Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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59. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to advance proposals that will encourage the development of anaerobic digestion on Irish farms. [50716/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am convinced that there is a genuine potential to develop anaerobic digestion on Irish farms. 

From the outset it should be noted that energy policy formation, including renewable energy, is the direct responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). However, I and officials within my Department continually engage with Minister Ryan and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on all energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, as well as a wide range of industry and other stakeholder groupings.

The potential for the agricultural and forestry sector to contribute to the renewable energy sector through the provision of biomass and agricultural feedstocks is well recognised. In recent months officials within my Department have engaged extensively with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on their recent National Heat Decarbonisation Study project which aims to assess, amongst other things, the ability of the agricultural sector to provide relevant feedstocks to the Anaerobic Digestion industry.

My Department continues to engage with farmers and other relevant stakeholders as part of its regulatory role in the Anaerobic Digestion industry specifically when animal-by-products are utilised as a feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion. There are currently twelve anaerobic digesters producing biogas in operation nationally that are approved and under license by my Department.

Engagement with interested stakeholders, including farmers and farm organisations has been further strengthened through the current DECC-led public consultation on the Introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation which will further enhance the demand and consequent feasibility of the developing Anaerobic Digestion industry in Ireland.

The development of an anaerobic digestion industry in Ireland must be based on scientific research and country specific data. Towards this end my Department continues to support research, development and demonstration in this particular area.

Two projects in particular which have received part-funding from my Department through the European Innovation Partnerships initiative (EIP), as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will provide this much needed information.  The Bio-refinery Glas (small scale farmer-led green bio-refineries) and Irish Bio-energy Association (IrBEA) (small biogas demonstration programme) have both been awarded funding of over €900,000 each. I look forward to seeing the results of these projects which will provide valuable information of specific relevance to Irish farmers.