Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1724. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the success or otherwise of the warmth and well-being pilot programme that commenced in 2016 and piloted in parts of Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 and 24; the number of persons who have benefited from this programme in each area, in tabular form; his plans for the expansion of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28729/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmth and Well-being scheme is a pilot initiative being delivered under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The main aim of the scheme is to demonstrate the positive effects that making homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and well-being of people in energy poverty who are living with a chronic respiratory condition. An independent research project will assess the impact the scheme is having. At the conclusion of the scheme and with independent evidence on its effectiveness, the potential for a wider rollout will be considered. In total, 202 homes have been upgraded so far under the scheme, the majority of these in Dublin 24. However, the wider eligibility criteria were only announced at the end of last year so by the end of this year I expect a more balanced pattern of homes completed. There is a currently a waiting list of over 400 eligible applicants across the five areas and the rate of homes completed under the scheme will substantially increase from July onwards when SEAI increases the number of contractors available to deliver deep retrofits.
I expect to allocate at least €20m in funding to this pilot to provide for the upgrade of at least 1,500 homes. This is the minimum size necessary to develop the evidence base that will be necessary to reach conclusions on the potential for a wider rollout of the scheme.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is available on a nationwide basis to low income households who are at risk of energy poverty. More information on this scheme is available on SEAI’s website at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html or Freephone: 1800 250 204.
