Written Answers Nos. 210-227
210. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when Ireland plans to formally leave the Energy Charter Treaty, particularly in light of the EU exit and Inter Se Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37725/25]
View answerIreland has begun the process of formal withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in a coordinated manner alongside other EU Member States, and through negotiations as part of a bloc, led by the EU Commission.
Each Country has different rules regarding treaties, both the joining of and exiting from them. In Ireland’s case, a decision to withdraw from an international treaty, such as the Energy Charter Treaty, is a matter of executive power under Article 29 of the Irish Constitution and will require a Government Decision. A Memorandum will be brought to Government by my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, given his formal role in international treaties, when those negotiations have been concluded and this decision will formally end Ireland’s membership. The Government is committed to exiting the ECT as soon as is practicable.
211. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to confirm Ireland’s stance on the Right to a Healthy Environment Campaign at the Council of Europe, specifically regarding whether or not we are in favour; our position on the “floodgate” argument against the protocol; and ideally how access to justice in courts would look. [36983/25]
View answerIreland has been engaging with and following closely the work of the Council of Europe as its Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) considers the potential creation of additional instruments protecting the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. While an additional Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights has been the focus of stakeholder discussions on the subject, all options remain open to the Member States including options that would be legally binding, non-legally binding or taking no action.
While Ireland is represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the CDDH, my Department has responsibility for the policy area concerned and is currently analysing all the various options identified by the Council of Europe in its work.
Ireland has previously recognised the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment at a political level, along with many other States, including through Resolution 48/13 of the United Nations Human Rights Council in October 2021, and also by Resolution 76/300 of the United Nations General Assembly in July 2022.
The precise impact of any new instrument and its operation, including access to the courts, will be dependent on the type and precise form of any instrument. As such it would be premature to comment on what this will ultimately look like.
212. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming, and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36988/25]
View answer213. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37008/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.
As my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department has confirmed that in the period since the formation of the previous and current Government no expenditure in the categories mentioned in the Question has been incurred.
214. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his expenditure on advertising detailing the objective, duration, media platforms, advertising agency or agencies, and cost of each advertising campaign in each of the years 2015 to 2025. [37026/25]
View answerMy Department uses advertising to promote a range of services, supports and initiatives for people and communities across Ireland.As the media landscape has evolved over the past number of years, advertising expenditure has grown to address the diverse needs of different audiences, including costs associated with achieving national reach for important public messages. For example, my Department has run a significant national campaign on reducing energy use in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This “reduce your use” campaign was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. In recent years, advertising expenditure has also grown to ensure that we are meeting our Irish language advertising requirements under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.The majority of Department advertising is procured via a media buying agency, and the weighting assigned to different media platforms is determined by target audience, best practice and securing value for money.
The table below sets out overall expenditure in my Department since 2019. As my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department has gathered the information requested covering the period since the formation of the previous and current Government and this is set out below by year.
|
Year |
Spend |
|
2019 |
€279,805.00 |
|
2020 |
€107,898.17 |
|
2021 |
€516,668.44 |
|
2022 |
€3,828,081.00 |
|
2023 |
€3,807,000.50 |
|
2024 |
€2,631,914.01 |
|
2025 |
€314,193.00* |
* Up to 03.07.2025
The table below comprises major campaigns over that period:
|
Ad Campaign |
Objective |
Start |
End |
Media Platforms |
Advertising Agency |
Spend Ex. VAT |
|
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Climate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Action Plan / Climate Jargon Buster |
Campaign to publicise the new Climate Action Plan. |
May-22 |
Aug-22 |
Display, Partnership |
Mediavest T/A Spark Foundry |
€ 307,000.15 |
|
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 1 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
May-22 |
Aug-22 |
Radio, Press, Display, Social |
Mediavest T/A Spark Foundry |
€ 307,000.15 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 2 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
Jul-22 |
Aug-22 |
Radio, Press, Display, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 274,839.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 3 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
Oct-22 |
Dec-22 |
TV, Outdoor, Radio, Press, Cinema, Display, VOD, Social, Digital Audio, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 2,418,821.00 |
|
Climate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Conversations |
Campaign inviting people across the country to have their say on the Climate Action Plan and how we can all play our part in securing our sustainable future. |
Jul-22 |
Sep-22 |
Radio, Social Media |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 43,043.00 |
|
Clean Air |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solid Fuel Regulations |
Campaign to publicise solid fuels regulations. |
Aug-22 |
Nov-22 |
OOH, Display, Radio, Display, Digital Audio |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 90,705.00 |
|
Let's clear the air – Burst 1 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
Nov-22 |
Dec-22 |
TV, Radio, Press, VOD, Display, Digital Audio, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 382,644.00 |
|
Circular Economy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s Time to Get Circular – Burst 1 |
Campaign to raise awareness of the circular economy and sustainable practices. |
