Dominick Donnelly

25^th March 2009

Home energy saving scheme now open for business

Cllr. Dominick Donnelly, the Green Party member of Passage West Town Council and candidate for the Carrigaline electoral area of Cork County Council, has called on local residents in the South Cork area to sign up for the Government’s insulation scheme which began processing applications today. Installing better insulation and heating systems can save homeowners up to €700 annually on their electricity bills.

Cllr. Donnelly said: “There has been an unprecedented level of interest in insulation grants, and the scheme has the potential to create thousands of jobs and halve electricity bills.

“Already nearly 100,000 people have registered their interest in the scheme with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), the agency that will administer the grants. I am encouraging both local homeowners and local builders who may be short of work at the moment to get involved.

“Insulation is the single best way of saving money on energy. The home energy saving scheme will see homeowners save up to €700 annually on their electricity bills. This, coupled with recent reductions in electricity prices is great news for consumers in these tight times.

“We also need more qualified contractors to come on board in order to carry out all of the additional work. I would urge contractors in south Cork to register with SEI and secure a major business boost for themselves in the process. The level of public interest is such that contractors can be assured of work for themselves and maybe even expand their businesses.

“It’s good news for our pockets, for the economy and for the environment,” Cllr. Donnelly concluded.