Press Release – Home Energy Saving Scheme will create jobs, fight climate change and save householders money – O’Gorman

08/02/09

Green Party Castleknock ward candidate, Roderic O’Gorman has warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan of a major new Home Energy Saving Scheme.

“The new Home Energy Saving Scheme is a major initiative pursued by the Green Party which will create jobs in the building sector, help Ireland reduce its carbon emissions and save householders up to €700 per year”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

“€100 million is being made available by the Minister for Energy in 2009 for people to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes through alterations such as roof or wall insulation, efficient boilers or room control heating systems. The money will be divided into two schemes, one directed at private homes and a second directed at local authority rented accommodation or private homes with low incomes (Warmer Homes Scheme). Grants from the Home Energy Saving Scheme will be available to householders from March, but those interested in availing of them can register with Sustainable Energy Ireland immediately”.

“In the current economic crisis, this new scheme makes real sense. Energy efficiency has a huge potential for our economy, and better insulation will lead to warmer and more comfortable homes, lower gas and electricity bills and many more jobs in our communities. There is also the major benefit that this scheme will allow us take a step to reducing our carbon emissions to meet our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol”.

“I would urge anyone interested in this scheme to look up the Sustainable Energy Website and register their interest in the grants now”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
See www.sei.ie

High resolution pictures of Roderic are available at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rodericogorman/

Editors Note: measures and the fixed grant rate

Roof Insulation: €250
Cavity Wall Insulation: €400
Internal Wall Insulation: €2,500
External Wall Insulation: €4,000
High Efficiency Boiler with Heating Controls Upgrade: €700
Heating Controls Upgrade Only: €500
Building Energy Rating Assessment: €200

Press Release – Fuel Poverty must be addressed in budget – O’Gorman

21/06/08

Green Party Dublin 15 representative, Roderic O’Gorman has called on the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan and the Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan, to address the issue of fuel poverty in the upcoming budget. He was speaking in response to a report from Sustainable Energy Ireland which showed that in 2005, over 140,000 homes were at risk of fuel poverty.

“I am calling on the Minister for Finance to take action in the forthcoming budget to deal with the issue of fuel poverty. We have all witnessed the massive increase in fuel prices over recent months and all the indications are that this is going to continue. The report launched by Sustainable Energy Ireland during the week indicates that in 2005, over 140,000 homes were at risk of fuel poverty. Fuel poverty is defined as having to spend more than 10% of disposable income on heating your home to an acceptable level.

“Considering the increase in fuel prices since 2005, I think we can expect that the proportion of homes at risk of fuel poverty will have significantly increased. As such, it is vital that the Minister for Finance examines ways in which various social welfare payments can be used address this issue. No one should ever be left feeling that they cannot afford to heat their home to a comfortable level”, stated Roderic O’Gorman.

Roderic O’Gorman also commented on some medium and long term policies designed to deal with difficulties faced by consumers in dealing with the increasing oil and gas prices.

“Since entering into Government a year ago, my party colleagues John Gormley and Eamon Ryan have both been working in their departments to ensure that in the medium to long term, houses are much more energy efficient in Ireland. A number of initiatives have looked at ensuring higher standards in new housing”.

“However, for existing housing stock, Minister Ryan has initiated an insulation programme which will see € 100 million provided in grants to allow people improve the insulation on their houses. Not only will this scheme be good for the environment by cutting carbon emissions, it will also allow people save substantial amounts of money in heating their homes”, concluded Roderic O’Gorman.

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Further Information
Roderic O’Gorman: 087 417 9777
rodericogorman@gmail.com