Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will introduce the new REFIT tariff on renewable energy, which was announced by the previous Government in May 2010 but was never put into practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14488/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The proposed REFIT support scheme, which was announced in May 2010, was submitted to the EU Commission in Brussels for State Aid clearance in November 2010. This scheme, which is aimed at supporting the use of biomass in electricity generation and heat production, incorporates a proposed range of tariffs for different technologies and requires State Aid clearance before it can open for applications.

My Department has been in constant contact with the Commission on this matter and is confident that the final stages of the clearance process are now close.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if ESB Electric Ireland plans to offer the same terms for microgeneration of wind energy North and South of the Border; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that microgeneration of energy could be of value as an enterprise for small farmers and landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14176/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The electricity market in Ireland is now fully deregulated. It is a commercial decision for the company concerned as to what terms and conditions they offer in the competitive market; I have no function in the matter.

I am aware of the benefits of microgeneration. The programme for Government commits to consideration of a feed-in tariff for microgenerators producing electricity for their own homes, farms and businesses and selling surplus electricity to the grid that is not significantly above the single energy market price for electricity. In line with this commitment, my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are finalising a cost-benefit analysis of a feed-in tariff programme for microgeneration. I expect their assessment to be submitted to me shortly for consideration.