Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

The National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040, is the government's €116 billion development plan which is underpinned by a 20 year planning framework, highlights the potential of the circular bioeconomy in promoting the more efficient use of renewable resources while supporting economic development and employment in rural Ireland.

As part of Project 2040, and following a public consultation process the government published the first National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy (March 2018). Through this commitment the government recognises that the bioeconomy is crucial for decarbonisation, sustainability and circularity while also providing an impetus to competiveness, and rural and regional development and employment.

This commitment is further recognised within government strategies, polices such as the Food Vision 2030, Climate Action Plan 2023, Our Rural Future 2021-2025 and Impact 2030.

The Government has mandated an implementation group jointly chaired by the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Marine and Environment, Climate and Communications to address and oversee implementation of a number of major actions including funding actions, in close collaboration with bioeconomy industries and other partners, and to report back regularly on progress and further recommendation to Government.