Written Answers Nos. 188-205
188. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will outline the role of the new START scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14825/26]
View answerThe EU Just Transition Fund has committed a total of €169m through Government and EU co-funding to support the communities most negatively affected by the move away from fossil fuels and the cessation of commercial peat extraction. To date, over €110m has been awarded to 183 projects in the wider Midlands area.
The START scheme, the latest funding opportunity under the Fund, represents an investment of €30 million into the Midlands EU Just Transition Territory focussed on local climate action. This funding underpins the continued commitment of Government to local climate action and recognises the key role of local authorities in supporting communities as we transition to a climate neutral economy.
This new scheme will further support the climate transition and overall resilience of the Just Transition Territory by supporting projects contained within Local Authority Climate Action Plans. The types of projects that may be funded under this scheme include renewable energy projects, energy efficiency works, rehabilitation of contaminated land such as former landfills, and investment in sustainable transport infrastructure in their local area.
Local authorities in the region will lead the delivery of these projects, from identifying local priorities and applying for funding, to working with community partners on implementation. They may partner with community groups, NGOs and other organisations.
The call in relation to this scheme is now open and is being administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department. The first stage is an Expressions of Interest process, running until 13th March 2026, designed to support local authorities in developing their strongest proposals for funding. Information on the scheme is available on the Pobal website.
189. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the specific measures his Department is taking to address the environmental impacts of the fashion industry, including textile waste and micro-plastic pollution; how these measures align with Ireland's climate and circular economy obligations under European Union law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14236/26]
View answerTackling textile waste is a key step that we can take towards sustainability, to help combat climate change, and to support our transition to a circular economy.
Next month, I intend to publish Ireland's first National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles which will set out for the first time a policy direction for Ireland on textiles. The three-year Roadmap will contain wide-ranging actions to tackle the environmental degradation caused by textile waste.
In addition, the proposed Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy, due for publication shortly, has a dedicated textile chapter. It contains specific actions and targets to assist in the prevention and management of textile waste.
The revised Waste Framework Directive with respect to textiles entered into force in October last year. This Directive provides for a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (EPR) for textiles. Plans to create an Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for textiles will support efficient textile collection, sorting, reuse and recycling while driving the use of sustainable fibres and sustainable business models.
The entry into force of this revised Directive marks a significant milestone that will accelerate efforts to achieve these objectives. Under this new law, Ireland will be required to have an EPR scheme for textiles in place by April 2028.
The Department has already begun work on drafting the necessary regulations to transpose this Directive which has a transposition deadline of June next year. In addition, the Department is working on an EPR Delivery Plan for stakeholder consultation this year.
I believe that the revised Waste Framework Directive, backed up with our policy approach, will be a gamechanger in helping to prevent textile waste and reduce the environmental footprint of the textile sector.
190. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated potential compliance costs to the State arising from a failure to meet legally binding EU climate targets by 2030; the measures being taken to reduce that exposure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/26]
View answerIreland’s target to reduce emissions under the revised Effort Sharing Regulations (ESR) is 42% compared to 2005 levels by 2030. This Regulation covers those sectors of the economy that fall outside the scope of the current EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) including transport, buildings, agriculture, light industry and waste.
Under the existing compliance arrangements, Member States can meet their targets through direct emissions reductions, as well as through additional compliance options provided for in the framework.
The framework does not provide for the imposition of direct fines or penalties, or the use of carbon credits or payments to international carbon offset schemes. However, it does allow for the purchasing of surplus allowances from overperforming Member States which could have significant costs. Estimating these costs requires working with significant data limitations as, at this point, there is no established market or set cost for allowances. This was noted by the CCAC and IFAC in their report.
Government's focus is on achieving the necessary emissions reductions in Ireland by continuing to invest in transformational measures that will decarbonise our economy. Work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day, and the rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030 and we are now prioritising the development of offshore wind capacity. This Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025 and I have just announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across the country who are looking to benefit from home energy upgrades under the National Residential Retrofit Plan.
