David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 73 and 87 of 27 April 2010, the contact between his Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland regarding the development of technical and safety standards for micro-sale equipment and training standards for installers of microgeneration technologies; the progress to date with such standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37893/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department liaises regularly with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on developments in technical and safety standards for micro generation. The development of standards for micro-generation equipment is largely coordinated by the relevant international bodies such as the IEC [International Electro technical Commission] and CENELEC [Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique (European Committee for Electro technical Standardisation)]. The development of training standards is within the remit of FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council). FETAC and City & Guilds are the qualification awarding bodies for renewable energy installers. The enforcement of such standards is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

SEAI is active in promoting awareness of standards and ensuring they are adhered to in its own support schemes for renewable technologies. The SEAI has also supported FETAC by convening standards development groups to develop training standards for micro-generation installers.

Ireland's National Renewable Energy Action Plan, published in July and available on the Departments website, sets out in detail the current situation in relation to training of installers and certification of microgeneration equipment.

Under the current small-and micro-scale generation programme, SEAI has been working to enhance the provision of accredited microgeneration training courses in Ireland. In order to meet the need for training for micro-generator installers in the short to medium term, SEAI will build on the work carried out by itself and Action Renewables of Northern Ireland under the Renewable Energy Installers Academy to provide appropriate courses to fully meet the training needs of installers. Manufacturer's training for specific products is also an important component of installer training.

An ultimate objective is the development of a competency requirement within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) for all installers in this field. SEAI has been working to this end in collaboration with FETAC, FAS, the Commission for Energy Regulation, the ETCI, Industry Groups and training providers through a Standards Development Group in accordance with FETAC's 'Formation and Organisation of Standards Development Groups'.

The introduction of a robust framework for the development of a sustainable microgeneration sector is an important component of building domestic and small scale enterprise participation in achieving Ireland's renewable energy targets. It is essential, in order to ensure safety and reliability and to develop confidence among domestic and small scale participants that installers are trained to proper standards and are adequately certified to carry out work.