Written Answers Nos. 333-361
333. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the role and function of the Civil Service Management Board; the composition of the board; and the number of meetings of the Civil Service Management Boards in 2024 and 2025. [28287/26]
View answerThe Civil Service Management Board (CSMB) was established under the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2014 to bring together all Heads of Departments and major Offices into a cohesive whole-of-Government executive management team. The CSMB provides collective leadership to Civil Service Renewal and offers a forum for discussing shared issues and strengthening the performance of the Civil Service as a collective.
Under the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2014, the CSMB oversaw significant and lasting reform of the Civil Service. Key achievements across the four areas of the 2014 Plan include.
A unified Civil Service- establishment of a common governance standard for the Civil Service, the establishment of shared services across HR, payroll and pensions, the rollout of a shared Government of Ireland identity and gov.ie as a shared online platform for all departments
A professional Civil Service- development of a Civil Service wide People Strategy, executive leadership programmes for senior civil servants, rollout of a new performance management system and the establishment of OneLearning to deliver civil service-wide training
A responsive Civil Service– introduction of a new civil service mobility scheme, a standardised civil service project management approach, and initiatives under the Public Service ICT Strategy including the launch of MyGovID.ie and the introduction of several common IT applications across several government departments
An open and accountable Civil Service – implementation of a new system of organisational capability reviews, development of the whodoeswhat.gov.ie website, and a series of civil service wide employee engagement surveys.
The CSMB continues its oversight of renewal via Civil Service Renewal 2030, a ten-year strategy which builds on the achievements detailed above. It has three core themes: 1) Delivering evidence-informed policy and services; 2) Harnessing digital technology and embedding innovation; and 3) Building the Civil Service workforce, workplace, and organisation of the future.
The Civil Service Management Board is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, and its membership consists of all Secretaries General of Departments and heads of major Offices.
The Board met a total of 10 times over the course of 2024 and 2025.
The role of the Civil Service Management Board is currently being reviewed to ensure that it remains aligned with the strategic priorities for the Civil Service.
334. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of males and females that applied for the post of executive assistant to the Irish Ambassador based in Singapore. [28006/26]
View answerIn relation to the recruitment process that is currently underway for the position of Executive Assistant to the Ambassador in the Embassy of Ireland, Singapore, I have asked my officials to write to you to provide you with the information requested once the recruitment process has concluded.
335. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of engagement between her Department and Government of Bahrain in 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [28007/26]
View answerIreland has enjoyed strong and positive bilateral relations with Bahrain for over 50 years.
Ireland and the EU have stood in solidarity and support with Bahrain and with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners during the current crisis, as they faced unacceptable and unprovoked Iranian attacks.
Amidst the ongoing regional conflict, I spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister by phone, to express our solidarity with Bahrain in the face of Iran’s unacceptable attacks.
I also participated in an extraordinary meeting of EU and GCC Foreign Ministers on 5 March 2026, and joined EU and GCC Foreign Ministers in underscoring the strength of the EU-GCC partnership and the EU’s solidarity with the GCC during the current crisis.
At a bilateral level, my officials in our Embassy in Riyadh, which is accredited to Bahrain, regularly engage with their Bahraini counterparts. This has included a multi-day visit to Bahrain in October 2025, and a meeting, alongside EU Member States, with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister in December 2025. My officials in Dublin also continue to engage with Bahrain’s Embassy to Ireland.
As an EU Member State, Ireland is active in its support for strengthening the EU’s ties with the GCC countries, including Bahrain, in a wide range of policy areas. EU-GCC engagements at political level include the EU-GCC Summit and the EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial meeting. At official level, there is also a variety of EU-GCC fora.
EU-Bahrain cooperation, engagement, and understanding is also strengthened through the EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue, which most recently took place in February 2026. Ireland also attended the Third EU-Bahrain Conference on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) in October 2025 in Brussels.
Ireland continues to engage with the European Commission and other EU Member States on the possibility of Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs) with GCC countries, including Bahrain. The agreement of SPAs would facilitate stronger ties with GCC countries.
