Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the details of the proposals outlined in the bioenergy plan to optimise the contribution that energy from biomass can make in achieving our renewable targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31652/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Government recently approved the publication of the Bioenergy Plan in draft form pending the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. The draft Plan sets out the broader context for the development of Ireland’s bioenergy sector and the current status with regard to the range of policy areas that must be coordinated in order to create the conditions to underpin the development of the sector. The Plan recognises that improved coordination will allow the sector to contribute to a number of policy objectives ranging from the achievement of renewable energy targets, complementing waste management policies, supporting sustainable agriculture and forestry and stimulating economic activity. The Plan also identifies the necessary next steps to be taken by various government departments, agencies and State bodies to support the sustainable development of the sector.

In terms of bioenergy's role in meeting Ireland's renewable energy targets, the Plan recommends the continuation of the two most significant bioenergy policies currently in place which are the REFIT schemes and the Biofuels Obligation Scheme.

Furthermore, the analysis underpinning the Plan is that an additional bioenergy-focused measure in the heat sector represents the most cost effective means of meeting a number of different policy goals. Therefore, the Plan also recommends the introduction of a renewable heat incentive for larger heat users, who currently use oil, to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources.

Meeting this demand through indigenously sourced biomass could deliver significant economic benefits. Consequently, the Plan also contains measures to stimulate and support the supply of Irish biomass. In this regard the key recommendations include: the continued support for the Afforestation Programme; the continuation of the Bioenergy Scheme for energy crops; and the establishment of Bioenergy Ireland, a joint venture between Bord na Mona and Coillte.

In terms of developing new sources of biomass, the Plan provides that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government will endeavour to optimise the availability of waste for energy and that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will continue its support for innovative energy uses for animal by-products.

A further recommendation set out in the Plan is the continued support, on a cross-Government basis, for Research, Development and Demonstration in bioenergy including conducting an economic assessment of the costs and benefits of biogas and biomethane.

I look forward to the publication of the draft Plan shortly and to preparation of the Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments which will clear they way for the Plan's full implementation.