Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1176 and 1177 together.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria. 

I recently announced that the standard measures available under the scheme are being expanded in 2018. This expansion relates to the types of wall insulation being offered, to include dry lining and external insulation where cavity wall insulation is not appropriate. This will increase the number of properties that can get their walls insulated under the scheme and reduce the number of people whose applications are cancelled because their walls are not suitable for cavity wall insulation.

Replacement windows may be offered in limited circumstances, most likely where external wall insulation is being carried out and the existing windows are very poor performing and need to be replaced to ensure the insulation performs effectively.

Heating measures will continue to be offered to high priority homes, for example homes with no central heating systems in place. As part of the measures offered, I have asked the SEAI to start introducing renewable heating options on a phased basis, where deemed suitable for the property and homeowner. This change is likely to be introduced from late 2018 at the earliest.

The changes will be introduced over the next two months and updates will be provided on SEAI’s website shortly; until then, current rules and eligibility criteria continue to apply.

SEAI currently operate a ‘one home one visit’ rule in order to ensure that as many eligible homes as possible receive an upgrade. This still stands for 2018. However, revisits will be possible later in 2019. This will mean that people who only had their attic insulated previously could become eligible for wall insulation.

Since 2000, 134,883 homes have been upgraded under the scheme. A full breakdown of homes upgraded each year is provided in the following table.

Year	Number of homes
2000	1,430
2001	1,500
2002	1,600
2003	1,768
2004	1,947
2005	1,813
2006	2,102
2007	3,378
2008	5,343
2009	16,240
2010	24,291
2011	20,388
2012	12,175
2013	9,803
2014	9,056
2015	6,867
2016	6,743
2017	6,555
2018	1,833*

* At end March 2018

Further information can be found on the SEAI's website: .