Written Answers Nos. 2-22
2. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she will take to sanction a Russian-owned facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44234/26]
View answer3. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of a Russian-owned facility (details supplied) has been raised with her; the steps that will be taken to ensure that Ireland and industries in Ireland are in full compliance with EU-imposed sanctions against Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44235/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I am aware of recent media reports on this entity. The Government is concerned by reports that anything exported from Ireland could end up supporting Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is undertaking an investigation.
Ireland implements EU and UN sanctions. Sanctions are a matter decided on collectively at EU level. In reaching decisions, the Commission and Member States take all factors into account. That includes the impact of any decisions on the intended target and elsewhere, including on European supply chains. We will discuss the results and any other relevant information with our EU colleagues and we will reach any decisions required together.
Ireland is in regular contact with Ukrainian counterparts to discuss bilateral co-operation, Irish support for Ukraine’s EU accession, economic ties and sanctions. This includes questions around how to ensure effective sanctions implementation. The question of exports from this entity has been raised by the Ukrainian side.
Ireland stands in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine and has contributed extensive political, humanitarian, non-lethal military, and economic support to Ukraine since February 2022.
4. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the humanitarian assistance Ireland is currently providing to Cuba; whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of the worsening humanitarian situation in the country, including reported shortages of food, fuel, medicines and medical supplies and their impact on vulnerable groups, including children; the additional humanitarian, development or diplomatic supports Ireland is considering providing, either directly or through the European Union, United Nations agencies or other international partners; whether Ireland has raised concerns regarding the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing economic restrictions affecting Cuba at European Union and United Nations level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44254/26]
View answerIreland is monitoring the humanitarian situation in Cuba and echoes the UN Secretary General’s deep concern at the growing humanitarian crisis in country. Ireland, along with our EU partners, is of the view that placing restrictions on basic goods, and particularly fuel, has heightened the suffering of ordinary Cubans.
Ireland provides ongoing humanitarian assistance to Cuba through funding to global prepositioned humanitarian funds, which work with local partners to deliver assistance. These include the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF), and the START Network.
In the past year, the CERF has allocated €6.4 million to UN agencies in Cuba, including support to PAHO/WHO to protect and restore access to health services. The IFRC DREF allocated €1 million to the Cuban Red Cross, and the START Network allocated £270,000 to Care International for their work in Cuba. Ireland has also committed €100,000 through the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to support Cuba to build capacity and develop a strategy to respond efficiently to extreme events such as hurricanes.
At EU level, in April 2026, the European Commission released an additional €2 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Cuba. This follows €4 million in EU funding approved as a regional allocation for the Caribbean, which was primarily allocated to the response in Cuba. In 2025, almost €6 million was provided for disaster preparedness and emergency response in Cuba.
Ireland continually engages on issues relating to Cuba through a range of diplomatic channels, including European Union and United Nations fora.
5. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail each state against which the Government currently applies sanctions, by date of application of sanctions, nature and scope of the sanctions, reason for the application of sanctions, whether the sanctions are applied unilaterally or as part of a multilateral initiative; and if applied multilaterally, by which international body or group of states the sanctions are applied or coordinated, in tabular form. [44465/26]
View answerIreland does not implement unilateral sanctions. Ireland implements EU and UN sanctions.
Sanctions measures adopted by the UN are binding on all UN Member States. They are typically implemented in the EU through EU measures (such as Council Decisions and Council Regulations), in order to ensure their consistent implementation in all EU Member States.
In addition to implementing UN sanctions, the EU adopts sanctions (also known as “restrictive measures” in the EU context) of its own, under its Common Foreign and Security Policy (Article 215 TFEU), as well as in relation to “preventing and combating terrorism and related activities” (Article 75 TFEU). These are known as “autonomous” EU sanctions.
EU Regulations have direct effect in Irish law, meaning that they must be complied with in the same way as domestic Irish legislation.
A full overview of all EU restrictive measures, with an outline of the regime, objective, type and links to legal texts and guidelines can be accessed at the EU sanctions map: www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main.
Sanctions are an important tool to promote the objectives of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in response to breaches of international law. EU sanctions are always targeted, and seek to bring about a change in the policy or behaviour of the target of the measures.
6. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps he is taking to address the slow progress on green hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44230/26]
View answerThe National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce is making good progress on a number of key strands to deliver the actions from the National Hydrogen Strategy. The National Hydrogen Strategy focuses on the production and use of renewable hydrogen (hydrogen produced using renewable electricity sources such as wind and solar is commonly referred to as green hydrogen). The role of the Taskforce is to ensure a coordinated cross-departmental approach to the development of the hydrogen sector in Ireland.
The National Hydrogen Programme Implementation Plan sets out how the Taskforce will implement the actions contained within the National Hydrogen Strategy. To assist in the progress of the deployment of green hydrogen in Ireland, the following is taking place:
Action 1 is to ‘develop and publish data sets showing the likely locations, volumes, and load profile of surplus renewables on our electricity grid out to 2030’. The Renewable Surplus Data published by EirGrid can be found via this link https://cms.eirgrid.ie/shaping-our-electricity-future-renewable-surplus-data.
Action 2 specifically provides for the establishment of an early hydrogen innovation fund to support demonstration projects across the hydrogen value chain. The demonstration fund will aim to kick-start the deployment of green hydrogen deployment in Ireland and will contribute to decarbonisation of Ireland's economy and enhance our energy security. My Department is working to deliver the hydrogen demonstration fund by 2027.
Action 8 is a study to assess the potential for connecting future Irish hydrogen infrastructure with continental Europe. The study provides practical, technical and commercial information to assist future hydrogen policy development. It provides an evidence base to inform the theoretical potential for exporting hydrogen to continental Europe. The study has been published on the Government’s website and can be found via this link www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/national-hydrogen-strategy/
The minutes from the hydrogen taskforce meetings will be published on the DCEE website by the end of Q2.
7. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any incentives or obligations under review within his Department that would support data centres in the use of renewable energy systems to minimise their reliance on the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44325/26]
View answer8. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any regulations or requirements for data centres to use solar panels or other renewable energy sources to reduce their demand on the electricity grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44326/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
The Government is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of data centres and achieving the twin objective of decarbonisation and digitalisation. Data centres, like all large energy users, must exist within the boundaries of our climate obligations as well as energy security. This is further detailed in the 2022 Government Statement on Data Centres that sets out the principles for sustainable data centre development, including implementing decarbonised energy solutions and designs to increase energy efficiency.
The Programme for Government contains key commitments such as enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and effective solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. These commitments have been operationalised through the prioritisation of a range of policy and energy infrastructure planning workstreams.
The Government has prioritised an increased and unprecedented investment in our grid and expanding our energy generation, with a particular priority on renewable energy sources, taking place during 2026-30 under the Price Review 6 regulatory framework, backstopped by a €3.5bn equity investment by Government in the electricity system operators.
The CRU Large Energy User Connection Policy establishes a pathway for new data centres to seek connection to the electricity system, that requires greater active system supports from data centres, addresses security of electricity supply risks, system constraints and promotes renewable energy targets. It requires new connections to meet at least 80% of their annual electricity demand with new additional renewable electricity generated in Ireland.
Alongside that, the Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) sets out robust measures that will, inter alia, accelerate energy generation, connectivity, and planning processes which will guide the development of data centres and other strategically significant energy intensive industries, in alignment with Ireland’s decarbonisation objectives and growing the knowledge-based economy. In particular, this will allow for greater co-location of energy-intensive sectors with the supply of renewable energy generation within green energy parks.
Private wires legislation is also being developed in my Department which will allow for private investment in electricity infrastructure and will particularly help to expedite the development of more renewable energy and electricity storage. These wires will provide greater opportunity for electricity customers and generators and will lead to increased competitiveness and sustainability. This legislation is being progressed by my Department and present and hopes to be finalised in the coming months.
9. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the annual usage of gas energy by data centres in Ireland, if this is something that is recorded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44327/26]
View answerThe sectoral breakdown of gas demand by power generation, residential and industrial and commercial usage are published on the Central Statistics Office website:
www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-ngc/networkedgasconsumption2024/.
I am advised that the CSO are due to provide figures for 2025 in October 2026.
10. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the annual usage of water by data centres in Ireland; if this is something that is recorded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44328/26]
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 monitor and 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. The required indicators relate to energy consumption, cooling, waste heat utilisation, water usage and renewable energy use, among others.
Article 12 of the EED is supplemented by the directly effective delegated Regulation 2024/1364 which requires the same in-scope data centres, as under Article 12, to report these key performance indicators on their energy performance to a confidential EU database on data centres established and operated by the European Commission.
