Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2008
638 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the fuel poverty action research project was completed by the end of 2007 as stated in the energy White Paper; if so, the location where the results can be seen; and if not, when completion is scheduled. [4467/08]
View answer639 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a directory of all national and local schemes of assistance in relation to fuel poverty was published in 2007 as stated in the energy White Paper; if so, the location where it can be found; and if not, when it is scheduled to be published. [4468/08]
View answer640 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if an interdepartmental or inter-agency group was established in 2007 to oversee all fuel poverty initiatives, as stated in the energy White Paper; if so, when it was established; if it has met; the location where reports can be seen; and if not, when it is scheduled to be established. [4469/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 638 to 640, inclusive, together.
The Fuel Poverty Action Research Project is assessing the effectiveness of the interventions delivered under the current Warmer Homes Scheme in addressing fuel poverty. This Scheme is operated by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) which is funded largely from my Department's Vote. The bulk of the relevant interventions were carried out during 2007 and those being assessed in the research project are as follows:
Attic insulation
Cavity wall insulation
Draught proofing
CFL bulbs
Lagging jackets
Energy advice
As part of the project, pre-intervention interviews/assessments were completed in 2007 and the above listed home energy efficiency measures were applied thereafter. The post-intervention interviews/assessments are currently ongoing. The timing of these surveys is to ensure that a year elapses between pre and post intervention interviews.
The interim report of the Fuel Poverty Action Research Project is due for circulation to the project steering group in March 2008 and it is expected that the final report will be published in summer 2008. A single directory of all national and local schemes of assistance in relation to fuel poverty has yet to be published. Much of the relevant material can be found in the ‘Keep Well This Winter, Stay Well and Warm' publication. This information pack was developed by a steering group comprising representatives from the Health Service Executive (HSE), ESB Customer Supply, SEI, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Age Action Ireland, Combat Poverty Agency and An Post. It contains advice for householders about:
1. Keeping well and warm;
2. Heating their home;
3. Useful phone numbers of service providers;
4. A temperature card; and
5. Available allowances under the Social Welfare system, such as the fuel allowance scheme
6. The Warmer Homes Scheme, including a full list of providers.
The pack was published during winter 2006-2007 and is available in most pharmacies, post offices, doctors' surgeries and citizens' information offices. Approximately 250,000 copies were printed and further copies are available from the ESB and the HSE. The SEI's website also provides relevant information.
The Energy White Paper states that the Inter Departmental/Inter Agency Group on Fuel Poverty is to be chaired by the Office of Social Inclusion. This Office is the Government office with overall responsibility for co-ordinating and driving the government social inclusion agenda and is based in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Contact has been established between my Department and the Office on the matter. It is preferable to await the outcome of the fuel poverty research project currently in progress, as set out above, before the group is established and the directory compiled.
