Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total acreage currently devoted to biofuel crop production in each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7343/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There were 2,500 hectares used for the production of bio-energy crops in 2005, 4,289 hectares in 2006 and 7,749 hectares in 2007. In 2007, I introduced a new National Energy Premium of €80 per hectare and a new Bio-Energy Scheme to assist the development of the production of energy crops in Ireland. The €80 National payment supplements the EU Premium of €45 per hectare. The buoyant market for bio-fuels and the introduction of the €80 incentive contributed to an increase in the area devoted to oilseed rape, which is used to produce bio-fuels.

The Bio-Energy Scheme aims to encourage farmers to grow willow and miscanthus as a renewable source of energy. These crops have considerable potential for heat and electricity generation and my Department is aiding establishment with grants of up to €1,450 per hectare. The introduction of this Scheme has been well received by farmers with some 800 hectares planted so far. I have provided sufficient funding in 2008 to support the planting of a further 1,600 hectares. As a further support measure, land planted with energy crops can also benefit under the Single Payment Scheme.