SEI rebranded to SEAI

RVR

I see the SEI has been rebranded to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This seems to be on foot of announcements due later today.

The tagline on the new website (http://www.seai.ie) is "Faciliting Ireland's transformation to a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices"

All bluster and marketing or has change finally arrived?!? Maybe we'll know more later today once official announcements are made?

Edit: SEAI unveils 5 year strategy: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/SEAI_unveils_5year_strategy.html

Cunsiderthis

RVR wrote: »

I see the SEI has been rebranded to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This seems to be on foot of announcements due later today.

The tagline on the new website (http://www.seai.ie) is "Faciliting Ireland's transformation to a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices"

All bluster and marketing or has change finally arrived?!? Maybe we'll know more later today once official announcements are made?

It might be instructive to learn how much this rebranding has cost, as it suggests that the SEI has just become another government agency intent on spending our tax on itself.

Heroditas

Ah so that's what the function in College of Surgeons was about.

finnfinn

This rebranding was totally unnecessary. How many more people have heard of it. How much more efficient is it. How many of its staff do a full day's work. Have any of their staff got enough weekly work to fill a morning. Why are the hyperlinks not all working?
I suppose the 5 Year strategy is the bulk of the work undertaken in the last few years.

Macha

SEAI is seriously understaffed considering the work they do.

The rebranding was not that expensive and was considered necessary due to fact that SEAI was viewed by many as simply a grants agency. They do far more than just issue grants.

Enough of the pointless rants and more reasoned debate please.

Heroditas

They were initially meant to be called SEAI anyway but felt that it would be a bit arrogant to call themselves an "Authority" when they had just been set up. As a result, they built up their profile and then added the "A" this year.

Regarding staffing levels, they certainly aren't understaffed.
Their main problem is being hamstrung by bureaucracy and red tape in attempting to demonstrate they are neutral and impartial in energy issues.

Loads of great people in there though who know what they're doing but would like to get a lot more done.

Macha

Heroditas wrote: »

Regarding staffing levels, they certainly aren't understaffed.Their main problem is being hamstrung by bureaucracy and red tape in attempting to demonstrate they are neutral and impartial in energy issues.

Loads of great people in there though who know what they're doing but would like to get a lot more done.

There is certainly a lot of bureaucracy in the form of the usual audits and reviews but these are absolutely necessary. And yes they are understaffed.

Nukem

Macha wrote: »

And yes they are understaffed.

They have a minute amount of staff for what they are trying to achieve and thats why so much of their work is subbed to private contractors.

May I point out this is the 2nd re-branding they have gone through. They were the Irish Energy Centre back in the day.

Since they became an Authority I have heard mixed views on their new strategy and rather than talking with people, they are talking at people. Whats the difference? 1st one is a 2-way street of communication, the 2nd is all 1-way traffic from the authority.

Haven't seen/heard of it personally but have heard it from a few people that would be in regular contact with them.

Still this does not detract from the good work they have done and plan to do in the future.

Macha

Nukem wrote: »

They have a minute amount of staff for what they are trying to achieve and thats why so much of their work is subbed to private contractors.

It would be absolutely impossible were they not to sub-contract. In terms of their work load, it is what has been mandated to them from central government and also from Brussels. If anything, we need to do more in this area, obviously.

Nukem wrote: »

Since they became an Authority I have heard mixed views on their new strategy and rather than talking with people, they are talking at people. Whats the difference? 1st one is a 2-way street of communication, the 2nd is all 1-way traffic from the authority.

They always were an authority. The name was there in the legislation establishing the body in 2002. Can I ask what sort of people you're referring to?

I think it's true of all state agencies and government bodies in general that the type of dialogue and engagement with the public will have to change and become more responsive.

Nukem

Macha wrote: »

If anything, we need to do more in this area, obviously

Absolutely - domestic energy charges are going to go through a large change in the coming months due to the ESB and BGE being de-reg'd (if it happens at all) and SEAI will be the cornerstone on advising people.

