Written Answers Nos. 116-135
117. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for the provision of a local community climate action officer for County Cork to liaise and work directly with the various rural community groups in County Cork in developing projects to address climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49279/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of supports for community efforts to address climate change is a priority for me and there are a number of ways that specific positions are financially supported by programmes under my remit. Firstly, the Climate Action Fund supports the provision of Community Climate Action Officers (CCAOs) in each local authority through Strand 1 of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP).
A total of €50.9 million is being provided to local authorities from the Climate Action Fund through both phases of the CCAP to support communities, large and small, rural and urban, to decarbonise in a considered and structured way. 17% of this €50.9 million is allocated to administrative purposes that support the cost of resourcing a Community Climate Action Officer in each local authority for each phase. A CCAO has been in position in Cork County since 2023.
In addition to this, all 31 local authorities have their own climate action programmes, spearheaded through their statutory Local Authority Climate Action Plans, that were adopted in 2024. My Department provides a total of €5.8m of dedicated funding to support a Climate Action Coordinator and a Climate Action Officer in every local authority to assist in preparing and implementing these plans. Both a Climate Action Coordinator and a Climate Action Officer have been in position in County Cork since 2023, in addition to the CCAO outlined above.
My Department is also providing €2m in annual funding to the 4 Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) to support local authorities to deliver climate actions and to implement their Climate Action Plans. The Atlantic Seaboard South (ASBS) CARO is located within Cork County Council, with the expertise available across the region to all local authorities.
119. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of home energy upgrades completed to date in 2025, in each county; the way in which this compared to the same periods of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49121/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, through grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings, as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.
Overall, since 2020, the SEAI schemes provided €1.38 billion support to homeowners for 198,714 home energy upgrades. This year, a record budget allocation of over €550 million for the SEAI will support over 64,500 home energy upgrades and build on the momentum seen in recent years.
The specific data sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of home energy upgrades across the SEAI Residential and Community Retrofit Schemes for January to August 2025, compared with data for the same period between 2020 and 2024, is an operational matter for the SEAI, an agency under the aegis of my Department. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
The Deputy might also wish to note that the SEAI has published Full Year and Quarterly Reports on its website which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out under SEAI schemes, including “property upgrades by county by year”.
The full year 2024 Report can be found at: SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2024.pdf
and the most recently published Quarter 1 2025 Report at:
www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q1-2025.pdf
A range of measures have been introduced under the National Retrofit Plan across recent years to support continued growth, including simplifying application processes, expanding eligibility, prioritising worst performing homes, expanding deep retrofits, and growing the numbers of One Stop Shops, as well as progressing projects piloting new supports.
120. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider expanding the SEAI warmer homes scheme eligibility to all those over 70 years, regardless of whether they are in receipt of fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49103/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
Last year saw a record spend of almost €230 million under the scheme. This resulted in 7,743 upgrades being provided to low-income households, a 31% increase on 2023. This year’s budget includes an allocation of €280 million for the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an 11-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.
The Warmer Homes Scheme is available to owner-occupied properties, based on the householder being in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports.
The scheme targets support to those on the lowest incomes who are living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact in addressing energy poverty.
The scheme eligibility criteria are kept under ongoing review by my Department, together with the Department of Social Protection, to ensure they are consistent with, and complementary to, the income support schemes offered.
The Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:
• The Department of Social Protection's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or the Department of Social Protection. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.
• The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by Local Authorities. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/1ca60-housing-aid-for-older-people-grant/
121. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will transpose the EU definition of energy poverty into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEffective ways of defining, measuring and tracking energy poverty are essential for designing sound policy responses. Chapter 3 of the Energy Poverty Action Plan sets out the challenges in doing this.
Currently, the measurement of energy poverty in Ireland used by the ESRI is based on the level of expenditure on energy in a household. Households spending above 10% of total income on their energy needs (excluding energy for transport) are counted in the current measurement of energy poverty. Using this metric, the ESRI estimated that the share of households that could be at risk of energy poverty had risen to 29.4% in 2022.
However, this measurement does not capture the levels of energy deprivation or account for the energy efficiency of a home and is unable to identify households with the largest burden after increases in energy prices. In response, as set out in the plan, Government is providing funding to examine whether existing supports are well-targeted towards those who are at risk of energy poverty and the impact of those supports on the level of energy poverty. As part of this research the ESRI will, among other outcomes, propose a metric for measuring energy poverty that combines expenditure and energy efficiency.
