Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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While overall national energy policy formation is the direct responsibility of my colleague, Minister Eamonn Ryan in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), my officials and I work closely with DECC on energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, as well with a wide range of industry and other stakeholder groupings.

The importance of increasing renewable energy generation across all sectors of the economy has been highlighted through the inclusion of ambitious targets for this area in the Climate Action Plan.

I see the role of Irish farmers in renewable energy systems as three-fold through:

• Establishing energy efficiencies on-farm,
• Through deployment of renewable energy at farm level; and
• Through opportunities for Biomethane and the supply of biomass/ bio-energy feedstocks.

As the Deputy is aware, I published an Agri-Centric, farmer led National Biomethane Strategy in May of this year. This was Ireland’s first major policy statement on biomethane and is an important milestone in the development of an indigenous sector. In support of the strategy, I also secured funding of €40 million from REPowerEU to help kickstart this industry in Ireland through a capital support scheme.

There has been a huge interest in this scheme with 23 applications received and letters of offer issued to successful applicants. Successful applicants are in a position to receive 20% of project costs up to a maximum of €5 million per plant.

There are clear benefits to be achieved through farmers contributing to delivery of renewable energy targets whilst also providing alternative and viable land use options for farmers. There is also the opportunity for farmers to reduce fertiliser usage through the increased availability of digestate which will also have positive climate change implications

The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. The Solar Capital Investment scheme is one of the measures in TAMS, which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.

My Department remains committed to providing supports for energy efficiency measures and renewable energy production. The Department has developed and will continue to develop a number of policies and initiatives designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources, whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland.