Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the supports that are available to a public building located beside a river to harness that river to assist in its power and energy requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42002/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Renewable Electricity Feed-in-Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. These schemes support electricity generated from a range of renewable sources including small scale hydro. Small scale renewable generation is eligible to apply for support under the REFIT schemes. Further information is available on my Department's website, .

Analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small scale wind, solar (including photovoltaic) and small scale hydro, has been carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy (May 2014) in Ireland, will inform future policy on the provision of any market support for microgeneration. The findings will also be taken into consideration in the preparation of the Energy White Paper which will be published in 2015.

On 31 July last the Department launched a consultation on a new support scheme for renewable electricity. While the initial phase of the consultation closed on 18 September 2015, there will be two further opportunities to contribute at key stages in the design of any new scheme. The consultations will be informative regarding the technologies that will assist in meeting our future renewable energy targets. Subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission, the new scheme would become available in 2016.

Hydro-power developments have the potential for significant impact on the aquatic resource and it is essential that where such schemes are permitted, the fisheries resource is adequately protected, without interference to fish movement, habitat or water quality. The development of hydro generation requires planning permission from the relevant planning authority in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Acts, having due regard to other relevant legal frameworks and guidelines. The principal legislation governing the protection of fish in the development of hydro generation is set out in Part 8, Chapter 5 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959, as amended. Consideration must also be given to the protection of fisheries afforded by the Water Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive and other relevant EU legislation.