Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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518. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to alter the criteria for the better energy homes scheme to allow for homes that were built and habitable in 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42704/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Better Energy Homes Programme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, provides fixed grants for a range of energy efficiency measures including roof insulation, wall insulation, heating controls, boiler upgrades, solar heating systems and the cost of Building Energy Rating assessments. Since the programme's launch in 2009, it has provided grant assistance to more than 200,000 households.  

To be eligible for the scheme a home must have been constructed before 2006. Dwellings constructed from 2006 onwards were subject to Building Regulations transposing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). These regulations require all new homes to meet certain energy efficiency standards. These standards include limiting the CO2 emissions associated with energy use, limiting heat loss through the fabric of the building, controlling the output of the space heating, hot water systems and limiting the heat loss from pipes, ducts and vessels used for the transport or storage of heated water or air. Therefore, homes constructed in accordance with this legislation do not require the type of upgrades supported by the Better Energy Programme.