Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there will be any changes to the current criteria of the SEAI's better energy homeowner scheme which may cause an increase in the costs of the associated works for homeowners that avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14019/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme, which along with the Communities and Warmer Homes schemes makes up the Better Energy Programme, provides grant aid to 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 the Better Energy Programme spent €54m. Of that, €17m was spent in grant funding the Better Energy Homes Scheme which resulted in over 15,000 homeowners being supported to carry out energy efficiency works to their homes.

I have not made any changes to the criteria for the Better Energy Homes scheme in 2017. I have, however, increased the overall allocation to the Better Energy Programme for 2017 to €74m so that as many people as possible can make their home more energy efficient.

This year I have requested SEAI to review the measures that are currently supported through the scheme and the results of this review will inform any future measures that may be offered. Any expansion of measures would be to support deeper energy efficiency upgrades for those homeowners who wish to take this step.