Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
98. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide details of the inventive schemes available from his Department to encourage foreign direct investment in Ireland in the green energy sector. [43094/13]
View answer99. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail incentivisation schemes available from his Department to encourage foreign direct investment in Ireland in the green energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43279/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
IDA Ireland actively markets Ireland as an investment location for international companies in the green energy/renewable technologies space and sees this sector as a growth area into the future. This particular area differs from many of the other sectors which IDA Ireland promotes because of the growing domestic market opportunity around our natural resources in wind and tidal strength. IDA Ireland engages with developers and manufacturers to ensure that as much of the green energy supply chain as possible creates sustainable jobs in this country.
All of the financial (grant aid) and non-financial supports used by IDA Ireland to attract and develop various sectors are also available to the Green Energy Sector, subject to compliance with relevant eligibility criterion and EU State Aid requirements.
IDA Ireland offers a wide range of financial assistance including capital, employment, training, R&D and environmental supports to companies wishing to locate or expand their existing operation in Ireland. A brief description of the types of grand aid made available by IDA is set out in the attached Appendix.
Appendix to Questions Nos. 43094 & 43279
Brief description of the types of grant aid payable by IDA Ireland
- Capital grants are available to subsidise expenditure of the purchase of land and buildings and new plant and equipment.
- Employment grants are available where permanent full-time positions are created and are the most commonly used type of grant.
- IDA's policy emphasis in relation to Research and Development (R&D) Grants is on the need to help existing clients to move up the value chain and ensure companies are focused on activities which will secure competitiveness and strategic importance within the overall corporation through Research and Development.
- The Training Grants scheme is focused on assisting training programmes that will constitute a significant upgrading of the skills base of clients, and which makes a substantial contribution to the Irish companies' long term competitiveness.
- The Environmental Aid Support Scheme assists IDA Ireland client companies to achieve improved international competitiveness through the production of goods and services in a manner that is more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. The Scheme has five elements which are considered the most appropriate and implementable of the extensive range of state aid measures covered by current EU environmental guidelines.
1. Environmental investment aid for High Efficient Co-generation (CHP);
2. Aid for the promotion of Renewal Energy Sources;
3. Environmental investment aid for Energy Saving Measures;
4. Aid for Environmental Studies;
5. Investment Aid for Environmental Protection.
Grant aid is permitted only towards those additional costs that are incurred by client companies investing in environmental protection projects that exceed the mandatory standards required by EU and National Legislation.
Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) provides technical advisory services to IDA and client companies to ensure that the applicant’s investment project is eligible and appropriate.