In line with our Programme for Government commitment, enhanced implementation governance arrangements to support accelerated climate action delivery, have been put in place in 2025 to streamline structures, ensure key strategic projects are supported and that corrective action is taken quickly where delivery is at risk.
191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason he is separating spring salmon from summer salmon when placing restrictions on draft fishermen, instead of counting the total number of fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7009/26]
View answerSpring and summer salmon are treated separately because they have different levels of vulnerability and conservation needs. Spring salmon, also referred to as 2 Sea Winter (2SW) or Multi Sea Winter (MSW) salmon, are often larger, older fish that contribute strongly to spawning. Summer salmon, also referred to as 1 Sea Winter (1SW) salmon, tend to be smaller and return later.
The Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) provides scientific advice for 144 salmon rivers on an annual basis. Separate catch advice is given for 1SW and 2SW stock components in 16 rivers of these rivers, where a significant MSW spring salmon stock component has been identified.
The status of a given fishery provided for in the Regulations (Open, Catch & Release, or Closed), may vary for the 1SW or 2SW stock components of those 16 rivers, depending on whether a surplus is available or not for either stock component.
For rivers which have commercial salmon draft net fisheries, the total identified harvestable surplus for each river, including both the 1SW and MSW components wherever applicable, is included. The total combined harvestable surplus (Total Allowable Catch - TAC) identified for the river is divided between the commercial and angling sectors (as advised by the local Fisheries District Committee) to arrive at the final quota allocation for each sector.
A declining trend is evident in the spring salmon stock component. These salmon are of high conservation and genetic value as they carry significantly more eggs than summer salmon, due to their much larger size. Managing these stocks separately is therefore important for sustaining future salmon stocks and due regard for this subset of salmon is factored into the advice provided for, and measures reflected in, the annual Regulations.
192. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the role his Department has taken in relation to the fish kill incident in the River Blackwater. [14264/26]
View answerI wish to reiterate that I fully recognise the enormous impact this incident has had on local communities, anglers and users of this important river catchment. From the outset, my officials and I were in regular contact with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and other agencies. I established and chaired the Inter-Agency Group (IAG) to coordinate the State’s response and investigation, and I visited the site on multiple occasions.
A summary report on the investigation was published on 25 September 2025 by IFI on behalf of the IAG, outlines the extensive work undertaken, including over 40 site inspections, 900-chemical screens, pathology tests and extensive monitoring, sampling and surveys. While no definitive cause was identified, I am satisfied that every possible avenue was fully examined during the investigation.
In October 2025, I requested IFI to lead an independent incident review of the Incident. The report from this review, carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), was published earlier this month and makes practical, forward-looking recommendations aimed at preventing, detecting and improving the coordinated response to future fish kills.
Some of the recommendations are being implemented in the short term, including those aimed at strengthening how State agencies work together. An Inter-Agency Protocol Group has been established by IFI to coordinate this work, which is expected to be completed before the end of Q1 2026. While the operational elements of this protocol have yet to be developed, having a single agreed protocol for all agencies will ensure that the relevant expertise, resources and information are brought together quickly and will ensure consistency in how incidents are handled and communicated in the future.
The report also sets out a range of longer-term recommendations that will require detailed assessments and technical, operational and financial planning. These recommendations, which include strengthening of early-warning and detection monitoring systems and restoration measures to improve catchment resilience, also need to be considered alongside existing arrangements, in particular measures addressing EU obligations such as the Water Framework Directive, the Environmental Liability Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive, to ensure that actions taken will complement and enhance existing systems rather than duplicate or replace them.
All recommendations set out in the JRC report will be considered. A structured approach to implementation will be developed in due course, to guide how recommendations are prioritised, progressed and funded.
193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment with the introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) in 2026, the measures being taken to ensure that the required indigenous biomethane supply is developed in tandem to avoid placing further upward pressure on consumer energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14426/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system for all consumers. The reliance of our heating sector on fossil fuels is a significant contributor to Ireland’s high energy import dependency and carbon emissions, and introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key objective for me, as Minister, to help address these challenges.
