Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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390. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants and incentives given in budget 2020 to help in the production of biogas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48793/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat has been developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System.

The first phase of the scheme, an installation grant for heat pumps, opened for applications in September 2018. Following EU State aid approval, the second phase of the scheme, an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems, opened for applications in June of this year. Under this phase of the scheme, eligible renewable energy technologies will be supported through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs. Under Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan sets out an allocation of €300 million for the roll-out of the scheme for the period up to 2027. As part of Budget 2020, I announced an allocation of €5 million for the scheme.

As set out in the Climate Action Plan, it is intended to set a 2030 target for the level of energy to be supplied by indigenous biomethane injected into the gas grid. My Department is in the process of developing an appropriate target for inclusion in the National Energy and Climate Plan that is due to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of this year. As part of this work, my Department is examining potential options to support biomethane grid injection.