Tuesday, 23 Sep 2025

Official Engagements

Questions (111)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

111. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to visit Italy before the end of 2025. [50383/25]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Italy is a key partner for Ireland, both within the European Union and more widely, including in the United Nations. It is the third largest economy in the Eurozone and is Ireland’s ninth largest goods export partner.

Ireland's relationship with Italy has strengthened in recent years. Additionally, the opening of Ireland’s Consulate General in Milan one year ago has created a platform for the Department of Foreign Affairs and a number of State agencies to enhance political, economic and cultural ties and opportunities.

With preparations for Ireland’s EU Presidency in mind, engagement with my European Union counterparts, including Italy’s, will continue.

Human Rights

Questions (112)

Barry Ward

Question:

112. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); the actions he is taking to raise it at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50423/25]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The prevention and eradication of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has been a cornerstone of Ireland’s approach to human rights for decades. The absolute prohibition of torture is one of the cornerstones of the international human rights framework.

Ireland has consistently condemned the mistreatment and torture of prisoners by the Russian Federation. I thank the Deputy for providing details of the specific individual whose case you have raised. The horrific treatment of such prisoners detained by Russia in Ukraine is highlighted by Ireland across international fora, including at the EU.

As part of the EU’s response to the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia and the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Russia, on 27 May 2024, the EU adopted a specific sanctions regime relating to the human rights situation in Russia. This regime allows for restrictive measures to be imposed on those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses, repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia.

More broadly, Ireland co-sponsored the 2022 resolution of the UN Human Rights Council establishing an Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law and related crimes in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Most recently, Ireland joined with EU Member States at the Human Rights Council last week (on 19 September 2025) in jointly condemning the arbitrary detentions, unlawful deportations, forcible transfers, extrajudicial executions, sexual and gender based violence, summary executions of POWs and civilian detainees held in Russian captivity in Ukraine.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (113)

Aidan Farrelly

Question:

113. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of expenditure on off-site storage solutions for the past five years to date; if he will provide a breakdown of items (details supplied) not stored in his Department on annual basis. [50493/25]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The total expenditure incurred by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on off-site storage in Ireland for the past five years to date is €39,812.

The items stored are processed passport application forms.

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (114)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

114. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the results and reporting from the Green Public Procurement (GPP) Strategy and Action Plan, particularly with regards to the minimum 10% of food purchased by public sector bodies to be certified organic; if this target is on track to be achieved and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50227/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

In April 2024, the Department published Buying Greener: Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 to drive the implementation of green and circular procurement practices across the public sector.

Key actions since publication include:

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published updated Green Public Procurement Guidance and Criteria sets, including a new Green Public Procurement criteria set for furniture.

• The updated Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, as published in the Climate Action Plan 2025, includes strengthened Green Public Procurement obligations for public sector bodies that are subject to the mandate that reflects the Buying Greener: Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027.

• The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a new framework that allows public bodies to purchase remanufactured laptops. The OGP also launched a new framework arrangement for recycled office paper.

• Ireland has entered into a voluntary agreement to co-operate with other bodies, internationally, to improve the sustainability of ICT procurement known as the Circular and Fair ICT Pact (CFIT). This voluntary initiative is an international procurement-led partnership with a remit to accelerate circularity, fairness, and sustainability in the ICT sector.

• Government approved public procurement guidance to promote the reduction of embodied carbon in construction.

• The OGP published Circular 17/2025: Updated Green Public Procurement Instructions for Public Sector Bodies.

The 2025 Public Sector Climate Action Mandate includes the target related to organic food procurement that is included in the Buying Greener: Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027.

Implementation by public sector bodies, that are subject to the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, of the individual mandate requirements are to be reported annually using a “comply and explain” approach, via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Monitoring and Reporting System. It is expected that reporting on the implementation of the 2025 Public Sector Climate Action Mandate will take place in the first half of 2026, with the expectation that results will be made publicly available after that once data validation and analysis has been completed, potentially in early 2027.

Energy Conservation

Questions (115, 119)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

115. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the warmer homes scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50882/25]

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Frankie Feighan

Question:

119. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of the waiting times for applications under the SEAI warmer homes scheme (details supplied); and his views on whether these delays are acceptable. [49718/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 119 together.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. As reported by the SEAI, this resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.

The scheme has been delivering a greater number of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which the SEAI indicates has increased from €2,600 in 2015 to over €29,000 in 2025. These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions.

The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of upgrade works, to date in 2025 was 21 months for the worst performing homes and 22 months for better performing homes.