Given the potential impact the RHO could have on end consumers, energy affordability and the impact on household energy bills were key considerations in developing the scheme.
As such, a number of scheme parameters have been designed to allow flexibility to obligated parties in meeting their obligations which will, in turn, reduce the overall burden on the end consumer.
Identified in the National Biomethane Strategy as a key mechanism to create a demand side incentive, the RHO will also support the development of an indigenous biomethane sector.
The RHO General Scheme includes a multiplier for each unit of indigenously produced biomethane surrendered under the scheme. The use of this multiplier will help levelise the cost of domestically produced biomethane with biomethane produced in the wider EU market.
In December, my Department formally notified the European Commission of the use of this multiplier to ensure no discriminatory practices, or fragmentation of the EU single market.
194. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the legal advice he has sought regarding the potential of commercial entities seeking access to the gas entry point that would come with the development of a strategic gas emergency reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14064/26]
View answerOn 4 March 2025, the Government approved the development of a strategic gas emergency reserve, in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, for use in the event of an interruption to our gas supplies. The reserve will be State-led and owned and operated by Gas Networks Ireland on behalf of the Government, acting in its capacity as a Transmission System Operator.
The delivery of a temporary strategic gas emergency reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, this reserve will allow us to meet our energy security obligations in line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021.
A key requirement for the reserve is that it does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market. The operation of the reserve will be underpinned by robust policy and legislation to give effect to the non-commercial and strategic nature of the facility. Legal advice, including with respect to EU law, is informing the development of this policy and legislation.
195. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount in 2024 and 2025 of rPET pellet produced in the State; the amount that is recycled within the State; the amount exported from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/26]
View answerAs matters stand, there are no official statistics confirming the amount of rPET, or recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate pellet produced, recycled or exported from the State.
Statistics for the recycling of plastic packaging waste are collected by the EPA on an annual basis. However, the EU list of waste codes does not isolate individual polymers, so it is not possible to establish how much of this is rPET material.
Including PET within the waste code system would improve our understanding of the movement and use of this material and Department officials have asked the European Commission to expand the List of Waste codes to provide greater granularity for plastic polymers.
Ireland has facilities which convert PET waste into rPET flake and pellet but we do not currently have a facility producing pellet of a food grade quality.
Due to strict EU food safety standards, rPET to be used in food or drink packaging must meet a higher recycling standard, i.e. be of food grade.
With the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme, Re-turn, the DRS operator collected a total of 12,057 tonnes of PET plastics in 2024, its first year of operation. This material was sold on the open market. 4,037 tonnes of material (34%) was bought by companies in Ireland. Re-turn has advised that the 2025 figures are not yet available, but will be published in their 2025 annual report which is due mid-year.
For the first time, a separate and high quality stream of PET is available for food-grade recycling. This development will help beverage producers meet the Single Use Plastics Directive requirement for beverage bottles to include 25% recycled content from 2025 (rising to 30% from 2030).
196. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress to date in terms of the utilising of hydrogen energy; the role his Department is now playing in this; the efforts being made in terms of generating energy from hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14596/26]
View answerGovernment recognises the key role that renewable hydrogen is anticipated to play in our future energy system and as a key component of our zero-carbon economy. It will be extremely challenging for Ireland to achieve our legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050 without decarbonised gases like renewable hydrogen. It is the strongest contender to displace fossil fuels in dispatchable power generation, which is essential for a reliable power system and is especially important during periods of low renewable generation. Renewable hydrogen can also enhance our security of supply as it can be produced in Ireland with our abundant wind and solar energy resources, and it provides long-term, inter-seasonal storage of renewables.
