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The Home Insulation Scheme will focus on the provision of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation in properties that are able to take such measures. However, all households in each area, including those in properties unsuitable for loft and cavity insulation, will be offered energy audits and benefit checks. Data collected from energy audits will be important in assisting the development of future programmes aimed at hard to treat properties, for example, the Community Energy Saving Programme. The proportion of residents of hard to treat properties that will be assisted under the scheme will depend on the areas selected.

The Scottish Government has made an initial estimate that the Home Insulation Scheme could save in the region of 24,250 tCO₂e in 2009-10. The actual emission savings achieved will depend on a range of factors including the characteristics of the areas chosen, and the scale of contribution from partners. The emission savings achieved will be calculated within the framework for standard carbon assessment being developed by the Scottish Government.

The total householder contribution to measures part-funded by the Home Insulation Scheme in 2009-10 will depend on factors such as the eligibility criteria agreed and the areas selected.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23524 on 11 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The proportion of fuel poor households within each area that will benefit under the Home Insulation Scheme will depend on the characteristics of the areas selected.

The Energy Saving Trust, which is the managing agent for the Home Insulation Scheme, the Energy Assistance Package and the Energy Saving Scotland advice network will play a key role in working with local partners to maximise partnership and joint working.

The proportion of households within each area that will be entitled to free insulation measures will depend on a range of factors including the eligibility criteria agreed and the characteristics of that area.

In delivery of the Home Insulation Scheme, we will aim to ensure that best practice procurement is followed to achieve value for money, balancing specification for the work with its cost effective delivery. The provision of advice to householders will be delivered from a local base within each area.

The Scottish Government is committing £15 million of investment to the Home Insulation Scheme in 2009-10 and is seeking £15 million of complementary investment from other sources. These sources could, for example, include local councils and housing associations. Private householders and energy companies are also expected to contribute through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. On 1 May 2009, we wrote to councils seeking proposals for areas to be selected under the scheme and anticipated contributions from them, and their local partners, for the scheme. It is therefore too early to say how the contributions from the various partners will breakdown.

The number of households eligible to receive reduced cost insulation measures under the Home Insulation Scheme in the areas selected in 2009-10 will depend on a range of factors including the eligibility criteria agreed and the characteristics of each area.