Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm the home energy retrofit support intended to be provided for the elderly and those on low incomes once the proposed PAYS system comes into operation; if there will remain a grant-based programme for such citizens separate to the PAYS scheme or if it is intended that all applicants regardless of income or age must apply in the same manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16098/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a number of schemes under the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department.

The Better Energy Homes scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners 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.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. Measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are provided free of charge to the customer.

Despite the current economic challenges, the Government is committed to continuing to deliver energy efficiency measures to vulnerable households. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme has been allocated Exchequer funding of €17 million for 2013. It is anticipated that the scheme will deliver upgrades to approximately 10,000 homes this year.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to roll out a Better Energy Financing (i.e. pay-as-you-save) energy retrofit scheme for domestic buildings after 2013. The Better Energy Financing (BEF) model proposes that the current suite of Exchequer funded grants for energy efficiency measures, excluding the low-income housing retrofit programme, will be replaced by a new financing scheme open to the residential and non-residential sectors.

The key benefit to the homeowner of such a financing mechanism is that the scheme will allow them to secure upfront financing for energy efficiency upgrades to their homes, and in the process remove one of the key energy efficiency barriers. The consumer will also benefit through the creation of a robust quality assurance process that will protect consumers and ensure high-quality workmanship.

My Department has put in place a project team to design a replacement retrofit financing scheme under the direction of a Project Board representing key state and industry stakeholders. Project resources have been drawn from industry experts and elsewhere in the public sector. It is planned that the design of the scheme will be developed over the coming months and that a public consultation process will be undertaken later this year. I would stress, however, that it is my intention, in the context of the introduction of a Pay As You Save scheme, that the grant scheme aimed at those on low incomes, will remain in existence.