Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley today launched the national insulation programme for economic recovery. The three-strand insulation programme will cut heating bills for householders, reduce carbon emissions and create thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly over the course of 2009.

In the context of the economic crisis, there is an opportunity to redirect our economy and refocus state and private investment onto a more sustainable path. This Government announcement of €100 million for this year will unlock the huge potential of energy efficiency for our economy.
Energy efficiency/insulation programmes help provide for economic competitiveness, security of energy supply and tackle climate change. These are the three pillars of the Government’s energy policy.

This energy efficiency stimulus programme will be divided into three packages, with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources taking a co-ordinating role.

Announcing the investment Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said, “This programme will provide a welcome boost to the economy. Central to Government spending in sustainable energy is to get the economy back on track. We need to replace the spending and lending that has contracted and re-focus our public and private investment.

Insulation makes homes warmer and more comfortable. Householders can expect to have their heating bills with reductions of €700 per annum. This means more money in their pockets. Construction workers will benefit from the thousands of jobs these measures we create. These will be jobs for trades-people throughout the country.

In our current economic climate we need direction and radical thinking. This insulation programme saves energy, saves money and creates jobs. This is what our people, our homes and our economy need at this time”.

Minister Gormley commented, “This plan is a welcome kick-start to the overhaul of our housing stock which Ireland badly needs. Government assistance will not be confined to those in private homes but will include those in low income and social housing.

The refurbishment of our local authority housing will also tackle the scourge of fuel poverty that exists in Ireland, particularly during cold weather. Heating will not be wasted going out the roof our up the chimney. Reducing energy use and CO2 emissions will also help us meet our climate change targets.
This is a programme that benefits our economy, environment and householder at the same time”.

The programme will consist of a number of grant schemes:

• The Home Energy Saving Scheme (private middle income homes) - €50 million
• Warmer Homes Scheme and Local Authority housing (low income private homes and rented local authority housing) - €50 million

Grants to support a range of improvements will be available. See note to editors for further information.

For further information applying for the schemes, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) can be contacted at www.sei.ie/hes or by calling the dedicated phone line 1850 927 000.