Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016
459. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the name and location, by county, of community benefit schemes in place for wind farms owned or operated by semi-State companies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8053/16]
View answerThe operation and detail of any community benefit schemes operated by Semi-State companies is a matter for the companies themselves and I have no function in relation to such.
The development of the recently published Energy White Paper 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', revealed a wide citizen and community desire to be consulted on, and participate in, Ireland’s energy transition and the development of energy-related projects. The White Paper acknowledges the need to develop mechanisms and instruments to make this happen and commits the Government to working to widen the opportunity for participation. An additional and potentially important element in developing our energy systems will be exploring the potential of microgeneration which would be primarily focused on communities.
