Warmer Homes Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Questions (316)

Michael Lowry

Question:

316. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under the warmer homes scheme, applicants can now avail of cavity wall insulation where previously this option was not available; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many previous applicants now feel aggrieved that they could not avail of wall cavity insulation; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will allow previous applicants to reapply to avail of this option. [52991/13]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to homeowners who are vulnerable to energy poverty free of charge to the customer. Since commencement of the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme in 2000, the technical specifications have been amended and improved upon on a number of occasions. The services offered have evolved and the technical standards have improved as increased Exchequer funding has been allocated to the scheme.

All homes delivered from 2011 onwards have been offered Cavity Wall services where technically possible. The scheme aims to deliver energy upgrades to the highest technical standards available at any given time. The aim is to deliver services to those in energy poverty who have received no services previously. There are currently over 3,000 homes on a waiting list requesting energy upgrades who have not received services previously and must be dealt with. It is therefore not currently anticipated that homes will be revisited where services have been previously provided to them under the scheme.