Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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466. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding the expansion of the forestry industry for the development of a domestic biomass supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34167/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Domestic forest-based biomass makes a significant contribution to renewable energy provision. My Department has estimated that in 2013, 1.2 million cubic metres, or 34% of the annual harvest was used for energy purposes, an increase of 14% on the 2012 figure. Our projections are that by 2020 the forest-based biomass contribution will rise to 1.5 million cubic metres per annum. There are a number of measures in place to support the expansion of the biomass supply chain, including grant aid for forest road construction to support early thinning and biomass mobilisation, as well as funding for the forest energy research programme based at Waterford Institute of Technology. My Department also provides grant aid to support the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme, which aims to provide consumers with quality assured wood fuels. On the demand side the REFIT tariff for biomass CHP and the carbon tax provide incentives for the use of wood fuels. We are also working in close collaboration with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding plans to expand forest-based biomass use. The recently published Draft forestry programme also includes a proposed grant aid measure called forestry for fibre, which is aimed at the establishment and maintenance of forests geared towards forest-based biomass production. At the wider level, the continuation of grant aid support for afforestation, and for thinning of broadleaves will also contribute to the development of domestic biomass supply chains.