Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
124 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to merge the Power of One and the Change.ie websites in view of the cost of maintaining both; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/09]
View answerThe Power of One campaign aims to bring about more energy efficient behaviour by domestic consumers and other energy using sectors to achieve energy and CO2 savings. The campaign has been operating since August 2006 and has brought about a significant increase in awareness of energy efficiency and best practice energy behaviour. Since the beginning of 2009, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has assumed responsibility for the campaign. This is likely to see the campaign evolve in different directions, though the website will continue to be an important information hub.
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is responsible for the Change campaign. The objective of the campaign is to raise public awareness of climate change, its causes, impacts and implications for Ireland, as well as to drive significant behavioural change to reduce and avoid greenhouse gas emissions in how we live, work and travel. The remit of the campaign covers the broad spectrum of transport, waste, water, energy, biodiversity and planning across the sectors agriculture, transport, construction, tourism, business, industry and the public sector. The campaign includes a significant advertising element as well as extensive stakeholder engagement to develop specific programmes and web-based tools tailored to achieve emission reductions at sectoral level.
Since the inception of the Change campaign, there has been a high degree of coordination and cooperation between the two campaigns in relation to energy efficiency and carbon reduction. This has involved sharing of materials, co-funding of projects and many linkages between the websites of the two campaigns. This approach has led to significant savings for the Exchequer.
I believe this cooperative approach should continue. My Department and SEI are both represented on the inter-Departmental steering committee for the Change campaign. In respect of Power of One, I have asked SEI to actively pursue the scope for continuing and enhancing cooperation between the campaigns as part of their management of Power of One.
126 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the warmer homes scheme will go nationwide; the number of homes that were eligible for this scheme in 2008; the number that applied for this scheme in 2008; the amount spent on this scheme for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4558/09]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) is targeted at households on low incomes, such as those in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability benefit. Referrals from public health nurses, community services and St Vincent De Paul are also accepted.
In 2007, there were approximately 270,000 households in receipt of the fuel allowance payment. Of these, approximately two thirds are in private housing and are eligible for the WHS. However, applicability is also dependent on the energy efficiency standard of the applicant's home and not all fuel allowance recipients' homes are in need of the WHS energy efficiency improvements.
To date, more than 20,000 homes have been substantially addressed by the WHS. In 2009 there is €20 million available to the WHS with a further 15,000 homes expected to be completed. The number of applicants on the WHS waiting list is 4,618 homes, which are registered with the 20 community based organisations currently delivering the WHS.
The 20 community based organisations represent coverage of just over two-thirds of the country. A number of additional community based organisations will be required to deliver nationwide coverage. It is planned to commence the introduction of new organisations from the end of March this year.
A number of improvements to the WHS will be introduced over the coming weeks, including a new free phone service designed to assist householders identify their nearest provider. If outside of current coverage, their details will be recorded and notified as soon as the service becomes available in their area. In addition, a new website will be launched to allow homeowners, neighbours or relatives find out more information about the WHS and other grant schemes available in their area.
The total spend on the WHS in 2008 was €5.6M, which represented a doubling of the previous years allocation.
