Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on plans to deliver onshore and offshore wind power and solar power in a sustainable way and on engaging with the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47690/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to delivering onshore and offshore energy in a way that is both sustainable and provides avenues for engagement, participation and tangible benefits to local communities.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship support scheme and delivers grid-scale renewable electricity capacity through its annual auction cycle. It has been fundamental in providing a supportive policy environment for onshore wind and solar projects. The Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) is designed to provide a simpler, non-competitive route to market for community, SME, and farm-based renewable generation projects.

All successful RESS and SRESS projects are required to establish Community Benefit Funds, directing a share of the value of the renewable developments back into host communities. These Funds support locally identified priorities such as energy efficiency and community development. Allocation takes place through engagement with the local community, with local volunteers represented on the Fund Committees where decisions are taken. This ensures benefits reflect community needs, strengthens trust with developers, and fosters long-term social acceptance of the clean energy transition.

The Community Enabling Framework, launched in 2022, provides a range of supports, including SEAI grant funding, to help communities develop their own grid-scale renewable electricity projects. This support includes provision of a suite of information resources and guidance documents which are the first reference point for any community group, covering stakeholder engagement, business planning and the Irish electricity market.

Establishing an indigenous offshore wind sector will be a harbinger of economic development, inward investment and sustainable employment growth within local coastal communities.

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 exemplified by the significant positive engagement with local communities in Cork, Waterford and Wexford leading up to the recent adoption of the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), Ireland’s first statutory spatial plan for offshore renewable energy.