Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 October 2012
130. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the warmer home scheme application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/12]
View answerBetter Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered through a combination of SEAI appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage.
I am informed by the SEAI that the house in question was surveyed for suitability for attic and cavity wall insulation, at which time it was identified as a dormer bungalow. The practice of insulating dormer roofs through the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme was recently reviewed in respect of value for money, the overall effectiveness of the additional insulation which can only be undertaken in part of the roof space, and the significant costs associated with achieving appropriate ventilation in the roof space to avoid condensation problems. All of this is in the context of endeavouring to address the maximum number of vulnerable fuel poor homes from within available resources. On balance it has been decided that the significant costs are not generally justified by the marginal insulation gains. Therefore insulation of dormer roofs is not currently implemented under the scheme. However, I am advised that SEAI will continue to keep the matter under review with my officials for feasible cost effective alternatives, particularly where the homes are in extreme fuel poverty, at which time affected houses may be revisited. Separately it was noted during the survey that this home should receive cavity wall insulation. However, the homeowner has declined this service as they do not wish to have the additional wall vents installed, which are deemed essential for a safe and healthy air quality.
I am informed that the SEAI have no record of an email from you to the Oireachtas line as indicated and if you would like to contact them again on this matter they would be happy to answer any further queries you may have. The SEAI dedicated hot line can be reached at 1800 250 204 and the SEAI specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
