Energy Action and The Ireland Funds

Energy Action began its charitable, training and environmental protection work in 1988, with a staff of one manager and five trainees.

During the first critical years of existence, the Ireland Funds were instrumental in keeping the project operational, by provision of grants - £5,000 in 1988, £5,000 in 1989 and £7,500 in 1990. In those years, staff were recruited from the ranks of the unemployed, as they are at present. However, at the start-up stage, manager and trainees worked without income, using only their unemployment benefit as wages. The funding from the Ireland Funds was used to buy insulation materials and provide transport. Without this funding the project would not have been able to maintain its existence.

Since then Energy Action has developed into a training organisation, with upwards of 60 unemployed people being in training at any given time. It is noteworthy that, annually, an average of 75% of trainees moves on into full time employment. As at the end of 2002, in the region of 18,000 homes of older people and disadvantaged families have had free insulation installed. The training programmes instituted have become recognised certification courses under the national Further Education and Awards Council (FETAC). Fuel poverty and its elimination has moved on to the political agenda as a result of Energy Action's activities.

None of this would have happened without the timely intervention of the Ireland Funds.

Another critical input by the Ireland Funds (£15,000 in 1998) enabled Energy Action to proceed with a cross border initiative that involved similar minded groups in Newry County Down, north of the Border, and Drogheda, County Louth South of the Border. This project was instrumental in the establishment of a nationwide community based fuel poverty elimination, environmental protection and training programme for local groups. Training, mentoring and monitoring is provided to a dozen groups around Ireland that are providing a similar service in local communities. A further 27 groups have indicated their desire to become involved. In 2003, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), a government body, was given the task of coordinating and part funding the development of a 'Low Income Housing Programme', designed to eliminate fuel poverty. This national recognition of the existence of Fuel Poverty is a direct result of the Newry/Drogheda Project, in which the Ireland Funds funding was a major factor.

In 2001 the Ireland Funds again stepped into the breach, with a donation towards the implementation of a 'home computer training programme' instituted by Energy Action. This project was aimed at helping the dependants of trainees to escape from the poverty trap. In recognising that computer literacy was as essential in obtaining employment as numeracy and literacy skills were for previous generations, Energy Action embarked on an innovative programme to provide computers in the homes of 40 trainees, to enable their dependants acquire computer skills. Remote learning programmes were created, whereby users would undertake tests of competency through a dedicated internet address. Obviously, part of the training was in learning how to use the internet to perform the scheduled tasks.

This was a hugely successful initiative, and there are many stories of how the programme changed the lives of participants. One is worth recounting as an illustration of the improvements in the quality of life of some users. One Energy Action trainee informed us that her daughter, aged twelve, was uncooperative, both at home and in school. She was at the bottom of her class in nearly all subjects. When the computer was installed in her home she became dedicated to learning and research, moved to the top of the class, and has since become a leader in the school in computer based enterprises. Her whole demeanor has changed. Unfortunately, because of the high costs involved, Energy Action has had to abandon the project, but the training programmes established, and the dedicated internet address, have been taken over by some schools.

As recently as 2002, Energy Action was one of the Projects chosen by the Ireland Funds as a project to be visited by USA funders. In June, visitors were taken out to visit dwellings where insulation work was being carried out, and they spoke with the people in their homes about their lifestyles and the conditions in which they were living. They also spoke with people that had already been recipients of the services, and the benefits they received as a result of the insulation. It was also an opportunity to speak with staff in training, and to discuss with them the beneficial effects of their sojourn in Energy Action, and the aspirations it gave them. A film crew, employed by the Ireland Funds, also sent some time with Energy Action, to enable prospective funders see how their contributions were being dispensed.

As can be seen, the Ireland Funds has been an important ally to Energy Action almost since its inception. It is no exaggeration to say that without the intervention of the Ireland Funds, Energy Action would have gone out of existence a long time ago. The subsequent influence of Energy Action on national energy conservation, environmental protection stratagems and domestic energy based training programmes would therefore not have taken place, or at least would have been years later in coming into being.

Energy Action is very proud of the influence it has had on Government thinking in these matters, and is extremely grateful to the Ireland Funds for the support it has provided at critical stages of its development.

“There’s a whole social side to
what we do
- combating the terrible loneliness
of some of these elderly people…”
— Jack Kelly, Energy Action

In it’s first year Energy Action provided draught proofing for 561 homes. Today it averages 1600 homes annually for this service, in addition to providing low energy light bulbs, smoke alarms and other fuel-efficient services.

Energy Action’s success lies in its commitment to working closely with the community. Educational talks are given to residents’ associations, community care workers and active retirement groups, as well as those involved in the care of elderly people.

It also strives to educate the community on the importance of fuel efficiency by educating children in school through the use of puppets, visual displays and games. This community-based model of education and training has allowed Energy Action’s goal to be applied nationally.

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