Written Answers Nos. 182-201
182. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding allocated to the circulator economy grants scheme in each of the years 2020 to-date in 2026; to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding drawn down as part of the circular economy grants scheme in each of the years 2020 to-date in 2026; in tabular form [50381/26]
View answerThe Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) is funded from the Circular Economy Fund and was first launched in 2021. This multi-annual scheme directly supports the growth of the circular economy in Ireland and provides high-profile examples of best practice to inspire others. A key objective is delivering innovative projects that will have a direct impact on operating environments, and which can act as demonstrators for others. Since the launch of the scheme funding has been awarded to 50 projects across the following thematic areas:
• Plastics;
• Construction & demolition waste;
• Food waste prevention;
• Resources & raw materials (electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, furniture)
Annual allocation for CEIGS projects:
• 2021 – Total fund allocated - €490,000 over 10 projects
• 2022/23 – Total fund allocated - €650,000 over 13 projects
• 2024 – Total fund allocated - €650,000 over 13 projects
• 2025 – Total fund allocated - €650,000 over 14 projects
In line with the ‘Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2028 Accelerating Action’, increased CEIGS funding to €1.5 million for 2026 will be announced in the coming months. This funding will further support the growth of the circular economy in Ireland, providing extra high-profile examples of best practice.
Further details on CEIGS funding, and the amounts drawn down each year are detailed in the table below.
|
Year |
Available € |
Drawdown € |
|
2020 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2021 |
490,000 |
74,873 |
|
2022 |
650,000 |
239,524 |
|
2023 |
0 |
147,102 |
|
2024 |
650,000 |
737,746 |
|
2025 |
650,000 |
535,090 |
|
2026 (not yet launched) |
1,500,000 |
164,000 |
183. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to estimate the revenue that will be saved by cancelling the subscription to the energy charter treaty. [50382/26]
View answerNational contributions to the Energy Charter annual budget are calculated pro rata, based on the UN scale of assessment. The amount varies slightly from year to year, but the approximate saving would be €45,000 annually. The last payment was €44,628.
184. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the percentage of renewable energy generation that was community owned in each of the years 2020 to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [50385/26]
View answerTransitioning to a renewables led power system is central to the Programme for Government plan to meeting Ireland’s energy security, climate action and energy affordability objectives. Ireland has added 5 GW of new renewable electricity generation over the last decade with now 8 GW of renewable generation capacity.
Data on installed renewables in general, is available from the SEAI's latest Energy In Ireland Report which is available here: Energy in Ireland 2025 v1.0 complete.pdf
More information on the current installed renewable electricity capacity is also publicly available online from EirGrid and ESB Networks and from the Regional Development Monitor at: rdm.geohive.ie/pages/6988931ceead4cb4a56498b3337023e7#LowCarbon2
This includes community owned renewable energy generation projects, further details on which is available from the SEAI.
186. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has conducted any analysis on the revenue that would be earned by the temporary solidarity contribution per year if it had of been kept in place; if he has considered reintroducing; his reasoning for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50388/26]
View answerOn 17 July 2023, the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Act 2023 was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President.
In accordance with EU Council Regulation 2022/1854, the Act introduced a temporary solidarity contribution to fossil fuel companies that earned unexpected surplus profits (“windfall gains”) for the years 2022 and 2023.
In terms of the revenue that would be raised if the Temporary Solidarity had remained in place, it should be noted that the Act implemented EU-wide emergency measures to address exceptionally high energy prices arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and was designed to avoid creating negative investment signals or a country-specific risk. As Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 called for “exceptional, targeted and time-limited measures” and in accordance with the timeframe set out in the Regulation, the Act only refers to the years 2022 and 2023. In light of this, there are no plans to reintroduce this temporary measure and, as such, the revenue that could potentially be raised by a more permanent solidarity contribution has not been modelled.
187. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of funding allocated to climate adaptation measures, by adaptation, by mitigation measures, in each of the years 2020 to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [50389/26]
View answer188. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of funding drawn down to climate adaptation measures, by adaptation, by mitigation measures in each of the years 2020 to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [50390/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.
