Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
793. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants for funding through the support fund for anaerobic digestors, which closed in December 2025; the number of applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6040/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, together with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, co-published an agri centric National Biomethane Strategy in May 2024. This was Ireland’s first major policy statement on biomethane and is an important milestone in the development of this indigenous sector in Ireland.
As committed to under the Strategy, my Department launched the first capital grant programme for the industry on 7 August 2024. As part of the capital grant programme, 20% of total capital investment costs per applicant will be payable subject to a maximum level of funding of €5 million per project. This programme is funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Programme, REPowerEU. DAFM have partnered with SEAI to oversee the scheme administrative and technical aspects and ensure efficient delivery of the grant programme.
Capital grant letters of offer issued by my Department to 18 successful applicants in September 2024. As defined in the terms and conditions, applicants must have construction complete and installed capacity for the supported production facilities to produce sustainable biomethane by 31 December 2025. Applicants must also submit all supporting documents and a claim for payment by 14 January 2026. The date to submit all supporting documents and a claim for payment has been extended until 4 February 2026 to facilitate applicants in their processing of documentation.
To date no request for grant aid has been received from applicants approved for funding.