Ireland's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has also engaged with Bahrain in the lead up to its tenure as an elected UNSC Member.
I will continue to develop our relations with Bahrain at a bilateral and EU level.
336. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to visit South Korea before the end of Quarter 3 this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28052/26]
View answerThere is an ongoing strong level of bilateral engagement between Ireland and the Republic of Korea. Most recently, in March, my colleague, Department of Transport Minister of State Seán Canney, travelled to the Republic of Korea to mark St. Patrick’s Day, engaging in a wide range of meetings with political counterparts, and stakeholders from the trade and investment, technology sectors, as well as the Irish community .
In 2025, three Irish Ministers visited the Republic of Korea including; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley, and then Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Their face-to face-engagements with Korean counterparts are a clear illustration of Ireland’s commitment to strengthening the ties between Ireland and the Republic of Korea.
Alongside political-level visits and engagements, contact at the working level continues at pace with officials in my Department engaging frequently with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Ireland, on a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Similarly, Ireland's Ambassador and Embassy team in Seoul interact on a regular basis with their counterparts in Seoul and more widely in the Republic of Korea.
Ireland and the Republic of Korea have a shared commitment to the international rules-based system, and to maintaining the flow of global trade. The Republic of Korea an important partner for Ireland in the Asia Pacific. In 2024, Ireland’s trade in goods with the Republic of Korea was valued at €2.7 billion, with trade in services amounting to an additional €4.9 billion.
In recent years, our relations with the Republic of Korea have been further enhanced within the framework of my Department’s Asia Pacific Strategy and my Department remains committed to strengthening the relationship between Ireland and the Republic of Korea across the wide range of our engagement.
As regards my travel schedule for 2026, with Ireland hosting the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026 and the considerable travel commitments it requires, I do no expect to visit South Korean before the end of Q3 2026.
337. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list all infringement proceedings currently instituted by the European Commission against Ireland, and the way in which the number of such proceedings has changed in recent years. [28541/26]
View answerAs of 16 April 2026, there were 48 open infringement proceedings against Ireland. Full details of all 48 cases, including the responsible Department, subject area, and procedural stage are published on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
This places Ireland among the better-performing Member States: the most recent data range across the EU runs from 28 cases at the lower end to over 100 at the upper end, against an EU average of approximately 62.
Ireland’s infringement caseload has been on a broadly downward trajectory over recent years, from a high of 67 cases in December 2022. This is a result of a consistent and sustained compliance effort.
When a Member State fails to fulfil its Treaty obligations—whether through non-transposition, incomplete transposition, or incorrect application of EU law—the European Commission may initiate an infringement procedure under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The procedure progresses from a Letter of Formal Notice, to a Reasoned Opinion, and if unresolved, referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union. At the most serious end, the Court may impose financial sanctions under Article 260 of the TFEU.
338. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for her view or position on the appointment of the Government of Iran to a United Nations committee on women’s rights and child welfare; and for her view on what this appointment says for the credibility of such UN structures. [28544/26]
View answerElections to subsidiary bodies of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations were held on 8 April. These included the election of 19 new members to the Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC).
The CPC is responsible for reviewing the programmes of ECOSOC and assisting in the performance of its coordination functions within the United Nations system. The CPC has responsibility for reviewing UN programme plans, recommending priorities, and making recommendations. The CPC does not have the mandate to alter any normative mandates, policies or programmes. When the CPC makes recommendations, these are then referred to the 5th Committee of the UN General Assembly, where each Member State is represented, including Ireland, for further consideration and deliberation.
The CPC has a total of 34 Members who are elected to three-year-terms according to geographical distribution: 9 from African States, 7 from the Asia-Pacific States, 4 from Eastern European States, 7 from Latin American and Caribbean States and 7 from Western European and other States groups.
On 8 April, there were 19 candidates in total for the 19 vacancies on the CPC. A vote was not held and the ECOSOC agreed by consensus to nominate all candidates to the CPC. There were 4 vacancies for the Asia-Pacific group and these were filled by the 4 candidates from that group: Iran, India, Pakistan and Japan.
