Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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369. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding made available to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the better energy warmer homes area based programme 2013; the authorities that received funding and the level of same; the amount that has been drawn down by each authority to date; the amount that remains under each allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39293/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is administered by the SEAI under the Better Energy Programme and provides energy efficiency measures targeted at low income homeowners experiencing energy poverty. The scheme is primarily delivered through Community Based Organisations augmented by a panel of private contractors. Homes are also addressed on an area-based approach through a separate strand.

An area based pilot was first introduced in 2012 under the Affordable Energy Strategy to target homeowners experiencing extreme energy poverty and successfully disbursed €4 million in Exchequer funding. The approach has been extended in 2013 with €6 million of Exchequer funding being allocated.

The call for applications closed at the end of April with 66 applications received. Following evaluation 37 projects were offered grants totalling €7.47m. The 37 projects approved include substantial retrofits to almost 3,000 homes in all housing sectors including Local Authority, Housing Association and private homes. To date, 1,250 homes have been completed under four projects, with a further 22 projects fully active on site. No funding has yet been drawn down in respect of the projects that received grant offers. Monitoring and evaluation of each project is currently underway by the SEAI to ensure that all monies allocated were spent appropriately. Payments will be made by the SEAI once these evaluations are competed. The list of grants offered under the Area Based Scheme 2013 is set out in the following table.