Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
11. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the draft bioenergy plan; when he expects to publish the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23961/18]
View answerPerhaps the Minister might quickly provide a reply to this question.
The draft bioenergy plan established the broader context for the development of Ireland's bioenergy sector.
It recognises that meeting the demand for biomass from indigenous sources could deliver significant economic and employment benefits and contains measures to stimulate and support the supply of Irish biomass. The bioenergy plan highlights a range of supply-side and demand-side measures that are needed to release the full potential of the domestic biomass sector in Ireland. Since the draft bioenergy plan was published in 2014, significant progress has been made on the actions set out in the plan. I have secured Government approval for the support scheme for renewable heat, a key demand-side measure. I expect the scheme to commence operation later this year subject to state aid approval. The objective of the scheme is to increase the level of renewable energy and reduce emissions in the heat sector. By stimulating demand for renewable energy feedstocks, such as biomass, the scheme will provide an opportunity for the growth of indigenous bioenergy production.
I recently published a policy statement outlining the future development of the biofuels obligation scheme. The scheme is the primary policy measure used to increase the share of renewable energy in the transport sector and has also made a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
We will have to leave it there because we are out of time. That concludes questions to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
