Written Answers Nos. 202-211
202. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total number of households that have received SEAI solar PV grants to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31650/26]
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 provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2026 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 provided the information in response to your Question which is that since the pilot scheme started in 2018 over 112,000 homes have received solar PV grants.
203. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated number of households, including apartments and rental properties, that are currently unable to access rooftop solar PV due to ownership, structural or regulatory constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/26]
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 provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2026 for household installations. These grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Currently the SEAI Solar PV Scheme is open to:
• all homeowners, including private landlords;
• owner management companies; and
• Approved Housing Bodies.
To avail of a solar PV grant for residential apartments there are two options:
• the homeowner of each residential apartment can apply for the Solar PV Scheme for their own apartment, provided that they have their own unique domestic MPRN and the property meets the eligibility criteria of the scheme; or
• an owner management company or a licensed property management agency can create the grant application(s) for the apartment(s).
My Department does not hold the information requested regarding how many properties are unsuitable for the installation of solar panels. Issues such as shading, and orientation of the property and roof angle will all have an effect on the efficiency of solar panel operation. This can affect the return on investment for certain properties rendering them unsuitable for installation of solar PV.
204. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether plug-in or balcony solar systems are currently permitted under Irish grid connection rules; the number of such systems registered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31652/26]
View answer205. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has conducted any analysis on supporting plug-in or small-scale solar systems for apartments and renters; the estimated cost per household and potential annual savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31653/26]
View answer206. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the specific regulatory or grid connection barriers that currently limit the rollout of solar generation in apartments and rental properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31655/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 205 and 206 together.
Plug-in solar systems are very small PV energy systems, usually two or three modules and less than 1 kW in total per installation, which are connected to a micro-inverter and plugged directly into a normal household socket. This then feeds the house’s internal electricity system. These low-cost panels can be put on balconies or outdoor spaces. The use of plug-in mini solar technology has grown in some EU countries in recent years as consumers search for ways to save on high energy bills. It has seen particular growth in Germany, where 700,000 systems have been registered, although it is believed that the majority of systems in use there remain unregistered. As Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I am supportive of any technology which can reduce costs for households and consumers and increase the share of renewables in our system, provided that it can be integrated safely.
Officials from my Department engaged with stakeholders on the optional provisions in the 2024 Electricity Market Design Directive, including the provision relating to plug-in mini solar systems, through a consultation that ran from September to October 2024. Responses to the option to promote the use of plug-in mini solar technology urged caution, highlighting that a current lack of regulation of these systems could lead to safety risk such as electrical faults or fires in the event of a malfunction. As a result, it is important that the introduction of the technology is given appropriate consideration. It was also noted that without a registration process in place, the Distribution System Operator would have no visibility on where these systems would be in use and the impact they would have on the grid.
I have requested that the work to consider plug-in solar be expedited by relevant parties, including ESBN, CRU, Safe Electric. My officials are also in contact with officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in the UK, relating to the recently announced intention by the UK Government to regulate for the sale and use of plug-in mini solar systems. EU Guidance on the matter is also being considered.
207. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the legislative mechanism through which Articles 12 and 26 of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 on energy efficiency will be transposed into Irish law, including whether this will be by statutory Instrument or primary legislation; the current status of this work; the bodies responsible for delivery; the expected timelines for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31737/26]
View answer209. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the key milestones required for the transposition of Directive (EU) 2023/1791, including Articles 12 and 26, the actions completed to date, those outstanding, and the expected completion dates for each stage, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31739/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 209 together.
The Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) (EED) is a wide-ranging European directive which seeks to enhance energy efficiency across all EU Member States and forms a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 Package. The Recast EED replaces the 2012 EED, as amended in 2018, which Ireland has previously fully transposed and fully implemented.
The new EED was finalised in October 2023, with a transposition deadline of 11 October 2025, and contains many new measures aimed at further enhancing energy efficiency across society. The Government has a very ambitious programme in place to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors of society, as a key part of the drive to decarbonise and achieve our climate targets. The Government is fully committed to implementing the EED and recognises the significant benefits arising from embracing energy efficiency for Irish society, including reduced energy costs to households, businesses and the Exchequer; increased competitiveness and job creation; reduced fossils fuel use and reduced carbon emissions; a reduction in energy poverty; improved health outcomes; and increased energy security.
The Government has invested heavily in promoting energy efficiency across all sectors, including through residential energy efficiency grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), investment in transport measures that promote energy efficiency through greater use of public transport, active travel and electric vehicles, and further measures in the industrial and commercial sectors. Significant progress has been made in enhancing energy efficiency to date.
The EED contains highly complex and technical requirements which have required careful consideration prior to their adoption into Irish law. Work on the transposition of Directive EU 2023/1971 on Energy Efficiency is ongoing across a number of policy areas in my Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, Agencies and stakeholders. Both the SEAI and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will have a critical role to play in the implementation of the Recast Energy Efficiency Directive in Ireland.
As set out in detail in the attached table, in advance of the deadline for transposition of the EED my Department notified the European Commission that the transposition and implementation of Articles 4, 24 and 35 of the EED had already been completed. SI 683 of 2025, which I recently signed into law, transposes the elements of the directive related to Ireland’s energy savings obligation and the energy efficiency obligation scheme, which are set out in Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the EED. My Department notified transposition of these three articles to the EU Commission in recent weeks.
