Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1255. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the specific projects funded in 2016 by SEAI under its better energy communities programme; the projects that were unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19161/17]

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

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities (BEC) Scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme aims to support and encourage community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. To date the scheme has supported the upgrade of more than 12,000 homes and several hundred shared community facilities, from sports clubs to community centres and childcare facilities.

In 2016, almost €20 million in grant support was awarded under this scheme to 35 community projects. An additional two projects which sought funding of less than €50,000 were funded. This provided for energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,000 homes and 405 community and commercial facilities. The total investment in energy efficiency, including funding from local communities themselves, was almost €48 million, supporting an estimated 700 direct and indirect jobs across the country. There were 63 applications to the scheme in total. 

The full list of successful projects is available on SEAI's website at: .

This year, more than €26m in grant funding has been provided to 44 projects across the country. This funding will provide for energy efficiency upgrades to over 2,000 homes, of which 1,510 are energy poor, and a further 479 community, public and commercial facilities. The projects include a wide range of upgrades to building fabric, heating systems, lighting and solar heating. The total investment in energy efficiency is almost €67 million, supporting more than 1,000 jobs in the construction sector across the country.

I have set out for the Deputy's information details on every project that has received funding under this year's scheme. In total, 62 applications for funding were received under the scheme.

I would encourage all unsuccessful applicants to the scheme to contact SEAI directly for feedback on their application and how it could be improved for future iterations of the scheme. The team can be contacted at bec@seai.ie or call 01 808 2162.

In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.