Reporting of this information by data centres in Ireland to this database is ongoing and the Commission is responsible for making it publicly available in an aggregated manner. This information is being used to establish an EU wide rating scheme to measure the energy performance and sustainability of data centres. I am advised that work on this initiative is being advanced by the Commission.
The two reporting requirements apply every year by 15 May. With respect to the transposition of Article 12, my Department has progressed drafting to an advanced stage. This includes the assignment of compliance oversight which my Department is seeking to implement as soon as possible. My Department continues to keep stakeholders and the Commission updated in relation to this matter.
More generally, water usage management and conservation across commercial and industrial (non-domestic) sectors, including data centres, is an operational matter under the remit of Uisce Éireann. Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operations at national, regional and local levels, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013. Uisce Éireann has a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives that can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone 0818 578 578.
11. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the annual usage of electricity by data centres in Ireland, if this is something that is recorded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44329/26]
View answerHistorical figures for annual and quarterly metered electricity consumption by data centres are formally compiled and published by Central Statistics Office (CSO). According to the CSO, metered electricity consumption by data centres increased from 6,335 Gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2023 to 6,969 GWh in 2024. The percentage share of metered electricity consumption used by data centres rose from 5% in 2015 to 22% in 2024.
EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator (TSO) develops, manages and operates the transmission grid in Ireland. According to EirGrid's All-Island Resource Adequacy Assessment which looks at the balance between electricity demand and supply on the island of Ireland for the next 10 years, data centre and new tech load will account for 35% of Ireland’s national electricity requirement by 2035.
Article 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive is supplemented by the directly effective delegated Regulation 2024/1364 that requires certain sized data centres to annually report energy and sustainability performance indicators to a confidential EU database on data centres established and operated by the European Commission – indicators include energy consumption and renewable energy use. While my Department currently oversees this ongoing reporting, the Commission is responsible for making it publicly available in an aggregated manner.
The Government is committed to delivering a balanced approach to facilitate sustainable data centre demand and achieving the twin objective of decarbonisation and digitalisation. These commitments have been operationalised through the prioritisation of a range of policy and energy infrastructure planning workstream including increased and unprecedented investment in our grid and expanding our energy generation, with a particular priority on renewable energy sources. The Government’s Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) establishes a plan-led pathway for new data centre development, and other strategically significant energy intensive industries, while protecting robust energy security and promoting Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions.
12. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any data centre in Ireland that is associated with a district heating supply to use the excess heat created by their operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44330/26]
View answerGovernment policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating and recognises the contribution it can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals. The District Heating Steering Group Report was approved by Government in 2023, and a Working Group has been convened to oversee implementation of the Steering Group recommendations.
The Programme for Government supports this recognising that waste heat capture from data centres for district heating systems is prioritised. The Department is focussing on the expansion of efficient district heating based on the use of renewable energy and waste heat, including waste heat from data centres.
The first efficient district heating project operational in Ireland is in Tallaght. It was developed by South Dublin County Council, supported by the Climate Action Fund and has been in operation since April 2023.
In the case of the Tallaght District Heating Project, this project uses waste heat from the nearby Amazon data centre to supply the heat to the network. The first phase of this project supplies heat to existing and new local authority buildings, the Technological University Dublin, Tallaght campus and 133 residential apartments. Phase 2 of this project is now being planned and evaluated by South Dublin County Council.
Through the District Heating Pre-Construction Fund, the Department is aware of a strong pipeline of further potential district heating projects, with a number of these projects investigating or expected to use waste heat from data centres as a source of heat. Following the completion of the Expression of Interest phase, the Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland have progressed to the detailed application stage of the fund.
13. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of data centres in Ireland and the approximate level of energy they use; the percentage of energy they use as a proportion of all Irish energy; whether each has a diesel backup generator, by location, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44331/26]
View answerWhile the Department has no direct function in capturing and recording this information, publicly available information indicates there are in the order of 72 to 90 data centres in Ireland, depending on the metrics used, with the vast majority in the Greater Dublin Area.
Reporting obligations related to this information on certain sized data centres has recently been introduced by the EU, pursuant to Article 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791 (‘EED’) and its delegated regulation 2024/1364, for the annual monitoring and publication on key performance indicators on energy use and sustainability performance related to energy use, including energy coming from back-up generators, and renewable energy use among others. Currently overseen by my Department, data centre operators in Ireland are reporting this information to a confidential European database which will be made publicly available by the European Commission in-line with the delegated regulation.
