Home insulation grant system favours the wealthierIn principle I support the National Insulation Programme grant scheme brought in by the government. It's a sensible measure which could potentially create much needed employment in the construction sector and at the same time reduce our national carbon footprint. However it is flawed. As with most of these kinds of schemes the more well off are favoured. Only those with cash reserves or the ability to access loans can benefit from The Home Energy Saving Scheme as it requires the home owner to outlay considerable amounts of cash in order to take advantage of the grants. The cheapest example given on the Sustainable Energy Ireland website relates to roof insulation which they say would average as much as €1000 to do and would lead to a fuel bill saving per year of approximately €250. The grant for this would be €250. So it's quite an attractive payback time of three years for the home owner. But there is a minimum level of grant of €500 which means qualifying home owners will need to pay out considerably more from their own pockets in order to get more work done. There are many home owners who would love to reduce their fuel bills but just cannot afford the outlay and may not be able to get loans. Why should they be left out just because they don't have so much disposable income? Is this really the message we want to give - that being environmentally friendly is only for the rich? And that we'll keep the poor that way as their fuel bills will remain higher? There is another way and it's one that would also be cheaper for the taxpayer to support. Implement a grant system but rather than just give the money to homeowners, lend them the money to make improvements which they then pay back by continuing to pay as though their fuel bill was at the old level. So if I get my roof insulation done which saves me €250 per year in fuel costs I pay back the grant at a rate of €250 per year and pay the full amount off in four years. This makes it easier for people to get the work done but also creates a sustainable model for years to come as money will be paid back into the system. A homeowner who gets work done is at no disadvantage because their overall household expenses would be the same. I know there is a Warmer Home Scheme aimed at low income households. It is available only in certain areas and to avail of it you must be in receipt of fuel allowance, invalidity or disability payments. It's going to leave lots of households that fall between these two particular stools literally out in the cold. Add a CommentYour comment will appear once it has been approved. |