Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the relationship between the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and an organisation (details supplied); the services and all funding that have been exchanged to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27304/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBluewise Marine Ltd currently supports the management of the SmartBay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site in Galway Bay.The Smartbay Observatory was originally managed directly by Marine Institute, through Smartbay Ireland. Subsequently a tender was launched by the Marine Institute to support the SmartBay Facility through the provision of project development, client management, community engagement and promotional services. Bluewise Marine Ltd were the successful tenderer, effective 1st November 2021. SEAI financially supports the Smartbay Observatory, through a Service Level Agreement with the Marine Institute. The apportioned spend from the SEAI/MI SLA towards Bluewise Marine Ltd is €284,253 to date. Additionally, Bluewise Marine Ltd has been a partner of two research awards funded by SEAI; “Resourcecode”, awarded Bluewise a budget of €54,467 and “Offshore Airborne Wind Energy Demonstrator”, awarded Bluewise a budget of €54,267. Bluewise Marine was also the successful tenderer of an SEAI tender for the provision of community engagement support on the AFLOWT project, with a value of €32,566.
