Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the expansion of the Offshore Wind Energy Taskforce to include IDA Ireland, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6775/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce was set up in 2022 to deliver a system-wide plan across Government to accelerate and drive delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind targets and capture the wider and longer term economic and business opportunities associated with the development of offshore renewables. IDA Ireland has been an active participant in the Taskforce since its establishment.

The Programme for Government reiterates IDA Ireland’s role within the Taskforce, in recognition of its important work in attracting and retaining capital investment to drive offshore wind development.

IDA Ireland, along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, will continue to play a prominent role within the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce in 2025 under an updated Offshore Wind Energy Programme. In addition, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment published ‘Powering Prosperity – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy’ in 2024. This strategy aims to build a successful, vibrant and impactful offshore wind energy industry in Ireland, ensuring that the sector creates as much value as possible throughout Ireland and maximises the economic benefits associated with delivering Ireland’s ORE ambitions. To achieve this, it contains a number of actions for delivery across various action owners, including IDA Ireland.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to detail any further initiatives he proposes to increase the support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6774/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The phased deployment of offshore wind technology will make a critical contribution towards achieving Ireland’s legally binding climate objectives and will further address the twin crises of energy security and affordability through accelerating the green energy transition.

As highlighted from experience in other jurisdictions, establishing an indigenous offshore wind sector will be a harbinger of economic development, inward investment and sustainable employment growth within local coastal communities. To drive and accelerate delivery of this new sector in Ireland and maximise associated opportunities for coastal communities and the wider economy, an all-of-Government Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce was established in 2022.

Further societal opportunity for coastal communities will flow from the mandatory Community Benefit Funds that must be established by all offshore wind projects in Ireland that are supported through the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). Critically, these Funds will be independently managed by local communities, for projects identified by them.

Public participation, including comprehensive engagement with coastal communities, fishers and Local Authorities, is a core pillar of the Plan-Led approach to offshore wind development adopted by Government in March 2023. This is highlighted by the recent adoption of Ireland’s first statutory spatial plan for offshore renewable energy, known as the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan, which was established through positive engagement with local communities in Cork, Waterford and Wexford.

Government is further committed to enabling jobs for coastal communities in this emerging sector. This includes developing the Marine Bridging Certification Program that aims to reskill and upskill the fishing and maritime workforce to capture new opportunities in the offshore wind energy sector. The first program began in October 2024, and the potential of future expansion is being pursued.