John Bruton
Ceist:117 Mr. J. Bruton, Mr. J. Mitchell, Miss Flaherty, Mr. Connor and Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Energy if he will launch a home energy efficiency scheme, similar to that recently introduced in the United Kingdom.
Written Answers. - Energy Efficiency.
I understand that the home energy efficiency scheme in the United Kingdom came into operation there on 1 January 1991 and provides grants for certain house insulation measures for low income households.
The introduction of a similar scheme in Ireland would require additional Exchequer resources and, in current budgetary circumstances, I have no plans for such a scheme.
As the Deputies may be aware, a Dublin based charitable group called "Energy Action" are involved in draught proofing the homes of the needy and elderly. My Department have made grants available to this group since their inception in 1988. The grant payable this year to Energy Action is £30,000 towards the cost of insulation materials.
John Bruton
Ceist:118 Mr. J. Bruton, Mr. J. Mitchell, Miss Flaherty, Mr. Connor and Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline his plans or targets, if any, to enhance the energy efficiency of (1) Government owned or managed properties and (2) local authority owned properties.
In the case of Government occupied buildings, the Office of Public Works have a central role in the provision of heating and lighting facilities in co-operation with the management of those buildings. My Department are in contact with Office of Public Works at present with a view to increased attention to cost effective energy savings measures in such buildings.
It is primarily a matter for the Minister for the Environment to consider the case of local authorities. My Department provide assistance so far as possible with advice and guidance on the energy aspects of the properties concerned.
John Bruton
Ceist:119 Mr. J. Bruton, Mr. J. Mitchell, Miss Flaherty, Mr. Connor and Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Energy if he will introduce an interim voluntary scheme to promote labelling of the energy-efficiency of electrical appliances; and if he will give support to the introduction of mandatory EC standards in this area.
The EC Commission has submitted a proposal to the council for a framework directive on the energy labelling of household appliances. The Commission will submit further proposals for implementing directives in the near future on the energy labelling requirements for individual categories of household appliances.
One of the Commission's aims in introducing these proposals is to have a harmonised Community energy labelling scheme which will avoid the creation of any barriers to trade or confusion among consumers which might result from the introduction of a variety of different national schemes.
The EC Commission is also investigating the question of voluntary or mandatory minimum energy efficiency standards for domestic appliances and it will submit its proposals to the Council in due course. I support the Commission's general approach in this area. I believe, however, that it could be counterproductive to introduce an interim scheme here before clear Community-wide guidelines emerge.