Trevor Sargent
Ceist:139 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the areas in which the ?223 million energy efficiency measure in the national development plan will be spent. [24113/02]
Written Answers. - Sustainable Energy.
The Green Paper on Sustainable Energy, published in September 1999, outlined the framework policy for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Ireland.
The establishment of Sustainable Energy Ireland earlier this year reflects, at energy policy level, a fundamental recognition of and commitment to the wider importance of sustainability as an intrinsic condition of national progress and quality of life. Sustainable Energy Ireland is the main conduit for the delivery of the initiatives on renewable energy and energy efficiency funded under the national development plan on behalf of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The budget provision under the national development plan's sustainable energy priority is €223 million comprising the following: €156 million for energy conservation; and €67 million for alternative-renewable energy.
The budget provides for funding of Sustainable Energy Ireland and the key programmes to be delivered by them are divided across a number of areas under three categories. The areas under the category of consumer awareness are: house of tomorrow research and development (built environment); home energy rating; consumer information; and low income housing programme addressing fuel poverty. The areas under the category of industry and public sector are: public sector investment in energy efficient design and solutions; industry agreements; technology promotion; and industry and commercial sector research and development. The areas under the category of sustainable energy services are: renewable energy research and development; grid reinforcement; CHP-district heating; sustainable transport research and development; and renewable energy information office.
The framework for delivery is outlined in Sustainable Energy Ireland's five-year strategy, which was launched recently.