Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his predecessor announced in budget 2010 that he would introduce a scheme to give standard tax relief for a list of approved works for home insulation separate from the home energy savings scheme; the date on which he will introduce this tax relief scheme; and if he will provide details of the way the scheme will operate. [36238/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Section 13 of Finance Act 2011 provided for income tax relief at the standard rate for expenditure incurred by individuals on a range of works carried out to improve the energy efficiency of residential premises situated in the State. The underpinning legislation for the scheme was subject to Commencement Order. However, that legislation, on review, was found to have flaws and would have required amendment before it could be implemented.

As part of the announcement in the recent Jobs Initiative, the Government undertook to provide further funding for the grants available under the Better Energy Homes scheme operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Because of these circumstances, I decided to review the requirement for a coexisting tax incentive for similar works and, following this review, I have decided not to proceed with the introduction of the tax relief scheme.