Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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357. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is grant funding available towards home insulation to assist former local authority tenants who are now mortgage holders with local councils, yet are living on very low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42071/13]

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

The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures providing home insulation to low-income homeowners, that are vulnerable to energy poverty and who live in privately-owned dwellings. The measures delivered under the scheme are free of charge to the customer. The scheme is primarily delivered through a combination of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. Homes are also delivered on an area based approach through a separate programme strand.

The scheme is currently open for applications for 2013. It is open to all low-income home owners living in homes constructed before 2006, including former Local Authority tenants who are now householders, subject to demonstrating that they are in receipt of one of the following:

- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme;

- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and with children under 7 years of age; or

- Family Income Supplement

The Better Energy Homes Scheme is available to all private homes in Ireland built before 2006. Householders who are mortgage holders with local councils are also eligible for this scheme. The scheme provides financial assistance to households who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are allocated towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER) assessment.