I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 426 together.
In December last, I announced the publication of a Policy Statement setting out the strategy for commercial ports to facilitate offshore renewable energy (ORE) activity in the seas around Ireland, confirming this Government's commitment to the provision of port facilities for ORE developments. A number of ports, both large ones for construction and deployment and smaller ports for operations and maintenance activities, will be required to provide facilities for the different activities at several locations around the country and for the various phases of the fixed and floating ORE developments.
This will also maximise the economic benefits at both regional and national level in terms of job creation and new SME enterprises in areas such as engineering, fabrication, transport and logistics, and other technologies.
As part of endeavours to maximise EU funding, following extensive engagement with other Member States and the Commission, the Department successfully obtained changes to the Ten-T CEF criteria to allow EU funding of port infrastructure for ORE in the next 2021-2023 funding stream. Successful applicants can obtain significant funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and up 30% of infrastructure works costs.
The most recent call which closed on 19th January makes €4bn funding available EU wide for transport infrastructure projects. Similar calls are expected in 2022 and 2023. These are competitive processes, and typically oversubscribed. Bearing in mind the confidential nature of the process, individual applications cannot be commented on. However, four ports/private entities that are eligible under TEN-T applied this year for funding for studies which will effectively allow them to prepare for lodgement of planning applications from 2022 onwards for ORE port developments. It is expected that a decision on the applications will be made in July this year.
The Department assisted, as appropriate, eligible applicants with the application process. It is important for the State that preparatory work is advanced and planning applications submitted so that the entities will be ready to go to construction, once they have more certainty from developers that have come through the ORESS auction.
In line with the ORE Ports Policy Statement, in March 2022, the department established a Ports Co-ordination Group to ensure alignment of policy and to monitor its implementation. The overall objective of the Group is to ensure that ports develop infrastructure to facilitate the ORE sector in line with Government Policy and foster the growth of the related supply chain. The Group will provide a forum for port related ORE facilitation issues to be raised and to promote the sharing of information and best practices in relation to ORE facilitation issues.
Members of the group include representatives of the ports and terminal operators, officials from the Departments of Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the IMDO. The terms of reference also provide that the Group, where appropriate, can invite other agencies, Departments or stakeholders (industry developers, turbine manufacturers, other ports) to attend meetings and present to the Group.
The first meeting of the Port Coordination group was held on 31 March 2021. Officials from the three participating Departments provided updates in relation to their respective policy matters. Ports and terminal operators identified issues which were relevant to them and there was discussion on the preparation of a Roadmap which will set out the ports’ role in supporting the development of the ORE sector in Ireland. The next meeting will take place in Q2, the date of which has yet to be arranged and further meetings will take place quarterly.
The Department continues to encourage engagement between the ports and developers so they are best placed to exploit the opportunities that will arise from the development of the ORE industry.
