Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Housing Schemes.

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

406 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the schemes, if any, which provide for free insulation of attics and houses in general for the elderly; and, if so, the plans, if any, he has to extend these schemes to the southside of Cork. [6237/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

Since 1988, my Department has grant-aided the Dublin based charity Energy Action, which provides energy conservation and advice services for the elderly and low income groups in the Dublin area free of charge. The services provided by Energy Action include attic insulation, draught proofing, the fitting of lagging jackets and smoke alarms and the provision of practical energy conservation advice.

The Irish Energy Centre is currently involved in a pilot initiative, through the local area partnerships, which will see the Energy Action model replicated in various parts of the country. As a result of a call for tender issued in 1995, four new groups will receive support as part of this initiative. These projects were chosen after a rigorous evaluation process and will be part funded to operate an effective energy conservation programme for low income groups and the elderly in their areas, free of charge. The programme will operate for six months on a pilot basis starting in mid-April and will result in improvements to 500 homes.

While none of the four groups to be supported in this instance is located in the Cork area, I must emphasise that this action is a pilot only. A further call offering support over a longer period will be considered following an assessment of the outcome of the pilot stage.