Written Answers Nos. 170-190
170. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current welfare and position of the Irish nationals detained by Israel following after participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla. [55437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish citizens detained on the Global Sumud Flotilla have now departed Israel and have returned home.
This welcome outcome was secured after intensive efforts by officials in my Department, including the Embassy team in Tel Aviv, working in conjunction with international partners.
Throughout this period, our primary concern was to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those detained. With this in mind, the Embassy team in Tel Aviv visited our citizens while being held in the detention facility and provided all possible and appropriate consular assistance.
I know that this has been a difficult time for both the Irish citizens and their families, and I pay tribute to their strength throughout.
171. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the central funding committed by Government to facilitate the delivery of a successful presidency for Ireland; the way in which this funding will be allocated to different departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55466/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding committed by Government to facilitate the delivery of a successful presidency for Ireland and the way in which this funding will be allocated to different departments, does not fall under the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and this question is therefore not a matter for my Department.
172. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide information on the co-ordination of the EU presidency by his Department; the details of all cross-Departmental groups that have been organised and the membership of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55467/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency.
The Government discussed Ireland’s approach to the preparation of the 2026 EU Presidency in May 2023, and tasked the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with taking forward both policy and operational aspects of planning for the Presidency, in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach. Two new Inter-Departmental Groups were established to coordinate Presidency preparations, focusing on the policy and operational aspects of planning respectively. All Government Departments participate in the work of these two Inter-Departmental Groups.
The Inter-Departmental Group on Presidency Policy Planning has been preparing Ireland's policy approach for the Presidency, taking account of significant policy developments at EU level which will shape the context for the work of the Council in 2026. It has also taken forward planning work for the range of meetings and events to be hosted by the Irish Presidency, as well as our approach to the management of the numerous Council preparatory bodies, committees and working groups that the Irish Presidency will be required to lead in 2026.
The Inter-Departmental Group on Operational Presidency Planning has been coordinating practical and operational planning for the Presidency. The Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochána also participate in the work of this group, which is being informed by ongoing consultations with other EU Member States and with the EU institutions.
Both groups generally meet on a monthly basis, and are chaired by officials from my Department. A joint meeting of the two groups to review overall progress in Presidency preparations takes place on a quarterly basis, and is chaired by the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence.
173. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department has taken in support of the Rohingya Muslim population in Bangladesh given their ongoing persecution and displacement from Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing and genocide. [55471/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar, especially in relation to the treatment of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities. The Rohingya have been subject to continuous attacks, forced displacement, and abhorrent treatment over a period of years. More than 1 million Rohingya have been displaced to camps in Bangladesh since 2017, joining earlier waves of refugees. Ireland has repeatedly condemned the human rights abuses inflicted in Myanmar and against the Rohingya by the Myanmar military and other armed groups.
Ireland has actively engaged on highlighting the situation of the Rohingya in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. Most recently, on 30 September Ireland participated in a UN High-Level Conference on the situation of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities from Myanmar, which had a focus on how to find a sustainable solution for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Ireland has repeatedly stated that any repatriation of refugees to Myanmar should take place only when conditions exist that are conducive to a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return. These conditions do not currently exist and latest reports show no indication of the situation substantively changing in the near future. Ireland welcomes consideration of further measures that would be effective in restoring Myanmar’s democratic path, and creating conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya and other refugees.
There are now 33 refugee camps around Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, where Rohingya people are living. The Irish Ambassador to India has visited some of these refugee camps in 2024 and again in 2025, to learn more about the situation, and to highlight the situation in which these refugees find themselves, and to see how the difference that Irish support is making. The most recent visit was organised by UNHCR, and Ireland is one of UNHCR’s key donors and partners in the region.
Since 2017, Ireland has provided more than €9 million in funding to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, including €1.5 million provided in 2025. That assistance has primarily been channelled via the UNHCR Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Bangladesh. This delivers life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees in in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, while also supporting vulnerable members of the Bangladeshi host community there. The JRP also works to enhance the longer-term resilience of Rohingya refugees and host communities. This funding specifically to address the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, is in addition to the funding which Ireland provides in response to the humanitarian crisis within Myanmar.
Securing accountability for crimes committed against the Rohingya is also of great importance to Ireland. Ireland supports the International Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the International Criminal Court, who are investigating crimes committed against the Rohingya. In December 2024, Ireland intervened in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.
My Department will continue to engage both with EU partners and at the UN to press for a long-term sustainable resolution to the crisis in Myanmar, such that there will be a pathway for refugees to safely return and to seek accountability for those responsible for serious criminal acts against them. Ireland supports ASEAN’s efforts to this end, including the full and effective implementation of the Five Points Consensus.
174. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the plans to reconsider the timeline a person must be registered with the ESB Networks Priority Services Register before being eligible for the SEAI Solar PV for medically vulnerable households scheme; the reason for this time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. These homes have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies for example dialysis machines or respirators. As such, these households may have a higher energy demand than the average user and this scheme is designed to go some way towards helping to reduce those energy costs.
The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in conjunction with Energy Suppliers, with each Energy Supplier contacting their own eligible customers directly in line with the work plans for their Solar PV Installers. Eligible households can avail of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system including survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER. Since the scheme became available, over 470 medically vulnerable homeowners have had installations completed by their supplier.
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable scheme was designed in using the Households/MPRN’s on the Life Support Category of the Priority Services Register as maintained by ESBN at that time.
Due to the strong uptake and the positive impact already observed in over 470 homes, the scheme is now in the process of being extended to include as eligible all homeowners who are registered under the life support category of the Priority Services Register with their energy supplier, regardless of when they were registered.
Energy suppliers will communicate this update to eligible customers in the coming weeks, as the eligibility criteria are revised, and qualifying homeowners are identified to benefit from the scheme.
175. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the annual uplift in the funding allocated to retrofitting under the National Development Plan in the years 2020 to 2030, in tabular form. [55773/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 13 February 2025 (details supplied), and the NDP review, if the allocations remain the same for retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55768/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason capital allocation for retrofitting differs from that which was outlined in the 2022 retrofitting plan (details supplied); the reasons for the decrease; if the planned allocations for retrofitting as outlined in the plan between 2027 and 2030 have also been scrapped; if he will provide a breakdown of the new planned capital allocations for retrofitting between now and 2030, in tabular form. [55183/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 176 and 194 together.
The NDP was reviewed earlier this year, with the outcome published in July. My Department welcomes the substantial €5.64 billion allocation under the review, in addition to a landmark €3.5 billion investment in Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure. Allocations of monies to specific programme areas within Departments and as part of sectoral reviews are still being finalised. Programme allocations, including allocations for the retrofit programme between 2027 and 2030, will be announced in due course.
The Government is committed to driving increased retrofitting and home energy upgrades, as part of the National Retrofit Plan and as set out in the Programme for Government. This includes the continued delivery of the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including delivering more B2 home energy upgrades; revising and improving the provision of grants and financing models for homeowners who wish to retrofit; enhancing energy efficiency and reducing costs; as well as supporting group retrofitting projects and area-based approaches to retrofitting.
We are delivering at scale and pace on our National Retrofit Plan, with €421 million of capital expenditure and almost 54,000 home energy upgrades completed in 2024. In 2025, a record capital budget of over €550 million, (including €469 million in carbon tax revenues) has been allocated to the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme.
Budget 2026 announced funding of €558 million from the carbon tax for SEAI residential and community energy upgrades, including the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Scheme. This is an €89 million increase on last year’s carbon tax allocation and means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable, and less expensive to heat. The allocation is expected to be further supplemented with additional funding, such as an allocation from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Further details will be published as part of the Revised Estimates later this year.
177. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 29 July 2025, is this same figure that was provided in the revised estimates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55899/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the value of the difference between the capital allocation for retrofitting in Budget 2026, when compared to the revised estimate for 2025. [55175/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there is a difference between the capital allocation for retrofitting in the revised estimates 2025 and Budget 2026. [55177/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there is a €89 million increase on the capital allocation for retrofitting in Budget 2026 when compared to the revised estimates for 2025. [55178/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 187, 189 and 190 together.
Budget 2025 allocated €469 million in carbon tax receipts for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme, to continue to build momentum in the delivery of the National Retrofit Plan. This allocation is fully funded from carbon tax receipts. In the Revised Estimates 2025, the final allocation to the B4 Subhead (Residential/Community Retrofit Programmes) was €558.72 million which included the carbon tax allocation as well as the addition of allocations from my Department's overall Exchequer allocation and from the European Regional Development Fund.
Budget 2026 announced funding of €558 million from the carbon tax for SEAI residential and community energy upgrades, including the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Scheme. This is an €89 million increase on last year’s carbon tax allocation and means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. This allocation is again expected to be further supplemented with additional funding, such as an allocation from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Further details will be published as part of the Revised Estimates later this year.
The Deputy may wish to note that details on the use of the carbon tax are published annually as part of the budget publications. The 2026 publication is available at: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/2c8f3efb/The_Use_of_the_Carbon_Tax_Budget_2026.pdf.
178. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of each social media advertising campaign, in 2023 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54676/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department uses advertising to promote a range of services, supports and initiatives for people and communities across Ireland.
As the media landscape has evolved over the past number of years, advertising expenditure has grown to address the diverse needs of different audiences, including costs associated with achieving national reach for important public messages. For example, my Department has run a significant national campaign on reducing energy use in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This “reduce your use” campaign was designed to assist every household in Ireland in dealing with rising energy costs and supporting positive behaviour change. In recent years, advertising expenditure has also grown to ensure that we are meeting our Irish language advertising requirements under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021.
The majority of Department advertising is procured via a media buying agency, and the weighting assigned to different media platforms is determined by target audience, best practice and securing value for money.
The table below shows my Department’s total expenditure since 2023. Following a reconfiguration at the start of 2025, with the communications function transferring out of the Department, the underlying data are not directly comparable across years. The information requested, covering the periods of the previous and current Governments, is set out below by year.
|
Year |
Spend* |
|
2023 |
€3,764,527.50 |
|
2024 |
€2,519,386.01 |
|
2025 |
€314,193.00** |
* Following the transfer of the Communications function to another Department, totals may be subject to minor adjustments while accounts are being finalised.
** Up to 14.10.2025
The table below comprises major campaigns over that period:
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Objective |
Reach |
Audience |
CTR (avg.) |
Social Media Platforms |
Social spend |
TOTAL COST |
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let's clear the air Q1 |
Nov 22 – Feb 23 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
?3,500,948 |
Primarily households + communities, at risk groups. |
0.15% |
Facebook & Instagram |
23,243.00 |
€636,620 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 4 |
Jan – Apr 23 |
Educate consumers on how best to reduce their energy use over the summer months, direct them to the RYU website and energy supports that are available to them, and encourage long-term sustainable behaviour and maintain awareness of the RYU brand. |
1,791,976 |
All adults ROI |
0.21% |
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X |
€ 89,638.00 |
€ 1,791,976.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 5 |
May – Sep 23 |
Primary: Maintain awareness of the RYU campaign off the back of the winter period and highlight the range of government supports available. Secondary: Raise awareness of and drive interaction with the SME/TBESS grants scheme for business owners |
379,977 |
All adults across Ireland, with a focus on renters, lone parents and cohorts with the least engagement in government measures. Secondary: Small & Medium Business Owners |
0.40% |
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X |
€ 46,020.00 |
€ 379,977.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 6 |
Dec 23 |
Key message was to communicate to the public to reduce their energy use coming into the winter months and what action they can take in their own homes to help with this. • To communicate changes in behaviour which will help with reducing energy costs. • Showcase that the government of Ireland is committed to supporting those most vulnerable to energy poverty. |
894,829 |
All adult audience with a focus on low-income households and younger cohorts |
0.85% |
Facebook, Instagram and X |
€ 39,363.00 |
€ 894,829.00 |
|
The Second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II): Public consultation campaign |
Feb – Apr 23 |
Campaign inviting people to give their views on the second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (ORED II) |
2,956,921 |
All adults in Waterford, Wexford and Cork |
0.06% |
Facebook & Instagram |
€12,024 |
€77,131 |
|
It’s Time to Get Circular – Burst 2 |
Oct – Dec 23 |
Campaign to raise awareness of the circular economy and sustainable practices. |
3,730,161 |
All Adults |
2.68% |
Facebook & X (Formerly Twitter) |
€ 23,618.00 |
€ 237,748.00 |
|
Climate Conversations 2023 |
Jul – Sep 23 |
Campaign inviting people across the country to have their say on the Climate Action Plan and how we can all play our part in securing our sustainable future. |
7,807,749 |
All Adults 18+, All Ireland |
1.06% |
Facebook & X (Formerly Twitter) |
€ 10,460.95 |
€39,001.22 |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let's clear the air Q1 |
Oct 23 – Mar 24 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities |
1,967,033 |
Primarily households + communities, at risk groups. |
0.12% |
Facebook and Instagram |
€ 15,531.00 |
€ 575,049.00 |
|
Let's clear the air Q4 |
Dec 24 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities |
2,163,128 |
All adults in Ireland |
0.13% |
Facebook and Instagram |
€ 11,022.00 |
€ 356,095.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 7 |
Jan – Mar 24 |
Key message was to communicate to the public to reduce their energy use coming into the winter months and what action they can take in their own homes to help with this. • To communicate changes in behaviour which will help with reducing energy costs. • Showcase that the government of Ireland is committed to supporting those most vulnerable to energy poverty. |
386,935 |
