Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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215. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the inclusion of homes (details supplied) in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 in the retrofitting programme for 2015 in order to significantly improve their energy rating and reduce energy costs to tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3174/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Various energy efficiency grant support schemes are open to non-homeowners.

The Better Energy Areas programme was launched in 2012 and supported the delivery of energy efficiency measures to people in, or at risk of, energy poverty. The scheme targeted homes in specific geographic areas. The Better Energy Communities programme has allowed community and local organisations to apply for funding to upgrade homes, businesses and community facilities. Over the period 2012-2014 the two schemes provided €46.8m in direct grant assistance. This supported 230 individual projects, resulting in the upgrade of a total of 9,644 homes, the majority of them in energy poverty.

In 2015, these two schemes will be merged into a unified programme and projects will be selected on a competitive tendering basis. Addressing energy poverty will remain a core priority in the unified scheme.

The application process for the 2015 unified scheme is being launched on 22 January. Interested applicants should liaise with the SEAI on the matter. It is important to note that neither I, nor my Department, have any role in the selection of individual projects.