Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 716: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Sustainable Energy Ireland extended the energy agreements programme to the small and medium enterprise sector during 2007 as scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3707/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In December 2006, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) was requested by my Department to initiate a pilot extension of its energy services for business, based on engaging a wider range of firms, especially SMEs, and testing the effectiveness of the energy agreements approach across the enterprise sector.

SEI accordingly developed and implemented a new programme in 2007, with particular emphasis on small and medium size enterprises. The enhanced level of activity has seen SEI engage directly with up to 1,000 firms across all sectors, including over 700 in the small and medium categories, as well as many stakeholders and service providers.

External evaluation of the support programmes indicates that energy savings to business worth over €24 million annually will result directly from these programmes. SEI has used the evaluation to inform design of further support programmes for business, which will continue in 2008.