In relation to Large Industry I know the likes of Intel see Ireland's energy prices as a big issue but the support and grant-aid they have received has been of huge benefit - more of this good works needs to continue with other Blue Chip companies and entice them to develop in Ireland

Macha wrote: »

Can I ask what sort of people you're referring to?.

Have heard this from consultants and active participant companies in SEAI schemes. I will re-iterate that this has been a small few number and does not take away from the good work they are doing.

Heroditas

Nukem wrote: »

In relation to Large Industry I know the likes of Intel see Ireland's energy prices as a big issue but the support and grant-aid they have received has been of huge benefit - more of this good works needs to continue with other Blue Chip companies and entice them to develop in Ireland

I think the likes of Intel probably don't get as much out of the LIEN as other participating companies. Intel have huge staff numbers and dedicated teams looking after projects. In that way, they're seen as trailblazers in the LIEN and act as a great source of inspiration to the other members, particularly the smaller ones.
LIEN is a very good organization.

For the SMEs, it's a pity there's a good chance the mentor programme will be discontinued. It's an excellent service.

finnfinn

My dealings with SEI lead me to believe that they are not efficient. Their website while not a complete nightmare is badly laid out and not the easiest to navigate. Instead of just passing straight forward grant applications they file them and wait to the 21st day to advise the applicant of approval.
I am reminded of a Danish government official saying of the IDA or Enterprise Ireland or whatever other name they now go under (again each change being an unnecessary waste of taxpayers money) "If we had 750 experts available we could not afford not to have them working"
Having bad memories of state agencies colours my judgement. It cost me £40,000 to get grants of £38,000 but I lost momentum and missed the boat. Again it cost SeaHorses Aquarium millions.
It may be SEAI are not the same. If not let us know why not. If this were a Christmas pantomime it would be sufficient to say "No They're NOT". Do not justify the unnecessary rebranding but back up your statements. For a start why is it necessary to investigate standards, why not just adopt European or British standards.

c_donno

While it is another UN-needed re brand just like Electric Ireland (ESB) is going to be next year... although ESB have some reason to do with the commission for energy regulation and competition standards didnt do much reading into it yet as it will prob just frustrate me....

But SEAI do good enough work delivered through a few management companies in delivering schemes such as the HES scheme, The warmer homes scheme and the warmer homes+ scheme to name but a few...

In fairness they are the only real thing that's pushing towards our targets under the Koyoto agreement and other such commitments...

Saying all this there is always room for improvement and things could be alot better... But show me any Quango thats worth its salt!!!

finnfinn

RVR wrote: »

I see the SEI has been rebranded to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This seems to be on foot of announcements due later today.

The tagline on the new website (http://www.seai.ie) is "Faciliting Ireland's transformation to a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices"

All bluster and marketing or has change finally arrived?!? Maybe we'll know more later today once official announcements are made?

Edit: SEAI unveils 5 year strategy: http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/SEAI_unveils_5year_strategy.html

Perhaps Sir as a unbiased observer you might advise us as to whether you have ascertained as to whether we have another talking shop or a necessary, useful and efficient body.

Macha

c_donno wrote: »

But show me any Quango thats worth its salt!!!

For every €1 spent on advising Irish businesses on energy efficiency, those businesses in turn save €16. SEAI also has been involved in the retrofit of over 70,000 houses in Ireland, saving massive amounts on energy bills in households, particularly low-income houses at risk of energy poverty. Don't forget the myriad of fuel poverty payments the government makes every year.

All of SEAI's programmes are audited to ascertain value for money and they all pass. You can see details of when SEAI came before the Public Accounts Committee earlier this month:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/committees30thdail/pac/additional_documents/correspondence2010/document54.pdf

Nukem

Heroditas wrote: »

I think the likes of Intel probably don't get as much out of the LIEN as other participating companies

Dunno about that - check how much money is being issued out to public/private bodies - http://www.seai.ie/News_Events/Press_Releases/Minister_Ryan_announces_funding_of_%E2%82%AC9m_to_43_companies_under_the_Energy_Efficiency_Fund.html

Click the PDF at the bottom