Written answers

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated costs of including grant aid for window replacement in the better energy programme; if an interdepartmental approach will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5406/17]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on behalf of my Department. The SEAI estimates that the cost of installing a basic energy efficient window package is €6,000 per home. If this measure were to be included in the Better Energy Homes scheme as a grant-funded measure, the resulting demand could be very large and could overtake demand from the other measures, such as insulation, heating controls and boiler upgrades. The inclusion of windows under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, which is free to those in receipt of the Fuel Allowance, would increase the average cost per home to €9,000 rather than the 2016 average of €3,000. In 2016, this would have required an extra €40m to complete the same number of homes, or could have meant that far fewer homes would have received upgrades from the 2016 budget allocation.

The measures currently offered under both the Better Energy Homes and Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes were selected to represent the best balance that could be achieved between the limited resources available to the schemes, the number of homes that can receive support and the energy savings that can delivered. In short, the measures supported are those that can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost to the highest number of people. While improved windows do improve the energy efficiency of a home, the cost of such measures is high in relation to the energy efficiency gains made.

However, I have recently requested SEAI to commence a review of all measures that are supported through these schemes and the results of this review will inform any future measures that may be offered.

In addition, the Deputy should note that window upgrades are eligible for funding under the Better Energy Communities scheme in 2017, when carried out as part of a combined fabric upgrade, which also includes upgrades to insulation, ventilation and doors. Grant funding is available for up to 50% of the cost of these works in homes. Additionally under the Warmth & Wellbeing pilot scheme, which is led by my Department in collaboration with the Department of Health, energy efficient windows and doors are installed wherever a surveyor deems them necessary.

The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government administers the Housing Aid for Older People scheme which provides grants to older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to, or replacement of, windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, provision of heating, cleaning and painting. Each local authority administers the scheme for their area and can vary as regards what type of work they will grant aid under the scheme.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.