Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department has taken to ensure that anaerobic digestion projects will provide a social benefit to the communities in which they are located. [39212/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Through engagement with communities, planners and appropriate mitigations, AD developments can bring significant benefits to the communities and the local environment. I recognise the importance of AD projects providing benefits to the communities that the plants are rolled out in.

Due to the nature of feedstocks required, it is envisaged that most developments will occur in rural Ireland. The development of an indigenous biomethane industry at scale provides a significant opportunity for farmers in terms of diversification of income / offers a viable land use alternative. The provision of agricultural feedstocks will offer rural communities’ opportunities to green and diversify their income streams.

A Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) report identified that in terms of employment, between construction and operation of AD plants, circa. 2,700 jobs could be created in the rural economy in Ireland.

Community engagement from developers will be key locally to gain support from the communities that will be hosting the AD plants.

The National Biomethane Strategy commits to the development of an online information hub for developers which will include guidance on best practice engagement with local communities where the project is being constructed.

Through collaboration across industry and with Government and communities, we hope to build a resilient and sustainable industry that is central to Ireland’s circular bioeconomy.