Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures his Department is considering in order to facilitate community renewable energy generation projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31791/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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One of the central themes in the Green Paper on Energy Policy, published in May 2014, is citizen empowerment. Since its publication the Department undertook a public consultation process which included analysis of over 1200 written submissions and thirteen stakeholder seminars, held in Dublin, Westmeath, Sligo, Cork and Wexford, on the various priority areas highlighted in the Green Paper. A recurring message coming from both the written submissions and the seminars was the role that community energy could play in our future energy systems. The views submitted are being considered in the formation of the Energy White Paper, which will be published before the end of the year, and which will, inter alia,address community energy projects and how best to facilitate communities in playing their part.

I should also highlight the various community level initiatives administered on behalf of the Department by the SEAI. These include the development of community energy projects through the Better Energy Areas and Communities Programme which allows community and locally based organisations to apply for funding on a competitive basis to support sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities. It also promotes the creation and development of locally based entities that can engage and mobilise community resources to lower energy bills and boost local employment.