2/10/2003 Over €200,000 in funding announced to tackle problem of fuel poverty in Kerry
Media Information 1 July 2003
Over €200,000 in funding announced to tackle problem of fuel poverty in Kerry
Funding part of €7.62 million national initiative
Almost 500 Kerry homes to benefit from funding
Funding of over €200,000 has been awarded to a Kerry-based organisation to assist in addressing the problem of fuel poverty in low-income households in the region. Cunamh Energy Action is the first organisation in Ireland to receive monies under the new phase of Sustainable Energy Ireland’s €7.62 million Low Income Housing Programme. The money will fund the installation of energy efficient measures into almost 500 low-income over a two-year period.
The Low Income Housing Programme has been established to help tackle the problem of fuel poverty throughout Ireland. Up to 18,000 households in total are set to benefit from the programme, which is being implemented by Sustainable Energy Ireland and funded through the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006.
According to Sustainable Energy Ireland, almost 62,000 householders in Ireland are currently estimated to be living in persistent fuel poverty. In addition, many more householders are living on the margins of fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty arises when a householder is unable to afford to adequately heat their home owing to a number of factors, including low income and energy inefficient housing. Quantitatively, a fuel poor household is often defined as one needing to spend in excess of 10% of the household income on fuel to achieve a satisfactory level of heating. The consequences of fuel poverty for households affected, in addition to poor comfort, can include poor health, increased debt and a decline in the physical state of their home.
Cunamh Energy Action has been in operation for 7 years and has already helped more than 800 low-income households in Tralee and the surrounding area. It currently employs 14 people on either a full or part-time basis through the FÁS Social Economy Programme. The new funding will enable them to increase the volume of work that they undertake and to expand their geographical coverage to include the whole of Kerry.
Under the first tranche of funds granted by the programme, Cunamh Energy Action plans to address at least 260 homes with cavity wall insulation and another 220 homes with a standard package of measures that includes attic insulation, draught proofing, hot water cylinder jackets and low energy lamps. The measures will help improve the comfort of the homes and reduce energy bills. Householders will also receive detailed energy advice that will enable them to maximise the benefit of any measures installed.
Commenting on the announcement of the first funding granted under the Low Income Housing Programme, David Taylor, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Ireland, said, “We are delighted to be able to support Cunamh Energy Action’s work in Kerry. The need for action to alleviate fuel poverty throughout Ireland is now well established and this new programme is a positive step towards making a real difference to those living in fuel poverty. It is also an important part of Sustainable Energy Ireland’s strategy to improve the energy efficiency of the Irish housing stock and reduce greenhouse gas emissions ".
He added, "Another key aspect of the programme is facilitating the development of a national network for the delivery of longer-term solutions. While many organisations, such as Cunamh Energy Action, are currently engaged in addressing fuel poverty there is a real need to bring together stakeholders at local, regional and national level to ensure a coherent and effective approach to the problem. This first round of funding granted marks a significant step in helping us to achieve this”.
Francis O'Sullivan, Manager, Cunamh Energy Action said, "we are extremely happy to have been chosen by Sustainable Energy Ireland to deliver their Low Income Housing Programme throughout County Kerry. This programme will have immense benefits to the local community and also the environment”.
Sustainable Energy Ireland, formerly the Irish Energy Centre, was established on May 1st, 2002, as a statutory authority charged with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy and is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 with programmes part financed by the European Union.
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For further information please contact:
Diarmuid O’Neill
Edelman
01-6789333 / 087-6699933
Editors Notes:
About the Low Income Housing Programme
Under the Low Income Housing Programme, Sustainable Energy Ireland will fund community-based organisations nationwide to install energy efficiency measures into homes occupied by low income households. The measures will help improve the comfort of the homes and reduce energy bills for householders. The type of work to be undertaken through the programme will include the installation of attic and cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, hot water cylinder jackets and energy saving light bulbs or CFLs. Householders will also receive detailed energy advice that will enable them to maximise the benefit of any measures installed.
Eaga Partnership, an independent management agency, has been appointed to manage elements of the programme including quality assurance and the development of supporting information systems. Eaga will also work in partnership with Energy Action to assist with the development of installer agencies funded through the programme. Eaga has experience of managing similar programmes in Britain and Northern Ireland.
