Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 665 of 23 March 2010, the price at which Sustainable Energy Ireland purchased software for the building energy rating system; if Sustainable Energy Ireland can edit this software to correct any glitches or anomalies that may arise; if Sustainable Energy Ireland have edited BER software at any point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18631/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Building Energy Rating (BER) is a measure of the energy required to meet the annual energy use for space heating, water heating, ventilation and lighting in the home, calculated on the basis of a notional standard family with a standard pattern of occupancy.

The methodology used is the Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP). DEAP takes account of the energy required for space heating, ventilation, water heating and lighting, less savings from energy generation technologies. For standardised occupancy, it calculates both the total annual values and, the per square metre of total floor area of delivered energy consumption, primary energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and costs.

The methodology was defined by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on the basis of prevailing methodologies and emerging international standards and following industry consultation. SEAI commissioned the DEAP software tool, which is issued free of charge through its website, to facilitate registered BER Assessors in the calculation and subsequent publication of energy ratings. DEAP is also used to demonstrate compliance with specific aspects of Part L of the Building Regulations for dwellings.

SEAI owns the full intellectual property rights within the software tool. The software was developed by Calyx Software (formerly Mentec), which was appointed following an Invitation To Tender process conducted through the Government's e-tenders service.

The specification of DEAP is subject to regular review as building practices change, new technologies are introduced to market and new developments in building energy calculation emerge. SEAI does not itself implement these changes within the software but rather specifies and manages the changes to be implemented by the appointed software vendor.

DEAP is enhanced on a phased basis to reflect revised technical requirements e.g. Building Regulations, and accommodate new and improved functionality. Total cost of development and maintenance of the DEAP software tool for the period 2006 to date is €306,292. Maintenance is included in the contract with Calyx to address any issues that arise with software operation.