Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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199. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are carbon incentives for companies to purchase products from Irish manufacturers. [48646/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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While there are no specific incentives for companies to purchase products from Irish manufacturers along the lines indicated in the question, it is Government policy to promote the use of qualifying energy efficient products, equipment and technologies. For example, the 2018 Finance Bill confirms that the existing accelerated capital allowances (ACA) scheme for energy efficient products is being extended for a further three years until 31 December 2020. Under this provision organisations who invest in the most energy efficient equipment can deduct the full cost of the equipment from their profits in the year of purchase. This reduces the taxable profit in year one by the full cost of the equipment and contributes to emissions reductions.  The resulting energy savings by companies in their productive activities contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emisssions.

Another initiative of benefit to businesses is EXEED (excellence in energy efficient design) which can provide advice and  support leading to certification for businesses to establish a systematic approach to design, construction, and commissioning processes for new investments and upgrades to existing assets.  This scheme has delivered impressive efficiency improvements in recent years.  Interest in the scheme is growing, including among small and medium-sized enterprises  and I am providing additional funding to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to allow EXEED to be expanded in 2018. 

More information on both of these schemes is available on the SEAI website at .