Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

34. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline his plans to develop a national bioenergy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40169/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I recently published a Draft Bioenergy Plan which is available on my Department’s website (www.dcenr.gov.ie). The draft Plan will undergo Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments, including public consultation, which will inform the content of the finalised Plan. These assessment processes will commence shortly. 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 necessary to support the development of this sector. The draft Plan recognises that improved coordination would allow the sector to contribute to a number of policy objectives in the areas of renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and economic activity. The draft Plan also identifies the next steps that must be taken to support the sustainable development of the sector.

In terms of bioenergy's role in meeting Ireland's renewable energy targets, the draft Plan recommends the continuation of 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 would represent 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 (RHI) for larger heat users to change to heating solutions that produce heat from renewable sources. The RHI scheme, once designed, will require State Aid approval from the European Commission and further Government approval. It is proposed to have the scheme in place in 2016.