In relation to energy use, electricity is the main source of energy for most data centres operating in Ireland. The Central Statistics Office indicate metered electricity consumption by data centres was 6,969 GWh in 2024. The percentage share of metered electricity consumption used by data centres rose from 5% in 2015 to 22% in 2024.
The operation of diesel fuel generated back-up power systems is subject to strict statutory rules and environmental regulations aimed at limiting emissions, operating hours and interaction with the grid, all overseen by the independent regulators the EPA, CRU, EirGrid, and ESB Networks regarding environmental regulation, connection policies, and system operation/connection.
Ireland has attracted the best data centre and tech companies in the world. This is a really important relationship for Ireland’s economic and digital future and the Government continues to work with the sector towards sustainable development and a secure and decarbonised energy future. Government acknowledges the need to balance the opportunities and challenges being faced. In line with the Programme for Government commitments a range of policy and energy infrastructure planning workstreams are being prioritised, including unprecedented investment in critical infrastructure and our electricity grid, and enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and solutions such as waste heat capture for district heating systems and other local uses.
14. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a report published by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to data centre energy usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44332/26]
View answer15. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will facilitate a meeting with an organisation to discuss their recently published report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44333/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
I note the recent report from Friends of the Earth, which attempts to assess the possible impacts data centres may have on the electricity market. Consistent with the Government’s position, the Friends of the Earth report underlines the importance of accelerating the roll-out of renewable electricity – to reduce the amount of gas-generated electricity we use and, in turn, to reduce to impact of international wholesale gas costs on electricity prices for households and businesses here in Ireland. Government are progressing a number of measures to support this objective.
Data centres are important for Ireland’s economic and digital future; they are a key part of our value proposition for foreign direct investment and the associated employment that brings. To attract the next generation of investment in strategic energy-intensive sectors like data centres, chemicals, and semi-conductors, we must deliver energy infrastructure much faster than in recent decades.
The Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) sets out a ‘plan-led’ approach for very large and energy intensive investments, which due to scale and energy consumption will benefit from coordinated national infrastructure planning, while protecting and supporting robust energy security cost competitiveness, affordability for all energy customers and promoting Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions. This will also be supported by unrepresented investment in our grid to ensure it continues to provide capacity for housing and other customers and in a way that ensures costs are fairly distributed across different customers.
A plan-led approach will ensure that growth is aligned with Ireland’s green transition, energy security of supply and energy affordability. It will also align with wider Government objectives, such as housing, transport and water.
I regularly meet with the Irish Environmental Network, the national advocacy coalition which comprises 32 leading environmental NGOs in Ireland, of which ?Friends of the Earth Ireland is a key member, on a broad range of related areas including climate and energy, and will continue to do so. I welcome their commitment and input to support both development and implementation of critical policy briefs.
16. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any research ongoing within his Department into the potential use for heat generated by data centres as a source of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44334/26]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has in recent weeks published Ireland’s National Comprehensive Heating and Cooling Assessment (www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/heating-and-cooling-assessment), which was a requirement under Article 25 of the Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) (EED). The Assessment is a comprehensive report on Ireland’s current usage of heat, and the potential sources of renewable heat which will help Ireland to meet its renewable energy targets and reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions.
On page 51 of the Assessment, Table 6 sets out that there are 1,584 GWh of recoverable waste heat currently being generated by data centres in Ireland, which could be used to fuel district heating schemes. On page 59 of the Assessment, Table 12 sets out an estimate of the cost of waste heat recovery from these data centres, with a capital expenditure cost of €246,000 per MW, and operational expenditure of €7.70 per MWh. However, the assessment also notes that while data centres show great potential for waste heat recovery in Ireland, these calculations carry high uncertainty and hence more public information regarding individual site operation is required to further disaggregate the waste heat potential at a more granular level. The report also notes that data centres produce some of the lowest-grade heat of all sources considered, and as such, their waste heat often requires the most energy to upgrade for use in heat networks.
Article 26 of the EED requires that data centres with a total rated energy input exceeding 1 MW must utilise the waste heat or other waste heat recovery applications unless they can show that it is not technically or economically feasible after conducting a cost-best analysis. My Department is currently in the process of transposing the Energy Efficiency Directive, which will include the transposition of these requirements into Irish law.
