Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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A new Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan is currently being finalised by my Department. A draft Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan was launched for public consultation in September 2023. Key areas of focus in the draft Strategy and Action Plan include measures to progress Green Public Procurement implementation in the Public Sector; Monitoring and Reporting; Training and Awareness; and further development of national Green Public Procurement guidance and criteria. The draft Strategy includes information in relation to undertaking market engagement, availing of research and innovation, and EU and international initiatives on Green Public Procurement. The draft strategy also has a key sectoral focus with related proposed Green Public Procurement targets.

The finalised Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan, which include timelines for implementation of actions, will be published in March 2024.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Most of the building grants funded by my Department and administered by SEAI are for building retrofitting to a higher energy performance standard, rather than aimed at new buildings, which are already built to a high energy standard in accordance with building regulations, which the Department of Housing and Local Government lead on.

The EXEED Grant Scheme which is focussed on energy efficient design and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat are also open to newly constructed buildings or greenfield sites, provided specific criteria are met. The only eligible costs for new buildings are incremental investments that go beyond the minimum required to meet building regulations or other minimum statutory requirements. Typically, in order to access a grant for a new building, the applicant will need to present a design that meets these regulatory requirements, and a design that goes beyond these requirements, including the incremental investment cost between the two.

Enterprise Ireland (EI), which is under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, has a suite of grant supports available to companies to help prepare for a low carbon, more resource efficient economy, no matter what stage of the journey they are at, from planning to implementation stage. Enterprise Ireland and IDA may support businesses under the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment’s Environmental Aid Scheme, which would include those seeking to make their existing or new greenfield sites energy efficient or carbon neutral and avoid fossil fuel energy sources.