Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1703. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the projects his Department is prioritising in Budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26112/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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My department is responsible for a diverse brief, covering Communications, Climate Action, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources.  The main priority areas for my Department are detailed in the Programme for Government and in the Department's current Statement of Strategy and in 2017 include : the National Broadband Plan, a State led investment designed to ensure that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses; the introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme to support heat from renewable sources; and continued investment in energy efficiency through the Better Energy programme. Other spending programmes under the remit of my Department which are outlined under Vote 29 in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2016 will  also be continued.

The 2017 allocations for my Department will be agreed in the context of the Estimates of Expenditure and will be made public on Budget Day.