Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of hectares planted in the production of bio-fuels in each of the past six years; the amount of energy produced as a result of this crop production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19617/08]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will put in place a proper policy framework that supports an indigenous bio-energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 157 together.

The number of hectares planted with crops for bioenergy purposes for each of the last six years is as follows:

My Department does not have figures relating to the amount of energy produced as a result of this crop production. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) has overall responsibility for energy policy and is the lead Department for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including bioenergy.

My Department has participated on a number of interdepartmental committees led by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on the development of Ireland's bioenergy resources. For example, my Department was represented on the Bioenergy Strategy Group, which was established to consider policy options and support mechanisms to encourage greater use of biomass for bioenergy. The Group published a report 'Bioenergy in Ireland' which made a number of recommendations to promote the bioenergy sector in Ireland. In 2006, the then Minister participated in a Ministerial Taskforce, which agreed a National Bioenergy Action Plan to increase deployment of Ireland's bioenergy resources to 2020. In accordance with this plan, the Minister subsequently launched a range of measures to stimulate production of energy crops and to complement measures introduced by other Ministers, notably the Mineral Oil Taxation Relief Scheme.

The specific agricultural measures included a new National Energy Crop Premium of €80 per hectare to supplement the EU premium available under the EU Energy Crops Scheme. A new Bioenergy Scheme was also launched providing establishment grants of up to €1,450 per hectare to farmers interested in planting willow and miscanthus. The second phase of the Scheme was announced in December 2007 and sufficient funding has been provided to support the planting of a further 1,600 hectares in 2008. Areas planted with energy crops can also qualify for the Single Payment. Other measures introduced included the Wood Biomass Harvesting Machinery Scheme to support developing enterprises in the wood chip supply sector and grant aid for anaerobic digestion projects under the Scheme of Investment Aid for Demonstration On Farm Waste Processing Facilities.

In addition, my Department is funding research projects that relate directly to biofuels and energy crops through the Department's Research Stimulus Fund Programme. Under the 2005 and 2006 calls for proposals, five projects received grant assistance of €1.5 million. The allocation under the 2007 Call for Proposals was significantly increased providing for the award of some €5.3 million over the next four years to a further seven research projects. The research covers a broad range of agri-energy topics including energy crop production.