Green economy provides the stimulus Minister Ryan

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has been allocated over €517 million, an increase of over €5 million on last year’s estimate.

The increase reflects the fact that the Government has decided that sustainable energy and building our broadband infrastructure represents the best kind of stimulus for the Irish economy.

The Green Enterprise Group identified 80,000 jobs and the Knowledge Society Taskforce identified 30,000 jobs as the prize over the next decade if we implement the Government’s strategy of a low-carbon, high-tech economy. Over 15,000 jobs have already been created in the green economy.

Today’s Budget aims to build on and accelerate this job creation plan.

Insulation

The Department will extend its national insulation programme with an additional €50 million for retrofitting programmes. The overall €90 million allocation for next year includes €36 million ring fenced for low income housing. The national insulation programme totals €130 million when coupled with the Department of Environment’s €40 million and will create 5,000 jobs in the sector next year. This year, over 5,600 contractors have already registered for insulation work and BER assessment on homes throughout Ireland.

Renewable energy

€12.9 million will be spent on energy research. This includes the world class facility on ocean energy off the Mayo coast and a number of other initiatives around the country.

Electric Cars

Government will support the deployment of electric vehicles onto Irish roads with a VRT exemption for the next 3 years. There will also be a grant for half the costs of the batteries for the first 6,000 cars on Irish roads.

Help for Business

The existing tax incentive scheme for businesses purchasing energy efficient equipment will be extended into 3 new categories. This will lower energy costs for industry, give them a cash flow boost and help them to make the right purchasing decisions in the coming year.

Building our communications infrastructure

€45 million will be spent next year on the modernisation of our telecommunications infrastructure. This includes the National Broadband Scheme to bring broadband coverage to certain designated target areas in rural Ireland where broadband coverage was deemed to be insufficient. This scheme is supporting 250 jobs directly. High speed broadband will be delivered to 78 secondary schools.

Work will be advanced on positioning Ireland as a test bed for the next-generation of energy-efficient fibre optics networks.

Broadcasting

The Sound and Vision fund for independent broadcasters will be increased to €14.6 million allowing the creative arts the support they require to tell Irish stories to Irish viewers.

In addition to the funding outlined, the Minister will spearhead work on Green Data centres, a Green IFSC and an International Content Services Centre.

Commenting on his Department’s allocation Minister Eamon Ryan said, “This Government has insisted that we have the economic strategy to bring us into recovery. The investment and the jobs of tomorrow will be low-carbon and high-tech.

The increase in my Department’s allocation will go directly into providing thousands of jobs for Irish people. We will make their homes warmer and provide employment for the construction sector as we insulate over 1 million homes and every public building in Ireland.

Bringing broadband to rural areas and our schools will modernise both our education system and our telecommunications infrastructure.

Over 15,000 jobs have already been created in the green economy. Every euro this Department spends will be focussed on jobs for our people in the growing areas of the green and digital economies. This is a central part of our stimulus.

We can fight climate change as we secure our economic future.”

ENDS

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