Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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793. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of grants, in tabular form, that were awarded as part of the better energy scheme in each year since its introduction. [29699/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Better Energy Programme was launched in 2009 as the Home Energy Saving scheme after a pilot programme was conducted in 2008. The Home Energy Saving scheme was rebranded as the Better Energy scheme in May 2011. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy programme on behalf of my Department. The programme consists of three schemes: Homes, Warmer Homes and Communities. Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Better Energy Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The Better Energy Communities programme supports energy efficiency upgrades to homes, buildings and facilities in the community sector. The Better Energy Communities programme also incorporates an area-based element that supports the upgrade of clusters of homes in energy poverty.

The following tables detail the total value and number of grants (where relevant) provided through the Better Energy Programme since 2009:

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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794. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the annual cost of grants under the better energy homes scheme in each year from 2010 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29730/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Better Energy Homes Scheme 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 BER. The amount of grants awarded under the Better Energy Homes Scheme in each year from 2010 to 2014 is as follows:

The importance of improving our energy efficiency for reducing our harmful emissions cannot be overstated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published its report on Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emission Projections 2014-2035. The report finds that significant additional effort is required by Ireland to meet our 2020 emissions targets, particularly in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The report highlights the importance of the Better Energy Programme in delivering the emissions reductions necessary in the residential sector to 2020.

In late 2014 my Department working with the SEAI reviewed the supports available under the Better Energy Homes scheme in conjunction with the financial resources available for the scheme. This review concluded that the most efficient ways of using the limited resources available to the scheme were (i) to increase the existing grant levels whose value had been eroded by inflation, (ii) to introduce a new bonus payment that encourages householders to engage in deeper renovations that could lead to more significant energy savings and (iii) to abolish the minimum grant threshold. In March of this year I announced increases of between 25% and 50% in the grant levels awarded to householders under the scheme. In addition, a bonus payment has been introduced for householders that complete three or more energy efficiency improvements.