Written answers

Wednesday, 4 July 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Energy Efficiency

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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310. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason for the delay in a company (details supplied) receiving approval from SEAI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29492/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) scheme is a tax incentive to encourage companies to invest in energy efficient equipment. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the 'Triple E' Register that defines the technical criteria for products that are then eligible for the ACA scheme. SEAI is responsible for setting the eligibility criteria for the Register and maintaining and reviewing the list of eligible products.

The Register contains energy efficient equipment listed under ten broad categories and 52 associated classes of technology. The Register sets minimum criteria that products are required to meet to be listed, backed up by internationally accepted test standards. The categories are set down, and revised, in the supporting Statutory Instruments for the ACA, which also gives legal effect to new categories and eligibility criteria when necessary.

I have enquired with SEAI and I understand that the Deputy is referring to a request for approval to have a product included on the "Triple E" Register. I understand that the product in question does not fit within any of the existing categories or technology groups.  Therefore, it is not yet possible for it to be assessed against the published technical criteria and considered for inclusion on the Register.

SEAI has a robust assessment process in place for adding new technologies and criteria to the Register, which would then need to be updated through Statutory Instrument.  SEAI is currently reviewing the proposal made by the company in question to ascertain that there is a sufficient evidence base to confirm this technology's energy saving potential.  

It is my understanding that SEAI will revert to the company shortly with a series of queries to be addressed.  Whether, and over what timescale, it might be possible to make provision for inclusion of the product on the Register will be dependant on the company being able to satisfactorily address the relevant issues and demonstrate the requisite standards.

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