Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the energy package outlined in the national development plan; the details regarding the way the €8.5 billion will be allocated between 2007 and 2013; the amount that has been set aside for eradicating fuel poverty under the new NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5270/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The €8.5 billion Energy Programme NDP investment consists of three Sub-Programmes:

Strategic Energy Infrastructure (€1.2 billion)

Sustainable Energy (€276m)

State Energy Companies Investment (€7.0 billion)

A number of large-scale public good energy infrastructure projects are required and/or planned to address security of supply, bring infrastructure up-to-date and foster continued economic sustainability and regional development. They are of critical national strategic importance and will help the sector's ability to manage costs.

The strategic energy infrastructure projects will deliver interconnection, market integration, extension of the networks and storage for greater security of supply. Non-public sources of funding will be pursued, where suitable and appropriate, having regard to the overall energy policy goals. Consideration will be given to the possibility of an Exchequer contribution because of the scale, strategic importance and immediacy of Ireland's energy needs. The Sustainable Energy Sub-Programme encompasses measures covering renewable energy, energy efficiency, integration and innovation. Some measures may have a fuel poverty impact. The annual breakdown is not available at this stage.

Some €7.0 billion will be invested by the State Energy Companies from 2007 to 2013. The total is indicative at this stage as it depends on a number of factors. Consequently the year-by-year breakdown is not available. Planned 2007 capital spend undertaken, or accounted for, by the ESB, Bord Gáis Éireann, Bord na Móna and EirGrid is €833 million, €255 million, €32 million and €149 million, respectively. In the time available, it is not possible to extract from the National Development Plan, exact expenditure on various fuel poverty measures as more than one programme is involved. Further detail on fuel poverty expenditure will be in the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion.