Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 140: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support a matter (details supplied). [43033/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS Training Services provides training courses in Dublin and Cork in the following sustainable energy courses:

Solar (Domestic Hot Water)

Bio mass (Wood pellet boilers)

Geo Thermal Heating.

These programmes are designed to update the skills of suitable crafts persons typically plumbers, electricians and fitters. It is hoped to extend the delivery of these programmes to other training centres in 2009. FÁS Training Services is also developing other sustainable energy skills courses in areas such as photo voltaic, wind and electricity generation.

In relation to the promotion of this sector, Sustainable Energy Ireland operates a number of schemes that stimulate the wider deployment of sustainable energy technologies in Ireland:

Greener Homes Scheme – stimulating installation of renewable heating systems in homes, including geothermal, solar and biomass technologies,

ReHEAT Scheme – supporting similar technologies to the Greener Homes Scheme but for commercial, public and community sector organisations and buildings,

Home Energy Savings Pilot Scheme — promoting the uptake of energy efficiency measures in homes including improved attic and wall insulation and upgraded heating system controls. It is planned that this scheme will be extended to a national scheme following the allocation of additional resources in Budget 2009.

While the primary objective of these schemes is to improve the energy performance of the systems/buildings targeted and reduce the harmful emissions of CO2, it is widely acknowledged that, in stimulating greater uptake of the services, there are potential business opportunities for those involved in the supply, installation and maintenance of these products and services. The Sustainable Energy Ireland schemes will lead to the expansion of this emerging sector and possible future job creation.