Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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581. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources at what stage is the research programme regarding the feasibility study of wave energy off the western seaboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Wave energy is still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally, and while promising experimental devices have been developed, further work is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability.

Policy action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from prototype to full scale commerciality. This action is being taken in the context of the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) 2014, which sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant offshore renewable energy resource. A copy of the OREDP is available on my Department's website at .

In terms of marine testing facilities in Irish waters, there is one existing wave test site in Galway Bay in operation. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Marine Institute have established this test site which facilitates the open sea deployment of scaled prototypes of Wave Energy Converters during early stages of the development of the concept. SEAI has also been taking forward the development of a full scale grid connected wave test site off Annagh Head, County Mayo. This site is not yet operational.

Exchequer support for ocean research, development and demonstration has been provided to the sector in recent years and is being increased under the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan. In total, my Department has allocated €26.3 million for ocean energy for the period 2013 to 2016. This supports, inter alia, the Prototype Development Fund operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland which provides grant aid for the development of prototype ocean energy devices.