Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the contract for the installation of charging points for electric vehicles in public locations will be put out to tender or if the contract is being granted automatically to the ESB without any competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24643/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The ESB, as the single operator of the electricity distribution system, is responsible for implementing the public Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure across Ireland.

I understand that, to date, the installation of charge points on public sites has been undertaken by contractors working on behalf of the ESB. I also understand that from time to time the ESB hold tendering competitions whereby interested parties may apply to be registered on a 'tender list'. The ESB then signs framework agreements to last for a fixed period with successful candidates. Over the period of the framework agreement, contractors on the list will be engaged to undertake work on projects such as installation of charge points.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in the course of his efforts to promote wave and tidal energy production, consideration has been given to launching a competition for inventors to submit workable designs of energy production from wave and tidal sources with a significant monetary reward, on the basis that the State will have some or all of the rights to the patents of technologies of the winning submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24665/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Ocean Energy Development Unit in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established to take forward the ocean energy sector in Ireland. SEAI operates a Prototype Development Fund aimed at stimulating the development and deployment of ocean energy devices and systems and developers may apply for funding under the scheme.

Prior to the introduction of the Prototype Development Fund, SEAI considered a variety of ways to incentivise industry to develop innovative products, seeking to introduce a level playing field for all product developers/inventors.

Developers/inventors often require support at the very early stage of their project to be able to bring their products to a workable design level. A concern with the proposal outlined would be that only those companies that already have initial development funding in place would be able to avail of such a scheme. The suggestion of the state taking a stake in patent rights is complex and would require in-depth analysis. It would also likely involve the state in the product on an ongoing basis, perhaps well beyond the lifetime of the scheme.