Written Answers Nos. 132-150
132. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to avoid the spike in arrears that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities said was likely following the decision to withdraw energy credits this winter (details supplied). [50320/25]
View answerThe 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.
The number of household customer in arrears on their electricity and gas bills remain high. I have written to the CRU, seeking their view on the situation and requesting greater analysis on the characteristics of households falling into arrears. Additionally, I have recently written to energy supply companies to gain an understanding of measures they might introduce to support households this winter, and I have scheduled meetings with suppliers for later this week to discuss these matters further.
133. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment 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. [50485/25]
View answerIron Mountain is the current provider of offsite storage for files for my Department but this contract is managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). My Department pays for boxes, retrievals and the sending of files to Iron Mountain. I am advised that this has cost €61,602 over the last 5 years. My Department does not pay for external storage of vehicles and/or IT hardware.
134. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence 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. [49604/25]
View answer135. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence 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. [49622/25]
View answerI propose to take Question No 134 and Question No 135 together.
The ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024 has made it clear that all States must abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the occupied Palestinian territory that may entrench its unlawful presence there. Since the ICJ advisory opinion, my Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries, which includes Israel, on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance on the procurement of defensive equipment under Directive 2009/18/EU.
The value of goods or services purchased by the Defence Forces from Israeli companies in respect of existing contracts since September 2023 is set out in the table below, with no payments having been made in 2025 . There have been no new contracts awarded to Israeli companies since before that date.
|
COMPANY |
Description |
Payments since 1 September 2023 |
|
Aeronautics Defence Systems Ltd |
Micro UAV Support & Maintenance |
€785,000 |
|
All Cargo Logistics' |
Freight forwarding services. |
USD $2,220 |
I am advised that no goods or services have been purchased from companies registered in the State of Palestine in the last two years, and there are no companies registered on my Department's financial systems as being based in the occupied Palestinian territory.
136. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide a list of all chronic illnesses and medical conditions that currently preclude members of the Defence Forces from serving; whether there have been any exceptions made to allow personnel who develop such chronic illness to remain in the service; and his views on whether members of the Defence Forces who develop chronic illnesses during their careers should, subject to medical advice and operational requirements, be permitted to continue serving. [50104/25]
View answerMedical examinations for potential new recruits, which are carried out by Defence Forces Medical Officers or contracted occupational medicine specialists, consist of a full history and examination, including a clinical questionnaire and declaration by the applicant, anthropometry (height, weight, BMI), blood pressure and pulse, visual acuity testing, colour vision screening, audiometry, ECG, blood tests, and a full physical examination. The military authorities have indicated that it is not possible to list every medical condition that would prevent an applicant from being found fit to join the Defence Forces.
Given the nature of Defence Forces duties, it is vital that all Defence Forces personnel maintain an appropriate level of health and fitness. Accordingly, Defence Forces personnel have a Medical Classification Code (MCC). Personnel who develop medical conditions during their service may reach a point where their MCC renders them as being ‘Below Defence Forces Medical Standards’, and so they are considered medically unfit for service and may be discharged from the Defence Forces.
All Medical Examinations are conducted either by Defence Forces Medical Officers or contracted occupational medicine specialists and are undertaken in line with the provisions laid down in Defence Forces Regulations and appropriate administrative instruction, including Medical Corps instructions on clinical policy guidance. These instructions set out the process for the undertaking of medical examinations and also the process for serving personnel to appeal their MCC.
137. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence 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. [50487/25]
View answerThe expenditure for my Department on off-site storage solutions for the past five years to date is contained in the table below.
|
Year |
Purpose |
Expenditure (Including VAT) |
|
2020 |
File Decant Project |
€50,825.47 |
|
2021 |
File Decant Project |
€18,810.29 |
|
2022 |
Archiving Project |
€9,430.66 |
|
2024 |
Archiving Project |
€2,696.10 |
|
2025 |
Archiving Project |
€489.06 |
138. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the status of a request for funding support for an organisation (details supplied) in Cork. [50256/25]
View answerIn 2021, the Department of Transport, in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, announced the introduction of a pilot initiative to develop a scheme for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or most marginalised and disadvantaged, via Pobal’s Community Services Programme.
Five organisations around the country, including the organisation referred to your question, were selected to undertake the upcycling work as part of a 3-year pilot programme, funded by the Department of Transport. Funding of €1 million per annum for the period 2022-2024 inclusive has been allocated to this initiative.
It was agreed to extend the initiative into 2025 whereby an independent review of the programme would be undertaken. The continuation of funding is subject to the outcomes of this ongoing review. It is anticipated that the Review will be completed before year end.
139. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the provision of a second bridge in Newbridge, County Kildare. [49577/25]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
Kildare County Council submitted a preliminary appraisal application in late 2023 with an approximate cost estimate of €12.5 million. It was noted to the Council that the project would require a business case to be developed in order for the Council to substantiate the need for the scheme that addresses the transport issues or opportunities and provides value for money. The Department made an allocation to the Council in 2025 in support of the preparation of a business case for the remaining section of the Newbridge Southern Outer Orbital Route.
140. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the provision of a town bus service in Newbridge. [49578/25]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Kildare. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to continue the roll-out of Connecting Ireland and investment in new town services.
Under Budget 2025, the Department has secured a funding package of €658.442 million for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This package includes funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the Young Adult Card, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5 to 8-years old, and to support the roll-out new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.
As with all plans, any additional funding for new and enhanced town services would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the continued development of new town services, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
141. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a system of regulation for the provision of EV charging services on public networks across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49587/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.
EV infrastructure standards are mandated through European regulations, the ITS Directive, the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, and Irish legislation and regulations.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has been in force since 13 April 2024 and is an important part of the EU’s Fit for 55 policy package to reduce EU emissions by 55% by 2030 and make the EU climate-neutral by 2050.
The Regulation establishes mandatory minimum alternative fuels infrastructure targets and obligations, to ensure that a sufficient and interoperable recharging and refuelling infrastructure network is in place across EU Member States.
AFIR sets targets and timeframes for the deployment of infrastructure in urban nodes and across the main transport corridors in each Member State (the Trans-European Network-Transport network (TEN-T), including electric vehicle recharging infrastructure for light- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy (currently being revised for the period 2026-2028)sets out the ambition and strategy for the delivery of a national EV charging network across the country that will meet users' needs, and includes the practical steps to deliver this network and AFIR infrastructure targets.
142. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport whether the Commission for Regulation of Utilities has any role in collating the price of electricity at public EV charging stations across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49588/25]
View answerThe regulator for sale of electricity in Ireland is Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). They are also regulators of all the main suppliers of electricity in Ireland; ESB, ESBN and EirGrid. Any entity that supplies electricity to end-users is required under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (the “1999 Act”) to hold an electricity supply licence. The CRU published two decision papers on EV charging infrastructure, which take the approach that the infrastructure operator is the “end user” for the purposes of the 1999 Act, meaning that Charge Point Operators (CPOs) are unlikely to require a supply licence to operate. CPOs are, however, required to enter into contracts with licensed electricity suppliers for the supply of electricity.
The CRU’s role is to protect customers by ensuring that the network companies spend customers’ money appropriately and efficiently to deliver necessary services and make necessary investments in infrastructure.
As CPOs are considered end users in the context of EV charging, the CRU have no involvement in collating or monitoring the price of electricity at public EV charging stations.
Price setting by electricity suppliers and charge point operators is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. Each such company has its own approach to pricing decisions in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base.
143. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of publicly accessible EV charging stations in Ireland, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49589/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerates Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2024 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
The number of publicly accessible charge points in Ireland increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to approximately 2,400 in 2024. In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally, depending on the level of power supplied at each.
Currently, the Department of Transport does not track the number of publicly accessible EV charging stations by region. However, ZEVI is in the process of developing a Data Strategy that will, once in place, enhance the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure.
The system will enable the collection of data from charge-points in near real time and provide it on an Open Data basis. The obligation on charge-point operators and owners to share this data is legislated for in the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation.
144. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the existing regulatory environment is sufficient to prevent the charging of unreasonably high prices by any company that provides publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49590/25]
View answerThe regulator for sale of electricity in Ireland is Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). They are also regulators of all the main suppliers of electricity in Ireland; ESB, ESBN and EirGrid. Any entity that supplies electricity to end-users is required under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (the “1999 Act”) to hold an electricity supply licence. The CRU published two decision papers on EV charging infrastructure, which take the approach that the infrastructure operator is the “end user” for the purposes of the 1999 Act, meaning that Charge Point Operators (CPOs) are unlikely to require a supply licence to operate. CPOs are, however, required to enter into contracts with licensed electricity suppliers for the supply of electricity.
As CPOs are considered end users in the context of EV charging, the CRU have no involvement in regulating the price of electricity at public EV charging stations.
Price setting by electricity suppliers and charge point operators is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. 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.
There are no current plans to introduce regulation on charging costs within the EV charging sector.
145. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he proposes to put in place a requirement for all providers of public EV charging services, whether that be through an app, or displayed on the charging device, to clearly indicate what the cost per unit of electricity is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49591/25]
View answerEV infrastructure standards are mandated through European regulations, the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), and Irish legislation and regulations.
At an EU level, AFIR lays down common technical specifications and requirements for EV recharging infrastructure, including payment requirements to ensure a seamless and easy charging experience for users.
As stated in both the recitals and under Article 5 of AFIR recharging infrastructure operators are obliged to clearly display prices for publicly accessible recharging points so that the information is known to end users before they begin charging and prices can be easily compared.
The applicable price components shall be presented in the following order:
• price per kWh;
• price per minute;
• price per session; and
• any other price component that applies.
AFIR is directly applicable in all Member States and also lays out key principles regarding the reasonable application of those prices by operators.
146. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any research carried out into the merits of providing a public information campaign to ensure that drivers of electric vehicles are familiar with the appropriate range of unit prices for electricity for EV charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49592/25]
View answerTo date, my Department has not conducted any research, or conducted any public consultations on the merits of a public information campaign regarding driver knowledge on the range of electricity unit prices for EV charging.
Price setting by electricity suppliers and charge point operators is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned. Each such company has its own approach to pricing decisions in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base.
However, EV infrastructure standards are mandated through European regulations, the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), and Irish legislation and regulations.
At an EU level, AFIR lays down common technical specifications and requirements for EV recharging infrastructure, including payment requirements, to ensure a seamless and easy charging experience for users.
As stated in both the recitals and under Article 5 of AFIR recharging infrastructure operators are obliged to clearly display prices for publicly accessible recharging points so that the information is known to end users before they begin charging and prices can be easily compared.
The applicable price components shall be presented in the following order:
• price per kWh;
• price per minute;
• price per session; and
• any other price component that applies.
AFIR is directly applicable in all Member States and also lays out key principles regarding the reasonable application of those prices by operators.
147. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the spectrum of prices being charged per unit of electricity for public access EV charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49593/25]
View answerPrice setting by electricity suppliers and charge point operators is a commercial and operational matter for the companies concerned and the Department has no role. Each such company has its own approach to pricing mechanisms in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base.
Public charging, because of higher standing charges due to higher capacity connections as well as the capital cost of cabling and infrastructure, will always be more expensive than home charging solutions. Home Charging is by far the cheapest way of fuelling an electric vehicle. It is expected that 80% of charging will take place at home, with grants available for the installation of home chargers which will assist the public avail of the most advantageous charging rates. Officials in DCEE are also working on introducing a flexibility to rules around private wires, which would allow, in specified circumstances, for the use of a home charging cable across a public footpath, for those without access to off street parking. This will enable a home charging solution for the vast majority of people in Ireland.
148. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport 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. [49617/25]
View answer149. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport 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. [49635/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
I can confirm that my Department has not engaged any contract for products or services from companies based in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the past 2 years.
In addition, the Department is not aware of any indirect acquisition of products, regarding the operation of third party supply chains within contracts. However, given supply chains can be complex, it cannot be entirely ruled out that individual products or services made in or provided by companies based in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories may have been received indirectly as part of other products or services contracts entered into by the Department, by third-party suppliers.
150. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the rationale behind the decision to include a green stripe on the registration plates of electric and hybrid vehicles; what this will be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49657/25]
View answerFrom July 2025, the green ‘flash’ plates are available for all eligible new and existing electric vehicles. The green ‘flash’ plate is available for all vehicles that produce zero emissions at the tailpipe. This includes fully battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and, in future, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The new plate can be fitted to cars, vans, motorbikes, trucks and buses that emit no CO2 emissions. The new plate looks the same as current Irish registration plates but with an added green vertical stripe.
Ireland now joins countries like the UK, Germany and Norway in introducing distinct plates for electric vehicles. These identifiers are becoming a common way to highlight the presence of zero-emission vehicles on the roads.
The green ‘flash’ is designed to give visibility to vehicles that emit no CO2 emissions, supporting the shift to cleaner, greener transport across the country. The new registration plates will help create awareness around the changing societal norm as more people move away from polluting vehicles towards zero emission alternatives. Green ‘flash’ registration plates will allow consumers to demonstrate their choice of a green product.
This initiative helps make electric vehicles more visible, giving people and businesses a way to show their commitment to a cleaner transport future. It’s a small but effective step and a way for us to track progress on the ground and to normalise the idea of zero emission driving and is another part of our transition to electric.
The green ‘flash’ registration plates are optional, not mandatory, and apply to all fully electric vehicles, including cars, vans, motorbikes and trucks.
