Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 24: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide stimulus for the growing of biofuel crops here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy may be aware that since 2007 my Department has been providing support through the Bioenergy Scheme for the establishment of the bioenergy crops miscanthus and willow. The Scheme currently provides grant-aid of 50% of crop establishment costs up to a maximum of €1,300 per hectare. Up to the end of 2011, over 3,000 hectares of crops have been established under the Bioenergy Schemes.

As regards growing sugar beet for ethanol production, I have strongly supported the abolition of sugar quotas from September 2015 as part of the CAP reform discussions in the Council of Ministers. I also raised the issue with Commissioner Ciolos during his recent visit to Ireland. In this regard, I have met in 2011 with two separate groups who have conducted feasibility studies, into the possibility of establishing a sugar/bioethanol facility. At both meetings I stated that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility would have to be a commercial proposition, financed in total by investors and interested parties and make sound economic sense in order to be viable.

My Department has also supported bio-energy research through its Research Stimulus Fund Programme in its 2005, 2006 & 2007 Research Calls (awarded €4.4m). The Programme facilitates research that supports sustainable and competitive agricultural production practices and policies and contributes to a scientific research capability in the agriculture sector. The bioenergy research funded covers a broad range of bioenergy topics including energy crop production, the feasibility of production of pellets from straw and energy crops, second-generation technologies and more recently the suitability of Irish grassland for biofuel production.