Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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In total, over 293,300 homes have received state supported energy efficiency upgrades since 2010. These upgrades were provided through the Better Energy Programme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) with funding from my Department. The Better Energy Programme 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).

The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation.

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.

The table details the numbers of homes that have received energy efficiency measures under each scheme.

Programme	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Better Energy Homes	45,946	49,229	26,423	13,710	9,927	12,339	15,265	10,863
Better Energy Warmer Homes	24,291	20,388	12,175	9,803	9,056	6,867	6,743	5,346
Better Energy Communities	N/A	N/A	2,263	3,617	4,004	2,500	2,013	0**
Warmth and Wellbeing*	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	72	196
Total	70,237	69,617	40,861	27,130	22,987	21,706	24,093	16,405

*The Warmth & Wellbeing Scheme was introduced in 2016, The aim of this Pilot is to provide deep energy efficiency interventions to people living with chronic respiratory conditions who are in or at risk of energy poverty. By making their homes warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run, it is hoped that this will improve their health and wellbeing. In 2017 the Pilot Scheme has been extended to include families with children aged 12 and under who are living with chronic respiratory condition. While 268 homes have been upgraded to date, works are underway on another 262 homes. Recruitment of participants will continue over the winter months and those people will have their upgrades carried out as early as possible in 2018, as this type of work cannot always take place during the winter.  

**Figure declared later in the year.