Oct-22 |
Nov-22 |
Radio, Press, Social, Digital Audio |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 108,569.00 |
|
Cyber Security |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phishing Awareness |
Campaign to raise awareness on fraudulent phishing emails used by attackers to lure people into disclosing personal details or clicking on malicious links. |
Oct-22 |
Oct-22 |
Radio, Press |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 45,350.00 |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clean Air |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let's clear the air - Burst 2 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
Jan-23 |
Feb-23 |
TV, Radio, Press, VOD, Display, Digital Audio, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 254,963.00 |
|
Let's clear the air - Burst 3 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
Oct-23 |
Dec-23 |
TV, Radio, VOD, Digital Audio, Display, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 394,013.00 |
|
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 4 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
Jan-23 |
Apr-23 |
Cinema, TV, Radio, Press, VOD, Digital Audio, Display, Partnership, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 1,789,697.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 5 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
May-23 |
Sep-23 |
Radio, Partnership, Display, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 379,244.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 6 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
Dec-23 |
Dec-23 |
Radio, Outdoor, Press, Partnership, display, Digital Audio, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 360,247.00 |
|
Circular Economy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s Time to Get Circular – Burst 2 |
Campaign to raise awareness of the circular economy and sustainable practices. |
Oct-23 |
Dec-23 |
Radio, Partnership, VOD, Digital Audio, Social, Display, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 237,285.00 |
|
Climate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Conversations 2023 |
Campaign inviting people across the country to have their say on the Climate Action Plan and how we can all play our part in securing our sustainable future. |
Jul-23 |
Sep-23 |
Radio, Display, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 38,928.00 |
|
Cyber Security |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyber Security Awareness 2023 |
Campaign on steps that can be taken to prevent and mitigate cyber security risks. |
Sep-23 |
Nov-23 |
Radio, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 42,473.00 |
|
The Second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II): Public consultation campaign |
Campaign inviting people to give their views on the second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II) – Ireland’s new national spatial strategy for our offshore renewable energy future. |
44958 |
45017 |
Radio, Press, Partnership, Social, Display |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 76,980.00 |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clean Air |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let's clear the air - Burst 4 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
Jan-24 |
Mar-24 |
TV, Radio, VOD, Partnerships, Digital Audio, Display, Social Media, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 179,889.00 |
|
Let's clear the air - Burst 5 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
Dec-24 |
Dec-24 |
TV, Radio, Partnerships, Digital Audio, Display, VOD, Social Media, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 355,389.00 |
|
Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 7 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
Jan-24 |
Mar-24 |
Outdoor, Radio, Press, Partnerships, Display, Digital Audio, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 918,976.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 8 |
Reduce Your Use was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. |
Aug-24 |
Oct-24 |
Partnership, Display, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 33,841.00 |
|
Climate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Climate Conversations 2024 |
Campaign inviting people across the country to have their say on the Climate Action Plan and how we can all play our part in securing our sustainable future. |
May-24 |
Sep-24 |
Radio, Partnership, Display, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 41,092.00 |
|
Climate Action Works 2024 |
Climate Actions Work was a national campaign and programme of engagement on climate action, inviting people and communities across Ireland to be part of the conversation about climate change. |
Sep-24 |
Nov-24 |
Radio, Press, Partnerships, Display, VOD, Digital Audio, Social Media, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 379,037.00 |
|
Circular Economy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reverse the trend |
Campaign aims to raise awareness of alternatives to frequent purchasing of clothing and some of the environmental impacts of over-consumption of textiles. |
Sep-24 |
Dec-24 |
Radio, Partnership, Digital Audio, Display, Social |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 321,227.01 |
|
It’s Time to Get Circular – Burst 3 |
Campaign to raise awareness of the circular economy and sustainable practices. |
Sep-24 |
Oct-24 |
Radio, VOD, Partnerships, Display, Digital Audio, Social Media, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 128,024.00 |
|
Cyber Security |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NIS2 |
Awareness campaign on NIS2 Directive, EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity. It was introduced to strengthen and harmonise cyber security across the European Union, and to keep-up with increased digitisation and an evolving cybersecurity threat landscape |
Oct-24 |
Oct-24 |
Radio, Press, Display, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 112,528.00 |
|
2025 |
||||||
|
Let's clear the air - Burst 6 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
Jan-25 |
Mar-25 |
TV, Radio, Partnerships, Digital Audio, VOD, Display, Social, Search |
PHD Media Ireland |
€ 293,348.00 |
215. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department's expenditure on media training in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the firms contracted to provide training; and the position or grade of those availing of training for example minister, secretary general, principal officer and so on. [37043/25]
View answerMedia and communications training is vital for senior officials who have an important role in explaining the valuable work of the Department to key stakeholder groups. These stakeholder groups may, from time to time, include the media, in the form of briefings, supporting the minister at press conferences, and public events. This training has, to date, primarily been targeted at senior manager level such as Principal Officers. In some instances, Assistant Principals with subject matter expertise may avail of such training, in the event that their expertise is required to support briefings and public communication.