Ireland is not currently a member of the ECOSOC and therefore we did not participate in these elections.
Ireland has consistently condemned Iran’s violations of human rights, including the repression of protests, denial of women’s rights and continued high number of executions, and has supported EU sanctions linked to human rights violations. We will continue to condemn Iran's egregious and deplorable violations of human rights, and we will continue to raise the issue of Iran’s violations of human rights directly with Iranian officials, at the EU, the United Nations, and more broadly at international level.
339. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports issued to persons residing at addresses in Offaly here in each year from 2015 to date; and the breakdown indicating the numbers of adults and minors in each year. [28611/26]
View answerThe Passport Service is successfully meeting demand for passports this year and has issued over 300,000 passports to date.
The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Over 96% of all passport applications are now made through Passport Online, which is available to 100% of all applicants globally.
With regard to the Deputy's query about the number of passports issued to citizens resident in County Offaly, during each of the past ten years and to date in 2026, and the breakdown of adults and minors in the same county for those years, please see below in tabular form.
|
YEAR |
ADULT |
CHILD |
TOTAL |
|
2015 |
4,337 |
2,891 |
7,228 |
|
2016 |
4,154 |
2,774 |
6,928 |
|
2017 |
4,546 |
2,826 |
7,372 |
|
2018 |
4,609 |
2,558 |
7,167 |
|
2019 |
5,036 |
2,819 |
7,855 |
|
2020 |
2,413 |
988 |
3,401 |
|
2021 |
4,501 |
1,255 |
5,756 |
|
2022 |
8,260 |
4,986 |
13,246 |
|
2023 |
6,817 |
4,242 |
11,059 |
|
2024 |
6,778 |
4,243 |
11,021 |
|
2025 |
6,376 |
2,433 |
8,809 |
|
01/01/26 - 16/04/26 |
1,668 |
493 |
2,161 |
I would ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online. In particular, those who are travelling this year, especially families with young children who require their first passport, should apply online and in plenty of time. The Passport Service advises citizens to ensure their passports are valid before booking holidays and travel.
340. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28658/26]
View answerMy Department has made significant progress in delivering on our commitments under the Programme for Government. Updates on relevant commitments are set out in tabular form below. The Department has worked to promote and defend Irish interests and values and to deliver on behalf of Irish citizens at home and abroad - and will continue to do so.
In addition to these commitments on which the Department leads, co-leads or plays a significant role, DFAT also contributes to the delivery of a number of other Programme for Government commitments that are led by other Government departments.
I would also refer the Deputy to the Department's Action Plan for 2026, as well as the Department's Annual Report for 2025, which will be published in due course.
341. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of officials seconded to her Department from other departments, by grade to augment her Department's role for 2026 during Ireland's the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. [28741/26]
View answerAs of 16 April 2026, two officers have been seconded from other departments to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade headquarters to assist on the planning, preparation and execution of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
|
Grade of officer seconded |
Number of positions |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Senior Architect |
1 |
As of 16 April 2026, 57 officers have been seconded from other Government departments and agencies to roles related to Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
|
Grade/Rank of officer seconded |
Number of positions |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
6 |
|
Administrative Officer |
14 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
22 |
|
Principal Officer |
7 |
|
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant (BQMS) |
1 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
1 |
|
Garda |
1 |
|
Sergeant (AGS) |
1 |
|
Inspector (AGS) |
1 |
342. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of pieces of legislation, functions of agencies or public bodies that are now exempt from section 15 of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. [28011/26]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to delivering on Ireland’s climate ambition across all sectors, and to progressing climate action in a planned and coherent way which ensures that affordability, competitiveness and energy security are central to our future climate planning. This is provided for in legislation through the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended) (the "Climate Act").
Section 15 of the Climate Act requires that relevant bodies shall, in so far as practicable, perform their functions in a manner consistent with a range of specified plans, strategies and objectives.
