Written answer
Departmental Funding
356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding he allocated and the funding spent on capital projects and other initiatives in the constituencies of Louth and Meath-East over the past five years, by project and initiative, and by completion date and by cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/16]
Comment on this
Total capital expenditure by my Department was €486m in the period 2011 to end 2015. This expenditure is not broken down by county. The most significant component of my Department's capital expenditure is in respect of the Better Energy Homes and Better Energy Warmer Homes schemes which are administered on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme.
The Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER).
The following tables illustrate the number of homes grant-aided per year in respect of Louth and Meath.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the eligibility criteria. It should be noted that under this scheme the full cost of the works is met, therefore the figures given relate to average spend per home. The measures available include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs and cavity wall insulation.
Information in relation to other capital projects in the Louth East Meath area is set out in the table below.