Written Answers Nos. 33-52
33. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which the €3.5 billion released for ESB Networks and EirGrid in capital expenditure in Budget 2026 will assist in developing grid capabilities to support high-capacity electric vehicle charging hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55592/25]
View answerThe planned €3.5 billion equity injection into ESB and EirGrid will part finance the PR6 grid investment programme. The PR6 programme includes hundreds of grid projects that will enhance Ireland's grid capacity, flexibility, and resilience.
These improvements will also allow for the grid to provide electricity supply for the growing national fleet of EVs.
34. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department is using agentic AI in the delivery of its services or operations; if it is considering the use of agentic AI, and in what contexts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55692/25]
View answerMy Department continues to take advice from the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and is following recommendations provided in June 2023.
All applications used within the Department are required to be in line with Departmental policies and procedures. My Department does not use AI to conduct its systems or operations.
As with all emerging technologies, the Department is considering the use of AI. In recent months, employees of the Department have been engaging in conferences/webinars to explore and better understand the potential for, and impact of, AI. This learning and information-gathering will feed into any framework/strategy that the Department develops on the use of AI.
As part of any future use of AI, the Department will be aligned to the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in 2025.
35. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the better energy warmer homes scheme in the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [55770/25]
View answer36. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the one stop shop scheme in the years 2023, 2024 and to date 2025, in tabular form. [55771/25]
View answer41. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average cost to install a heat pump, by post-BER rating, and by SEAI scheme in 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55777/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 36 and 41 together.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners in improving the energy efficiency of their buildings through grants for fabric upgrade, as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.
From 2019 to end September 2025, SEAI schemes provided over €1.5 billion in support to homeowners for 228,350 home energy upgrades, including 30,600 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme, and 17,100 heat pump installations. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded a further 14,300 Local Authority upgrades, including over 7,250 heat pumps between 2019 to 2024.
The specific data sought is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
The Deputy might also wish to note that the SEAI has published Full Year and Quarterly Reports on the SEAI website which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out under the SEAI schemes. The full year 2024 Report can be found at: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2024.pdf.
and the most recently published quarter 1 2025 Report at: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q1-2025.pdf.
37. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the revised estimate in each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [55772/25]
View answerThe breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under Subhead B04 - Residential/Community Retrofit Programmes (formerly Subhead C04 / B04 'Sustainable Energy Programmes') for each of the years 2020 to 2025 is set out in the document attached. For the period 2020 to 2022, this Subhead included business and public sector programmes which are now captured within Subhead B05 'Other Energy Efficiency Programmes'.
38. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of total capital and current funding allocated to the solar PV scheme under subhead b4 of the revised estimate in each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and to provide a breakdown of the allocation under this scheme dedicated to domestic and non-domestic solar PV, respectively [55774/25]
View answerThe Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS assists both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations. These grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and the previous pilot scheme it replaced in 2022, and has facilitated providing the information in response to the Question. Past allocations of capital and current funding to the SEAI in respect of the Domestic Solar PV scheme are set out in the attached table.
Due to the success of this scheme, and the resultant high grant uptake levels, the initial capital allocations in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were exceeded, requiring the provision of additional funds, with the total grant supports provided as set out in table 2 attached.
The Non-Domestic Microgeneration Scheme has not been funded from Subhead B4 but has been financed via multi annual funding streams, including via a transfer of funds from the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, as well as through the Energy Efficiency National Fund. Capital spend to date amounts to circa €15m.
39. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the average cost to install domestic solar PV under the solar PV scheme; and the average size of systems installed on homes in kWp, in the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [55775/25]
View answer40. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average cost to install domestic solar PV under the solar PV scheme; and the average size of systems installed on homes in kWp, in the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [55776/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS assists both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 for household installations. These grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and has facilitated the provision of the information in response to the Question.
A breakdown of the average cost to install solar PV to date is provided for information. It should be noted that these costs represent the value of Solar PV systems as entered by Solar PV installers during the grant application process and exclude the grant.
42. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding provided for community energy grants in 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55778/25]
View answerThe Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme. The primary objective of the scheme is to support and maximise the number of home energy upgrades delivered, including upgrades to energy-poor, private, rental and approved housing body homes. Non-domestic projects are also supported to encourage broader community engagement and mobilisation.
I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question Dáil ref No: 76 of 28 May 2025. The position remains unchanged from that set out in that response. www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025-05-28/76/#pq_76
43. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on SRESS 1; the number of projects which were successful in their applications; to report on their progress; when he anticipates they will be energised; when he anticipates SRESS 2 will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55779/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to promoting the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) to simplify market access for community, SME and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.