All adult audience with a focus on low-income households and younger cohorts |
0.09% |
Facebook, Instagram and X |
€ 28,559.00 |
€ 386,935.00 |
|
Reduce Your Use - Burst 8 |
Aug – Oct 24 |
Educate consumers on how best to reduce their energy use over the summer months, direct them to the RYU website and energy supports that are available to them, and encourage long-term sustainable behaviour and maintain awareness of the RYU brand. |
34,286 |
General households/all adults with an upweight on vulnerable cohorts |
0.75% |
Instagram and Facebook |
€ 13,256.00 |
€ 34,286.00 |
|
It’s Time to Get Circular – Burst 3 |
Sep – Oct 24 |
Campaign to raise awareness of the circular economy and sustainable practices. |
1,721,026 |
General consumers and households – all adults nationally. |
0.13% |
Facebook & Instagram |
€13,025.88 |
€128,200.25 |
|
Reverse the Trend |
Oct – Feb 24 |
Campaign aims to raise awareness of alternatives to frequent purchasing of clothing and some of the environmental impacts of over-consumption of textiles. |
4,040,972 |
Primary audience: Females aged 16-34 Secondary audience: Females aged 34-50 |
0.18% |
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & Snapchat |
€ 35,251.00 |
€ 324,753.00 |
|
Climate Conversations 2024 |
Jun – Sep 24 |
Campaign inviting people across the country to have their say on the Climate Action Plan and how we can all play our part in securing our sustainable future. |
336,221 |
Broad all adults with rural focus where applicable |
0.89% |
Facebook & Instagram |
€10,821.49 |
€41,170.67
|
|
Climate Action Works 2024 |
Sep – Nov 24 |
Climate Actions Work was a national campaign and programme of engagement on climate action, inviting people and communities across Ireland to be part of the conversation about climate change. |
3,696,286 |
General public and regional focus across Wicklow, Waterford, Donegal, Cork and Mayo |
0.35% |
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn |
€ 35,599.00 |
€ 379,765.00 |
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let's clear the air Q1 |
Jan – Mar 25 |
Campaign to raise awareness of impacts of air pollution and the health of our communities. |
1,600,396 |
All adults in Ireland |
0.11% |
Facebook & Instagram |
€ 11,237.00 |
€ 293,746.00 |
179. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the findings of assessments undertaken by his Department or by ESB Networks on the performance and resilience of the national electricity distribution system following storm Amy; the number of domestic and commercial customers who experienced loss of supply exceeding 24 hours; the measures being taken to ensure full restoration in the affected regions; and the steps his Department is implementing to strengthen network resilience against future extreme weather events. [54750/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs with all severe weather events, lessons learned from Storm Amy will form part of ongoing work to strengthen the performance and resilience of the national electricity distribution system.
My Department engaged in significant preparatory work in advance of Storm Amy including attending technical briefings hosted by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM). These briefings included significant inputs from Met Éireann on the arrival of Storm Amy and the warnings that would come into play which assisted agencies in their preparedness.
Officials in my Department were in regular contact with their counterparts in ESB Networks (ESB-N) and EirGrid prior to the storm's arrival on Friday 3 October and throughout that weekend. Officials attended sub-groups hosted by the NDFEM that dealt with the humanitarian response and the impacts on all critical infrastructure.
I am advised that ESB-N entered preparedness mode in advance of Storm Amy and mobilised repair crews and contract partners to the areas that were expected to be most impacted. ESB-N developed and issued Public Safety Messages ahead of the arrival of Storm Amy, alongside Local Authorities and State Agencies. There was significant engagement between these parties to identify critical sites for urgent repairs and ensure timely access.
The information requested in relation to ESB-N is an operational matter for ESB-N and, as such, the Deputy may wish to contact ESB-N directly. ESB has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members which is Oireachtas@esb.ie.
180. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration will be given to amending the current eligibility criteria for solar PV grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department will review the current eligibility criteria for the solar PV grant scheme, in particular the stipulation that the applicant must be the owner of the home built and occupied before 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54911/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
Domestic electricity micro-generation is supported by the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). Grants are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations of solar PV up to a maximum of €1,800 in 2025 and are available to houses built and occupied prior to 2021.
Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in 2022, the MSS has gone from strength to strength supporting more homes install solar PV. Since its launch in 2022 when over 10,000 homes received support, the Domestic Solar PV grant scheme has grown exceeding expectations each year with 22,214 and 28,000 homes receiving grant support in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
From 2022 to end of August 2025, over 90,000 homes have received grants totalling €196.7m, resulting in over 450 MW installed and 93.2kt CO2 saved. The scheme supports households to reduce their energy use and in turn make savings on their energy bills.
