Written answers

Thursday, 26 September 2013

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Better Energy Homes Scheme Applications

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason there is a substantial delay in the processing and administering of the better energy warmer homes scheme for low income households vulnerable to energy poverty; if there has been any improvement made in the administration of the scheme since last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40158/13]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme provides a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is primarily delivered through Community Based Organisations (CBO) and a panel of private sector contractors. Homes are also addressed on an area-based approach through a separate strand. Measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are free of charge to the customer.

Eligible homeowners apply for the scheme either directly through SEAI or via their local CBO, although the SEAI maintains a national waiting list in order to ensure appropriate national coverage. While CBOs typically control delivery within their specific area, where the SEAI identify delays private contractors are asked to assist in order to reduce waiting times. My Department has been advised by the SEAI that there were 3,036 homes on the waiting list on 23 September 2013. This is broken down as follows:

YearTotal Number of ApplicationsOutstanding Applications (Homes not fully completed yet)Status:
Not yet Surveyed
Status:
Survey Completed
Status:
Allocated to Contractor for Works
Status:
With CBO for Delivery
201126,57340040
201217,34622741012192
20139,5722,8058661395811,219

There was a significant increase in the volume of applications received over the period from 2009 - 2011, which led to an increase in the waiting list in certain instances. However, as the above table clearly indicates, the number of outstanding applications has greatly reduced in recent years. The four homes on the waiting list from 2011 have been allocated to contractors for delivery. The oldest application is on one of the Aran islands and this will be completed shortly in conjunction with an SEAI Area based project currently under way on the islands.

There are a number of ways in which my Department is working with the SEAI to improve the overall delivery of the scheme. During 2013, the SEAI improved its reporting capability to ensure that they are fully aware of any significant delays in the delivery of the scheme. The waiting list is reviewed on a weekly basis, in conjunction with my Department. Additionally, measures were put in place to ensure there was no break in CBO contracts during the transition from 2012 to 2013, and therefore no break in service as was the case in previous years. This measure ensured that contractors were operational much earlier than in previous years. Furthermore, various operational and IT related improvements have been made to improve delivery of the scheme and plans are being developed to introduce additional improvements to service delivery.

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