Currently, no enacted legislation, specific agency or public body functions have been exempted from obligations arising from Section 15 of Climate Act, albeit such provisions have been proposed in a number of recent bills.
It should be noted that the Development (Emergency Electricity Generation) Act 2022 and the Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Act 2023 do not provide an explicit exemption from Section 15 of the Climate Act. Rather, both Acts provide for the application of Section 15 in the specific context of designated emergency electricity generation projects, having regard to the urgent and exceptional need to protect security of electricity supply.
The recent Supreme Court judgment on the Coolglass Wind Farm Ltd case provides useful clarification on the operation of Section 15 and, in particular, how it interacts with the statutory planning framework. It clarifies that the legislative framework that underpins our climate ambition is effective and it also provides confidence that the planning policy framework is one that is reflective of this ambition.
343. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on when Ireland’s Social Climate Plan will be submitted to the European Commission; if the Plan will be operational by 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28135/26]
View answerMy Department is continuing to prepare Ireland's Social Climate Plan ("the Plan") in close consultation with the European Commission and relevant Departmental stakeholders.
In line with the requirements of the regulation, a public event on the draft Plan, co-hosted by my Department and the European Commission, will be held later this year. At this event, information will be shared on the contents of the draft Plan as well as detail on how the consultation process completed last year fed into the design of the draft. Following the event, a final draft Plan will be submitted to Government for approval. It will then be submitted to the European Commission for final approval.
To facilitate this level of engagement, the Plan will be submitted to the Commission, for approval, in the second half of this year. The Plan will begin operation in 2027 after the Plan has been submitted and approved by the European Commission. According to written guidance issued by the European Commission, a delayed submission will not lessen Ireland’s ability to drawdown its full allocation from the Social Climate Fund over the lifetime of the Plan.
344. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated reduction in funding available to the Climate Action Fund due to the recent reduction in the NORA levy, if plans have been made to bridge this shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/26]
View answerThe Climate Action Fund was established in legislation by the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Act 2020. This legislation provides that the Climate Action Fund may be funded, at my direction, by the income to the Agency from the NORA levy in a given financial year, after the Agency’s expenses have been met. As a result of the timeline this imposes, the amount available to the Climate Action Fund from NORA is only finally determined close to the end of the year, after levy incomes have been collected by the Agency.
As part of recent measures taken by Government to address the affordability of fuel in response to recent events, the NORA levy has been temporarily reduced for a four-month period. In previous years, the NORA Levy averaged over €120 million a year. Therefore, this reduction in the NORA levy is estimated to result in a reduction of levy income to NORA of c.€40m. While this reduction in levy income is likely to cause an equivalent reduction the funds available for transfer to the Climate Action Fund, the exact impact on the income to the fund will only be known conclusively at the end of the year when the Agency can provide details on the amounts collected through the levy at that time.
The Climate Action Fund currently has sufficient funding to meet its outstanding commitments. Consequently, there has been no shortfall in funding to approved projects as a result of the reduction in the NORA levy. As has always been the case, the allocation of funding from the Climate Action Fund to potential future projects will be considered with regard to the Fund's estimated future income.
345. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether data centres, which account for an estimated 25% of national electricity demand, are designated to receive fuel from the State’s strategic reserves in the event of a national fuel crisis or emergency; the criteria used to determine such prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28210/26]
View answerThe National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) has operational responsibility for the day-to-day management of the State’s Strategic Oil Reserve. NORA stores petrol, diesel and kerosene, and does not maintain physical stocks of biofuels, fuel oil or crude oil. NORA’s oil is stored in various port locations throughout the island of Ireland, with the balance held in a small number of EU Member States. The locations at which NORA’s oil is stored are monitored under tight security in accordance with normal industry standards.
It is important to note that Data Centres are primarily powered by electricity. In the event of an electricity outage, I am advised that data centres have a range of backup supplies, including batteries and thermal generators powered by diesel or HVO.
346. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of fuel that is currently held in the State’s strategic reserves; the equivalent duration in months of national demand that this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28211/26]
View answerThe National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) has operational responsibility for the day-to-day management of the State’s Strategic Oil Reserve . NORA stores petrol, diesel and kerosene, and does not maintain physical stocks of biofuels, fuel oil or crude oil. NORA’s oil is stored in various port locations throughout the island of Ireland, with the balance held in a small number of EU Member States. The locations at which NORA’s oil is stored are monitored under tight security in accordance with normal industry standards.
As the Deputy may be aware, member countries of the IEA have agreed to initiate an action to release Strategic Oil Reserves to address the supply issues that are emerging on foot of the conflict in the Middle East. Ireland's contribution to an IEA 400-million-barrel release is approximately 1.6 million barrels. That level of contribution equates to approximately 10.5 days of supply - that process has been commenced by NORA.
As at close of business on 21 April 2026, NORA is holding 85.2 days of stock.
347. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment with regard to building regulations generally, the plans the Government has to promote the use of a higher proportion of construction materials, such as windows and doors, manufactured from recycled content; whether, beyond the existing mandatory 15% requirement, there are plans to introduce incentives or rewards for the use of products containing higher levels of recycled materials in public contracts; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28435/26]
View answerConstruction and demolition waste is the largest waste stream in Ireland in terms of volume and weight. I am advised that the sector generated an estimated 9 million tonnes of waste in 2023, up from 8.3 million tonnes in 2022, which is half of all the waste generated in Ireland.
A more circular built environment shifts the value chain from a linear model to a closed-loop system in which resources and materials are continually reused and repurposed. The goal is to adopt efficient design and prioritise better use of existing building stock, minimise waste, optimise resources and lower costs through material recovery, and reducing reliance on virgin materials.
To help accomplish this, I recently published Ireland’s second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy which aims to foster innovation, competitiveness and job creation by positioning Ireland as a European leader in circular business models and green technologies.
As committed to in the Strategy, the Department will be publishing a Circularity Roadmap for the Construction Sector which will provide a basis for circular construction considering all life phases of a project from planning to disposal. The roadmap will promote long service life, modular construction, reuse, recycling and using sustainable materials and recycled materials. Engagement with the construction sector has been, and will be, central to agreeing the roadmap’s actions and targets.
The focus will be to promote a long service life, flexibility of use, modular construction, separability, reuse of components, ability to recycle the construction materials used and the use of the highest possible share of sustainable construction materials and recycled materials.
348. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department are considering introducing a disposable cup levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28501/26]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the reply to Question numbered 245 of 24 February 2026 which states:
Legislative powers are in place, through the Circular Economy Act 2022, to implement environmental levies on a range of singe-use products including single-use cups, single-use containers and other forms of single-use packaging.
In 2022, the Department commissioned a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on the introduction of a levy on single-use cups and a public consultation on draft regulations was undertaken. It was envisaged at the time that a levy might be introduced in a similar way to the plastic bag levy (i.e. at the point of sale in a retail premises).
Following further engagement with the Revenue Commissioners, a different collection model, collecting the levy when cups are first placed on the market by producers or importers, was discussed. Such a revision would require an amendment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Department is working with the Revenue Commissioners on designing the provisions required to make this amendment.
Furthermore, in 2025, the Department commissioned an update to the RIA to explore the potential impacts of the revised collection model and any other policy measure to reduce single-use cup consumption effectively. That work is close to finalisation and will inform next policy steps.
Any future regulations will first be subject to a public consultation, and will include an SME test.
The position remains unchanged.
349. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the development of the offshore wind energy marine planning guidelines being prepared under section 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (as amended); the expected timeline for publication the extent of stakeholder engagement undertaken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28553/26]
View answerWork has commenced in the Department on Marine Planning Guidelines for Offshore Renewable Energy. It is intended that these guidelines will provide clarity and advice on the assessment process for planning applications for offshore renewable energy. However, putting a spatial planning policy in place is the first step in providing a comprehensive planning framework for offshore renewable energy.
