Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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78. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made regarding research into the development of ocean wave energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39026/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Globally, wave energy is still at the research, development and demonstration stage, and action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from prototype to full scale commercial deployment.

In Ireland, this action is being taken in the context of the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan 2014, which sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant offshore renewable energy resource.

Exchequer support for ocean research, development and demonstration has been provided to the sector in recent years and my Department’s multi-annual ocean energy development budget was increased by €16.8 million, covering the period 2013 to 2016, to bring total cumulative funding to €26.3 million. This funding supports the development of test sites in counties Mayo, Galway and Cork, and supports marine research activities at the Integrated Maritime Energy Resource Cluster at Ringaskiddy.

Last June, An Taoiseach officially opened the University College Cork Beaufort Building in Ringaskiddy, which is a world-class facility for renewable energy and maritime research which includes state-of-the-art wave simulators, test tanks, workshops and offices.

My Department’s budget also supports the Prototype Development Fund operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The Authority supports and grant aids ocean wave energy companies from this fund, helping projects progress up the technology readiness level development path. In line with the approach taken internationally, the emphasis is on industry-led projects as the best way of supporting innovation.

In addition, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan further proposes an initial market support scheme for wave and tidal energy from 2016.

Implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan continues with the aim of unlocking of the economic growth and job creation opportunities offered by ocean energy development.