The Tallaght District Heating Scheme is a working example in Ireland of a data centre that is capturing its waste heat which is then being used in a district heating system. The scheme, operational since early 2023, is managed by Heat Works, Ireland’s first not-for-profit energy utility, fully owned by South Dublin County Council. It captures waste heat from an Amazon data centre, which is then upgraded via large-scale heat pumps to provide hot water at 85°C through a network of highly insulated pipes.
This system is the first of its kind in Ireland and has so far demonstrated significant environmental benefits. In 2024 alone, it saved 1,265 tons of carbon dioxide, contributing to Ireland’s decarbonisation goals. To date, the network has generated almost 6,000 MWh of energy, with a projected lifetime generation of 270,000 MWh over 30 years. By efficiently reusing waste heat, the scheme reduces reliance on fossil fuels and optimises recyclable energy, establishing Tallaght and South Dublin County Council as leaders in local energy action.
My Department is also progressing the drafting of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will provide a legislative framework for the further development of district heating in Ireland, which will further enable the capture and utilisation of waste heat. My Department and the SEAI will continue to progress research and work on this topic into the future.
17. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of households disconnected from electricity supply in each of the past five years due to non-payment of bills; if he will report on trends in energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44348/26]
View answerOfficial income and poverty data is published annually by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). This is an annual voluntary survey of approximately 5,000 households (approximately 12,000 individuals) carried out by the CSO.
The survey collects information on the income and living conditions of different households in Ireland, in order to derive indicators on poverty, deprivation and social exclusion.
This CSO survey is part of a wider European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU SILC) carried out in every EU country under EU legislation and published by Eurostat annually. It should be noted that there are slight variations in how the data is evaluated at national and EU levels, therefore the national data is not directly comparable with the EU data.
Additionally, since 2020 the income reference period for SILC is the previous calendar year. For example, the income referenced for the 2025 survey spans the period from January to December 2024.
The most recent national SILC data, for 2025, was published by the CSO in March 2026 and the most recent EU-SILC data was published by Eurostat in April 2026.
The Gini coefficient measures income equality across the entire income distribution. A Gini coefficient value of 0% denotes perfect equality, while a Gini Coefficient of 100% would denote perfect inequality.
The Gini coefficient reported in the EU-SILC by Eurostat for 2026 shows Ireland at 27.2, an improvement from the 2014 rate 31.0. Over this period, Ireland has improved from being slightly above the EU average (30.9 in 2014) to below it (29.2 in 2025). Ireland's ranking compared to other EU countries has also improved over the timeframe, from 17th in 2014 to 8th in 2025.
The quintile share ratio is the ratio of the total equivalised disposable income received by the 20% of persons with the highest income (fifth quintile) to that received by the 20% of persons with the lowest income (first quintile).
The income quintile share ratio for Ireland in 2025 was reported in EU-SILC by Eurostat as 3.9, compared with 4.9 in 2014. This is consistently lower than the EU average - 5.2 in 2014 and 4.6 in 2025. Additionally, there has been an improvement in the Irish ranking compared to other EU countries over this period, from 14th in 2014 to 7th in 2025.
Consistent poverty is the measure used in the National Social Target for Poverty Reduction, which aims to reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less in Ireland by 2030 (as updated in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030). Consistent poverty is a national indicator which measures the overlap of two component indicators: the at-risk-of-poverty rate (those whose household income is below 60% of the median) and the enforced deprivation rate (capturing individuals lacking 2 or more of 11 basic necessities). It is not measured at an EU level.
Since 2014, the consistent poverty rate has decreased from 8.3% to 4.7% in 2025 as reported in SILC data. Meanwhile, the at-risk-of-poverty has also decreased over the same period, from 16.7% in 2014 to 12.6% in 2025.
It is very positive to see these improvements across key income and poverty indicators, demonstrating the impact of Government policies, supports and measures, but I am also aware of high levels of poverty for certain groups, such as children, disabled people and lone parents.
Implementation of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030 is key to improving income equality and reducing poverty for all groups in society. I will continue to work with my Government colleagues as we strive for further improvements across Government on the key national income and poverty indicators.
18. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of applications that were submitted to the Community Climate Action Programme versus the number awarded; whether the entire budget was used; and if there will be additional allocations or phases for the applicants that were not successful. [44391/26]
View answerThe Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) is a significant programme that supports and empowers communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way.
