Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date on the implementation of recommendations in the Forfás Report of the high level group on green enterprise; the steps being taken to implement the recommendation on grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24228/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Report of the High level Group on Green Enterprise was launched in December 2009. The Report made 55 recommendations to develop the Green Economy in Ireland. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton TD, has responsibility for monitoring progress on the recommendations. However, I understand from his Department that 38 of the 55 recommendations (69%) of the High Level Group's Report have been addressed to a greater or lesser extent. Key recommendations which are being implemented include investment in the electricity grid, the rolling out of brown bins to households and businesses, funding to reduce water leakages, introduction of electric cars, and a range of demonstration projects being actively supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

The progress made with respect to the recommendations, including the three recommendations in relation to the grid was set out in a Progress Report published in March and which is available at:

http://www.djei.ie/publications/trade/2011/Progressreportongreenenterprise.pdf and http://www.forfas.ie/media/forfas-110318-green_enterprise.pdf .

Since the report the progress made with respect to the recommendations relating to my Department have included:

The Electric Vehicle grant scheme which was opened in April 2011 to assist in the purchase of electric vehicles. Those purchasing a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) or plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) will be grant aided by up to €5,000, depending on the price of the vehicle. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to BEVs and the VRT reliefs of up to €2,500 for PHEVs. In addition, 57 public charge points including 6 fast charge points are currently operational throughout the State. The ESB plans to have 66 more charge points operational over the next two months

The development of smart metering is progressing to schedule and phase 1 of the programme will conclude this year. The CER proposes to consult in the coming months on the high-level regulatory design and implementation approach for a national smart metering rollout.

Regarding the recommendation to support the farming community to produce and sell green energy, officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry and the SEAI are engaging in progressing the recommended pilot forum on renewable energy for the farming community.End of Take Section WRBB follows.