Written Answers. - Energy Conservation.
John Gormley
Question:
72
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the policy of her Department in relation to maximising energy conservation, particularly in space heating, in view of the fact that a number of local authorities prioritise spending on installing heating systems while installation of double glazed windows, insulation and even thermostats are considered non-priorities.
[5807/00]
The specific priorities of local authorities in determining expenditure on central heating and energy efficiency measures in local authority dwellings, are a matter for the local authorities themselves in the first instance, and for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
With regard to my own broader responsibilities in relation to maximising energy efficiency, there are a number of policies in place and in the process of development.
The Green Paper on Sustainable Energy which I published last September provides for a major increase in funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy. My commitment to delivering on the Green Paper is highlighted by the fact that I have secured £146 million for this purpose in the national development plan over the period 2000 to 2006. On average, this works out as a tenfold increase in the Exchequer provision for this area.
The Green Paper proposes measures targeted at various consumer sectors which are designed to enhance energy awareness, expertise and practice in areas such as appliance purchasing, use of energy in the home, building insulation, heating systems, energy management in industry, the services sector and the public sector. For example, £5 million has been earmarked for insulation improvements for low income households.
The delivery of this greatly expanded programme requires additional infrastructural development. Therefore, part of the additional funding has been allocated to a major expansion of the resources of the Irish Energy Centre which will carry out new programmes and measures to implement the provisions of the national development plan. As additional staff come on stream, these new measures for the residential and other sectors as outlined in the Green Paper, will be developed and put in place.
The Green Paper also recognises the potential for greater energy efficiency and consequent CO2 emission savings in the public sector, including local authorities. Chapter five points out the lack of coherence in the State promoting energy efficiency in other sectors if it does not maximise its own efforts in this regard. Therefore, the public sector, including local authorities, will be required to establish, monitor and report in their annual reports on progress towards achieving obligatory energy savings.
The Green Paper also recognises the role of local energy agencies in promoting energy efficiency at local government level. In following up on this recognition, I have recently undertaken a joint initiative with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, to strongly encourage local authorities to establish such agencies under the EU SAVE programme, and to reinforce their support for such agencies where they already exist. The initiative also provides for the long-term funding of the local energy agencies. I am encouraged by the response of local authorities to this initiative and hope that over the next few years, each local authority area will have access to a local energy agency.
My Department also continues to financially support the work of Energy Action, the charity working to combat fuel poverty by installing energy efficiency material in the residential sector.