The latest phase of the programme is providing a total of €29.5 million local authorities to support communities across the country in delivering locally led climate action projects.
This phase of the CCAP launched in October 2025 when local authorities opened for receipt of applications from community groups. The local authorities evaluated the projects that applied, then prepared their selection of projects into portfolios. These portfolios were then verified against the programme requirements before receiving my approval and being announced on 21 May 2026.
Altogether, 1,482 applications were submitted to all local authorities by community groups and sports clubs across the country, comprising a total value of €62.7 million.
Given the demand for funding far exceeded the level originally allocated, in May, I allocated an additional €2.6 million from the Climate Action Fund to the programme. Including those projects benefitting from this additional allocation, a total of 820 projects will receive support under this phase of the CCAP. The entire budget of €29.5 million, which includes the additional €2.6 million, has been allocated to fund this phase programme.
I am currently considering the potential for further allocations of funding to local authorities under the CCAP. Any such allocation will depend on an assessment of the impact of the CCAP as well as the level of funding available from the Climate Action Fund.
19. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the community benefit fund or direct financial benefit that will be made available to residents living in proximity to the proposed Longford wind turbine. [44607/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out the commitment to ensuring that communities hosting renewable energy projects directly benefit from those developments, including through community gain arrangements.
For onshore wind projects supported under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), there are clear community benefit requirements. Each project receiving support under RESS is required to establish a Community Benefit Fund, with contributions set at a minimum of €2 per megawatt hour of electricity generated.
These Funds are intended to support social, environmental, educational, cultural and recreational initiatives in the local area. In this way, these Funds ensure that tangible benefits are delivered in the areas where renewable electricity projects are located.
Additionally, RESS-supported onshore wind projects provide for direct annual payments to households living in closest proximity to the project. These near neighbour payments recognise, in a practical and direct way, the role played by local communities in hosting renewable energy infrastructure, and help to ensure that local communities close to such projects can benefit from their development.
Where an onshore wind project is not supported under RESS, the same mandatory RESS Community Benefit Fund requirements do not apply. However, some renewable projects operate voluntary Community Benefit Funds outside of RESS. I strongly encourage all renewable electricity developers to engage early, openly and constructively with local communities and to put in place meaningful community benefit arrangements equivalent to those under the RESS.
Well-designed community benefit funds can provide lasting local value, support community-led initiatives, and help ensure that the benefits of renewable electricity development are visible to the communities most directly connected with these projects.
20. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has considered the allocations for retrofitting grants for commercial buildings from 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44611/26]
View answerMy Department supports businesses in becoming more energy-efficient through schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Supports that assist these sectors in increasing their energy efficiency and lowering their carbon emissions.
In 2025, SEAI business supports provided grant support of over €47 million to over 4,000 businesses significantly supporting energy cost reduction, competitiveness, and emissions reductions.
The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) (Allocation for 2025: €5m) Scheme provides capital grants to support organisations (business and public sector) for projects which are following the EXEED Certified Standard for Excellence in Energy Efficient Design. The expected benefits are:
• supporting the delivery of 1000 GWh of final energy savings;
• supporting the delivery of 150kt of carbon emission reductions;
• significantly scaling up the level of grant support provided to large companies (€130m from 2026 to 2030); and
• a substantially improved SEAI large business grant offering, supporting the sector with energy costs and their sustainable energy goals.
The Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) (Allocation for 2025: €3.8m) provides support to cover the costs of a typical energy audit. The scheme provides support for SMEs to carry out energy audits, encouraging them to implement the energy saving measures identified. It is open to all public and private sector organisations that are not already required to carry out an energy audit under the Energy Efficiency Directive. The first step is to avail of the Support Scheme SSEA. Once they have their audit and recommendations, they can avail of the Design Assistance Measure within BEUS to assist with the costs of the design.
The Business Energy Upgrades Scheme (BEUS) (Allocation for 2025: €5m) launched in April 2025. This scheme can provide substantial support to the SME sector to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings. This scheme is open to all businesses, public sectors bodies, societies and charities who are upgrading a building they own or occupy. It offers access to rapid approval of grant funding for a range of retrofit measures for commercial buildings such as hotels, offices, retail premises and restaurants.
