Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has undertaken an economic analysis of the viability of each energy crop in the context of expected market conditions and climactic conditions here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32923/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will increase the bioenergy payment from €45 per hectare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32736/06]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the best strategy to promote the growing and processing of energy crops. [32915/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which her Department has encouraged or assisted farmers who opt for energy crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33041/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has to encourage the planting of energy crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33048/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 163, 197, 484 and 491 together.

The Government recently published a Green Paper on energy "Towards A Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland", in which they made a firm commitment to promote renewable energy, as part of a coherent energy policy. In this context, a Ministerial Taskforce has been established to prepare a road map to develop Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. The viability of particular Energy Crops has been examined in the 'Bioenergy in Ireland' Report, which was recently published and Teagasc have also conducted trials at their research centre in Oakpark, Carlow. The Taskforce will take these studies into account, in the context of preparing a comprehensive National Bioenergy Action Plan by the end of the year.

On the demand side, I am confident that the recently announced Mineral Oil Tax Relief Scheme valued at €205m will help drive additional demand for the production of energy crops. When fully operational in 2008, it will deliver some 163 million litres of biofuels per year and should result in Ireland achieving 2% market penetration of biofuels.

On the supply side, support to farmers for growing energy crops may only be provided in accordance with EU Regulations. Under the Energy Crops Scheme, aid of €45 per hectare is available for energy crops provided they are intended primarily for use in the production of biofuels and electric and thermal energy produced from biomass. In addition to this scheme, set aside land can be used for a variety of non-food uses including the growing of crops for energy purposes and will therefore qualify to activate set-aside entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. The EU has agreed that sugar beet will be eligible for aid under the scheme and may also be grown as an energy crop on set aside land. At the February Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting, I called for a review of the energy crop premium as it was not proving effective in Ireland. The EU Commission has just published a Report on implementation of the scheme and my Department is currently studying the Report.

There has been renewed interest among some producers in growing miscanthus and willow as a feedstock for bioenergy purposes. My Department has received a number of proposals for the introduction of establishment grants and these are currently being considered. The introduction of establishment grants will require EU approval.

For the purposes of contributing to the development of policy on biofuels, my Department in conjunction with COFORD and Teagasc has examined the potential of energy crops. Last year, my Department began providing direct funding, on a competitive basis, to support priority research projects in the bioenergy sector. This funding is channelled through the Department's Research Stimulus Fund Programme. Five of the projects selected under the 2005 and 2006 calls for proposals directly relate to biofuels and energy crops and received total grant assistance of some €1.5m. Projects supported under this Programme will complement the research work being done by Teagasc and others in this area.