The first phase of SRESS was launched in July 2023, which, along with the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), provides non-domestic grants support for renewables self-consumers to invest in systems of up to 1MW in size. Renewables self-consumers are electricity customers that produce renewable electricity for their own use. They are also legally entitled to sell any excess electricity to their electricity supplier, or else store it for their own use.
The SRESS export phase (SRESS 1) is designed for community, SME and farmer export only projects above 50kW to 6MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind, aligning more closely to the capacity of those sectors. All export projects up to 1MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be community, SME and farmer owned projects.
The scheme opened for applications in January. The SRESS application form together with the terms and conditions, a non-technical summary and first steps guides for exporters and for renewable self-consumers are available on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/SRESS
Five SME and five community applications have been accepted into the scheme. My Department is also processing additional SME and community applications that have been received.
The SME projects have until 2029 to energise while the community projects have until 2030. However, it is expected that these projects will energise in advance of these dates, as they will not receive any SRESS tariff before that.
There are currently no plans for an SRESS 2 as SRESS 1 is still open with adequate available capacity still left in the scheme.
44. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the expansion of district heating; the funding that was allocated for 2026 as part of Budget 2026; under which subhead this allocation is located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55838/25]
View answerGovernment policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating to contribute to the diversification of fuel supply to decarbonise the heat sector. To date, the Government has financially supported the development of district heating networks through the Climate Action Fund (CAF). This includes support for a large-scale scheme operational in Tallaght, which was developed by South Dublin County Council. Dublin City Council, which has been allocated €50 million from the CAF subject to business case approval, is working to develop a large project that will use waste heat from the Dublin Waste-to-Energy Facility in Poolbeg to heat public sector, commercial and residential buildings in the adjacent area. Outside of these, there is a significant pipeline of potential projects for district heating in Ireland.
A District Heating Steering Group was established to support the development of district heating in Ireland. The District Heating Steering Group Report, which was approved by Government in 2023, contains a range of recommendations including with respect to providing financial support for district heating infrastructure.
The SEAI, through Pathfinder, have enabled funding support for Local Authorities conducting feasibility studies for district heating projects. The Government also approved the allocation of €5 million from the CAF to support pre-construction development costs for efficient district heating projects in Ireland. The Department, with the assistance of the SEAI District Heating Centre of Excellence, are in the process of operationalising this funding. This financial support is being introduced to ensure efficient district heating projects are in position to avail of future funding to support the pre-construction phase of projects.
A €500 million allocation for my Department, under the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund in the revised National Development Plan for 2026-2030, will accelerate the diversification and decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy system, including the development of district heating networks. Further detail on programme allocations will be announced shortly.
45. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the target of 5.7TWh indigenously produced by 2030 that has been achieved to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55839/25]
View answerBiomethane production is still at an early stage of development in Ireland with only two operational biomethane facilities injecting biomethane into the gas grid. The volume of biomethane injected into the grid in 2023 was small, equating to c. 60 GWh per annum, which is equivalent to 0.001% of Ireland’s current gas demand. Biomethane volumes injected into the gas network reduced by approximately 33% to 45 GWh in 2024.
Government is committed to supporting the development of a domestic biomethane industry of scale and the Biomethane Implementation Group, chaired by my Department, continues to oversee implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy and monitor target delivery. The Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme will drive demand for biomethane in the heating sector and stimulate domestic production of biomethane. The Heads of Bill for the RHO was approved by Government on 15 July this year. In addition, my Department is also working on putting capital grants in place from 2026 to support the development of anaerobic digestion plants in Ireland.
46. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for onshore wind that has been achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55840/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2025 has reaffirmed Ireland’s targets of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources, this includes a target of 9GW of onshore wind generation.
Ireland currently has circa 7GW of renewable generation capacity. Onshore wind is the largest contributor to this, with circa 5.1GW of wind generation capacity and 1.7GW of solar PV installed, with hydro, biomass, and other small sources contributing the remainder.
Government policy is focused on maintaining this momentum and delivering on our ambitious targets. To enable such a transformation of our energy system, a range of supporting measures will also be required. This will involve the development of a balanced portfolio of technologies, including solar, storage and flexibility services to complement other measures such as demand-side response, network development and interconnection to ensure a safe and secure electricity system with increased levels of renewables.
This will require unprecedented levels of investment in renewable electricity generation development and in the infrastructure required to expand and strengthen our electricity grid.
The Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce was established to accelerate and increase the deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation by focusing on the three key pillars of renewables development – Route to Market, Grid Development, and Planning. This cross-Government Taskforce is identifying and prioritising the required policies needed to achieve our onshore renewable electricity targets and ensuring that barriers to the implementation of these policies are removed or minimised to the greatest extent possible.