Budget allocations are a matter for line Departments and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The information requested by the Deputy spans across a large number of Government Departments and offices. Information in relation to climate allocations over the period 2020 to 2026 is publicly available in tabular form in a dedicated appendix, by relevant Department/Office, in the www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/#2026.
prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. Details in relation to outturn are set out in the respective annual Appropriation Accounts for those Departments and Offices. These accounts are available to view at www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation-accounts/.
189. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead b4 of the revised estimate for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [50391/26]
View answerThe breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under Subhead B04 - Residential/Community Retrofit Programmes for each of the years 2023 to 2026 is set out in the document attached.
190. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated to home retrofit loan scheme in each year since the schemes inception, in tabular form. [50392/26]
View answer191. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding drawn down to home retrofit loan scheme, in each year since the schemes inception, in tabular form. [50393/26]
View answer192. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the number of home retrofit loan applications, by county in each year since the schemes inception; and the number of successful home retrofit loan applications, by county, in each year since the schemes inception, in tabular form. [50394/26]
View answer193. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of home retrofit loan applications, by country in each year since the schemes inception; and the number of unsuccessful home retrofit loan applications, by county, in year since the schemes inception, in tabular form. [50395/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 191, 192 and 193 together.
The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme (HEULS), which launched in April 2024, is intended to play a crucial role in helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades to make their homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. It was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the European Investment Bank Group.The scheme is administered by the SBCI on behalf of my Department. SBCI’s administrative costs are paid through my Department's budget, costs which amounted to €1.5 million in 2023, €1.9 million in 2024 and €1.9 million in 2025. €2.5 million has been allocated to the scheme in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2026 (see table 1).
The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at significantly lower interest rates to those currently on the market. Rates start from as low as 2.99% with price varying depending on the finance provider. PTSB was the first lender to join in April 2024, with AIB and Bank of Ireland joining in June 2024. In 2025, the group of participating lenders was expanded to include Avant Money (in partnership with An Post) and seven credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions.
Loan applications are processed, validated and approved by the participating finance providers. Only loans that have been drawn down under the scheme are uploaded by the finance providers to the SBCI's reporting system.
At the end of Q1 2026, there were 1,135 loans drawn to a value of €56,071,897 since the scheme launched. The Deputy may wish to note that as uptake figures in certain counties mean that it could be possible to identify individual homeowners, these figures have not been disclosed. Instead, cumulative drawdown figures by region are provided in the attached table 2.
In line with the Programme for Government’s commitment to promote the HEULS (which offers low interest loans for home energy upgrades from €5,000 to €75,000), my Department continues to work closely with the SBCI, the SEAI and the participating finance providers to increase awareness of, and demand for, the scheme and drive additional uptake in 2026 and beyond.
The Deputy may wish to note that further information and quarterly reports related to the HEULS are available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/home-energy-upgrade-loan-scheme/.
194. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated NDP uplift for retrofitting in 2027. [50401/26]
View answerMy Department’s core capital ceiling for 2027 is set at €1.049bn. Of this, €647 million in carbon tax funding (62% of the capital allocation) will be allocated to the SEAI Residential and Community Retrofit programme. This is an increase of €89 million on the Programme’s 2026 allocation.
195. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding provided to the Irish Environmental Network in each of the years 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50402/26]
View answerA breakdown of the funding provided by my Department to the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) in each year since 2020 is supplied in the attached table. The IEN is an umbrella organisation of 41 nationally active environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who are involved in the well-being, protection and enhancement of the environment.
This funding supports the Government’s environmental goals of protecting and preserving the environment. It facilitates education and awareness building to support the transition to a sustainable economy and society, and enables people and communities to participate in climate action.
196. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to estimate the cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €150 per month in tabular form; to estimate the cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €250 per month, in tabular form; to estimate the cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €125 per month, in tabular form; to estimate the cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €50 per month in tabular form; to estimate the cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €100 per month, in tabular form; and to estimate the cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €200 per month, in tabular form. [50404/26]
View answer[Attachment omitted]
197. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on the NEAT taskforce; when the final report will be published; if this report will be published in advance of the Dáil recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50405/26]
View answerAddressing energy affordability is a priority for this Government. That is why in June of last year, my Department established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce, the NEAT, to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments, and protecting security of supply and economic stability.
