Written Answers Nos. 239-244
239. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of Departmental principal officers who were representing his Inland Fisheries Section or managing Inland Fisheries policy in general through June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16180/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that two Principal Officers within the Environment - Protection, Circular Economy and Governance Division of my Department had responsibilities which included functions relating to Inland Fisheries in June 2024.
One of these Principal Officers also had responsibility for elements of Environment Protection. This division of duties with relation to Inland Fisheries was due to the overall business needs of the wider Division at that time, where additional supports were needed, as well as forward planning relating to the planned retirement of an officer.
240. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the scientific reasons his advisors changed the probability threshold from 85% (catch and release) to 75% (surplus) for Lough Corrib SAC Atlantic salmon stocks under the proposed Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026; if this change aligns with the ‘precautionary principle’ that is integral to the EU Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16181/26]
View answerThe independent scientific advice, received from the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS), assesses which rivers are likely to meet their conservation limits using probability thresholds. The TEGOS Report looked at all 144 salmon rivers using a range of thresholds from 75% to 99% and sets out the status of each river at each threshold level. While the scientific advice provided by TEGOS sets out the various threshold options, it does not prescribe the threshold to be use. Similarly, the precautionary principle, which underpins the EU Habitats Directive, does not prescribe a probability threshold.
The draft Regulations published for public consultation last November used an 85% probability threshold as a starting point for consultation with stakeholders. The purpose of the consultation was to invite feedback from stakeholders on this proposal. Section 69 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 obliges me to publish the draft regulations for consultation and also allows me to modify the draft regulations following consideration of submissions received.
The change from an 85% to a 75% probability threshold was informed both by science and stakeholder responses. This change applies nationally to all 144 designated salmon rivers not is not specific to the Lough Corrib SAC.
The probability threshold remains unchanged from previous years at 75%. This has been the core scientific standard used in Ireland since 2007 and maintaining this baseline ensures continuity, consistency and comparability with previous stock assessments and policy decisions. I am satisfied that the proposed approach is science-based and consistent with EU precautionary principles and international best practice.
241. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the 2025 Programme for Government commitment to protect and recognise the Great Western Lakes including Lough Corrib SAC in County Galway as salmonid waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16182/26]
View answerThis commitment is being progressed through the development of a management plan for the Great Western Lakes.
I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 4 February 2026 in relation to the status of that management plan. There has been no change to the position set out in that reply.
242. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures the SEAI is taking to include works to old stone houses, many without foundations, under the warmer homes scheme given many are being refused any or most works due to structural issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16197/26]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) approach to old stone houses is determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating the National Standards Authority of Ireland's Code of Practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.
As such, wall insulation is not recommended on dwellings built before 1940 which are constructed in stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction.
However, under the Warmer Homes Scheme, all eligible homes are assessed and where they comprise stone, the SEAI will not insulate the stone walls, but will review, for example, a post-1940 extension present, which based on the determination of the surveyor may be deemed appropriate for insulation.
The rationale for this approach is that stone-built (traditional built) structures were designed to be vapour permeable. Therefore, the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings must be suitable for the buildings in question, including for use with vapour permeable construction where applicable.
Replacement?of?windows in protected or traditional buildings is a complex issue. Alterations to, or the?removal of, historic?windows within protected structures or buildings in architectural conservation areas will require planning permission.
To support the appropriate upgrading of traditional buildings, a technical Guidance Document -?“Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” was published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This guidance is an important resource to the SEAI as well as the retrofit and wider construction industry in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrading of older, traditionally built buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
The SEAI launched a pilot scheme for the retrofit of traditionally built homes in September 2024. The initial pilot is limited to 100 dwellings with the objective of gathering data on technical issues, materials, products, and installation costs of the types of solutions set out in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance.
The pilot scheme is currently available under the SEAI’s National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which provides an end-to-end service for homeowners. Any decisions to expand traditional home retrofits beyond the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the network of One Stop Shops will be informed by the findings of the pilot scheme which are expected in 2026
243. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to examine correspondence (details supplied) in relation to proposed amendments to the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16284/26]
View answerA public consultation on the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations was launched on 4 February 2026 and will remain open until 5 March 2026. I welcome this submission which will be considered alongside the other submissions received as part of this consultation process.
244. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to list all schemes, funding programmes, capital funds, grant streams or other expenditure headings administered by his Department in 2025 and 2026 which result in allocations, awards, or spending that can be identified with a specific geographical location including county, district, town, or project site, to group these by funding stream or programme heading; to indicate, for each scheme, whether details of allocations or awards are published online; and if so, where such information may be accessed. [16545/26]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table attached.
