Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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218. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount, source and purpose of all funding received by the Marine Institute since March 2017 to date in 2021 which relates to any part of the 1/4 scale offshore energy test site located on the nearshore of An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36869/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Policy issues in relation to energy are a matter for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).

No Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine voted funds were used by the Marine Institute since March 2017 to date in 2021 relating to the 1/4 scale offshore energy test site located on the nearshore of An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe. The Marine Institute received funding from SEAI in connection with this test site in the period mentioned.

The Marine Institute advise that the cabled observatory, which is separately licensed and used for science programmes, is at the same location (on the nearshore of An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe). It is part funded through this Department's Voted Funds. I have referred this matter, which maybe related to your question, to the Marine Institute for direct response in respect of the voted funding used.