The National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce was launched in September 2025 to oversee the delivery of the actions and wider strategic ambitions set out in the National Hydrogen Strategy. The Taskforce works across Government Departments and State agencies, working with key stakeholders to remove barriers to early hydrogen project development and lay the ground to enable the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland. The National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce is making good progress on a number of key strands to deliver the actions from the National Hydrogen Strategy.
197. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes on the wait list for the warmer homes scheme in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14522/26]
View answerThe 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.
The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of upgrade works, in 2025 was 22 months.
The breakdown of average waiting times under the scheme in 2025 was as follows:
• Application to Pre-BER Published - 6.5 months
• Application to Survey Completed - 13.5 months
• Application to Contractor Allocation - 14.8 months
• Application to Works Completed - 22 months
This represents a decrease from an average waiting time of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. In parallel with this decrease in the average waiting time, the number of homes upgraded in a year has almost doubled over the same period, increasing from over 4,200 in 2022 to over 8,100 in 2025.
The reduction in waiting times and increase in number of homes upgraded 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.
Importantly, the SEAI are currently establishing a new €1.2 billion contractor panel to be in place in Q2 this year. This will support continued growth with a focus on scale, quality and output under the scheme.
I am advised that the number of homes on the wait list in County Louth for the Warmer Homes scheme as at the end of 2025 was 337. This includes homes that:
• are currently undergoing works;
• have been allocated to contractors for works;
• have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor; or
• are awaiting the initial survey of their home.
To help maximise delivery and continue to improve waiting times, Budget 2026 provided record funding of €340 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme, with a target of 11,500 fully funded home upgrades for 2026.
198. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to ensure that the proposed strategic gas reserve is not exploited for commercial uses; if he anticipates that commercial LNG will be developed as a result of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14623/26]
View answerIn March 2025, the Government approved the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulation.
The strategic gas emergency reserve will operate on a non-commercial basis and it will be owned and operated by the gas system operator Gas Networks Ireland. This strategic gas emergency reserve will be delivered in the form of a floating storage and regassification unit (FSRU). The liquefied natural gas (LNG) will be held in reserve for use in the event of a significant disruption to gas supplies to protect Ireland's economy and society from energy curtailments. The FSRU will be divested when no longer required to secure Ireland's energy systems.
My Department is progressing the delivery of this project as a matter of priority. The operation of the strategic gas emergency reserve will be underpinned by policy and legislation to give effect to this non-commercial basis.
Ireland operates within an open and transparent legal, regulatory and planning and consenting framework. The Government policy on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is set out in the Programme for Government.
Any application for commercial LNG infrastructure will be subject to the statutory planning, consenting and regulatory approvals by relevant bodies, and the provisions of the relevant legislation will apply.
199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the CRU review into price gouging and level of pass through from wholesale prices to retail prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14067/26]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within an EU regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial and liberalised. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Price setting by electricity suppliers is, therefore, a commercial matter for the companies concerned.
Retail prices are influenced by several factors, including wholesale energy prices, system operation costs and supplier hedging. The latest data from Eurostat shows that, in nominal terms, Ireland ranked fifth for electricity prices and eighth for household gas prices among European countries in the first half of 2025. When adjusting for purchasing power parity, Ireland is mid-table in terms of energy affordability with the twelfth highest electricity and gas prices among European countries.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has observed that Irish retail prices have not adjusted at a comparable pace to the decline in wholesale prices since the peak of the energy crisis, with the energy component of retail prices remaining up to three times that of wholesale prices. While the CRU has found no evidence of market failure in the retail sector in its market monitoring role, the IEA findings underline the importance of progressing the Programme for Government commitment to “commission an independent review into the speed and level of passthrough from wholesale prices to retail prices”.
As Minister, I have written to the CRU to request that they commence this independent review, building on the work of previous CRU investigations. My officials have engaged with the CRU to emphasise the importance of this matter and I understand that work on the project is ongoing.
200. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he or his Department has had any meetings with, or received any reports from, the National Waste Collection Permit Office since March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/26]
View answerThe National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO), hosted by Offaly County Council, is the designated Nominated Authority for the processing and review of all waste collection permits issued within the State.
