Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2010
103 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department or its agencies are considering introducing a pay as you save scheme for energy efficiency; when he expects to roll out this scheme; his views on whether speculation about such a scheme is delaying energy efficiency projects as consumers adopt a wait and see approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16646/10]
View answerMy Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are developing proposals for implementation of the retrofit programme, announced on Budget Day, which will further reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in homes and businesses while creating employment and developing a sustainable market for energy services in Ireland. Various finance models, including a Pay As You Save Scheme (PAYS), are under consideration and will be part of the forthcoming public consultation process.
There is no evidence to suggest that discussions about PAYS or any other model has had a negative effect on the level of uptake of domestic energy efficiency grants. In the first six months of HES, since its launch in late March 2009 up until the publication of the Renewed Programme for Government, approximately 23,000 applications for grants were made. In the subsequent six months, since the Programme signalled that a PAYS model would be considered, the number of applications has increased to almost 27,000 — a total of 50,000 in 12 months. It is the case that pending the finalisation and introduction of the Retrofit Programme, the HES and the WHS remain fully open for business in 2010.
