Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
359. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress report for counties that were selected to participate in the better energy warmer homes scheme by the Sustainable Energy Authority, Longford County Council being one of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33135/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is delivered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to homes in private ownership experiencing energy poverty. As part of the implementation of the Affordable Energy Strategy, the SEAI is undertaking a pilot programme of delivering energy efficiency upgrades to local authority owned homes, where the tenants are experiencing energy poverty.
The Department and the SEAI met with the County and City Managers Association (CCMA) Housing Sub Committee and it was agreed that a pilot programme should be undertaken in 2013. Longford County Council and South Dublin County Council volunteered to participate in the proposed pilot. Each of the Local Authorities submitted a batch of 20-30 homes to the SEAI in the period May to June 2013.
The expected number of homes to be addressed in the pilot is approximately 50, and these will be surveyed and upgraded by the SEAI over the coming months. The measures that will be provided include attic insulation, draught proofing, low energy light bulbs, lagging jackets for hot water tanks and cavity wall insulation, where appropriate. A Building Energy Rating (BER) will also be undertaken after the works are completed in each home.
