Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1800. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will extend the warmer home scheme to landlords that agree to make their properties available to HAP participants for at least three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/17]
View answerI am committed to increasing energy efficiency activity in the rented sector. People living in rented accommodation are twice as likely to live in a home that is E, F or G rated on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale. This means that those with the least means to improve the condition of their home are also likely to be paying higher energy bills.
The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty commits to piloting an initiative to allow landlords participating in the Local Authority led Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) schemes to receive free energy efficiency upgrades
My officials are currently working with Local Authorities to agree the terms and conditions for this pilot. This would be trialled initially with a small number of Local Authorities and the findings from this would inform consideration of a wider rollout.
