Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to bring in a renewable heat incentive, that is, a financial reward for persons (details supplied) installing energy saving heating systems in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43482/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly. The analysis underpinning the draft Plan is that an additional bioenergy focussed measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. Therefore, the draft Plan recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for larger heat users to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources. There are no plans at this time to introduce such a scheme for domestic heat users.

However, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on my behalf. This includes the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme and the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area based programme, which has subsequently been merged with the Better Communities programme.

Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The Better Energy Areas scheme, which is free of charge to the customer, delivers energy upgrades to low income homeowners experiencing extreme energy poverty in all housing sectors including Local Authority houses, Housing Association houses and private homes. The Better Energy Communities programme supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings, services, facilities and processes in the community sector. Under all of these schemes certain heating system upgrades are eligible for grant support.