The Green Economy

The following actions will be undertaken in 2012 in respect of the Green Economy. We will:

7.3.1 Publish and implement a new Plan for the Development of the Green Economy, setting out the opportunities in the sector, the role that Government will play in working with enterprise to support the development of the Green Economy, and the structures that will be put in place to coordinate cross‐Government action to accelerate growth. (DJEI, DoECLG, DCENR, DAFM, DTTS)

7.3.2 Implement the Green Public Procurement Action Plan to promote the development of a market for green products and services. (DoECLG)

7.3.3 Support the development of new products in the Green Economy and identify markets for these products. (IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland)

7.3.4 Target FDI opportunities in the green economy including the manufacturing, assembly and testing of products/solutions in renewable energy, smart grids, water management and wastewater treatment and electric vehicles. (IDA Ireland)

7.3.5 Deliver the Industry led International Energy Research Centre with a focus on demand side energy efficiency (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, DJEI and DCENR)

7.3.6 Seek to attract a new range of “green” related financial products and services to Ireland. (IDA Ireland)

7.3.7 Support clustering and other industry‐led initiatives to increase collaboration between and among Irish companies and multinationals, academic institutions and State bodies to develop opportunities in emerging sectors, including sub‐supply to the offshore energy industry, support for research agendas in aspects of the green economy and support for convergence opportunities in niche areas such as water and wastewater treatment and energy management. (Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and SEAI)

7.3.8 Based on the outcome of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise, focus public investment in research and development so as to build critical mass in a number of areas of direct relevance to the Green Economy, including marine renewable energy, smart grids and smart cities. (Research funders and Prioritisation Action Group)

7.3.9 Develop a brand to communicate Ireland’s strengths and reputation for green goods and services internationally. (All relevant Departments/agencies)

7.3.10 Develop niche markets in green tourism and food, by promoting standards such as the Green Hospitality Award and other initiatives. (DAFM, DTTS, Fáilte Ireland, Enterprise Ireland)

7.3.11 Facilitate the development by Dublin City University of the vacant former Enterprise Ireland site in Glasnevin into an internationally‐recognised “Innovation Campus”, involving a partnership of education and research institutions, enterprise and the semistate sector. Its focus will be on research‐active Cleantech firms. (DJEI, DES)

7.3.12 Invest €76m in the Better Homes Scheme during 2012, supporting at least 4,500 jobs in the retrofitting of homes (DCENR, SEAI)

7.3.13 Develop a Pay As You Save (PAYS) scheme which allows consumers to finance energy upgrades directly through the energy savings generated. Roll‐out will be developed in light of comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders and will aim to continue supporting jobs in green construction and retrofit (DCENR, SEAI)