Written Answers Nos. 191-210
195. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of domestic electricity and gas customers in arrears (details supplied); the average value of the arrears, using the information provided to his Department by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, in tabular form. [55261/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulation of retail energy markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) since the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation.
However, officials from my Department correspond with CRU on an ongoing basis to track developments in retail and wholesale energy markets including the effect of Government supports on arrears levels, among other indicators.
The CRU releases market monitoring data monthly to the Department inclusive of key items such as estimated annual bills for households and those number of households in payment arrears on their electricity and gas bills. The most recent of these releases includes the most up to date estimated annual bills and the latest available data on the number of customers in arrears. As arrears data operates with a two-month time lag due to the way suppliers report these figures to the CRU, the latest arrears data, which is available on the CRU website, is for June 2025. An update on the latest figures of customers currently in arrears is set out below:
|
Customers in Arrears |
Number in Arrears |
Volume of arrears |
Number of disconnections |
Switching |
|
Domestic Electricity |
298,336 |
€ 471.60 |
316 |
33,026 |
|
Domestic Gas |
183,520 |
€ 206.78 |
130 |
10,209 |
|
Commercial/Small Business Electricity |
29,181 |
|
99 |
1,467 |
|
Commercial/Medium Business Electricity |
3,736 |
|
|
|
|
Commercial/Small Business Gas |
5,885 |
|
11 |
210 |
|
Commercial/Medium Business Gas |
157 |
|
|
|
The Deputy may wish to engage directly with CRU in relation to the matters raised. CRU provides a dedicated email address, oireachtas@cru.ie, for Oireachtas members which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters.
199. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to enhance the retrofit grant system to allow for individual elements, such as windows or doors, to be retrofitted, in order that households that cannot afford a full retrofit can do so incrementally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55279/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring fairness to all and supporting a just transition are key principles underpinning the National Retrofit Plan. The Government is committed to driving increased retrofitting and home energy upgrades, as part of the plan and as set out in the Programme for Government. This includes improving the provision of grants and financing models for homeowners who wish to retrofit, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing costs.
The cost of a retrofit depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home, as well as the age and starting condition of the property, and the retrofitting works required or recommended.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), therefore, has a number of schemes in place to support homeowners to upgrade their properties.
• the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is available for homeowners wishing to avail of the complete home energy upgrade service provided through the one stop shops;
• the Community Energy Grant is available for homeowners seeking to carry out their deep retrofit as part of a community project;
• the Better Energy Homes Scheme provides grants for individual elements and facilitates homeowners wishing to undertake home energy upgrades through a step-by-step incremental approach; and
• the Warmer Homes Scheme delivers fully funded home energy upgrades to the homes of people who are vulnerable to energy poverty.
The range of schemes available allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs.
From 2019 to end September 2025, the SEAI schemes provided over €1.5 billion in support to homeowners for 228,350 home energy upgrades, including 30,600 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme, and 17,100 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 between 2019 to 2024.
In addition to increases in annual budget allocations for these schemes, there has also been a range of additional measures and supports introduced under the National Retrofit Plan in recent years to support the achievement of our targets, as well as ensuring accessibility and affordability for homeowners. These include:
• the delivery of deeper and more complex retrofits under the fully-funded Warmer Homes Schemes for those at risk of energy poverty, where the average cost of upgrades reported by the SEAI has increased from €2,600 in 2015 to over €29,000 in 2025;
• increases in grant rates within the part-funded SEAI schemes;
• the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, providing retrofit loans with interest rates as low as 2.99%; and
• a reduction in the VAT rate for heat pumps to 9% and a 0% rate for solar panels.
My Department and the SEAI continue to keep grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology, costs, inflation, and other relevant factors.
Details of the various energy upgrade schemes are available on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants.
200. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the process through which a costing of €900 million was reached for the proposed LNG gas reserve; and the breakdown of the projected annual cost, broken down by capital expenditure and operational expenditure, in tabular form. [55329/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of the projected total first- and full-year operational expenditure cost to operate the proposed LNG gas terminal, in tabular form. [55330/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of the projected total first- and full-year capital expenditure cost to operate the proposed LNG gas terminal, in tabular form. [55331/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of funding allocated to the proposed gas reserve in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55332/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201, 202 and 203 together.
In March of this year, I received Government approval to proceed with the development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve. The delivery of a temporary gas reserve is critical to Ireland’s energy security as we continue to transition to indigenous, clean renewable energy. Crucially, the strategic gas emergency reserve will also ensure compliance with EU standards and regulation. The Government will continue to take decisive action to protect Ireland’s economy and citizens from the potential catastrophic impact of a significant disruption to gas supplies.
The emergency reserve will be in the form of a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit to be owned on behalf of the State by the system operator, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI). The reserve will protect Ireland’s economy and citizens from the potential catastrophic impact of a significant disruption to gas supplies.
Gas Networks Ireland are now progressing the project through detailed design and market engagement to determine the final costs to deliver this strategic gas emergency reserve. The final investment decision will be subject to Government approval and will be supported by independent assessments undertaken by financial and commercial advisory authority NewERA, as well as the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
No funding was allocated to the strategic gas emergency reserve in Budget 2026. The standard approach for cost recovery for security of supply measures and investments to meet EU regulations is through the existing regulatory framework and achieved over the lifetime of the asset. Identifying opportunities to minimise the impact of this cost on energy consumers is a key workstream of this project.
204. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of funding allocated to energy security as part of Budget 2026; the way this will be spent; the timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55333/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July of this year, Government approved a €3.5 billion investment in Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure over the period 2026-2030 as part of the National Development Plan. This represents the largest single investment in the country's electricity network in its history. This represents a transformative investment, which will strengthen Ireland’s energy security, support economic growth and accelerate our transition to renewable energy.
The investment will see €1.5 billion allocated to ESB Networks and €2 billion to EirGrid, enabling both companies to significantly increase capital investment to expand our onshore and offshore electricity transmission and distribution network infrastructure.
€1.1 billion has been allocated to my Department in Budget 2026, of which €724 million is allocated to the acceleration of Ireland’s energy transition. This is the most effective way in which we can enhance our energy security, by becoming more energy independent, less reliant on imported fossil fuel energy, and by developing a more sustainable energy system.
The funding allocated to the SEAI’s residential and community energy upgrades has been increased by €89 million to €558 million, delivering warmer and more comfortable homes and reducing heating bills.
The Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF), which was established in last year’s budget to manage windfall tax receipts and fund the climate transition, has facilitated the development of multi-year funding plans for many areas relating to Energy, Climate and Environment. €500 million has been allocated to my Department for the period 2026-2030 toward the development of new markets to accelerate the diversification and decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy system.
Specific spending commitments within the ICNF include, for example, €8 million which has been allocated for the delivery of an Offshore Site Surveying Programme in 2026, gathering data which will inform and de-risk ORESS (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) auctions, reducing costs long-term for the consumer and accelerating the delivery of Offshore Renewable Energy.
205. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a detailed breakdown of installation of solar PV as part of the warmer homes scheme; the number of homes installed with solar PV as part of the warmer homes scheme, broken down by county, the average cost, their pre and post-BER and the average KwH installed in each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [55344/25]
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 carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
The information sought 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.
206. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the pre and post-BER of homes retrofitted as part of the retrofitting scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025 to date, broken down by scheme, in tabular form. [55345/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the pre and post-BER of homes retrofitted as part of the retrofitting scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025 to date, broken down by scheme and, by county, in tabular form. [55347/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 208 together.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to support homeowners improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, and to promote the adoption of renewable energy systems. These schemes include grants for the fabric upgrade of buildings (e.g. insulation), as well as solar PV and heat pump installation.
The information sought 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 may also wish to note that the SEAI has published full year and quarterly reports on the SEAI website which provide more detail in relation to the retrofits carried out under the SEAI schemes. The full year 2024 report can be found at:
www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/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.
207. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a breakdown of the average time spent on a waiting list as part of the warmer home scheme, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55346/25]
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 carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund.
The information sought 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.
209. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the relevant legislation which dictates the process for connections; if there is one stream only or are their separate streams in the “queue” for a connection; his views on allocating connections on a first come, first served basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55349/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. Section 34 of the 1999 Act confers upon the CRU regulatory powers in respect of the terms for connecting to and using the national electricity transmission and distribution systems.
The management of, and matters related to connections, are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission System Operators, ESB Networks and EirGrid, who are accountable to the CRU and are also independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. The pathway to connection to the electricity grid is dependent on the nature and scale of the project seeking connection and whether it is a demand or generation customer. For instance, onshore generators and storage technologies apply to the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to connect to the electricity grid under rules set out in the new Electricity Connections Policy – Generation & System Services (ECP GSS). One of the key differences to the new ECP-GSS is the inclusion of six-monthly, rather than 12-monthly, application deadlines. The policy also provides for the parallel processing of both planning and grid permits for renewable projects to speed up overall permitting timelines. The ECP GSS policy also sets out the connection process for mini-generation, small-scale generation, and renewable energy communities.
Details of the various other connection polices, including policies for the connection of data centres, interconnectors and offshore renewable electricity connections are set out on the CRU website. The management of, and matters related to, domestic connections to the electricity grid are matters for ESB Networks. Connection applications are dealt with on sequential first come first served basis. Information on the pathway to apply for a domestic connection is set out on the ESB Networks website. ESB Networks and CRU have respective contact email address for Deputies should they wish to seek clarification on the issues set out above (oireachtas@esb.ie, oireachtas@cru.ie).
210. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on any meetings he had with energy suppliers since he took office; the dates on which those meetings took places; to outline the discussions that took places; if he anticipates energy prices will decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55350/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation and has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations. The CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.
As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders on important topics including energy prices, and I can confirm that I have met with both the CRU and energy suppliers since being appointed as Minister. On 26 September 2025, I met with the four biggest energy suppliers in Ireland. In addition to my interactions, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis and a key message to them is the critical importance of prices being reduced as soon as possible.
Under the Programme for Government 2025, we have committed to commissioning an independent review into the speed and level of pass through from wholesale prices to retail prices, with an additional assessment of the overall price dynamics and an overall focus on the competitiveness of the Irish economy. This is a priority and I have established a cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability.
