Written Answers Nos. 311-320
311. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the target number of homes the Government seeks to retrofit to a BER B2 or above by 2030; if the target remains 500,000 retrofitted homes to a BER B2 or higher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40104/26]
View answer312. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the target number of heat pumps that the Government seeks to install by 2030; if the target remains 400,000 heat pumps installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40105/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a 51% reduction in our overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. For the residential sector the overall strategic objective is to deliver a 2MtCO2 reduction in the built environment by 2030 in support of our binding national and EU commitments.
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) lists actions and measures to be taken in the residential sector to achieve sectoral emissions ceilings for the residential sector for the two periods (2021-2025 and 2026-2030). These measures include the retrofit of existing homes and replacing existing fossil fuel heating systems with heat pumps.
The CAP measures are informed by assumptions of the equivalent of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing premises to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
It should be noted that all upgrades, not just upgrades and deep retrofits to B2 ratings or above, reduce energy usage and contribute towards the required carbon emissions reductions. In addition, upgrades carried out outside of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) schemes, such as those funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government for Local Authority homes and upgrades, also contribute.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports on climate and emissions targets in the residential sector based on energy use. According to EPA data, emissions from the residential sector are on track to meet their Sectoral Emissions Ceiling for our first Carbon Budget (2021-2025), but it is acknowledged that we must do more to meet the second Carbon Budget (2026-2030).
The Programme for Government commits us to taking decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes, supporting energy affordability, security and sustainability. We are delivering on this and the pace of delivery is ramping up year-on-year.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 introduced a number of new and expanded measures to make energy upgrades more affordable and accessible to many more homeowners. These measures are making more homes more sustainable and energy-efficient, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering energy costs for households.
Following the introduction of the new measures, applications to the SEAI for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on Q1 2025, and overall applications are up 96%.
Since 2019, and to end Q1 2026, there has been a record level of more than €1.7 billion invested in the SEAI's schemes to support over 257,000 home energy upgrades, including over 35,000 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
The allocation of up to €3.7 billion in carbon tax revenues to 2030 via the National Development Plan will support continuing ambitious delivery under the National Residential Retrofit Plan, supporting achievement of the Climate Action Plan residential sectoral ceilings for the period 2026-2030.
314. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his views on the long-term delays being experienced by those building once-off houses in securing electricity connections; if he is aware that priority appears to be given to large scale residential developments; where significant connection delays are also reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/26]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
The management of, and matters related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the CRU.
All customers have a right to a connection from ESB Networks. However, the time required to connect is dependent on a range of factors, including available capacity on the network, physical infrastructure availability, adequate space for new infrastructure such as substations, and the time required to secure authorisations and planning to build the infrastructure, together with supply chain lead times.
Over the last four years ESBN has connected over 147,000 homes and businesses to the distribution network and connection applications are dealt with on a sequential first-come first-served basis. I am advised that while a single individual home may be connected within a number of weeks, a new multi-phase residential development could require a significant amount of new infrastructure to be built. With growing demand across all sectors and long lead times for infrastructure, ESB Networks are advising developers to provide as much notice of their requirements as possible, and to have a connection agreement with ESB Networks in place prior to starting a new development.
The CRU and ESB Networks have respective email addresses for Deputies, should they wish to raise specific matters of concern (oireachtas@cru.ie, oireachtas@esb.ie).
315. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if in the context of the Government’s determination to provide substantial additional residential units, he will explain how the ESB which is currently failing to keep pace with current demand for supplies will increase its capacity to meet future needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40195/26]
View answerThe management of, and issues related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). ESB Networks are independent of me, as Minister, in the exercise of its functions. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me, as Minister.
The energisation of new connections is a clearly defined process for developers and connection applications are dealt with on sequential, first-come-first-served basis. The time required to connect is dependent on a range of factors including available capacity on the network, physical infrastructure availability, adequate space for new infrastructure such as substations, and the time required to secure authorisations and planning to build the infrastructure, together with supply chain lead times. I am advised that a single individual home may be connected within a number of weeks, whereas a new multi-phase residential development could require a significant amount of new infrastructure to be built. With growing demand across all sectors and long lead times for infrastructure, ESB Networks are advising developers to provide as much notice of their requirements as possible, and to have a connection agreement with ESB Networks in place prior to starting a new development.
The CRU has published Price Review 6, setting out the up to €18.9 billion investment which ESB Networks and EirGrid will make in our electricity grid over the coming 5 years. PR6 represents the largest ever investment in our electricity grid and will facilitate the integration of further renewable energy and increased demand on our system. Over the last four years, ESBN has connected over 147,000 homes and businesses to the distribution network.
ESB Networks and the CRU have respective contact email address for Deputies should they wish to raise matters of concern (oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@cru.ie).
320. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 (Heat Bill), which is listed as priority legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40257/26]
View answerThe draft Heads of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/heat-networks-and-miscellaneous-provisions-bill-2024/ - were approved by Government on 30 October 2024. The legislation is intended to provide the statutory underpinning for the development of a vibrant district heating sector, including establishing a comprehensive regulatory regime that ensures consumer protection.
Based on on-going stakeholder engagement, a number of revisions are being developed to the original Heads of Bill approved by Government. It is intended to seek Government approval for these revisions shortly. In parallel, aspects of the Heads of Bill not affected by these revisions continue to be drafted with the support of the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