This high level of demand indicates that the scheme is working well and that not only have citizens recognised the significant benefits of investing in Solar PV, but that the solar pv industry and supply chain have adapted to the demands of our citizens.
The current scheme built on the success of a previous pilot version of the grant scheme. As part of the transition between schemes and in order to increase access to the new scheme, the eligibility criteria were changed from those houses built prior to 2011, to those built prior to 2021.
Targeting the grant scheme at older homes, maximizes emissions reductions and delivers energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible, whilst also making the most efficient use of limited Exchequer funding for the scheme. There are no plans to change the building year requirement at this stage but grant eligibility will be kept under review, and changes to the scheme will be made when necessary.
182. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the progress made towards transposing the provisions of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive by the 11 October 2025 deadline. [54920/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) (EED) is a wide-ranging European Directive which seeks to enhance energy efficiency across all EU Member States and forms a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 Package. The Recast EED replaces the 2012 EED, as amended in 2018, which Ireland has previously fully transposed and implemented.
The new EED was finalised in October 2023, with a transposition deadline of 11 October 2025, and contains many new measures aimed at further enhancing energy efficiency across society. The Government has a very ambitious programme in place to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors of society, as a key part of the drive to decarbonise and achieve our climate targets. The Government is fully committed to implementing the EED and recognises the significant benefits arising from embracing energy efficiency for Irish society, including reduced costs to households, businesses and the Exchequer; increased competitiveness and job creation; reduced fossils fuel use and reduced carbon emissions; a reduction in energy poverty; improved health outcomes; and increased energy security.
The Government has invested heavily in promoting energy efficiency across all sectors, including through residential energy efficiency grants provided by SEAI investment in transport measures that promote energy efficiency through greater use of public transport, active travel and electric vehicles, and further measures in the industrial and commercial sectors. Significant progress has been made in enhancing energy efficiency to date.
The EED contains highly complex and technical requirements which have required careful consideration prior to their adoption into Irish law. In advance of the deadline for transposition of the EED, my Department has notified the European Commission that the transposition and implementation of a small number of articles within the EED has already been completed. In relation to the remaining articles that require transposition, a large volume of legislation is in the final stages of preparation and is expected to be ready in the near future. My Department is working to ensure the implementation of the remaining provisions as soon as possible.
183. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if there are any technical, legal, operational, or policy constraints preventing his Department, when publishing quarterly reports of payments or purchase orders over €20,000, from including additional columns that link each payment to its underlying procurement process specifically tender/contract title; name and address of the awarded contractor/supplier; contract award date; contract duration; expected contract value (excl. VAT); maximum contract value (excl. VAT); the unique identifier from the relevant contract award notice; and where such constraints exist, to provide details explaining his Department’s current process for reconciling each reported payment with the corresponding published contract award notice on eTenders. [55053/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's current Financial Management System does not support the level of functionality proposed by the Deputy.
Contract management is devolved to the functional area with responsibility for the day to day management of its own contracts. This includes contract delivery, financial management and ensuring payments are in line with the contract value. In addition, my Department records details of contracts over €5,000 on a digital register which is centrally operated and maintained. These details are circulated to relevant managers to ensure that payments against each contract are in accordance with the contract value.
184. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if all contracting authorities under the aegis of his Department are in full compliance with Circular 05/2023, in particular the mandatory requirement to publish contract award notices for all contracts above €25,000; and if he will provide details of the monitoring or enforcement arrangements in place to ensure this requirement is met. [55070/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBodies under the aegis of my Department are responsible for their own procurements. 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.
185. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55156/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
186. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of allocations under subhead B4 as part of Budget 2026. [55174/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of all allocations under subheading A.1 to A.9, in tabular form. [55179/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of all allocations under subheading B.1 to B.14, in tabular form. [55180/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of all allocations under subheading C.1 to C.12, in tabular form. [55181/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme A, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55271/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme B, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme C, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 191, 192, 193, 196, 197 and 198 together.
Details of the 2026 current and capital allocations for my Department are published at programme level in the budget day abridged estimates (copy attached). In line with usual practice, these allocations will be finalised and published at subhead level later this year in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2026.
188. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the €89 million uplift referenced in Budget 2026 refers to an increase on what was allocation in Budget 2025 and not the total amount that was allocated for 2025, as outlined in the revised estimates 2025. [55176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €89 million referenced in the budget reflects the increase in funding from carbon tax receipts, rising from €469m this year to €558m in 2026, for Residential and Community Retrofit programmes. This increase means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, more comfortable and less expensive to heat, leaving households less vulnerable to changes in energy costs.
