Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
202. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on progress of the national DMAP; the funding allocated to delivering it since its inception; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50413/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy (National DMAP for ORE) will deliver a strategic long-term plan for ORE development. Progress on the National DMAP for ORE is on track to be completed by Q4 2027.
The Marine Strategic Policy and Marine Environment and Planning Sections within my Department are leading on the plan's preparation. Intensive work is ongoing on the constraints analysis, the identification of offshore renewable energy areas and the development of marine planning policy.
The Project Team is working closely with the Marine Institute, who have compiled an extensive data catalogue to enable a comprehensive constraints analysis. The constraints analysis process, in addition to focused consultation with relevant stakeholders, allows for refinement of the ORE opportunity areas and the identification of technically, economically and environmentally feasible renewable energy sites.
A critical component of the Plan is stakeholder engagement, and during Q4 2025 the Project Team consulted with relevant Government Departments and completed a series of focused, workshops with targeted stakeholders from the ORE Industry, Ports, the Seafood Sector, and the environmental NGOs across Q1 and Q2 2026.
From March until the May this year, the Project Team, led by dedicated Community and Fisheries Liaison Services, facilitated regional, in-person engagements with stakeholders across the seafood/fishing; regional/local business and social/environmental sectors. Further engagement, including with the Marine Spatial Planning Advisory Group, will take place between September and November this year. A statutory public consultation process will take place in Q1 2027.
Funding of approximately €2m was initially allocated to support the project for 2026. Additional funding has been secured which will enable the implementation of a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy for the plan, in line with the plan's statutory Public Participation Statement (PPS).
More information on the process, including the PPS, is available at: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/national-designated-maritime-area-plan-dmap-for-offshore-renewable-energy/]
