Written Answers Nos. 209-224
209. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any initiative that seeks to expedite the construction of offshore wind energy infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54395/26]
View answerFive Phase 1 offshore wind projects are presently in development off our 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. 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 megawatt Tonn Nua project, off the coast of Waterford, is progressing well since approval in 2025 and I expect it to be energised by 2033.
Each of these projects are responsible for the construction of the offshore assets related to their project and are therefore in control of the construction timelines for these assets.
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 countries in progressing their offshore wind ambitions. I am maintaining a regular dialogue with the industry and our ongoing offshore wind projects as we navigate these challenges.
While this more challenging international market environment has the potential to impact on the timing of achievement of particular milestones in our offshore wind ambitions, Government remains committed to achieving those ambitions.
210. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any further initiatives proposed by his Department to increase the support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54396/26]
View answerGovernment is committed to increasing the support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities. This is done in ongoing consultation with all stakeholders in the development of offshore wind. This includes our local coastal communities themselves as well as our valued fishing sector, which my Department recognises as critically important to the enduring success of the offshore wind industry.
In September 2025, Minister of State Dooley and I announced the publication of the proposal, and accompanying Public Participation Statement, for the National DMAP for Offshore Renewable Energy. The proposal outlines the Government’s commitment to extensive and inclusive consultation with the public and stakeholders throughout the entire process. In recognition of the importance of coastal communities in the National DMAP process, a dedicated Community Liaison Service has been contracted with the sole focus of working with and providing information directly to coastal communities.
Furthermore, all offshore wind generators developing projects under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS) are required to make contributions to their respective project's Community Benefit Fund. The Community Benefit Fund will be professionally managed on behalf of the local community and a local Community Benefit Fund Committee will have full responsibility for its funding decisions.
Given the anticipated high levels of offshore generation, the amounts involved will be substantial and transformative for communities.
Separately, in December 2025, I announced that a consortium of ESB and Orsted had won Ireland's second offshore wind auction. They will be developing a 900-megawatt project off the coast of Waterford. The Tonn Nua fund established will see communities benefit from €140 million over a 20-year period. The €7 million a year fund will support the sustainable environmental, economic, social, and cultural well-being of the local community, with grants to local clubs and other community groups and projects.
My Department is committed to ongoing engagement with our coastal communities and the fishing sector, under Ireland's plan-led approach to ORE development. The Seafood / ORE Working Group provides a forum to facilitate constructive engagement on the interaction of the seafood and ORE industries.
211. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the number of planned offshore wind farms; the stages of progression that they are at in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54397/26]
View answerFive Phase 1 offshore wind projects are presently in development off our 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. 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 megawatt Tonn Nua project, off the coast of Waterford, is progressing well since approval in 2025 and I expect it to be energised by 2033. Tonn Nua was the first of four sites to be brought to auction from the South Coast DMAP. My Department is making preparations to bring the remaining three South Coast DMAP sites to auction over the next few years.
Separately, my Department is advancing the National DMAP process, which will designate sufficient additional sites around our coast to facilitate our longer term target of 20 gigawatts.
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 countries in progressing their offshore wind ambitions. I am maintaining a regular dialogue with the industry and our ongoing offshore wind projects as we navigate these challenges.
While this more challenging international market environment has the potential to impact on the timing of achievement of particular milestones in our offshore wind ambitions, Government remains committed to achieving those ambitions.
212. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he can confirm media reports that the State faces EU penalties of between €8 billion and €26 billion due to missed climate targets; whether, in light of recent disruptions to oil supplies caused by the attacks on Iran by the USA and lsrael, he will consider introducing a programme to instal PV panels on as many as possible of the houses in the State to reduce dependency on fossil fuels; if the estimated cost of doing so is between €2.1 and €5.4 billion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54409/26]
View answerUnder the EU climate framework, Ireland has national targets under the Effort Sharing Regulation and the Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry Regulation. The figure quoted is a cumulative estimate covering a range of climate and energy legislation, each with their own unique compliance frameworks – none of which include the imposition of direct fines or penalties. The ESR framework provides for the use of additional compliance measures including the purchase of surplus allowances from Member States who have overperformed on their national targets.
However, estimating these costs requires working with significant data limitations. This was acknowledged by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) in their report.