The BEUS is managed by the SEAI and has been designed for greater accessibility to support small and medium enterprises in Ireland. The variety of measures and the streamlined application process, allows businesses to take charge of their sustainability journey. Businesses of all shapes and sizes can map their path to decarbonisation with potentially fifteen different steps. Following extensive engagement, the new business energy upgrades grants are designed to minimise the barriers to accessing supports as businesses move towards full decarbonisation.
The BEUS is critical to supporting a higher rate of commercial building retrofit and is expected to double the number of commercial building retrofits and heat pumps supported from 2025 to 2026.
The Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (Allocation for 2025: €18m) provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to a maximum of €162,600 for installations of up to 1000kWp.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is designed to financially support the installation and/or operation of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users. It aims to bridge the gap, using an operational tariff over a 15 year payment cycle, between the operating costs of biomass heating systems and the conventional fossil fuel alternatives.
The scheme also provides, for alternative technologies, investment-aid (in the form of grants) providing the necessary incentive for capital investment. The grant will support up to 40% of the eligible project costs, up to a maximum of €1m. Current beneficiaries of the schemes include agri-based businesses, hotels/guesthouses, leisure centres, schools and educational facilities.
21. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the number of public electric vehicle chargers in the State; the targets for expanding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44434/26]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years and reaching climate targets. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Based on official data provided to the national reporting platform by registered ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), the view of the number of publicly available recharging points per county as of end May is shown below.
|
County |
No. of recharging points |
|
WICKLOW |
121 |
|
WEXFORD |
115 |
|
WESTMEATH |
89 |
|
WATERFORD |
89 |
|
TIPPERARY |
151 |
|
SLIGO |
45 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
51 |
|
OFFALY |
69 |
|
MONAGHAN |
42 |
|
MEATH |
141 |
|
MAYO |
151 |
|
LOUTH |
93 |
|
LONGFORD |
41 |
|
LIMERICK |
133 |
|
LEITRIM |
11 |
|
LAOIS |
65 |
|
KILKENNY |
76 |
|
KILDARE |
176 |
|
KERRY |
132 |
|
GALWAY |
165 |
|
DUBLIN |
754 |
|
DONEGAL |
98 |
|
CORK |
318 |
|
CLARE |
124 |
|
CAVAN |
63 |
|
CARLOW |
54 |
|
Total |
3,367 |
It should be noted that these data are provided directly by charge point operators (CPOs) and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided. The Department of Transport is currently finalising a ZEVI Data Strategy and associated data platforms with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This Strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly. Once in place, these will enhance TII’s and the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by CPOs in relation to charge-points in near real time and provide these comprehensive data on an Open Data basis.
The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets binding national targets for all Member States to ensure adequate deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure for the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors. It also defines unified technical standards and requirements for user access, data sharing and payment systems to ensure consistency and interoperability across the EU. The requirements include minimum power output and the maximum distance allowable between recharging pools (one or more recharging stations in one specific location).
In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under AFIR and depending on level of power supplied at charging points, it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally by 2030. AFIR requirements state that there should be 1.3kW of capacity on the national network per BEV and 0.8kW capacity per PHEV.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging and installing EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs. This strategy is currently being revised, and a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 was published for consultation between February and April.
Further, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging locations, will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.
Local authorities will be funded by ZEVI to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking.
As well as the delivery of motorway charging hubs; national primary and secondary roads high powered charging; other initiatives currently ongoing include a pilot scheme for EV infrastructure in 15 Local Authorities; and a Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme for EV charging.
22. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the number of public electric vehicle chargers in County Monaghan; the targets for expanding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44435/26]
View answerBased on official data provided to the national reporting platform by registered ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), there are 42 publicly available recharging points in Monaghan as of end May.
It should be noted that this date is provided directly by charge point operators (CPOs) and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided. The Department of Transport is currently finalising a ZEVI Data Strategy and associated data platforms with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This Strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly. Once in place, these will enhance TII’s and the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by CPOs in relation to charge-points in near real time and provide these comprehensive data on an Open Data basis.
My Department is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.
This includes funding the delivery of motorway charging hubs; national primary and secondary roads high powered charging; a pilot scheme for EV infrastructure in 15 Local Authorities; and a Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme for EV charging.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging and installing EV Infrastructure that can meet user needs. This strategy is currently being revised, and a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 was published for consultation between February and April.
