Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:32 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the strategy to tackle fuel poverty promised in the programme for Government will be published. [6003/11]
View answerTuesday, 5 April 2011
Questions (19, 20)
Billy Kelleher
Question:39 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeframe for the publication of the fuel poverty strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5976/11]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 39 together.
In line with the Programme for Government, I am working with my colleagues the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to bring forward the proposed strategy to tackle energy poverty.
Considerable work has already been undertaken by the Inter-Departmental/Agency Group on Affordable Energy which is chaired by my Department and which represents all key Departments, Agencies and energy suppliers as well as the Energy Regulator and NGOs.
Energy Affordability is a cross-cutting policy issue and tackling the root causes of energy affordability or fuel poverty requires action on a number of fronts.
Energy poverty is caused by the interaction between energy prices, thermal inefficiency of the home and income. Action to mitigate energy poverty has traditionally focused on providing assistance through the schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection. In recent years there has been a growing focus on providing energy efficiency upgrades to low-income, or at risk households, under the Warmer Homes Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.
The Warmer Homes Scheme was established to systematically address poor thermal efficiency performance of low-income privately owned housing. The scheme provides energy improvements at no cost to eligible households. It brings benefits to recipients in terms of energy affordability, tangible health improvements and overall well being.
In 2010, over 24,000 homes underwent upgrades with a total spend of €30 million. The Scheme has resulted in quantifiable energy savings for low-income households worth almost €3 million. The scheme has addressed over 64,000 fuel poor homes since 2000. My Department and SEAI have a target of an additional 17,500 homes in 2011 of which 2,096 have been completed to date. The Scheme is delivered by a network of private contractors and community-based organisations nationwide.
In addition to the Warmer Homes Scheme, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government operate a retrofit programme for social housing. Approximately 1,850 units were approved in 2010 with a similar number expected this year.
I expect the Affordable Strategy Energy Group to finalise its own work, in the coming weeks. Their analysis and recommendations will form the basis for a strategy to be agreed with my Ministerial colleagues and brought to Government as soon as possible.
Since ESB Electric Ireland's announcement of price cuts yesterday, there has been understandable focus on the requirement for customers to have their accounts up to date in order to take up the price reduction offers. It is the case that ESB, and all other energy suppliers, are commercial operations and therefore business viability is an issue for them — balanced as far as possible with customers' needs.
In light of the concerns expressed, ESB has confirmed to my Department that Social Welfare customers who have arrears are indeed eligible for the new Household Budget Price Plan. What is required is that they sign up to a minimum 15 Euro payment via the Household Budget Scheme.
I have also asked ESB to immediately review ways in which other customers that are in arrears, but have a payment plan, can benefit from the price reductions. ESB have committed to undertaking this review.