In relation to the remaining articles that require transposition, a significant volume of secondary legislation is in the final stages of preparation and is expected to be ready in the near future. My Department is working to ensure the implementation of the remaining provisions as soon as possible.
The transposition of Articles 12 and 26 of the EED will be done through secondary legislation and associated administrative measures. Article 12 of the EED provides for an obligation on Member States to require that owners and operators of certain sized data centres to make publicly available, subject to EU and national law protecting trade and business secrets and confidentiality, information on key metrics on their energy and sustainability performance. Draft secondary legislation has been prepared for this article and is at an advanced stage of development. Extensive policy and legal analysis have been completed, and my Department is currently engaging with relevant public bodies and stakeholders regarding the finalisation of the required legislative and administrative arrangements.
Article 26 concerns the supply of heating and cooling and contains requirements related to district heating systems and capturing waste heat from large industrial installations, including data centres. Work on the full implementation of this article is progressing, with draft secondary legislation also at an advanced stage of development.
The attached table sets out the current status with respect to the transposition of the Recast Energy Efficiency Directive in Ireland. My Department is working to complete the transposition of the remaining parts of the Energy Efficiency Directive as soon as possible.
|
Transposition of the Recast Energy Efficiency Directive in Ireland |
|
|
|
Article Number |
Method of Transposition |
Status |
|
4, 24, 35 |
Practical Implementation |
Transposed and notified to European Commission in October 2025. |
|
8, 9, 10 |
SI 683 of 2025 |
Signed into law in December 2025. Transposition notified to European Commission in April 2026. |
|
12 |
"Article 12" SI |
SI at advanced stage of development. Expected to be completed in the near future. |
|
1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 13-22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 36 |
"Main EED" SI |
SI at advanced stage of development. Expected to be completed in the near future. Work progressing on draft SI to transpose Articles 3, 7 and 27. Delayed due to a significant delay in the publication of the guidance required under Article 3 (6). |
|
3, 7, 27 |
"Article 3" SI |
N/A |
|
23, 31, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40 |
No transposition required |
|
208. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the nature of engagement between his Department and the European Commission regarding the transposition of Article 12 of Directive (EU) 2023/1791; whether Ireland has sought or been granted any derogations, extensions or flexibilities in respect of this Article;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31738/26]
View answerArticle 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791 (‘EED’) provides for an obligation for Member States to require that owners and operators of certain sized data centres to make publicly available, subject to Union and national law protecting trade and business secrets and confidentiality, information on key metrics on their energy and sustainability performance.
My Department has progressed drafting of the relevant legislation in respect to the transposition of Article 12 to an advanced stage. This includes the finalisation of arrangements for assignment of compliance oversight functions to the appropriate public body which my Department is seeking to complete and implement as soon as possible. This is an important and complex measure that has required careful reflection. My Department has kept the Commission updated on the status of the progress on transposition and has not sought or been granted any derogations, extensions or flexibilities.
As part of the implementation of Article 12 of the EED, it is supplemented by the directly effective Commission Delegated Regulation 2024/1364 that requires the same in-scope data centre operators to make public and report annually key performance indicators to a confidential European database on data centres which has been established by the European Commission.
My Department is the Member State coordinator overseeing reporting by data centres operating in Ireland. Data centres in Ireland are already reporting this information to this confidential EU database for all reporting cycles and officials in my Department are engaging with the sector and the Commission on this reporting to facilitate and ensure reporting obligations are progressed. The Commission is making its database publicly available in an aggregated manner in accordance with the Delegated Regulation.
210. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide a schedule of EU-funded projects undertaken by his Department from 2020 to date in 2026 in the areas of risk, emergency planning and or climate change; and/or were coordinated by his Department, or in which it participated. [31744/26]
View answerI am advised that there have been no EU-funded projects undertaken by my Department in the areas outlined by the Deputy between 2020 - 2023. However, a schedule of projects undertaken between 2024 to date in 2026 in relation to the matters raised in the Question and which my Department coordinated or participated in are attached.
211. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether full-time employees of statutory regulators such as the Commission for Regulation of Utilities are considered to be civil servants either as a matter of law or for the purposes of national wage agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32174/26]
View answerAs advised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Pubic Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER), Civil Servants are employees of departments and offices which are governed by the Civil Service Regulations Acts, while Public Servants are a broader category and can include civil servants, employees of statutory bodies, agencies, regulators, and those whose employment status is established through legislation governing the organisation.
CRU's establishing legislation, the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, provides legal effect for CRU’s existence, and also provides CRU statutory power to employ staff. According to DPER's advice, CRU employees would fall into the classification of Public Servants rather than that of Civil Servants, as they are not employees of departments and offices governed by the Civil Service Regulation Acts.
As regards applicability to CRU employees of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026, DPER advises that this applies across both the Civil Service and the wider Public Service, as set out in the Agreement and reflected in Civil Service circulars and sectoral implementation arrangements. The current Agreement also provides for Local Bargaining Process where Employers and Trade Unions and Associations may negotiate additional charges in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment up to a maximum of 1% basic pay cost.
