Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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674. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount that was invested in the better energy programme in 2016; the amount he plans on investing in the scheme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3773/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Better Energy Programme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department consists of the Better Energy Homes Scheme, Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and Better Energy Communities Scheme.

The Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. 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 Building Energy Rating (BER). In 2016 over 15,000 homeowners had energy efficiency works carried out to their homes which resulted in €17m being spent on this Scheme.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) Scheme funds energy efficiency improvements in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable, making the homes more comfortable, healthier and more cost effective to run. In 2016, 6,839 applications were funded under the BEWH scheme and the level of funding was just over €20m.

The Better Energy Communities Programme (BEC) aims to encourage community based partnerships to improve the thermal and electrical efficiency of the building stock and energy poor homes and facilities, encouraging the implementation of deeper and more technically and economically challenging measures. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers. The community and business supports leverage considerable additional private investment. In 2016, almost €17m in funding was provided to support 36 projects throughout the country.

In total, around €100m will be dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in 2017, which in addition  to the Better Energy Programme  will also provide for a number of other programmes including the Warmth and Wellbeing programme, SME and Industrial engagement  with energy efficiency, Public Sector Energy Efficiency and Electric Vehicles. Across these three strands of the Better Energy Programme, I anticipate investing more than €60m in 2017. This funding will clearly demonstrate the continuing potential of the scheme to deliver energy efficiency gains and related benefits, such as reduced energy costs and better health outcomes.