Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
478 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when changes to qualification criteria for a scheme (details supplied) will be confirmed; if his attention has been drawn to the delay in making a decision on same and that the delay in confirming same is holding up the installation programme for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20525/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Energy: Warmer Homes delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to households that are vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and delivered nationally through a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), augmented by a panel of private contractors.
2012 marks a shift in emphasis on the Better Energy: Warmer Homes scheme to take account of the Government's Affordable Energy Strategy. The Inter-Departmental Group on Affordable Energy has established subgroups to finalise work on the roll out of the Strategy, including finalisation of revised eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes scheme. Heretofore, applicants were considered eligible for retrofit measures if they met defined criteria, such as eligibility for the National Fuel Scheme. All successful applicants were placed on a waiting list and addressed in rotation.
The focus in 2012 is shifting to addressing those households identified as being in extreme energy poverty as a priority. Such households typically spend over 20% of their disposable income on energy services. This priority focus will ensure that those most in need receive the benefit of energy efficiency measures first. All applicants since the end of 2011 have been informed that there will be a change in eligibility criteria.
The network of 25 CBOs is delivering on the ground on an ongoing basis. Grant agreements are pending with two additional CBOs which are expected to issue shortly. Pending the introduction of the change to the eligibility criteria, energy efficiency upgrades continue to be provided to households on the waiting list.
SEAI advises that the CBO referred to has been in contact to advise they have completed most of the homes on their list. On foot of this information the SEAI allocated additional homes from the contractor list to CBOs, including the CBO referred to. The CBO was offered all homes in the county in which they operate and selected the homes closest to their base of operation. The homes allocated were completed last week. It is worth noting that the CBO has been working continuously since they were put in contract with the SEAI. CBOs are already in a position to deliver from their own lists and I can confirm that there has been no delay with the delivery of Better Energy: Warmer Homes.
