Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the regional renewable energy strategies; when these will be translated into county level targets and how this will inform city and county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38824/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The inclusion of the regional renewable electricity targets in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework is a critical step towards achieving Ireland’s national renewable electricity targets. This will deliver a regional balance and distribution of renewable technologies and provide a supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to keep pace with economic growth, protect Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices through the deployment of indigenous wind and solar energy across our regions.

Following the finalisation of the revised National Planning Framework, the three Regional Assemblies will integrate these targets into their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and associated Regional Renewable Energy Strategies. These allocations will then be translated into local authority-level targets that shall be planned for through their city and county development plans.

A Roadmap is currently being developed to support the Regional Assemblies in the development of robust, coordinated, and sustainable onshore Regional Renewable Energy Strategies and is due for completion in Q4 2024.

The finalisation of the revised National Planning Framework and the enactment of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 are critical enablers of the alignment of local development plans with our national renewable energy ambition.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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49. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the revised methodology for local authority and renewable energy strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38836/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The SEAI are currently undertaking a revision of the methodology for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy (LARES) which aims to facilitate consistency of approach to spatial planning for renewable energy by local and regional planning authorities, guiding the preparation of renewable energy strategies, and assisting local authorities in developing robust, co-ordinated, and sustainable strategies in accordance with national and European obligations.

The LARES methodology also aims to address common issues encountered with renewable energy resources, technologies, and projects within the forward planning process.

The revised methodology will be hosted on SEAI’s website and will offer a structured approach to developing and implementing a LARES, including in the identification of key renewable energy resources and to effectively engaging key stakeholders through a consistent and planned method . Additionally, it will be accompanied by a series of appendices providing technical support and guidance on areas including estimating regional and local socio-economic benefits associated with renewable energy; determination of renewable energy resource potential; and developing a communications &and engagement strategy.

The SEAI anticipate publishing a draft version of the methodology for public consultation by Q1 2025.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the renewable electricity spatial policy framework. [38838/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have been developing a renewable electricity spatial policy approach that provides for the alignment between local plans and national policy to accelerate the delivery of renewable electricity generation and contribute to Ireland's target of 80% renewables by 2030.

A major step forward in this regard is ensuring that regional renewable electricity targets are incorporated into the planning hierarchy and given effect at the strategic level via the draft revision to the National Planning Framework which has recently been subject to public consultation.

This approach will ensure consistency and, ultimately, policy alignment between the Regional Assemblies’ Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and the Local Authority Development Plans. It will also provide for a clear supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to keep pace with economic growth, protect Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices through the deployment of indigenous wind and solar energy across our regions and help us deliver on our renewable energy and climate targets.