John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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628. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has received proposals from the private or public sector to generate energy from wave power in the County Waterford offshore area. [47965/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Wave and tidal energy is still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally. While promising experimental devices have been developed, much research, development and demonstration is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability. Policy action to develop the wave energy sector in Ireland, and realise the potential of this abundant indigenous resource, is being led by my Department through the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan.

Any proposals for the development of wave energy require consent under the Foreshore Acts. This is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. Financial support for the development of wave energy devices is available from the Prototype Fund administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

While the technical appraisal of individual project proposals is a matter for these bodies, my Department engages with interested parties in the context of its ongoing implementation of wave energy policy and its remit to facilitate the development of the sector. No proposals in relation to wave power generation in County Waterford have been received in my Department, nor as I understand matters, have any been received in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government or the SEAI.