Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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115. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the funding sources available for individuals or companies working on development new and innovative sources of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45064/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of established funding sources available for individuals or companies working on development new and innovative sources of renewable energy. National funding opportunities include research and innovation supports provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Enterprise Ireland (for example through the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund) and Research Ireland; and at European level through the European Commission Horizon Europe Programme.

Funding from my Department is available through the SEAI National Energy Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme. This Programme invests in innovative energy RD&D projects which contribute to Ireland's transition to a clean and secure energy future, and is open to public and private sector organisations based in Ireland who wish to carry out projects in Ireland. The SEAI also provides funding for individuals through the SEAI ENERGISE Fellowship Programme, which includes funding for research in academia or in the SEAI. Both programmes run an annual call for proposals.

In addition, the SEAI runs an annual call providing free access to the Offshore Renewable Energy Technologies Test Site at the LiR National Ocean Test Facility.

Further information on SEAI supports are outlined on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/seai-research/research-funding.