Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
613. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details provided) regarding a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6043/15]
View answerIn October last year, I published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (www.dcenr.gov.ie). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan.
The analysis underpinning the draft Plan is that an additional bioenergy focused measure in the heat sector would represent the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. Therefore, the draft Plan recommends the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for larger heat users to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources. There are no plans at this time to introduce such a scheme for domestic heat users.
However, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme on my behalf. This includes the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme and the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area based programme, which has subsequently been merged with the Better Communities programme.
Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. The Better Energy Areas scheme, which is free of charge to the customer, delivers energy upgrades to low income homeowners experiencing extreme energy poverty in all housing sectors including Local Authority houses, Housing Association houses and private homes. The Better Energy Communities programme supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings, services, facilities and processes in the community sector. Under all of these schemes, high efficiency heating system upgrades are eligible for grant support. Any query regarding whether or not a particular technology is considered to be high efficiency should be addressed to the SEAI.
