Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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677. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant aid currently available to farmers to incentivise use of biogas digesters and renewable energy production; and his plans in this regard. [9813/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently does not have a grant aid scheme in place for the use of biogas digesters and renewable energy  production.

Under the Rural Development Programme 2000 -2006 a Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme made funding available for the installation of anaerobic digesters on 10 Irish farms. Of the 10 applicants who were approved under the scheme, two applications were finalised and drew down the grant available and a further two cases have been given an extension to the end of 2017 to complete the work.

The Bio-Energy Scheme commenced in 2007 on a nationally funded pilot basis and continued to be nationally funded until 2010. The scheme was co-funded under the RDP 2007-2013 for the years from 2011 to 2014. The Bioenergy Scheme 2015 provided once off capital grants up to 40% subject to a maximum of €1,040 per hectare to facilitate the establishment of willow for use in renewable energy production. Previous schemes had covered both willow and miscanthus.  Grant aid was payable in respect of ground preparation, seed purchase and planting costs.  Up take on the Scheme was poor and attracted only four applications. The 2015 Scheme was nationally funded.  The continuation of the scheme of support for the growing of bio-energy crops is currently under review.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are currently undertaking a public consultation on the design options and implementation of a Renewable Heat Incentive in Ireland. Anaerobic Digestion is included on the list of technologies being considered for support.