Better Energy Homes Scheme

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Questions (197)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

197. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the enormous potential for both monetary and energy savings, his views on the fact that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's better energy home owner grant scheme and better energy warmer homes scheme do not cover the replacement of external windows and doors; if he will use his influence with the authority to ensure the replacement of external windows and doors, especially those that are substandard or defective, is covered under its future grants and schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22647/15]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Better Energy Homes and Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on behalf of my Department. Since 2009, the two schemes have supported the renovation of 261,795 homes in Ireland.

In late 2014 my Department working with SEAI reviewed the supports available under the Better Energy Homes scheme in conjunction with the financial resources available for the scheme. This review concluded that the most efficient way of using the limited resources available to the scheme was to increase the existing grant levels whose value had been eroded by inflation, to introduce a new bonus payment that encourages householders to engage in deeper renovations that could lead to more significant energy savings and to abolish the minimum grant threshold. These changes were made and announced in March of this year.

Under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, energy efficiency upgrades are provided free of charge to those households who meet the application criteria. Measures are provided under the scheme on an as needed basis. To balance the limited resources available with the significant demand for the scheme, typically the measures that can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost are supported.