Energy Saving Opportunities For Clare Homeowners

The former Minister of State with special responsibility for Energy was speaking following the Government’s announcement that that Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is now inviting applications for the 'Cluster Housing' phase of the Government's Home Energy Saving Pilot Scheme.

The Home Energy Saving Scheme was announced in April and is already well under way in three separate geographic areas, North Tipperary, Limerick/Clare, and Dundalk, with over 1000 homes currently participating. These areas are testing the response when people participate on an individual home basis.

Minister of State Killeen commented, ‘The next phase of the pilot scheme is to test the response of groups of homes, and it is this 'Cluster' phase, open to all of Clare, which SEI is now inviting applications for. The objective of the cluster element is to demonstrate the economies of scale that are achievable when a group of homeowners co-operate on the installation of common energy saving measures’.

‘Information gathered by SEI during the pilot scheme will be evaluated to inform the potential rollout of a full-scale scheme in 2009. Funding for the cluster phase is limited and intended to support a total of 500 homes. Applicants will be dealt with on a first-come-first-serve basis and SEI has specified that all remedial works must be completed by the end of November 2008’, continued the Minister of State.

Applicants must secure agreement from all participating households in each cluster to pay a reduced fee of EUR100 for the initial home energy assessment that will recommend what actions should be taken. Following the assessment an advisory report will be prepared for each household identifying measures for which the grant can be used.

Minister of State Killeen added, ‘I commend Sustainable Energy Ireland on the work involved in the introduction of this programme and wish Clare homeowners every success in their participation’.

Further information is available through SEI's website www.sei.ie/hes or by calling 1850 927 000

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900