Vol. 577 No. 4
41 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has to introduce measures which would reduce the demand on energy in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31120/03]
Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, an independent statutory authority since 2002, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, operates a number of programmes aimed at stimulating greater energy efficiency in the residential sector, particularly at individual householder level. These programmes share a number of significant objectives: making consumers aware of the energy they use in their day to day lives; making consumers aware of the environmental impacts of the production, supply and use of fossil fuel based energy; informing consumers of the options they have with respects to their own energy behaviour. This includes changing poor energy habits in the home and when purchasing to consider energy efficiency and energy implications; and empowering consumers to make better choices with respect to energy use and energy using appliances.
Information campaigns which were run during 2003 and which will continue in 2004 have highlighted the benefits of saving energy to householders and identified suggested ways of reducing overall energy consumption in houses. This plays an important role in our demand side energy management programme and emphasises the positive effects of reduced energy consumption both for individual consumers and for the environment.
Among the initiatives co-ordinated by Sustainable Energy Ireland are: energy awareness week; publications about energy awareness issues; Internet information service; energy telephone hotline; appliance; labelling information; schools energy programmes; home energy rating; house of tomorrow and enhanced building regulation.
