Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Warmth and Wellbeing scheme is a pilot initiative being delivered under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The scheme intends to demonstrate the positive effects that making their homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and wellbeing of people in energy poverty who are living with a chronic respiratory condition.

As it is a pilot scheme, eligibility is limited. The operational area for the scheme was selected as Community Health Area (CHO) 7, following consultation with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This CHO encompasses Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West. Within CHO 7 the need to build capacity in the local public health and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) teams, and establish communications on the pilot with the local community, meant that further narrowing of the area was necessary and Dublin 12 and 24 were selected as the initial operational areas.

In light of the progress made on building capacity in 2016, and with the additional resources I have made available to the scheme for 2017, it will be possible to expand the pilot scheme to cover Dublin 8, 10 & 22. It will also be possible to  include families with young children, which it is hoped that the scheme can also show a positive impact on school attendance and social inclusion.

The pilot scheme will run for a further two full years through 2017 and 2018. In parallel with the scheme’s delivery, an independent research project is in the process of being commissioned by my Department, which will assess the impact the scheme is having. At the conclusion of the scheme and with independent evidence on its effectiveness, the potential for a wider rollout will be considered.

The Deputy may also be aware that the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is available on a nationwide basis to low income households who are at risk of energy poverty. More information on this scheme is available on SEAI’s website at: .