Energy Action has an on-going commitment to community life throughout the country. In the Dublin area it provides a free insulation service in the homes of the elderly and disadvantaged, along with a free home security service.

The primary benefit to the community is increased comfort due to greater heat retention in their homes. Added to this, however, is the fact that older people often appreciate being visited by the Energy Action crews, thus helping to combat the sense of isolation in the home.

With the support of ADM it has assisted rural and urban groups to become involved in domestic energy conservation projects in areas as far apart as Donegal and Kerry. Through these groups, and also through the Interreg Programme, we promote the benefits of domestic energy conversation.

The objectives of the community programme are:

• Training of long-term unemployed people to work in their own communities.
• Care for the elderly and disadvantaged in the community.
• Creation of job opportunities within the local community.
• Reduction in fuel consumption within the home, resulting in increased comfort and improvement in health.
• Reduction in environmental pollution at community level.
• Education of children in energy awareness in an interesting and informative way through presentations in local schools.
• Assembly of statistical information in local areas relating to domestic energy consumption.

Energy Action is actively involved with the Dublin Inner City Partnership, Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), Age Action and works in conjunction with Dublin Corporation, County Councils, Health Boards and non-Governmental organisations.

The project has contributed to Strategy A (Targeting Social Development) of the Dublin Inner City’s Action Plan, specifically to Measure 2, which refers to project that undertake innovative energy conservation initiatives.