Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to develop hydro power in Ireland; if his Department are liaising with the range of State agencies including Irish Water and the SEAI to examine the potential of this source of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27745/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on Ireland's ambitious target to increase the share of electricity generation from renewable sources to 80%. While the primary policy objective of RESS is the delivery of renewable electricity in a sustainable, cost-effective, and secure framework, the broader policy objectives delivered under RESS include technology diversification.

The RESS auctions allow for a mixture of different renewable technologies, including hydropower, and provide pathways for renewable developers to plan and develop their projects. This method allows Ireland to take advantage of new technologies as they emerge.

I refer the Deputy to the published Indicative Schedule of RESS Auctions for further information on the timeline of further RESS auctions and the indicative volume of renewable electricity generation for each auction: RESS - Proposed Auctions Schedule - 86c32a4e-c3a1-4bda-9140-853e89a0f000.pdf (www.gov.ie).