Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
351. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are any further initiatives proposed by his Department to increase support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74749/25]
View answerPlan-led development through the use of Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) is a critical part of the Government’s strategic plan for our maritime area. This plan-led system has already delivered the South Coast DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) in 2024, identifying 4 areas suitable for offshore wind off counties Waterford and Wexford. In order to further accelerate the process of site designation for ORE, a single National DMAP covering all of Ireland’s maritime area is now under development.
Public participation and meaningful stakeholder engagement underpins this plan led process. The process of making a DMAP includes the preparation of a statutory Public Participation Statement (PPS). This PPS (available at this link:www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/national-designated-maritime-area-plan-dmap-for-offshore-renewable-energy/#the-public-participation-statement) sets out, over the course of the development of the DMAP, how people can engage with the process, access relevant information and get detail on engagement events such as consultations and public meetings in coastal locations. Extensive public and stakeholder consultation will take place on the National DMAP over the course of 2026 and 2027.
Recognising the importance of coastal communities in the National DMAP process a dedicated Community Liaison Service has been contracted with the sole focus of working with and providing information directly to coastal communities.
At the project level, in accordance with the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS), all offshore wind generators are required to make contributions to their respective project Community Benefit Fund. Such funding is anticipated to facilitate the local community in undertaking long term planned community support initiatives.
Funding from the Community Benefit Fund has to be used for the sustainable environmental, economic, social, and cultural well-being of the local community. Critically, the Community Benefit Fund will be professionally managed on behalf of the local community, and the local Community Benefit Fund Committee will have full responsibility for its funding decisions.
