Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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49. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered grant-aiding agrifood enterprises, such as chicken farms and mushroom growers, to support them in switching to biomass sources of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32184/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The introduction of a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a commitment in the Programme for Government and will be the primary support mechanism in the heating sector designed to meet Ireland's renewable energy obligations. The aim of the RHI is to build on the progress already made in the renewable heating sector and to help reach Ireland's 12% target by 2020. In 2015, it is estimated that 6.8% of heat was derived from renewable sources.

Over the last few months, work has been undertaken on a detailed economic assessment on the design and cost of the RHI and this work is now almost complete. This assessment included a range of renewable energy technologies - including biomass boilers - and focused on the large commercial and industrial heat users in the non-Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in Ireland.

Once the economic analysis is complete there will be an additional public consultation phase on the design of the new RHI scheme announced before the end of the year. Details will be posted to the Department's website  . Before the RHI is introduced, the overall costs and technologies to be supported will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission. I hope to be in a position to announce the introduction of the new scheme in the latter half of 2017.