Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Finance when will the commencement order for tax relief for energy efficient works in the main home, Section 477A of the Tax Consolidation Act 1997, be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23739/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Section 477A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 was introduced in Finance Act 2011 and 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 Jobs Initiative in May 2011, 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 co-existing tax incentive for similar works and, following this review, I decided not to proceed with the introduction of the tax relief scheme.