The Domestic Solar PV grant scheme has gone from strength to strength since its launch, with over 10,000 applicants supported in 2022. 2023 proved even more successful, with domestic solar installation further supported by the Government decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises’ from 1 May, 2023. By the end of 2023, 22,214 homes had received grant supports and 28,000 in 2024. In 2025, over 33,000 homes received grant supports. A high level of demand for the scheme is continuing in 2026. By the end of June 2026 over 15,800 homes were supported (10% increase year on year) and over 26,100 applications were received (81% increase in applications year on year).
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for customers/households who are registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register. The scheme comprises a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system for eligible households. This includes survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER. This year I have allocated €11.7 million to the scheme. To end June, energy suppliers have drawn down €1.74 million and 257 households have received an upgrade under the scheme.
The cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT), chaired by my Department, was established June 2025 to identify and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The first report of the NEAT, published last November, helped to inform key aspects of Budget 2026, including new measures to further support householders contained in the National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026.
The NEAT is now working intensively to prepare an Energy Affordability Action Plan. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades, in particular for lower-income households at risk of energy poverty, and continued development of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's retrofit schemes in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. The Action Plan will be focused on short, medium and longer-term measures (including targeted measures) to support households and businesses to meet their energy costs. The Action Plan will be completed in Q3 of this year.
213. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has assessed Ireland’s strategic oil security arrangements, including the resilience of national oil reserves, supply routes and emergency fuel distribution capacity; if any such assessment identified risks to Ireland’s energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54473/26]
View answerThe war in the Middle East has had a significant impact on global oil markets, severely impacting supply.
My Department continues to proactively monitor supply in line with the Oil Emergency Response Plan (OERP). This plan provides the basis of Ireland’s response and provides me, as Minister, substantial legal powers to secure and protect supply if necessary.
The Plan and underpinning legislation and structures have been substantially enhanced and updated following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The OERP is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that it evolves with the changing geopolitical environment and reflects emerging risks to supply.
In terms of fuel availability more generally for essential sectors, the Oil Emergency Allocation Scheme provides for me, as Minister, to designate by order and/or directions, sectors, subsectors, and activities as constituting Critical Services.
Furthermore, my Department has convened the Oil Security of Supply Group which meets regularly and consists of relevant Government Departments and Agencies, in addition to Fuels for Ireland and oil companies. At the meeting of 2 July industry confirmed that they had secured supply into August and Ireland’s fuel supply chains remain robust and reliable.
The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) has operational responsibility for the day-to-day management of the State’s Strategic Oil Reserve. NORA’s oil is stored in various port locations throughout the island of Ireland, with the balance held in a small number of EU Member States. The locations at which NORA’s oil is stored are monitored under tight security in accordance with normal industry standards.
Following the release of stocks under the International Energy Agency Co-Ordinated action, NORA currently holds 80 days of oil stocks (80 days in the event of full disruption and therefore greater in the event of partial disruption).
214. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the new policy on private wires; if he will provide further details on the framework for gaining the consent of local communities and landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54562/26]
View answerMy Department has been engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft the necessary legislation required to bring forward the legislative framework to provide for privately owned electricity infrastructure. Introducing this regime is a priority for this Government. The Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy have undertaken pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of the Private Wires Bill with a report published at the end of April. The recommendations are under review as part of drafting the legislation. It is my intention that the Bill will have completed its passage through the Oireachtas as early as possible this year.
Privately owned electricity infrastructure will have to be developed with the consent of local communities and landowners. The intention of the legislation will be to utilise the existing provisions in the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 that relate to wayleave powers to govern the interaction between developers and the utilisation of land.
215. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the new policy on private wires; if he will provide further details on the framework to ensure that private wires will not undermine the development of the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54563/26]
View answer216. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the new policy on private wires; to provide the details to ensure that it does not undermine the financing of the national grid and does not impact on TSO and the DSO to maintain and expand the national grid. [54564/26]
View answerI propose to take Question No 215 and Question No 216 together.
The legislative and regulatory regime to allow for privately owned electricity infrastructure will support the build out of Ireland's electricity grid by providing an alternative and complementary route to grid investment and development.
My Department has been engaging with the System Operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, and it is intended that the legislation to allow for privately owned electricity infrastructure will take account of the development of the national grid and that any impact on the TSO and DSO ability to develop the grid is minimised.
It is also the intention to ensure that the CRU within their existing powers under the Electricity Regulation Act give due consideration to private electricity infrastructure ensuring that the national grid can be properly financed and cost recovery is fair.
It is my intention that the Bill will have completed its passage through the Oireachtas as early as possible this year.
217. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the additional resources that will be provided to the CRU for its regulatory role with regard to private wires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54565/26]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister.
