Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1266. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a grant application (details supplied) under the better energy communities scheme was declined; the total envisaged spend under the scheme in 2017; the projects which will be funded in Waterford city and county in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme on behalf of my Department. Neither I or my Department have any function in relation to evaluating or selecting individual grant applications to this scheme.
The BEC scheme is application led. Each year, SEAI publishes the guidelines for the scheme which covers what the scheme is intended to deliver and details how each individual application will be assessed and ranked. Following the publication of these guidelines, applications are invited from interested parties. Following the closing date, all applications are evaluated, projects are selected on a competitive basis and are approved by SEAI’s Board. Projects are assessed based on four criteria: value for money; community and partnership approach; innovation and technical characteristics (including the ability to leverage funding from non-State sources); and quality/delivery.
I have forwarded to the Deputy information on every project that has received funding under this year's scheme. In total, 62 applications for funding were received under the scheme.
I would encourage all unsuccessful applicants to the scheme to contact SEAI directly for feedback on their application and how it could be improved for future iterations of the scheme. The team can be contacted at bec@seai.ie or call 01 808 2162.
In addition, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members, which can be sent to oireachtas@seai.ie and will be dealt with promptly.
