Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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267. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 1 October 2015, the details of increases in investment by his Department in energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19729/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The revised estimates for 2016 for my Department provide for a total of €65.34m in funding for sustainable energy programmes. This is an increase of €12.5m compared with 2015. This funding is split between a number of programmes that are designed to encourage energy efficiency activity and assist householders living in energy poverty, along with grants for electric vehicles. A brief summary of each of the energy efficiency programmes being funded in 2016 is provided below:

- Better Energy Homes: This is the primary elective grant scheme available to homeowners. Individual homeowners apply for grants that cover a range of energy efficiency improvements, from various types of insulation to heating controls and solar thermal technologies.  In 2015, grant levels were increased, a bonus payment was introduced for homeowners who undertake multiple measures and the minimum grant threshold was abolished. I anticipate that between 14000 - 15000 homeowners will receive grant support under this programme in 2016.

- Better Energy Warmer Homes: The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. In 2016 the eligibility criteria for the scheme have been broadened in line with Government policy on deprivation generally. I expect nearly 9,000 homes to be upgraded under this scheme in 2016.

- Better Energy Communities: The Better Energy Communities scheme aims to encourage community based partnerships to improve the efficiency of homes, community facilities and local businesses. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers. Grants are awarded through an annual competitive evaluation process and must leverage considerable additional private investment. I recently awarded €20m in grants for this scheme in 2016. These grants will support the upgrade of more than 2,600 homes and almost 300 community and commercial facilities.

- Warmth & Wellbeing Pilot Scheme: This year I have also launched a new scheme to combat energy poverty called Warmth & Wellbeing. Its objective is to better understand how we can improve health and wellbeing by making homes warmer and more energy efficient. The scheme has been developed by my Department in close cooperation with the Department of Health and is being operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the HSE. €20m has been ear-marked by my Department for the scheme in the period 2016 to 2018, of which €4m will be spent this year.

The funding available for energy efficiency also supports a number of smaller programmes. The Sustainable Energy Communities scheme seeks to help communities build capacity to undertake energy projects, while the Better Energy Finance scheme supports a number of pilot initiatives to help determine how future energy efficiency support schemes should be structured. Initiatives to encourage energy efficiency in the commercial and public sectors are also funded.