Accordingly, in 2025, I published a Proposal for a National Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) which is due to be completed in 2027. This DMAP will provide a spatial planning policy framework for ORE, including spatial designations. It is my intention that public consultation on the Marine Planning Guidelines for Offshore Renewable Energy will take place following publication of the National DMAP for ORE.
350. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28652/26]
View answerThe attached table sets out the progress made on key Programme for Government (PfG) commitments under the remit of my Department, since the last update I provided as part of Question Number 35 of 2 December 2025.
The key PfG commitments are grouped, as appropriate, to the relevant goals from the Department’s Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 28, which was published in September 2025. These strategic goals are strongly aligned to the key commitments in the Programme for Government 2025.
Significant progress has been made against key Programme for Government commitments under the remit of my Department in 2025, and the Department will continue its critical work to ensure the future successful delivery of commitments. The progress made by my Department in delivering on the Statement of Strategy, including the implementation of key Programme for Government commitments, is also captured in the Department's Annual Reports which are available on www.gov.ie.?
351. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline all grants available to retrofit homes to become more energy efficient. [28715/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to taking decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes, supporting energy affordability, security and sustainability. It commits to making our homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for households.
By promoting retrofitting, renewable heating, and solar energy, homes will become warmer, cheaper to heat, and less reliant on fossil fuels.
In the period 2019 to date, the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAI) schemes have provided almost €1.7 billion in support to homeowners providing over 257,500 home energy improvements, including 32,752 fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme, and almost 20,000 heat pump installations.
The allocation for 2026, a record capital budget of over €640 million for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes including the Solar PV Scheme, will support over 73,203 home energy upgrades.
The SEAI grants available for home energy upgrades are as follows:
• Better Energy Homes and Solar PV - Individual Energy Upgrade Grants: Homeowners or private landlords apply for the grants, select energy upgrade measures, manage the project, and pay for the full costs of works and claim the grant afterwards. The measures supported include attic and wall insulation, heating system upgrades and renewable energy technologies.
• National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (One Stop Shop): A fully project managed service that provides grant support to private homeowners and Approved Housing Bodies that want to upgrade their homes to a BER B2 or better. The service is delivered by registered One Stop Shops that assess the home, provide advice to the homeowner on suitable options, apply for the grant, carry out the works and then claim the grant from the SEAI. The value of the grant is discounted upfront from the cost to the homeowner.
• Warmer Homes Scheme: A fully funded and managed solution for qualifying homeowners in receipt of certain social welfare benefits to upgrade their home with measures identified from a home energy survey. SEAI manage the whole process from home survey, through contractor works, and a follow-up BER.
• Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme: Fully-funded scheme providing for the installation of solar PV panels for medically vulnerable customers. This is a supplier-led targeted scheme for the installation of solar PV panels for customers/households registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register.
• The Communities Energy?Grant?Scheme:? This scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.
In addition, the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was launched in April 2024. This is a key initiative to help reduce the financial challenges for many homeowners looking to invest in energy efficiency, making their homes warmer, cheaper to run and helping to lower emissions. This €500 million scheme is the first of its kind for both Ireland and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group. Under the scheme, homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years with interest rates significantly lower than those currently available on the market.
Further information on all SEAI grant schemes can be found on the SEAI website at: [Energy Efficient Homes - Home Energy Upgrades And Grants | SEAI]
Following Government approval in January, I published the new National Residential Retrofit Plan with an enhanced set of measures to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades and help put homeowners on the pathway to decarbonising their homes. In the first quarter of the year, since the introduction of these new measures, the SEAI data shows a very positive upward trend with clear evidence of growth in both demand and output.
These new measures are making energy upgrades more affordable, and accessible to many more homeowners, with new and revised individual upgrades to support homeowners with their upgrade journey.
352. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current average wait time for people who apply for retrofitting grants to get approval. [28716/26]
View answerMy Department funds a number of schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Individual energy upgrade grants are available under:
the Better Energy Homes Scheme;
the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which provides an end-to-end service through One Stop Shops;
the Community Energy Grant scheme that supports energy efficiency upgrades undertaken as part of a community project; and
the Warmer Homes Scheme which provides fully-funded upgrades for homeowners in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports.
