AQW 15731/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 03/03/2021
Answered On Date: 09/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for her assessment of (i) the amount of money, £316,000 or 0.24 per cent of the total given out, that is to be reclaimed from the Renewable Heat Initiative scheme; and (ii) whether this figure is indicative or otherwise of the level at which the scheme was abused.

Answer:

(i) The figure quoted is the amount identified for recoupment following the closure of 747 Northern Ireland Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NIRHI) site inspections, that is, 66% of the total number of sites. The compliance process remains ongoing in respect of the remaining 390 sites and, therefore, the figure is unlikely to be representative of the total figure to be identified for recoupment under the Scheme. (ii) While potential non-compliances have been identified on almost all sites, the majority were able to be resolved following remedial action being taken by participants. The NIRHI Scheme regulations, as drafted, necessitate a high threshold for taking enforcement action. In 95% of those site inspection cases closed to date, the compliance investigation has not found sufficient evidence to confirm a breach of the requirements and ongoing obligations laid out in the Scheme legislation.