Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2012
133 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends including homes owned by a voluntary organisations who provide housing for the elderly as an eligible category under the warmer homes scheme, in view of the fact that no other assistance is available to them for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4219/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Government's Affordable Energy Strategy, a number of alternative approaches to the delivery of Better Energy: Warmer Homes will be actively progressed in 2012, including enhancing arrangements for working with voluntary housing associations and mixed-ownership estates to ensure that those most at risk of extreme energy poverty are prioritised.
Under the Affordable Energy Strategy the plan is to create a more structured relationship with the voluntary housing associations, with a view to enhancing the accessibility of the Better Energy: Warmer Homes programme to their client base. It is the case that voluntary housing associations are currently eligible to apply for grants under Better Energy: Homes for properties in their ownership. A number of voluntary housing associations have already availed of funding through the Better Energy: Homes scheme.