The information sought regarding the average wait time for retrofitting grants to get approval is an operational matter for the SEAI. 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
353. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the number of heavy vehicle recovery trucks purchased for the Defence Forces in each of the years of 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026; the number of those heavy vehicle recovery trucks withdrawn from the fleet in the same period, in tabular form. [28020/26]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Air Corps, Army, and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Army's fleet of recovery vehicles is a key asset and assists in the recovery of Defence Forces armoured and non-armoured vehicles both at home and overseas.
The military authorities have advised that there was one (1) heavy vehicle recovery truck purchased in 2024, three (3) in 2025 and no vehicles (0) purchased to date in 2026. No vehicles of this type were withdrawn from service in that same period. I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary modern and effective range of equipment available to them, which is in line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.
354. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Defence whether Galway is under active consideration as a site for the proposed west coast Naval Service base referenced in the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026–2030; the criteria being applied in evaluating potential locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28024/26]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I recently published Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy, the first of its kind in the country. It focuses on risks and threats to Ireland’s national security and defence through a new whole-of-government approach. My vision for this first strategy is that it will support the protection of a secure and sovereign Ireland, where our people and interests are protected, and where our European and international partners can rely on us to uphold the rule of law in the maritime domain.
The strategy has an accompanying action plan to ensure delivery of this new whole-of-government approach to protecting the security of our maritime domain. As part of this action plan, options will be explored to expand the State’s existing naval infrastructure, including exploring the potential for a forward operating base on the West Coast.
While the action plan sets out a timeline of 2030 for a decision regarding the West Coast forward operating base concept, work will commence on this shortly.
355. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Defence the number of females at each rank of second lieutenant and above within Air Corps, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28059/26]
View answer356. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Defence the number of females at each rank of sub lieutenant and above within Naval Service, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28060/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.
The recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces is a key priority for me and I am advised by the military authorities that as at 31 March 2026, the latest date for which such figures are available, the whole-time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 593 or 7.6% of a total strength of 7,778 personnel.
The table below provided by the military authorities shows the number of female officers in the Air Corps and the Naval Service as of the 31st March 2026, the latest date such figures are available for.
|
Rank |
Air Corp |
Naval Service |
|
Rank |
Air Corp |
Naval Service |
|
Lt Colonel or equivalent |
2 |
2 |
|
Commandant or equivalent |
4 |
14 |
|
Captain or equivalent |
2 |
7 |
|
Lieutenant or equivalent |
5 |
1 |
|
Total |
13 |
24 |
A total of 2,198 applications were received from female candidates across all recruitment competitions for the Permanent Defence Force in 2025, which represented an increase of 468 or 27% on the total of 1,730 received in 2024. There has been 1,017 applications from female candidates up to the 31st March 2026.
Significantly, last year also saw a total of 70 females inducted to the Permanent Defence Force, an increase on the total of 40 recorded for 2024. As of the 31st March 2026, the number of inductions of females into the Permanent Defence Force stands at 18.
A range of initiatives aimed at increasing the level of female participation in the Permanent Defence Force are currently in train. These include:
• The launch of a significant female-focused recruitment campaign in February of this year, which includes a comprehensive advertising campaign coordinated across all media modes including television and radio adverts. This campaign is designed to raise the public’s awareness of the female opportunities available in the DF and remains ongoing.
• The appointment of a senior Gender Advisor, GENAD, at Colonel level.
• The Defence Forces' Joint Recruitment Office is actively supporting female candidates in the recruitment pipeline
• Male and female representation is present at all recruitment events and a gender perspective is incorporated in all advertising.
• Fitness test requirements, including the number of push-ups and sit-ups that must be achieved to pass, have been tailored for female candidates. A fitness test preparation video is available on the military website to demonstrate the modified push up for females.
