Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed outline of his plans for the roll-out of the new pay-as-you-save scheme; the way this new scheme will operate; the level of private sector involvement in this new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8128/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to roll out a Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) energy retrofit scheme for domestic buildings in early 2014. Such a scheme would substitute Exchequer funding currently being provided to the Better Energy Programme.

The PAYS concept is an innovative financing mechanism that would allow consumers to finance upgrades directly through the energy savings generated. It is also envisaged at this time that such a scheme would encourage energy efficiency measures in non-domestic buildings and premises. My Department has established a project team to undertake the necessary technical and financial analysis of a PAYS model in the Irish context and I will bring forward proposals to Government shortly.

There are considerable complexities involved in the development of the PAYS scheme and it is anticipated that a steering group will be charged with the technical, legislative and financial aspects of the scheme design. At this stage, the extent of private sector involvement has not been decided, but the intention is that any scheme design will be subject to comprehensive consultation with stakeholders.