Ireland recognises that the significant benefits arising from embracing energy efficiency include reduced costs to the Exchequer and households, increased competitiveness and job creation, reduced fossils fuel use, a reduction in energy poverty and increased energy security. Work is ongoing on the transposition of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), which is a core part of the Fit for 55 package, and is aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in every Member State of the EU. The EED contains a large number of measures to improve energy efficiency across every sector, including a definition of energy poverty.
122. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will provide an update on Ireland's capacity to monitor air pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48945/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national air quality monitoring network is operated, maintained and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP) which is funded by my Department.
A significant upgrade to the AAMP network was undertaken in recent years, also funded by my Department. As a consequence, the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 115 today. This is 3 times greater than the number required under the EU Air Quality Directive.
The monitoring network is supported by a new air quality modelling and forecasting facility developed under the LIFE EMERALD project. The Forecast Maps were launched by the EPA last November and predict the daily air quality for up to 3 days. Details of the locations of all monitoring stations currently in operation, along with real-time and historic data from each station, can be found at the website www.airquality.ie/.
The EPA produces an annual report on Air Quality which provides an overview of the quality of our air and key issues that impact upon it. The monitoring stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants to provide information to the public and allow assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. The EPA are currently reviewing the network of stations in light of the revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive and any potential changes to the network will be informed by that review.
My Department also supported Cork City Council to develop a National Clean Air Website (cleanair.ie). This website serves as a comprehensive hub for all air quality matters and will be an essential tool for creating public awareness and inspiring appropriate behaviour change.
123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will urgently introduce legislation to properly protect marine protected areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49161/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the transfer of marine environment functions from the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government to my Department, the Department has undertaken a review to identify the optimal legislative vehicle to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Options under consideration include alignment of the approach to designating MPAs with provisions of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. A recommendation will be brought to Government for approval in the coming weeks.
In advance of finalising the legislative approach, it is important to note that significant enabling work in relation to identification of possible MPAs has already begun. Two ecological sensitivity analyses were undertaken completing studies of the western Irish Sea and Celtic Sea to identify possible suitable areas for potential MPAs in these parts of Ireland’s maritime area, as well as developing methods, approaches and standards for identifying such suitable areas. The Irish Sea sensitivity analysis was completed and published on 19 June 2023 and the Celtic Sea analysis was completed and published on 27 June 2024.
More recently, EU-LIFE funding of €15 million has been obtained to aid in developing Ireland’s network of MPAs between now and 2030. The State will add a further €10 million in match funding for this MPA LIFE Ireland project, making a total project fund of €25 million over the period 2024-2033.
The MPA LIFE Ireland project and ongoing wider MPA process will support the implementation of the MPA legislation by ensuring the co-design, development and roll out of Marine Protected Areas as well as effective ecosystem-based management.
Regardless of the final legislative code chosen, stakeholder engagement and meaningful participation will continue to be central to the MPA process as it develops.
The Government remains committed to the earliest possible designation of an ecologically coherent network of MPAs, ensuring that Ireland achieves and maintains Good Environmental Status in its marine area and meets its target of 30% by 2030 in a way that supports integrated marine governance.
124. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when a new a waste action plan for a circular economy is planned to be delivered after the current plan is due to expire at the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49113/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) 2020-2025 established an ambitious suite of measures to continuously improve Ireland’s waste management systems, minimise waste and improve resource efficiency.
The WAPCE will be updated in 2026 to ensure that it aligns with and drives the delivery and implementation of the new Circular Economy Strategy which will be published before the end of this year.
The updated WAPCE will inform and give direction to waste planning and management in Ireland, the delivery of appropriate infrastructure, and how the waste collection market will operate over the coming years.
Work on updating the WAPCE will commence following the completion of the study to explore the feasibility, potential benefits and risks associated with transitioning our waste collection system from its current competitive licensing system to a franchise tendering system for local authority areas or regions.
126. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will support legislation to enable the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to give more specific directions in terms of mandatory emissions reduction and offsetting measures to large energy users like data centres, such as a requirement that they generate and are operated using localised, sustainable and renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49307/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CRU published a Large Energy Users Connection Policy Proposed Decision Paper which considered the impact of future LEU connections on both national carbon emissions and the capacity of our energy and grid infrastructure. CRU are in the process of analysing the extensive feedback received as part of the consultation, highlighting the complexity of these and the balance of priorities facing the decision.
Government policy on data centres is articulated in the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centre Policy in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’ and the Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development contained therein, which the Commission refer explicitly to as informing their approach.
