Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1355. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 contains references or measures under biogas production and anaerobic digestion (details supplied); and if an amendment is necessary to same to enable the State to create such a scheme under these measures. [38465/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will deliver funding of some €4 billion to the agricultural sector and rural areas generally over the lifetime of the Programme. The Programme’s content and design was formulated in light of previous experience and performance and reflects the outcome of extensive stakeholder consultation and does not include support for biogas production or anaerobic digestors on farms.

Under the Rural Development Programme 2000-2006 a Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme provided funding of €4 million in order to grant-aid the installation of anaerobic digestors on ten Irish farms (i.e. 10 x €400,000). Two projects were completed and a further two have been given extensions to undertake the work by the end of 2017 and mid 2018 respectively. Both projects will be nationally funded if completed.

On the broader issue of supporting renewable energy, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment leads in terms of Ireland’s renewable energy policy and oversees the Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes. These Schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. The schemes operate by guaranteeing a minimum price for renewable energy generation over a 15 year period. The technologies supported include onshore wind energy, hydroelectricity, landfill gas, waste-to-energy and biomass technologies, including anaerobic digestion. Electricity and heat produced from anaerobic digestion (AD) are supported under the REFIT 3 scheme.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is currently examining the design and cost of introducing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to encourage the development of Ireland’s abundant and indigenous renewable energy resources. This scheme will examine the economic viability of supporting a range of new renewable energy technologies in Ireland - including Anaerobic Digestion - and will help to further reduce energy-related emissions. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply.

A public consultation on the design principles of the proposed new RESS was launched on 4 September and submissions are invited from the public. All submissions will be considered and following on from this final public consultation, a design proposal will be brought to Government for approval. Full details of the consultation are available on the Department’s website at: www.dccae.gov.ie