paid from the Exchequer under the Better Energy programme in 2011 and 2012.