Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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340. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projects and programmes with his Department which have been allocated funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Programme; the funds drawn down to date in each instance; the profiled drawdown in each of the forthcoming years of the programme; the steps he is taking to ensure that projects and programmes are completed within the specified timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37780/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, through the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform have received approval for Recovery and Resilience Programme funding, intended to help support the initial development of biomethane in Ireland. The Government approved the inclusion of a biomethane section, upscaling a biomethane industry in Ireland, within Ireland’s REPowerEU chapter. The chapter sets out that DAFM is to receive funding of €40 million for a capital grant scheme for biomethane production plants.

It is envisaged that the majority of this funding will be drawn down in early 2026 to be payable to completed Biomethane projects that were successful in the grant application process. Successful applicants that meet the scheme eligibility and selection criteria are in line to receive a grant aid of 20% of investment up to a maximum of €5 million.

A thorough evaluation of applications has taken place to ensure that only projects that are likely to be finished on time will be funded through this grant scheme. Successful applicants are also required to commence the project by a specified date and progress reports must be submitted to DAFM quarterly. Projects that are not completed by 31/12/2025 will not be eligible for funding.