The table below sets out overall expenditure in my Department since 2019. As my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2012, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department has gathered the information requested covering the period since the formation of the previous and current Government and this is set out below by year.
|
Consultant/Company |
Year |
Purpose |
Cost |
Grade |
|
Healy Communications |
2025 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€1,200 (ex VAT) |
PO and AP |
|
Consultant/Company |
Year |
Purpose |
Cost |
Grade |
|
Communications Clinic |
2023 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€5,400 (ex VAT) |
PO and AP |
|
Consultant/Company |
Year |
Purpose |
Cost |
Grade |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
2022 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€750 |
AP |
216. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department's expenditure on media consultancy in each of the years 2015 to 2025; and the consultancy firms involved; and the nature of each contract, in tabular form. [37061/25]
View answerMy Department has a dedicated communications and media relations function who manage public relations and media queries, alongside digital marketing, campaigns, events, and internal communications. My Department may occasionally engage external expertise in media consultancy where specialist or extensive support is required.
As my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2015, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My Department has gathered the information requested covering the period since the formation of the previous and current Government and this is set out below by year.
|
Consultant/Company |
Year |
Purpose |
Cost (Incl VAT.) |
|
OSD Digital Agency |
2020 |
Social media campaign advice |
€3,815.45 |
|
RPS Communications |
2020-2022 |
PR support to help with Tellus geophysical mapping survey - community outreach/information line |
€124,131.19 |
|
Kano Communications |
2022-2023 |
PR Support as part of Reduce Your Use Campaign |
€15,221.25 |
|
Communications Clinic |
2023 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€6,178.95 |
|
DHR Communications |
2023 |
Delivery of strategic communications training for senior officials |
€1,780 |
|
Healy Communications |
2025 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€1815.48 |
217. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding a timeline for when the terms of reference for the National Energy Affordability Taskforce will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/25]
View answerThe Government has made a number of important commitments in respect of addressing the continued high cost of energy. The Programme for Government 2025 acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward measures to help contain energy costs. Earlier this year, the Government approved an extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity by a further six months to October 2025 at an estimated cost of €85 million.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) has been established by my Department to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The core objectives of the Taskforce include drafting an interim plan identifying measures to support energy consumers in advance of Budget 2026, and an Energy Affordability Action plan, which will examine measures and structural reforms to lower costs for households and businesses.
The NEAT Terms of Reference were agreed by members at the first Taskforce meeting on 19 June 2025. This document is available on the Taskforce webpage at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/national-energy-affordability-taskforce/.
218. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline for completing the Climate Action Plan 2024, sub action EL/24/22, to implement enhanced emissions reporting framework for electricity emissions for large energy users, by the end of 2024. [37143/25]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2024, sub action EL/24/22, contains an action for the implementation of enhanced emissions reporting framework for electricity emissions for large energy users which would allow more detailed matching of their energy consumption with renewable generation and that will promote and provide additional incentives for greater efficiency and usage of lower carbon energy sources.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was assigned to lead the execution of a study to inform the development of a reporting framework. SEAI convened a Steering Group, including the CRU, system operators, large energy users, enterprise development agencies and relevant Government Departments, to assist with specifying and guiding the study. Following a competitive tendering process, SEAI appointed Frontier Economics to complete the study and develop approaches to make recommendations for an electricity emissions matching framework.
Following the completion of the study, the SEAI published a Report in December 2024 on a Large Energy User electricity emissions reporting framework. This Report sets out high-level recommendations for how such a reporting framework could be structured. The intention and timeline set out in Climate Action Plan to have a full reporting scheme based on the recommendations in the SEAI Report in place by Quarter 4 of 2024 was noted by SEAI to be extremely challenging. Implementing the framework in practice will present several challenges, including data complexity, market readiness, adoption costs and regulatory alignment, that will need careful consideration. The Department is reviewing the SEAI Report and are in the process of establishing a working group to evaluate its recommendations and develop the manner of implementation.
219. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if, with respect to the upcoming rollout of the RHO (Renewable Heat Obligation) he will support the following measures for inclusion in the scheme: separation of the liquid fuels and gas sector into different schemes, create a dedicated renewable liquid fuels obligation incorporating obligations for transport and heating, and set an immediate 20% renewable liquid fuel obligation for home heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37169/25]
View answerAs part of Government Decision (S180/20/10/2704) adopting sectoral emissions ceilings, it was agreed to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) to ensure the increased use of renewable fuel types across the full heating sector with the primary aim of supporting the achievement of Ireland's heating and cooling targets at EU level.
Under current proposals, the RHO will obligate suppliers of all fossil fuels used for heating purposes to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. As such, all renewable fuels used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive will be considered eligible for certification under the scheme.
The development of the RHO is a key priority for Government and a draft RHO high-level scheme has now been finalised. As part of the scheme development process, and in consultation with industry and key stakeholders, an extensive examination of the heat sector and the potential cost and availability of renewable fuels to meet the obligation has been carried out.
My Department is now preparing the draft RHO Heads of Bill for submission to Government shortly alongside the draft RHO high-level scheme which will set out the introductory obligation rate across all fuel types in the first two years of the scheme. It is envisaged that a full review of scheme's performance, including in relation to the cost and availability of fuels to meet the obligation, will be carried out ahead of any rate increase after year two.
220. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate; Energy and the Environment the number of purchase orders processed by his Department in 2023 that were not included in the published reports of purchase orders over €20,000; the number of purchase orders excluded due to their value falling below the €20,000 threshold, and the total combined value of those purchase orders; and the number of purchase orders excluded because they related to transactions other than goods or services (for example, grants-in-aid, reimbursements), in line with reporting conventions. [37226/25]
View answerDetails of purchase orders processed by my Department in 2023 that were not included in the published reports of purchase orders over €20,000 are set out in the table below:
|
- |
Total Number |
Total Value (€) |
|
Value below €20,000 |
3,412 |
7,920,032.26 |
|
Transactions other than Goods/Services (all grants including electricity credit payments) |
988 |
1,701,495,846.49 |
|
Total |
4,400* |
1,709,415,878.75* |
*Figures do not include information on sensitive National Security procurements which cannot be published
221. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to the publication of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland in July 2024, how his Department intends to address the safety and regulation concerns that are now widespread in communities across the country where new electricity storage installations are proposed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37539/25]
View answerThe Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland was published by my Department in July 2024 in line with the Climate Action Plan (action EL/24/16).
Chapter 4 of the Policy Framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for grid scale electricity storage systems, including battery electricity storage systems in the European and Irish contexts.
Given the wide-ranging nature of grid-scale electricity storage safety and regulation and its spread across the remits of various Government Departments, chapter 4 outlines and clarifies the roles and remits of various regulatory authorities and organisations in relation to standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.
It is important to note that different aspects of the safety of battery electricity storage systems are handled by different sets of regulations, agencies and Departments. While the policy framework delivers an overview it is a matter for each institution or Department to implement their remits in line with their governing legislation.
222. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the current energy policy narrative that Ireland will become a significant exporter of renewable electricity, particularly wind energy, in view of recent Eurostat figures showing that Ireland was a net importer of electricity by over 3,000 GWh in 2023 and over 5,000 GWh in 2024, while electricity exports declined from 446 GWh in 2023 to 210 GWh in 2024; given that Ireland continues to have among the highest electricity prices in Europe.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37572/25]
View answerRenewable energy is key to increasing Ireland’s energy independence, security of supply and affordability.
Ireland’s near-term priorities are reaching the decarbonisation targets set out in the Climate Action Plan and seeking to ensure that the energy transition is affordable to the Irish consumer. ORE projects beyond domestic net zero requirements will only be deployed following environmental, social and economic appraisal.
As we reach our full generation capacity, prioritizing domestic demand becomes essential, therefore, future policy reviews will closely align with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’s Powering Prosperity Strategy to ensure that offshore renewable projects effectively meet domestic energy needs and market off-take requirements enabling decarbonised economic growth.