An integral part of this role is collecting and reviewing the annual returns of each authorised waste collection company to ensure continuing compliance by operators with the conditions attached to the various waste collection permits and to monitor how the waste collection market more generally is operating. These permits include a requirement that waste collection charging systems should incentivise customers to source segregate their waste. Terms and conditions of individual waste collection contracts, including pricing plans for the provision of bins, are matters between the waste collection companies and their customers, subject to compliance with the terms of their NWCPO permit. All such permits can be viewed in full on nwcpo.ie.
The Department is in regular contact with the NWCPO including meetings, fora and steering committees to discuss topics including, but not limited to, the operation of the waste collection market in Ireland, Waste Recovery Levy collection, implementation of relevant actions in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy etc.
201. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Taoiseach when the Government will publish Ireland’s first National Security Strategy (details supplied). [14986/26]
View answer208. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach when Ireland’s National Security Strategy will be published (details supplied). [14979/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 208 together.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future sets out a number of national security commitments, acknowledging that this is a time of geopolitical upheaval, with threats and challenges arising from a rapidly changing global geopolitical landscape. Ireland’ s EU Presidency in the second half of 2026 will take place in this challenging context.
The Government is committed to the delivery of a National Security Strategy and work is ongoing in finalising drafting the strategy, co-ordinated by the National Security Secretariat in my Department and integrating inputs from a range of relevant stakeholders, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Defence; Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; An Garda Síochána; the Defence Forces and National Cyber Security Centre.
The preparation of a draft strategy covers a broad range of national security issues.
It will include the implications of recent security, defence and international developments and their related impacts, notably the deteriorating security situation in Europe given Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the growth in cyber and hybrid threats in Europe. It will combine an enhanced maritime domain awareness with a prioritised focus on ensuring protection of critical maritime infrastructure, especially critical undersea infrastructure.
There is necessarily a focus on the State’s internal security, including the evolving challenges we face from terrorism and extremism and from cyber threats, and a focus on the need to increase our investment in security and to modernise our legislation in the security field, notably in the investigatory powers available to our services.
The ongoing implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the modernisation of aspects of our defence legislation is also included in the preparations.
As maritime security is a key priority, Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy will be published shortly. It will focus on risks and threats in the national security and defence space, in particular in light of the potential vulnerability of our critical maritime infrastructure. The strategy will have an accompanying action plan to ensure delivery of this new whole-of-government approach to the security of the maritime domain, in cooperation with international partners and the private sector, and in accordance with international legal rights and obligations.
202. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline each section of enacted legislation, where the responsibility lies in the Minister to commence that section, that has not been commenced; if he will outline each section of enacted legislation which provides for the making of regulations by the Minister that have not been made by the Minister; if he will outline all sections of enacted legislation or secondary legislation which provide for the publication of guidelines by the Minister that have not been published, in tabular form. [13515/26]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach has not identified:
(i) any section of enacted legislation, where responsibility lies with the Taoiseach to commence that section, that has not been commenced; or
(ii) any enacted legislation or secondary legislation providing for the publication of guidelines by the Taoiseach that have not been published.
203. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Taoiseach the total number of buildings leased by his Department, or bodies or agencies under its aegis, during 2025; the total cumulative sum paid under these leases. [14028/26]
View answerNo buildings are leased by the Department of the Taoiseach or the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only body under the aegis of the Department.
Accommodation occupied by the Department and NESDO is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works.
204. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Taoiseach to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations. [14399/26]
View answerThe National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only state body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach - does not allocate any programme or project funding to section 39, section 56, or section 10 organisations.
205. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Taoiseach the State agencies within his Department that have made provision for the pension auto-enrolment payment as part of their allocation to funded organisations. [14417/26]
View answerThe National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) - the only state body under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach - has not provided for pension auto-enrolment payments within its allocation to funded organisations, on the basis that it does not provide funding to any other organisations or bodies.
