898. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount the Government has spent in developing renewable energy projects since 2002. [28579/15]

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manages a range of programmes on behalf of my Department that are aimed at reducing energy demand and the decarbonisation of energy supply. In the period since the establishment of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in 2007 to July 2015 the total expenditure by the SEAI on renewable energy projects and programmes amounted to almost €123.5 million.

I will arrange for details of expenditure incurred prior to the establishment of the Department in 2007 to be forwarded to the Deputy.