Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 March 2014
168. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made on the better energy and the retrofitting schemes; if targets have been achieved; if it is intended to continue these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11219/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As of February 27 2014, more than 155,000 homes have received a grant under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, with the total grants provided reaching €162 million. A further 105,000 homes have to date received a free energy efficiency upgrade under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, with a total spend of over €116 million. The Department publishes an energy saving target for the Better Energy Programme each year in its Annual Output Statement. These targets have consistently been met. Between both schemes, nearly one sixth of homes in Ireland have received some form of Government assisted energy efficiency upgrade.
Last year I launched the Better Energy Communities Scheme and the Better Energy Areas Scheme. These schemes are intended to assist in upgrading the energy efficiency of existing clusters of buildings, homes and community facilities. Both programmes will be continued in 2014. In total, the Government has committed to spending €57million across the various schemes under the Better Energy Programme in 2014. In the long run, it is the Government's intention to transition from Exchequer funded grants for energy efficiency measures to a market-orientated approach to realising energy efficiencies. Work on this initiative, known as Better Energy Financing (BEF), is currently in progress.
