Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current status of the carbon capture and storage feasibility study being conducted on behalf of his Department; the reason for the delay in its completion and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42531/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The carbon capture and storage (CCS) feasibility study, which is being carried out by Ervia, comprises a desktop study examining technical, economic, safety, regulatory, and environmental aspects of capturing, transporting and storing CO₂emissions. Ervia has provided regular updates to the Steering Group, established to examine the feasibility of CCS in Ireland under the 2019 Climate Action Plan, on the study’s progress and submitted its initial assessment of CCS for Ireland in November 2019.

Subsequently, as an EU Project of Common Interest (PCI) included on the 4^thEU PCI List, project promoter, Ervia, successfully applied for €1 million in EU grant funding through the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in May 2020. Using this grant funding, Ervia is carrying out a further detailed study regarding the transport of CO2 in the Cork area. Funding secured through the successful CEF application will cover approximately half of the study’s anticipated €2 million cost, with the study scheduled to conclude in 2022.

Taking account of the ongoing work, the updated Interim Climate Actions, published in March 2021, included the development of a framework for analysis of the potential for CCS deployment for Ireland by Q4 2022.