Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the biopower report published in July 2009; if he will implement any of the recommendations from this report; if so, the recommendations he will implement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35500/09]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Bioenergy Market Assessment Report by Biopower is a useful contribution to thinking in relation to future directions for bio-energy. It sets out the case for the development of Ireland's indigenous renewable energy resources, particularly highlighting the potential benefits for the agricultural sector, and for levels of employment and enterprise in rural areas. The Report makes a number of recommendations which are being examined by my Department.

The Government is committed to the sustainable development of the national bioenergy resource which will, in particular, be crucial to meeting the considerable challenge of delivering on the national targets for renewable heat. Funding is provided to support renewable heating in both domestic and industrial buildings, under the Greener Homes and Reheat Programmes. These have already leveraged significant amounts of investment into the market for renewable heat, which is also underpinning job creation in both the supply and services sector.

In terms of the penetration of bioenergy in the Transport sector, the Mineral Oil Tax Relief Schemes have seen the use of biofuels in Ireland grow from practically zero to just under 2% in 2008, and helped develop and support a number of indigenous companies producing biofuels. These companies will be in a position to benefit from the introduction of the National Biofuels Obligation from next year. Investment in the biofuels sector is critical if consumers are to be able to take advantage of the environmental benefits associated with biofuels at least cost, and in order to support research into second generation biofuels feed stocks that do not compete with food crops.

To enhance the good progress to date in developing the renewable electricity sector we need to increase the use of locally based distributed generation. A support tariff of 19 cent per kwh for the first 4,000 installations was introduced earlier this year by ESB Customer Supply specifically for microgeneration is being supplemented by the microgeneration technology programme within Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). The projects that are being supported have been selected, and installation and monitoring of the equipment is under way. Overseen by the Renewable Energy Development Group, which includes the relevant Departments, State Agencies and industry representatives, as well as other stakeholders, my Department is coordinating the development of a Biomass Energy Road Map, which will inform the development of indigenous renewable resources across the electricity, heat and transport sectors.