Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2012
156. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland should install installation measures in dormer houses in cases in which the houses were surveyed; the measures agreed to in advance of the SEAI decision to cease installing installation measures in dormer houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50661/12]
View answerBetter Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households which 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 when the house in question was surveyed it was identified that the walls were already fully insulated but that it had insufficient attic insulation. The home in question is a dormer bungalow and 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.