The Programme for Government recognises the challenges regarding the sustainability of data centres and their alignment with our climate goals and commits to enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and effective solutions. It is also developing a comprehensive plan to accelerate energy generation, connectivity, and planning processes which will guide the development of data centres and other strategically significant very energy intensive industries, in alignment with Ireland’s decarbonisation objectives and growing the knowledge-based economy.
128. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the proposed timeline for the delivery of the private wires legislation referenced in the Private Wires Policy Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48876/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe progression of private wires was included in the Programme for Government 2025 as a priority for this Government. Following the Cabinet approval of the Private Wires Policy Statement on the 15 July 2025, engagement with key stakeholders has commenced and is ongoing.
Furthermore, work on drafting the necessary legislation has commenced in my Department with the intention to bring the legislation to Cabinet for approval in the near term.
129. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the supports available within his Department to further develop the Galway warm home hub; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48429/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway City Council adopted its statutory Local Authority Climate Action Plan in February 2024. As part of its plan, Galway City chose the areas of Newcastle, Rahoon, Shantalla, and Westside as its Decarbonising Zone (DZ) to focus on a range of climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity measures.
Galway City Council is also participating in the EU NetZeroCities Pilot Programme which supports European cities to test innovative approaches to reduce carbon emissions. Under the programme, Galway City secured €1m in funding over a two-year period to carry out a project focusing on energy efficiency in buildings in the Westside area of their DZ through a ‘Warm Home Hub’. This provides free guidance to local residents who wish to upgrade and retrofit their homes.
The two-year funding concluded in May 2025. Over this period, the Hub significantly advanced its mission to overcome barriers to home retrofitting. The model reached over 470 residents through different types of engagement, delivered 134 Home Energy Assessments, 100 Building Energy Ratings (BERs), and supported 105 households in starting to plan and carry out their retrofit actions.
In August 2025, my Department signed a Service Level Agreement with Galway City Council to extend the Warm Home Hub until the 5 December 2025. This agreement provides €30,000 in interim funding from my Department, with another €30,000 to be provided by Galway City Council. This extension period will be used by Galway City Council to explore other funding avenues.
Galway City Council is also supported through the National Mirror Group - an interdepartmental body established by my Department to oversee the progress of EU Cities Mission - and regularly provides updates on the Warm Home Hub through this forum.
131. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the development of renewable energy. [48943/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the ambition of this Government to rapidly expand renewable energy capacity to meet climate targets and ensure long-term energy security. This includes scaling up wind, solar, and grid infrastructure, supported by streamlined planning and regulatory processes. The Programme for Government has reaffirmed Ireland’s target of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewables in the near term, with plans to move to net zero by 2050.
Renewables provided 40% of our electricity demand in 2024. Over the past 4 years, 22 separate electricity storage systems have been connected to the grid network, enabling the use of increasing amounts of renewable electricity on the grid. The CRU are currently proposing to approve an investment of up to €18 billion in our electricity system between 2026-2030 which will enable the integration of greater renewable energy, both onshore and offshore, into our energy system. The Electricity Connection Policy - Generation and System Services comes into effect this year and introduces a bi-annual connection application process, allowing for greater parallel processing of planning and grid applications for renewable projects to expedite the overall permitting process.
The expanded use of district heating, based on renewable energy and/or waste heat is envisaged to play a key role in decarbonising the Irish heat sector. The Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 has been designed to provide a legislative underpinning for the district heating sector. A legal drafter has been assigned to the Bill and officials in my Department are engaging to progress it towards enactment.
Ireland is taking steps to implement the Renewable Energy Directive which provides the legal framework for the increased deployment of renewable energy across the electricity, transport and heating sectors.
132. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the input his Department has had into the development of solar energy development guidelines as initiated by the Department for Housing; Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49077/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has been in communication with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the publishing of planning guidelines for solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49316/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 147 together.
The Programme for outlines the Government's commitment to deliver 80% of Ireland's electricity demand from renewable energy sources including 8GW of solar energy.
The total installed capacity of solar generation connected to the grid currently stands at over 1.7 Gigawatts (GW) with a new record for peak solar generation set in July. Government policy is focused on maintaining this momentum and delivering on our ambitious target of 8 GW of solar capacity.
To support this, the Programme for Government sets out a commitment to introduce planning guidelines for solar farms. Planning matters fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I am advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has begun an initial scoping process to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of planning guidelines for solar energy development, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, and the possible timeframe for publication of said guidelines.
Under the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials from my Department will liaise and work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as this important matter progresses.
133. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the Government remains committed to the decision of the previous Government to withdraw from the EU Energy Treaty; if so, when this withdrawal will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48559/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has begun the process of formal withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in a coordinated manner alongside other EU Member States, following negotiations as part of a bloc, led by the EU Commission.
