Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
745. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider allowing tenants in local authority housing to avail of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants to improve the energy efficency of their homes in cases in which the local authority has informed tenants that they are unable to provide funding to carry out such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17197/13]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme on behalf of the Department. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to those that are vulnerable to energy poverty and who live in privately-owned dwellings. The scheme is delivered through a combination of Community Based Organisations, augmented by a panel of private contractors in order to ensure national coverage. 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. There are a number of alternative retrofit programmes, funded by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, that are available to those living in social housing.
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 €17 million for 2013. It is anticipated that the scheme will deliver upgrades to approximately 10,000 homes this year.
The scheme is an important element of the Affordable Energy Strategy that was launched in November 2011. The Strategy aims to target people experiencing energy poverty regardless of tenancy, be it private or social housing. In this regard, the SEAI along with my Department are currently undertaking a pilot programme involving two Local Authorities. The pilot will test a number of delivery mechanisms in providing energy retrofits to a targeted group of low-income families living in Local Authority housing within the Longford County Council and South Dublin County Council districts. The outcome of the pilot will inform future policy in this regard.
