GREEN YOUR HOME GREEN THE ECONOMY Joanna Tuffy TD THE STATS €46 Million has been spent to date on improving the energy efficiency of homes the majority of which were in energy poverty. This expenditure was funded under the Better Energy Areas and Community Scheme.
€240 Million has been spent to date since this Government took office on the upgrading of people’s homes to make their homes more energy efficient. This is despite the need for the Government to drastically cut spending in its first three years in office in order to stabilise the Country’s finances. The priority this Government has given to energy efficient homes has helped to create and maintain jobs in this sector and a greener economy. This March the Minister announced increases of between 25% and 50% in the grant levels awarded to householders under the scheme. In addition, a bonus payment has been introduced for householders that complete three or more energy efficiency improvements. A breakdown on the amount of grants awarded under the Better Energy Programme is provided in the table below (for 2015 the figure relates to spend to date).
SEAI Programme Spend 2006-2015 (to date) Programme (spend in €m)
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Greener Homes Scheme
4.3m
26.7
22.5
11.6
6.5
Home Energy Savings Scheme
n/a
n/a
1.5 (Pilot)
17.9
47.4
Better Energy Homes
16.3
45.2
57.6
28.95
13.16
9.9
3.3
BE Warmer Homes
12
30
21.4
20.5
17.55
20.7
0.55
BE Communities
n/a
n/a
n/a
1.8 (Pilot)
10.7
14.6
n/a
BE Communities - Area based
n/a
n/a
n/a
4.1
6.9
9.05
n/a
57.8
129.1
79
55.35
48.31
54.25
3.85
Totals (€m)
4.3
26.7
24
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings Scheme took its place, which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011.
*Source: Parliamentary Question replied to by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 18 May 2015
Inside – What grants are available to make your home more energy efficient?