While CRU is financed by means of a levy on regulated entities, it must receive approval from myself, as Minister, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, in consultation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, for any increase in its overall staff sanction.
Approval has been given to CRU (March 2026) for 60 new whole time equivalent positions, to meet its strategic objectives. This approval is on the basis that several areas are resourced as a priority including the safety and economic regulation of privately owned electricity infrastructure. This brings the sanctioned headcount for CRU to 263. My Department will liaise with CRU in relation to reporting on the recruitment and allocation of the additional staff, on a phased basis, over the next two years.
Specific resourcing is an operational matter for the CRU in the first instance. The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members (oireachtas@cru.ie), which enables them to raise more specific operational and resourcing matters directly with the regulator.
218. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the new private wires policy and the threshold for a new grid based solution not being available thus allowing access to a private connection. [54566/26]
View answerMy Department has been engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft the necessary legislation required to bring forward the legal framework to provide for privately owned electricity infrastructure. Introducing this regime is a priority for this Government. The Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy published their Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report at the end of April and my Department are considering the recommendations of the Committee as part of the drafting. It is my intention that the Bill will have completed its passage through the Oireachtas as early as possible this year.
Regarding the threshold for a new grid based solution not being available to potential projects, this will be considered in the development of detailed criteria for the granting of authorisations and licences for privately owned electricity infrastructure.
219. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the costs incurred by his Department and bodies under its aegis from contracts awarded to communications and PR firms in each of the years 2020 to date; the name of the contractor and a description of the work undertaken in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54567/26]
View answerMy Department has a dedicated communications and media relations function which manages public relations and media queries, alongside digital marketing, campaigns, events, and internal communications. My Department may occasionally engage external expertise in communications and PR where specialist or extensive support is required.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below.
|
Company |
Year |
Description |
Cost (incl. VAT) |
|
OSD Digital Agency |
2020 |
Social media campaign advice |
€3,815.45 |
|
RPS Communications |
2020-2022 |
PR support to help with Tellus geophysical mapping survey - community outreach/information line |
€124,131.19 |
|
Kano Communications |
2022-2023 |
PR Support as part of Reduce Your Use Campaign |
€15,221.25 |
|
Communications Clinic |
2023 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€6,178.95 |
|
DHR Communications |
2023 |
Delivery of strategic communications training for senior officials |
€1,780 |
|
Healy Communications |
2025 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€1,815.48 |
|
Alice PR |
2025 |
PR support to Just Transition Commission |
€12,232.35 |
|
Alice PR |
2026 |
PR support to Just Transition Commission |
€7,998.08 |
The information sought in the Question in relation to each agency or public body under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each of the State Bodies concerned and, as such, it is not information held by my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Bodies directly in relation to this matter. A list of these Bodies and their dedicated Oireachtas email addresses is attached.
220. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department’s expenditure on IT consultancy; the breakdown of all IT consultants engaged by his Department; the dates of their engagement; the nature of their work; and the costs associated with their services in each of the years 2015 to date, in tabular form. [54568/26]
View answerI refer the Department to my answers to Questions numbers 232 on the 31 March and 199 on the 28 May. The attached table restates the material provided and includes one additional figure relating to spend post 28 May 2026.
221. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department’s expenditure on consultancy; the breakdown of all consultants engaged by his department; the dates of their engagement; the nature of their work; and the costs associated with their services in each of the years 2015 to 2025. [54569/26]
View answerAs my Department has been reconfigured on several occasions since 2015, the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. I am advised that in the period since the formation of the previous and current Government, (2020 to 2025), the information sought in relation to my Department as currently configured is set out in the attached table.
222. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the work of the NEAT taskforce; if the action plan is expected to be approved and published by Q3; and when the action plan will be enacted. [54570/26]
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.
The NEAT continues to work intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be submitted to Government in Q3 of this year. Publication of the Action Plan will follow approval by Government. 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 will include a determination of timelines for the actions included in the Plan.
This work is also being supported by structured engagement with relevant external stakeholders. This included a targeted stakeholder consultation session on tackling energy poverty. Consultation sessions with business groups and with the Electricity Association of Ireland and retail electricity suppliers have also taken place in recent weeks.
223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54588/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across my Department, in Ireland and abroad, is zero.
224. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the dates on which he met with each of the State or semi-State bodies under his remit, broken down by State or semi-State since taking office, in tabular form. [54605/26]
View answerThe details requested in the Question are set out in the attached table.