Each Country has different rules regarding treaties, both the joining of and exiting from them. In Ireland’s case, a decision to withdraw from an international treaty, such as the Energy Charter Treaty, is a matter of executive power under Article 29 of the Irish Constitution and will require a Government Decision. A Memorandum will be brought to Government by my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, given his formal role in international treaties, and this decision will formally end Ireland’s membership. The Government is committed to exiting the ECT as soon as is practicable and this Memo is expected to be brought to Government in the approaching period.
134. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a separate renewable heat obligation rate was considered for the liquid fuels sector; the reason this was not advanced given those working in the sector claim they can reach a rate of 20% from year one rather than the current 1.5% rate that applies to all fuels in the home heating sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49310/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) is a key priority for my Department and, following Government approval on the 15 July, the General Scheme of the RHO Bill 2025 was published and is available to view on Gov.ie at: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/RENEWABLE_HEAT_OBLIGATION_BILL_2025.pdf.
As part of the scheme development process, and in consultation with industry and key stakeholders, an extensive examination of the heat sector and the potential cost and availability of renewable fuels to meet the obligation has been carried out.
Under current proposals, the RHO will obligate suppliers of all fossil fuels used for heating purposes to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. As such, all renewable fuels used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive will be considered eligible for certification under the scheme.
The draft RHO high-level scheme sets out potential introductory obligation rate across all fuel types in the first two years of the scheme, while also allowing for different obligation rates by fuel type if considered appropriate. Once the legislation is enacted and the initial rates are set, it is envisaged that a full review of scheme's performance, including in relation to the cost and availability of fuels to meet the obligation, will be carried out ahead of any subsequent rate changes.
The National Heat Study recommended that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems in decarbonising buildings. However, the study also recognised the potential role for sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative routes to decarbonisation. The Programme for Government commits to further investigation of solutions for older homes still using oil to switch to renewable heating systems, and consideration of the use of sustainable bioliquids to reduce emissions from existing home boilers where deep retrofits are not possible in the short term.
These commitments are framing the work underway to develop a Heat Policy Statement and the Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel heating systems. A draft statement, informed by the findings of the National Heat Study, has been prepared by my Department and has undergone extensive consultation with other Government Departments and Agencies. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Report is being completed, and a public consultation on the SEA Report and the draft Heat Policy Statement will be undertaken shortly. Following completion of the consultation process, my Department will submit the draft Heat Policy Statement to Government for approval and publication.
135. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress that has been made to date in 2025 towards reaching the Government’s retrofitting targets across housing, to include public and private housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48909/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the retrofit plan. [49211/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the progress of national retrofitting. [49011/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for a progress update on the goal of 500,000 retrofit upgrades by 2030. [48908/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 138, 142 and 153 together.
The Climate Action Plan sets ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal level and install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by the end of 2030. A range of measures have been introduced under the National Retrofit Plan in recent years to support the achievement of our targets. These include:
enhanced Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant schemes with simplified application processes and faster approvals, including a greater focus on heat pumps;
• a reformed Warmer Homes Scheme for homeowners in energy poverty with expanded eligibility, increased depth of retrofit, a prioritisation of the worst performing homes and a higher number of homes supported;
• the establishment of a network of 25 SEAI registered One Stop Shops with further growth in the network expected this year;
• enhanced supports for retrofitting apartment buildings and flat complexes;
• piloting of new supports for area-based retrofit projects and traditional buildings;
• the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme providing retrofit loans with interest rates as low as 2.99%;
• a reduction in the VAT rate for heat pumps to 9% and a 0% rate for solar panels;
• a tax incentive to encourage small-scale landlords to undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ; and
• a range of measures to increase the number of workers with retrofit skills, including the establishment of six Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Centres of Excellence.
In the period 2019 to date, the SEAI schemes have provided almost €1.48 billion in support to homeowners for 223,500 home energy upgrades, including almost 29,600 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme and 16,700 heat pump installations. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage funded a further 14,300 Local Authority upgrades, including over 7,250 heat pumps in the period 2019 to 2024.
This year, a record budget of €550 million has been allocated to the SEAI to support over 64,500 home energy upgrades to further build on the momentum seen in recent years. In addition, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has made €90 million available for the Local Authority Retrofit Scheme.
The implementation of National Retrofit Plan actions will continue to be progressed. Increasing the uptake of energy efficiency measures and renewables among homeowners is a top priority for my Department and my officials, working in partnership with their counterparts in the SEAI, will seek to progress the Programme for Government commitments over the lifetime of this Government.
