Written answers

Thursday, 26 May 2016

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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240. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the national spend under the better energy warmer homes scheme and if he will extend the scheme. [12317/16]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of schemes on behalf of my Department to support energy efficiency improvements to homes. The Better Energy Homes scheme makes a range of grants available to home-owners who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their home, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme offers free energy efficiency upgrades to those in energy poverty and the Better Energy Communities scheme funds community activity on energy efficiency. The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation. These measures can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost to the greatest number of homes.

Since the commencement of the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme in 2000, a total of 119,701 homes around the country have received energy efficiency measures at a cost to the Exchequer of €154.9 million. €16.5 million has been allocated to the scheme for 2016. Demand for this scheme remains very strong, clearly demonstrating its potential to continue to deliver energy efficiency gains and related benefits, such as reduced energy costs and better health outcomes.

Spend on the Warmer Homes Scheme is set on an annual basis through the estimates process and my Department must work within approved allocations. However, there is clear evidence that delivering energy efficiency improvements remains the best method of combatting energy poverty. Therefore, I will continue to ensure that improving the energy efficiency of homes of those vulnerable to energy poverty remains central to Ireland’s Better Energy Programme.

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