• Gender, Diversity and Unconscious Bias training has taken place across all Formations and Services.
The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
357. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 24 February 2026, the total expenditure incurred by the Defence Forces on all outsourced services listed in her reply in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the projected expenditure for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28407/26]
View answerThe Defence Forces have been requested by my Department to provide the information sought in relation to outsourced services within the Defence Forces.
As this request necessitates the collation, examination and evaluation of a substantial volume of material within a limited timeframe, it has not been possible to respond within the timelines specified.
I will provide a full response to the Deputy as soon as the required information has been received and evaluated.
|
Service |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Air Corps |
€12,961,693 |
€13,283,620 |
€13,132,796 |
|
Army |
€8,414,267 |
€10,892,251 |
€14,148,645 |
|
Naval Service |
€5,487,295 |
€8,211,947 |
€7,758,847 |
|
Total |
€26,863,255 |
€32,387,818 |
€35,040,288 |
358. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 24 February 2026, to provide a detailed cost breakdown, by service that is, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps of all long-term and short-term outsourced functions identified in her reply for the years 2023 to 2025 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28408/26]
View answerThe Defence Forces have been requested by my Department to provide the information sought in relation to outsourced services within the Defence Forces.
As this request necessitates the examination and evaluation of a substantial volume of material dating back a number of years across Army, Naval Service & Air Corps, the information is not available within the timelines specified.
I will provide a full response to the Deputy as soon as all the required information has been received and evaluated.
|
Service |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Air Corps |
€12,961,693 |
€13,283,620 |
€13,132,796 |
|
Army |
€8,414,267 |
€10,892,251 |
€14,148,645 |
|
Naval Service |
€5,487,295 |
€8,211,947 |
€7,758,847 |
|
Total |
€26,863,255 |
€32,387,818 |
€35,040,288 |
359. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 24 February 2026, the annual cost of the optimised maintenance contract for ships' main engines and propulsion systems in the Naval Service for each of the past three years and the projected cost for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28409/26]
View answerThe detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. At the request of my Department the military authorities are conducting the search, retrieval and collation of same. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
- |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 (Projected) |
|
Annual Cost |
€140,000 (Set-Up) |
€877,788 |
€877,788 |
€877,778 |
360. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 24 February 2026, the total cost to date and the projected full-year cost of the contractual agreement with a company (details supplied) to provide flight information service officer services at the Air Corps aerodrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28410/26]
View answerCasement Military Aerodrome, Baldonnel Co. Dublin (“Aerodrome”) is the only military aerodrome in Ireland. Following an operational decision taken by military management, the operation hoursal at the Aerodrome were reduced initially to Monday to Friday (8am to 8pm) from June 3rd 2025. From 26 July 2025, Air Traffic Control (ATC) was operational on a 7 day a week basis 12 hours per day (8am to 8pm).
On 09 September 2025, the Department of Defence entered into a contractual agreement with an external service provider (ASG Ltd) to provide Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) services at the Aerodrome. The contract put in place, with the agreement of the military authorities, has assisted the Air Corps in restoring operational flight activities on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis from December 2025.
The Contract Sum for the provision of Flight Information Services at Casement Military Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin with ASG is €1,246,500 (excluding VAT) for an initial 12 month period.
|
|
Charge |
VAT |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Payments to Date (Apr 20 2026) |
€804,324 |
€184,994.52 |
€989,318.52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anticipated payments remaining for initial 12 month period. |
€442,176 |
€101,700.48 |
€543,876.48 |
|
Total |
€1,246,500 |
€286,695 |
€1,533,195 |
361. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 24 February 2026, the total expenditure on agency medical personnel that is, nurses, lab technicians and other specialist roles across the Defence Forces in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 and the budgeted figure for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28411/26]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the military authorities. It has not been possible to collate the data within the time frame available. I will revert to the Deputy when the information has been provided.
|
Year |
Total (incl. VAT) |
|
2025 |
€1,791,197 |
|
2024 |
€1,523,623 |
|
2023 |
€1,501,637 |
