As part of our economic stimulus plan the Government has provided €100 million to
improve the insulation of existing homes which will help create some 3,000 jobs in the construction sector this year. Half of this budget is being provided for the Home Energy Savings Scheme
which is designed to help people improve energy efficiency in their own homes.

Grants are now available for a variety of insulation measures which if introduced could reduce the average household fuel bill by an estimated €700 each year. I recommend that households avail of the grant that is available to employ a building energy assessor to do a ‘before and after’ Building Energy Rating of the house and advise on what are the best energy improvements to make.

It also makes real sense to come together with a number of other houses in your road and try and get a volume discount for the work to be done.

Those in receipt of a fuel allowance can avail of similar insulation measures at only a nominal cost to themselves via the Warmer Homes Scheme which is also administered by Sustainable Energy Ireland.

Further information on how to apply for these grants can be at www.sei.ie/Grants
or by ringing 1850-927000.