It is important to note that these averages represent a significant reduction since 2022 when the average waiting time was 26 months. The reduction in waiting times follows a range of measures introduced by my Department and the SEAI. These include the allocation of additional staff to the Warmer Homes Scheme; a significantly increased budget allocation; active contract engagement and management by the SEAI to increase contractor output; as well as actions to address ongoing supply chain pressures.

Given the very high number of applications (approximately 12,000 in 2024 compared to approximately 2,800 in 2021) and the greater volume of deeper retrofits being provided under the scheme, the SEAI is projecting that new applications may face the following waiting times:

• the usual processing time for applications is 5 to10 days from receipt;

• pre-works BER can be up to 12 months from application (if required);

• the survey is approximately 14 months from application;

• works are completed approximately 24 to 26 months from application; and

• the post works BER/inspection is approximately 2 to 3 months after works are completed.

As Minister, I have no function in relation to individual applications. Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie.

My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (116, 117)

Barry Ward

Question:

116. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any product or service purchased from Israel or the Occupied Territories by his Department in the past two years, by description and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49602/25]

View answer

Barry Ward

Question:

117. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any product or service that has been acquired by his Department from an Occupied Palestinian Territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49620/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.

I am advised that my Department has not purchased any product or service from Israel or an Occupied Palestinian Territory in the past two years.

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 116.

Energy Prices

Questions (118, 129)

Barry Ward

Question:

118. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the rationale for allowing retail energy companies to increase their unit price for domestic energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49656/25]

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Michael Cahill

Question:

129. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to examine the profits of electricity providers (details supplied); the way in which increases in costs for all households can be justified in light of soaring profits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50290/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 129 together.

The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. CRU ceased price setting for electricity and gas in 2011 and 2014 respectively.

Therefore, the setting of prices and charges is a commercial matter for individual supply companies; each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. Within a competitive environment, providers also have costs such as staffing, tax, infrastructure, and cost of network tariffs which, in turn, affects end users’ bills.

This being said, the Government is committed to addressing high energy costs experienced by Irish consumers. The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and businesses and commits to bringing forward measures to help contain these costs. Earlier this year, 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.

Further measures to support Irish consumers will be considered as part of the work programme of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce. The Taskforce's Terms of Reference commits it to identify, assess and implement policy options, as part of an Energy Affordability Action Plan, to enhance energy affordability while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The Taskforce is currently finalising an interim report, which will set out measures for consideration as part of Budget 2026.

Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 115.

Departmental Staff

Questions (120)

Albert Dolan

Question:

120. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the WTE staff by job title working within the Geological Survey Division of his Department as of 10 September 2025; the number of WTE vacancies currently in this division, by job title; and when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [49809/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The WTE staff by job title within the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) section of my Department, as of 10 September 2025, is set out in the table below.

The number of WTE vacancies currently in this section is zero.

Job Title:	Grade Equivalent:	Number:
Principal Officer*	PO	1
Director	PO	1
Assistant Principal	AP	2
Chief Superintendent	AP	1
Principal Geologist	AP	5
Senior Geologist	AP	13
Geologist	AO	5.6
GIS Officer	AO	1
Higher Executive Officer	HEO	2
Executive Engineer	AO	1
Driller	HEO/AO	3
Cartographer	EO	1
Executive Officer	EO	2.5
Clerical Officer	CO	4.8
Total		43.9

Current WTE Vacancies		0

*Principal Officer has responsibilities across business unit sections and is not solely located with GSI.

Environmental Policy

Questions (121)

Emer Currie

Question:

121. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which the State can address the problem of producers avoiding their obligation under Extended Producer Responsibility rules by selling into Ireland by way of distant sales via third-country retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50168/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

Producer Responsibility legislation is designed to ensure that producers of relevant goods contribute to the costs of collecting and recycling these goods when they are no longer in use. Ensuring all obligated producers pay their share is critical to the credibility and success of these schemes, known as Extended Producer Responsibility schemes (EPRs). In Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local authorities both have enforcement roles under the legislation. Those bodies work together and with the EPR organisations to ensure compliance in the Irish market.

Distance sellers by virtue of their number and location present a particular challenge for EPR scheme compliance in Ireland and across the EU.

This is a critical issue for EPR. Free-riding distance sellers enjoy a cost advantage over their counterparts who have paid their EPR fees. Ensuring a level playing field across different business models is vital for fairness for EU producers.

