Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1256. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to extend grant aid from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to cover energy efficient re-equipment in poultry, pigs and horticulture not already covered by the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme. [54472/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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A Dairy Sector Pilot Project run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in collaboration with Teagasc, and funded by my Department, was conducted in 2017.  It targeted areas of high energy use and supported installation of variable speed drives on vacuum pumps and milk pumps in milking parlours which can reduce energy consumption considerably on a farm.

Separately, my Department undertook a consultation on energy efficiency with the wider commercial sector in late 2017.  The objective was to outline the benefits energy efficiency delivers for businesses, supports currently available to improve energy efficiency, and to provide an opportunity for businesses to have their voices heard on how they could be better supported to improve their energy efficiency. 

The impact and learnings from the 2017 dairy sector pilot project together with findings from the consultation will inform development of any further specific support measures for implementation in 2018.  SEAI will also need to have regard to the considerable range of supports available from Department of Agriculture Food and Marine under the TAMS II Programme so as to optimise complementarity and avoid duplication. 

I would point out that the Government, through SEAI and others, currently provide a range of energy efficiency support measures which may be of interest to agricultural businesses including farms.  These include:-

-structured energy management training for large business and small business training for SMEs;

-free information, including best practice guides and online energy management strategies tailored to different sectors and online self–assessment energy “map” training;

- The EXEED (excellence in energy efficiency and design) scheme which can provide advice and grant support for businesses to establish a systematic approach to design, construction and commissioning processes for new investments and upgrades to existing assets;

- Project assistance grants to help businesses developing energy performance contract (EPC) solutions to finance the delivery of energy efficiency projects.

The SEAI also produces the “Triple E” Register of products approved as being energy efficient.  Coupled with the Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) scheme operated by Government through the Revenue Commissioners this allows businesses to identify and buy the most energy efficient equipment and write down the cost of such equipment in the year of purchase rather than over 8 years.  More detail of qualifying products can be found on the SEAI website at.

My Department is also working, through the EPA, with key stakeholders, including the SEAI, on the IFA led Smart Farming initiative which helps farmers improve their energy and resource management and reduces emissions.  More information can be found in the progress report published in October last.