Energy Action Training Certificates

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here today to present awards to the 35 candidates who have successfully completed courses run by Energy Action.

I congratulate all of you for your achievements, which are being recognised here today. I know that the courses are difficult and demanding and have required a considerable investment of your time and energy. I applaud you for your hard work and determination in getting to this point, where you receive an award to recognise this achievement.

I also congratulate Energy Action, together with Fás, who have worked tirelessly to address the question of fuel poverty in Ireland, through direct intervention, training such as these courses, and support of community organisations.

Energy Action has been to the forefront in addressing fuel poverty and has been actively involved with the care, comfort and well-being of older citizens for almost 16 years. Since the organisation was founded in 1988, it has provided a free home insulation service to more than 20,000 homes.

The service provided by Energy Action has many benefits - it provides increased comfort for older people, allows them to reduce fuel bills and simultaneously contributes to protecting the environment.

It is estimated that up to 62,000 Irish households experience persistent fuel poverty. Recognising the need to address this issue, and the pioneering work being done by Energy Action, the Government included a programme to address fuel poverty in the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006. The establishment of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) in 2002, allowed the Government to roll out and expand this programme, by providing critical funding to community based organisations such as Energy Action.

In 2000, Energy Action was the only Community organisation receiving funding from SEI, and provided a service in the Dublin area only, which included draught proofing and attic insulation. I am pleased to note that the service has been significantly expanded since then, with Dublin, Limerick, Donegal, Cork, Kerry and Wexford all covered in 2004. The range of services has also expanded and now includes cavity wall insulation, hot water cylinder jackets, low energy light bulbs and energy advice. A total of €2.43m has been expended on the programme to date, and over 8,000 homes have been addressed in the past four years. What was originally called the Low Income Housing programme has now been aptly re-named the Warmer Homes programme.

Energy Actions involvement in the programme has also expanded. You are now assisting in the management of the national Warmer Homes programme by working with other community organisations, and providing them with critical advice on funding, operational and technical aspects of the programme. This has provided the critical support to allow SEI to expand the programme.

The delivery of courses on energy rating, thermal installations, energy awareness, numeracy and literacy, are important tools for the delivery of the Warmer Homes programme. The courses also offer skills which will be invaluable, when new EU regulations such as the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, come into force.

I congratulate Energy Action and Fás, once again, for their foresight in supporting and developing these training programmes.

And I congratulate you, the recipients of these awards for your considerable achievement in successfully completing the courses.

ENDS