The revised National Planning Framework includes regional renewable electricity capacity allocations. The inclusion of the allocations will facilitate the accelerated roll-out and delivery of onshore wind and solar development. These allocations will be integrated into Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, which will, in turn, inform city and county development plans.
47. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for offshore wind that has been achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55841/25]
View answerGovernment remains committed to the development of 5GW of offshore wind capacity with projects in construction by 2030 and energised as soon as feasible thereafter. Ireland's 5GW target will be met through a combination of projects from Phase One and from within the South Coast DMAP.
Five offshore wind projects are presently in development off our East Coast. These projects account for approximately 3.8GW of generating capacity, more than 60% of our present peak electricity demand. Applications for planning consent for all five projects are with An Comisiúin Pleanála. Subject to planning consent, it is anticipated that projects will be in construction by 2030 and operational by the early 2030s.
Separately, an offshore wind auction process for the 900 megawatt Tonn Nua site off our South Coast opened on 22 September and final results of that auction will be announced on 9 December. This site is within the South Coast DMAP. The Tonn Nua project is expected to be operational by 2034, subject to planning consent.
My Department is making arrangements to bring the remaining three offshore wind South Coast DMAP sites to market, ensuring a consistent pipeline of offshore developments will take place over the coming years. A further pipeline of development sites within the National DMAP will follow from 2028 onwards.
48. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for solar PV that has been achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55842/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government outlines the Government's commitment to deliver 80% of Ireland's electricity demand from renewable energy sources including 8GW of solar energy.
The total capacity of solar generation connected to the grid is now over 1.7 Gigawatts (GW). This represents very significant progress given that the first utility-scale solar project in Ireland was connected to the grid in 2022.
Ireland currently has circa 7 GW of renewable generation capacity. Onshore wind is the largest contributor to this, with circa 5.1 GW of wind generation capacity and 1.7 GW of solar PV installed, with hydro, biomass, and other small sources contributing the remainder.
Government policy is focused on maintaining this momentum and delivering on our ambitious targets. Growth has been strong in the recent years and solar is already making a meaningful contribution to electricity demand, playing a central role in diversifying Ireland’s renewable mix.
The Programme for Government recognises that to enable such a transformation of our energy system will also require a range of supporting measures. This will involve the development of a balanced portfolio of technologies, including storage and flexibility services, to complement other measures such as demand-side response, network development and interconnection to ensure a safe and secure electricity system with increased levels of renewables.
This will require unprecedented levels of investment in renewable electricity generation development and in the infrastructure required to expand and strengthen our electricity grid.
The Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce (ARET) brings together key organisations to focus on identifying barriers and potential solutions to accelerating the delivery of critical grid infrastructure to ensure that there is a supportive policy framework in place that facilitates the accelerated deployment of solar and onshore wind farm developments.
49. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proportion of the 2030 target for offshore wind capacity, specifically for renewable hydrogen, which has been achieved (energised) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55843/25]
View answerThe National Hydrogen Strategy and the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy are both clear that production of renewable hydrogen will occur post-2030. As per the National Hydrogen Strategy, we will explore and develop routes to markets as required.
Both policy documents set out the actions to be undertaken over a multi-year period to ensure that appropriate frameworks and policy signals are in place to facilitate the development of this offshore wind capacity.
This work will be further developed under the new National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce.
50. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the rationale for the threshold in the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 that states the Act will not apply to suppliers of fuels used for heating purposes that generate less than 400GWh of fuels per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55886/25]
View answer51. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment who will conduct the analysis of market coverage ahead of a final decision on the 400GWh threshold in the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025; the timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55887/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
Implementing a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department. Following Government approval of the General Scheme of the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025, drafting of the primary legislation required to administer the scheme is now underway ahead of the introduction of the obligation in 2026.
As part of the RHO development process, extensive analysis was carried out as to the level of fossil fuels currently supplied for heating purposes, and the scale of obligation required to meet Ireland’s renewable heat targets. This analysis ensured final decisions taken in relation to the 400GWh threshold, including supporting effective administration of the scheme, were evidence-based and underpin its successful implementation.
Further details in relation to scheme structure are available to view on Gov.ie at: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/RENEWABLE_HEAT_OBLIGATION_BILL_2025.pdf.
52. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding ringfenced for Just Transition as part of Budget 2026; under which subheads these allocation(s) appear; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55890/25]
View answerFunding of €81.6m in being allocated to the EU Just Transition programme by my Department in 2026. Funding for the programme is contained within the overall allocation of €209,391 million for Programme A - Climate Action and Environmental Leadership in 2026.
In line with usual practice, allocations at subhead level will be finalised and published later this year in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2026.