The Department is working closely with the EPA and other stakeholders to tackle this issue systemically and at the level of individual operators. Recent circular economy legislation for batteries and packaging waste, refers Member States to provisions of the recent EU Digital Services Act. Whether such provisions are suitable to address non-compliance by distance sellers is being actively explored.

Furthermore, the European Commission is preparing a legislative proposal for a Circular Economy Act to be published next year. This represents an opportunity for the EU to strengthen enforcement around this issue. Ireland will support measures proposed to promote fair competition in the EU market.

Departmental Staff

Questions (122)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

122. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will confirm that there are two principal officers assigned to the Inland Fisheries Division, as stated by his Departments website on 12 April 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50212/25]

View answer

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

My Department, along with the SEAI, has considered a range of policy options available including the possibility of policies that would prohibit, or impose a levy on, the use of fossil fuels in industry under certain conditions or in industrial applications that meet particular criteria after specific milestone dates.

Following consideration, this policy option is not currently being progressed given that it would be challenging to implement in such a way as to have an impact within the timeline 2026-2030. It would be necessary to give several years notice to market, to include a lengthy glidepath before phase out, and it would not be feasible to mandate a ‘switch off’ or a cap on operational fossil systems by 2030 especially in hard-to-decarbonise industrial applications.

Energy Conservation

Questions (128)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

128. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of the long waiting time for BER assessments in County Clare; and the steps his Department is taking to address the same. [50281/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings, as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.

The various SEAI residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes have different terms and conditions, including in relation to timeframes for the completion of works on the part-funded schemes.

The National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme are part-funded schemes where homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the SEAI on behalf of my Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.

Given the very high number of applications (approximately 12,000 in 2024 compared to approximately 2,800 in 2021), the following are the SEAI’s estimates of approximate wait times for each stage for homes applying today:

• the usual processing time for applications is 5 to 10 days from receipt;

• the pre-works BER is up to 12 months from application (if required);

• the survey is approximately 14 months from application;

• Works are completed approximately 24 to 26 months from application;

• the post works BER/inspection is approximately 2 to 3 months after works completed.

My Department and the SEAI continue to keep waiting times under review, and to work to deliver energy upgrades to low-income households and reduce the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme as a priority.

Question No. 129 answered with Question No. 118.

Fisheries Protection

Questions (130, 131)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

130. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration is being given to establishing a compensation scheme to assist anglers affected by the large scale fish kill in the River Blackwater in Mallow, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50300/25]

View answer

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

131. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the reports he has received regarding the reasons for the large scale fish kill in Mallow, County Cork; the engagement he has had with the agencies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50301/25]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Timmy Dooley)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.

I want to acknowledge the seriousness of the fish kill that occurred on the River Blackwater and its tributaries near Mallow, Co Cork, and I fully recognise the enormous impact this incident has had on local communities, anglers and users of this important river catchment.

From the outset, I have been in regular contact with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and other agencies, as well as with local councillors and public representatives. I have visited the site on two occasions, where I chaired a well-attended townhall meeting between agencies and stakeholders, principally anglers and their representatives. Officials in the Department have also been working closely with IFI and the other agencies to coordinate public updates and to ensure information is being released as it becomes available.

An Inter-Agency Group was established at my instigation, to investigate the incident and to ensure that a coordinated and thorough response was in place. This group is coordinated by IFI and includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the Marine Institute, Cork County Council, the Local Authorities Water Programme, Uisce Éireann, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Health Services Executive. The Group has met several times, including twice under my chairmanship.

Over the last month, extensive investigations and testing have been carried out by the relevant agencies and all potential pollution sources in the area have been examined. While pathology testing carried out by the Marine Institute indicated possible exposure to some form of environmental insult or water-borne irritant was likely to have caused or contributed to the incident, no definitive cause for the fish kill has been identified in any of the test results. Unfortunately, this is not unusual. In some cases the triggering factor has either dissipated or is not detectable by the time an investigation commences, making identification impossible.

A significant mortality of fish has occurred. While it will take time for stocks to fully recover, the river remains open for fishing and healthy stocks are present. Importantly, the results of ongoing monitoring and testing indicate that the river continues to be safe, including for angling, with no water quality issues currently detected. All agencies will continue to carry out ongoing monitoring and routine surveys and inspections, both in the Blackwater catchment and more widely across other water courses.

No decision has been made yet in relation to a compensation scheme. A full incident report will be completed by the Inter Agency Group, which will review the actions taken by all agencies involved and include full and comprehensive findings from all investigations. This report will inform whether further measures are required.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No.130.