12 March 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
A total of 35,637 homes in Cork have benefitted from the government’s Better Energy Homes and Warmer Homes schemes since 2009.
The figures demonstrate the successful take-up of the schemes in Cork.
Overall 23,813 local households availed of the ‘Better Energy Homes’ scheme, while 3,934 have benefitted from ‘Better Energy Warmer Homes’.
The figures reflect total uptake in the county during the period 2009 – when the schemes were first introduced – to the end of January 2015.
Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme relates to free home energy upgrades, while the popular Better Energy Home scheme involves grants for insulation and heating upgrades.
Deputy Ciarán Lynch said: “These latest figures show the government’s success in reducing energy costs for families in Cork and improving comfort levels within their homes. The schemes incentivise homes to become energy efficient by providing a cash grant or services, such as attic insulation and cavity wall insulation, at no cost to the household.
“I want to thank my Labour colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, for continuing to fund this important programme despite budget pressures within his Department.
“These figures prove the Labour Party is dedicated to ensuring a high quality of living for Irish people. I believe that a warm home is a basic human right that every citizen in Ireland deserves. These schemes prevent people from being plunged into energy poverty while also ensuring they stay warm in their homes.”
