Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013
528. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details on the number of applicants who have applied for the warmer homes scheme; if he will provide details in tabular form of the number of applications received, approved and declined for the years 2011 and 2012. [5166/13]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme under the Better Energy Programme.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is delivered through a combination of SEAI-appointed Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors, in order to ensure national coverage and via an area-based approach. Measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation and are free of charge to the customer.
The Scheme is an important element of the Affordable Energy Strategy that was launched in November 2011. The energy efficiency measures are targeted at low income families and will make a lasting impact on households experiencing energy poverty. Exchequer funding of over €101 million has been allocated to the programme since 2000, which has successfully delivered energy efficiency measures to 92,563 homes. In 2011 the scheme delivered energy efficiency measures to 20,388 homes experiencing energy poverty while in 2012 the programme delivered energy saving measures to 12,175 homes. Despite the current economic challenges, the Government is committed to continuing to deliver energy efficiency measures to vulnerable households. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme has been allocated Exchequer funding of €20 million for 2013, and according to the most up to date analysis available, it is anticipated that the scheme will deliver upgrades to approximately 12,000 homes this year.
Following is the information requested regarding the number of applications received, approved and declined under the Better Energy Warmer homes scheme in 2011 and 2012. The number of applications approved differs from the number of homes which had measures delivered, as set out above, due to timing factors between approved and delivery of measures.
Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme Applications
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
|
New applications |
26,573 |
17,349 |
|
Applications Eligible |
24,933 |
16,232 |
|
Applications not Eligible |
1,640 |
1,117 |