The First Report of the Taskforce informed key aspects of Budget 2026 including:
• a 15% or €5 per week increase to the Fuel Allowance, providing an additional €140 to recipients during the annual fuel allowance season;
• eligibility for the Fuel Allowance was also expanded to include those in receipt of the Working Family Payment;
• an extension of the reduced VAT rate of 9% which is applied to gas and electricity to 2030. This provides clarity and certainty to energy consumers and reduces energy bills for households by up to €100 per year; and
• the €400 income tax disregard for households involved in microgeneration was extended for a further three years to end-2028.
A record €640 million has also been provided to support the SEAI’s residential and community energy upgrade schemes this year. This includes €340 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme which provides fully funded upgrades for households in energy poverty. The allocation means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat.
The NEAT continues to work intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be submitted to Government in Q3 of this year. This will not be completed in advance of the Dáil recess. This Action Plan will be focused on short, medium and longer-term measures to support households and businesses in meeting their energy costs and will be built around 4 key pillars:
•addressing the price of energy;
•sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility;
•addressing energy poverty and customer protections; and
•energy affordability for businesses.
To facilitate this robust and coordinated cross-Government response, a number of NEAT subgroups have been established, bringing together officials from a wide range of Government Departments and Agencies. A period of intensive engagement to refine options for consideration by the Taskforce is currently underway, with subgroups meeting on an ongoing basis. This work is also being supported by structured engagement with relevant external stakeholders.
198. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding allocated to support climate action regional offices, LA CAPS and EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and Decarbonizing Zones respectively in each year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50406/26]
View answerLocal authorities are increasingly at the forefront of climate action in Ireland. A number of local authority climate action work programmes are being funded by my Department. This funding underpins the continued commitment of Government to local climate action and recognises the key role of local authorities in supporting communities as we transition to a climate neutral economy.
My Department provides €5.8m in annual funding to local authorities to develop and implement their statutory Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). This funding provides for two climate posts in each local authority, a Climate Action Coordinator and Climate Action Officer, to develop and oversee the plans.
€2m in annual funding is provided to the four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) which support local authorities to coordinate and deliver climate actions. The CARO annual budget increased from €2m to €2.4m in 2026 to allow for increased project costs.
My Department works with Cork City and Dublin City on the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, and Galway City on the EU Pilot Cities Programme. This Mission aims to make over 100 European cities climate neutral by 2030. €740,000 was paid to Cork and Dublin as "Mission" Cities in 2025 to fund resilience and adaptation projects, while €30,000 was paid to Galway to continue operating the Warm Home Hub pilot project. My Department is also developing a new Cities Mission Accelerator Fund of €2m to further support the "Mission" cities which officials will present to me shortly for approval.
My Department has recently established a new national fund of €1.8m in 2026 to assist local authorities to deliver projects within their DZs, the DZ Demonstrator Fund. For the first time, this fund provides local authorities with ringfenced funding to advance projects within their DZs.
My Department provides €500,000 in annual funding to the Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office to deliver the Local Authority Climate Action Training Programme. This programme has been designed to increase understanding of climate change and the need for action among local authority staff and elected members.
In addition, a new €2.5m European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) DZ Scheme has been set up for local authorities in the Northern and Western region, and my Department is committing €1m of this funding.
A call is underway under the EU Just Transition Fund: START (Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory Scheme). Local authorities across the eight eligible counties of the Wider Midlands Region had the opportunity to apply for funding for capital projects and feasibility studies outlined in their LA CAPs, with a total fund value of €30m. This scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Commission, with each providing 50%.
The table attached provides a breakdown of the funding drawn down to support the Local Authority Climate Action Plans, the Climate Action Regional Office, the Local Authority Climate Action Training Programme, the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, the Decarbonizing Zones, and the START Scheme in each year from 2020 to date (2025). It also includes a breakdown of the funding which has been allocated in 2026.
Finally, in June 2026, my Department received a business case from the County and City Management Association (CCMA) requesting that provision be made for the existing 110 climate posts in local authorities to become permanent posts. I support this in principle and officials in my Department are currently reviewing the business case with a view to presenting a submission to me.
199. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding he has allocated to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind broken down by programme in each of the years from 2020 to date, in tabular form; to report on progress toward 2030 target; his views that the measures introduced will be sufficient to reach this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50408/26]
View answerMy Department does not allocate funding for the development of offshore wind farms. Rather, projects successful in the State's ORESS (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) offshore wind auctions may be financially supported through a two-way Contract for Difference (CFD) mechanism.
As a CFD, payments may be made by either party to the other depending on the relationship of market prices to the contracted strike price. Any payments due are paid to the electricity supplier and are only made when the market price falls below the indexation adjusted strike price as submitted at auction. Such payments are funded through the Public Service Obligation Levy.
The ORESS support period only begins once the wind farm reaches commercial operational and this is anticipated in the early 2030s.
Five offshore wind projects are presently in development off our East coast. All five have submitted planning applications and first determinations from An Coimisiún Pleanála are anticipated before the end of 2026, with the others to follow in 2027. Subject to planning approval, I anticipate that some of these projects will be in construction by 2030 and operational in the early 2030s.
The 900 MW Tonn Nua project off the coast of Waterford is progressing well since approval in 2025. My Department is making preparations to bring the remaining three South Coast DMAP sites to auction over the next few years, followed in due course by sites to be designated through the National DMAP.
The international market situation for offshore wind has changed much since Ireland's first offshore wind auction in 2023. Prices in the supply chain have increased, many offshore wind developers have rationalised their operations and now have a more risk averse investment outlook, and many jurisdictions have seen failed auctions for various reasons. This changed market environment presents challenges for all nations in progressing their offshore wind ambitions. I am maintaining a regular dialogue with our offshore wind industry, and in particular our Phase 1 projects, as we navigate these challenges.
200. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a detailed breakdown of the funding he has allocated to accelerate the delivery of green hydrogen, broken down by programme in each of the years from 2020 to date, in tabular form; to report on progress toward the 2030 target; his views that the measures introduced will be sufficient to reach this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50409/26]
View answerWhile my Department has not yet directly allocated funding to accelerate green hydrogen delivery, we are actively developing a dedicated funding scheme for early projects.
Action 2 of the National Hydrogen Strategy specifically provides for the establishment of an early hydrogen innovation fund to support demonstration projects across the hydrogen value chain. My Department has commissioned KPMG to support the development of the Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Business Case for the hydrogen demonstration fund, which are required for the first approval stage under the Infrastructure Guidelines and are critical for developing the strategic case for capital investment funding proposals. This piece of work will assist my Department in progressing through the subsequent approval stages including detailed fund design.
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.
201. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a detailed breakdown of an investment (details supplied) broken down by allocation; and the date on which this allocation took place, in tabular form. [50410/26]
View answerThe Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, comprising 16 Government Departments and agencies, was established in 2022 to drive delivery of offshore renewable energy and capture potential economic and business opportunities by developing the sector. At the end of each year an Annual Review report is compiled which sets out progress made in the previous year and details key actions to be realised in the year ahead. These documents, along with meeting minutes from Taskforce meetings, are available to view on the Taskforce webpage: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/offshore-wind-delivery-taskforce/. The Taskforce does not provide investment to the Irish offshore wind energy sector.
There are currently five Phase 1 offshore wind projects in development off Ireland's East coast, with planned capacity of 3.8 gigawatts. All five have submitted planning applications and first determinations from An Coimisiún Pleanála are anticipated before the end of 2026 with the others to follow in 2027. These are industry led projects with industry providing the required investment. However, three of the five projects were awarded 'Contracts for Difference' from my Department which means there will be a dependable price for electricity once projects are energised, which can inform their investment decisions.
Developers for the 900 megawatts 'Tonn Nua' offshore wind project, off Ireland's south coast, are also 'Contract for Difference' recipients having won an auction late last year. They have received a Maritime Area Consent from MARA and entered the stage of preparing a planning application for submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