Longer term, there is also the opportunity to take full advantage of emerging export market opportunities, which will contribute to a climate-neutral European Union by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. This potential will be explored but can only be achieved with national ambition and a strategic long-term policy planning approach.
In addition to increasing our security of supply and enabling export of any excess energy, increased electricity interconnection will also bring competitive pressures on Irish generators through exposure to the connected markets. However, the benefits accruing from additional interconnection will also depend on the evolution of the energy systems in Ireland, the UK and continental Europe.
223. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has undertaken any cost benefit or an electricity price impact analysis regarding the warning raised by EirGrid that very significant levels of renewable power will need to be spilled under the current Climate Action Plan targets (details supplied); if, under the current Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) terms, renewable energy generators will continue to be paid even when their output is curtailed or spilled, with those costs passed on to electricity consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37573/25]
View answerThe Programme Government 2025 reaffirms the commitment to meeting 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources as set out in the Climate Action Plan. In order to deliver on this, a flexible power system is critical to align our electricity use with periods of plentiful, low-cost renewable generation and to reduce periods where the output of renewable energy sources is reduced or dispatched down.
Under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, an Unrealised Available Energy Compensation (UAEC) mechanism has been included in the Terms and Conditions since the third auction for projects which cannot normally access compensation through the electricity market. UAEC compensates successful RESS projects for system wide curtailment or where there is a surplus of renewables which is beyond a project's control. It does not compensate for electricity network constraints which remain an important locational signal.
UAEC helps protect consumers by offering support to successful RESS applicants only in periods where curtailment or oversupply has happened, which would have otherwise been included in auction bid prices and paid for by consumers regardless of if curtailment or oversupply occurred.
Issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks. In this regard, constraint payments include the dispatch-down of wind and solar generation for localised network reasons. Managing dispatch down is a priority as we seek to integrate more renewable electricity onto the grid. As Transmission System Operator, EirGrid has responsibility for the development of the electricity transmission system and the management of dispatch down of renewables.
The CRU has recently published, for public consultation, their Draft Determination on Electricity Price Review 6 which sets out the envisaged €18 billion investment they are proposing to approve in the electricity grid out to 2030. This level of investment is warranted, represents a step change in investment in our electricity grid infrastructure and one of the biggest changes to the overall system in memory.
My Department has established the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce to accelerate and increase the deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation and support flexible network infrastructure to ensure that indigenous renewable power reaches our homes and businesses.
Furthermore, my Department has established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce which aims to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. A key output of this Taskforce will be to develop and publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan which will identify a comprehensive range of measures including demand-side solutions for households to allow them to adjust their energy demand and avail of low cost, or otherwise surplus renewable energy.
224. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the timeline for the public consultation to inform the development of Ireland's Social Climate Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37686/25]
View answerMy Department is currently preparing Ireland’s Social Climate Plan, the measures in which will support vulnerable groups impacted by the rising price of carbon.
My Department is working closely with relevant Departmental stakeholders and with the European Commission to ensure that the Plan developed will meet the requirements of the governing Regulation.
My Department is committed to developing robust and high-quality measures, guided by meaningful stakeholder input, to ensure that the funds are appropriately targeted to those most vulnerable.
In this context, a range of consultation processes at key points in the development of the Plan are envisaged. The first of those, an open public and stakeholder consultation, will launch in the coming weeks.
The consultation will be published on my Department's website for at least six-weeks. Following the input received from that consultation, my Department will develop proposed measures to incorporate into the Plan. Workshops with relevant stakeholders will then follow to capture input into the detailed design of the proposed measures.
Finally, a full draft plan, having regard to the inputs received through the workshops, will be published for public consultation and to inform the final plan. To facilitate this level of engagement, the Plan will be submitted to the Commission, for approval, in the latter part of the year.
225. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline, in respect of greenhouse gas emissions from data centres, the sectoral emissions ceiling those emissions are counted towards under the sectoral emissions ceilings set by the Government in July 2022. [37839/25]
View answerThe Deputy should note that this matter falls under the remit of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has responsibility for collating national greenhouse gas emissions and projections. The structure of the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings reflects the EPA Emissions Inventory which breaks down greenhouse gas emissions into a range of categories across the economy. The EPA is best placed to provide the relevant categories used in 2022 for entities such as data centres. The EPA is an independent body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, and is entirely independent of the Minister in the exercise of its functions. The EPA can be contacted directly by Oireachtas members using oireachtasqueries@epa.ie.
226. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming, and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36990/25]
View answer227. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37010/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
My Department has not incurred any expenditure of the nature referred to during the period 2015-2025.
