Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made on biomass as an energy resource; the potential envisaged in achieving Ireland's renewable energy target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44790/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, Ireland's target is for 16% of all energy (to include electricity, heating and transport) to be from renewable sources by 2020. The Government's targets of 40% of electricity, 12% of heating/cooling and 10% of transport to be sourced from renewable sources by 2020 are commensurate with Ireland's EU target. Biomass has major potential to contribute to delivery on Ireland's targets.

Reflecting the need to support the development of biomass, in May of this year, I announced a new Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for biomass ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15c per kilowatt hour depending on the type of technology deployed. The scheme is subject to State Aid clearance by the EU Commission. Both Coillte and Bord na Móna have important roles to play in the development of Ireland's biomass resource given their respective land holding and interests in biomass supply.

My colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has recently announced that the Bioenergy Scheme, which offers supports for the growing of energy crops such as willow and miscanthus, will be continued into 2011 and expanded to provide the potential to support the planting of up to an additional 1,800 hectares. This will critically underpin the development of sustainable biomass supply.