Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which his Department is supporting innovation, research and invention in the realm of new forms of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60242/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Funding to support innovation, research and invention in the realm of new forms of renewable energy 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. Through its last annual call, this programme awarded approximately €20m in funding to support innovative energy RD&D projects.

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.

Alongside the above supports, there are a number of additional established funding sources available for individuals or companies working on development new and innovative sources of renewable energy. National funding opportunities include the above research and innovation supports provided by the SEAI; by Enterprise Ireland (for example through the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund); and Research Ireland; and at European level through the European Commission Horizon Europe Programme and the EU Innovation Fund.

My Department is the National Contact Point (NCP) for the EU Innovation Fund, with further details available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/innovation-fund/

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