Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2017
564. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if grants for window replacements will be introduced to compliment the energy saving grant aid already available to home owners from Sustainable Energy Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2799/17]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates a number of schemes on behalf of my Department to support energy efficiency improvements to homes. The Better Energy Homes scheme makes a range of grants available to householders who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their home, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme offers free energy efficiency upgrades to those in energy poverty and the Better Energy Communities scheme funds community activity on energy efficiency. The measures currently supported are those that can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost. The upgrade of windows is not currently supported under the Better Energy Programme due to the need to balance the budgetary resources available with the demand for the programme. While window insulation does improve the energy efficiency of a home, the cost of such a measure is high in relation to the energy efficiency gains made.
I have asked SEAI to conduct a review of the technologies that are currently supported through the Better Energy Homes scheme and to consider whether grant support should be offered for a wider range of energy upgrades. I expect SEAI to report back to me later this year. Any changes to the scheme that are warranted will be operational in 2018.
Information on the grant support available under the Better Energy Programme is available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie.
