Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

279. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding provided since 2011 to assist with the cost of energy retrofitting of homes and public buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. This includes the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area based programme and the Better Energy Communities programme.

Better Energy Homes 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 Building Energy Ratings. Better Energy Homes is a demand-led programme. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, including the area-based scheme, delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty.

The SEAI also administers the Better Energy Communities programme that supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities in the community sector. The Areas and Community-based schemes were amalgamated in 2014 with an Exchequer allocation of €13.5m. The call for applications for 2014 was announced in February and closed for applications on 30 April.

The Better Energy Workplaces Scheme, which funded new approaches for implementing sustainable energy upgrades to existing facilities in the public, commercial and industrial sectors closed in 2012. The Scheme has been replaced with the National Energy Services Framework, supported by the Energy Efficiency Fund, designed to stimulate innovative energy efficiency projects in the commercial and public sectors.

The table provides a breakdown of the €203 million in grant funding provided by the SEAI for each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 to assist with the cost of energy retro-fitting of homes and public buildings.