Written Answers Nos. 169-178
169. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has conducted risk assessments, commissioned any studies or issued guidance on the environmental and public-health risks associated with large-scale battery energy storage systems, particularly in relation to thermal-runaway events; and if he will publish any such documents. [65617/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the national standards, fire-safety requirements, or environmental-protection protocols which apply to proposed battery-storage installations in Ireland; if he is satisfied that current regulations are adequate; and if he will provide a list of all statutory instruments and technical standards governing such facilities. [65618/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
A number of Government departments, State bodies and public authorities have specific roles in connection with the safety and regulatory regime of grid-connected electricity storage. Chapter 4 of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland published by my Department outlines their roles and remits in relation to standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.
The relevant local planning authority, in its capacity as the planning and fire authority ensures compliance with the requirements relating to the planning, construction and operation of electricity storage installations. Under Section 13 of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, the Fire Authorities may advise a planning authority in relation to applications for planning permission. All planning authorities also have recourse to risk-assess the planning applications for electricity storage systems regarding environmental and public health risks. The commencement of other studies on environmental and public health risk would, in the first instance, usually be undertaken by the appropriate State body namely the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
Further, standardised testing for thermal runaway amongst many other criteria is embodied in Article 12 of EU Regulation 2023/1542 - Concerning Batteries and Waste Batteries. All battery energy storage systems (BESS) put into operation in Ireland must conform to these regulations and the associated technical standards. These regulations, homogenise classification, standards, safety testing and certification across the EU.
171. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to introduce strengthened regulatory oversight or licensing requirements for BESS developments, in view of international experience and known fire-safety concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65619/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Climate Action Plan (action EL/24/16), the "Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland" was published by my Department in July 2024. Chapter 4 of the Policy Framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for grid-connected electricity storage systems, including Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Ireland.
The chapter outlines the roles and remits of a number of Government departments, State bodies and public authorities that have specific roles in the standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible, inter alia, for the licencing, charging and market incentives for electricity storage undertakings, the regulation of electricity storage in the electricity market and electricity storage grid connections, including Hybrid co-location of electricity storage assets with renewable generation assets.
Under Section 14(1)(n) (as amended by the Renewable Energy Regulation S.I. 20/2022) the CRU issues a Licence to Generate for electricity storage systems. Further, service providers of electricity storage systems (in their capacity as generators) are also required to apply for an Authorisation to Construct (under Section 16) from the CRU.
Regulatory oversight and licencing requirements for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) development, are matters for the CRU, which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. Should the Deputy wish he may engage directly with the CRU via a dedicated Oireachtas email address, [oireachtas@cru.ie].
172. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of former secretary general’s, retired civil servants, directors of service, retired city/county managers or those of a similar grade in his Department that have subsequently served on State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66011/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not collect information on the appointment of retired staff to State Boards. Details of the membership of State Boards are available on the stateboards.ie website.
173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66073/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no record of using the services of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland during the specified timeframe.
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.
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List of Agencies under the aegis of Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment |
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Bord na Mona |
Oireachtas@bnm.ie |
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CRU |
oireachtas@cru.ie |
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Eirgrid |
oireachtas@eirgrid.ie |
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EPA |
oireachtasqueries@epa.ie |
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ESB |
Oireachtas@esb.ie |
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IFI |
oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie |
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INPC |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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Loughs Agency |
oireachtasqueries@loughs-agency.org |
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MARA |
oireachtas@mara.gov.ie |
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NORA |
enquiries@nora.ie |
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SEAI |
oireachtas@seai.ie |
174. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the average waiting time for a decision on a warmer homes scheme application; the reason for this length of time; if steps will be taken by both his Department and SEAI to reduce it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66168/25]
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.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme is driving increased levels of demand for the scheme with 45,712 applications received over the period from January 2022 to end October 2025. The increase in depth of retrofit to an average value of just over €29,000 per home is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete.
The average waiting time under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of upgrade works, to date in 2025 was 21 months for the worst performing homes and 22 months for better performing homes. The represents a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
The reduction in waiting times follows a range of measures introduced by my Department and the SEAI. These include the allocation of additional staff to the Warmer Homes Scheme; a significantly increased budget allocation; active contract engagement and management by the SEAI to increase contractor output; as well as actions to address ongoing supply chain pressures.
Given the very high number of applications and the greater volume of deeper retrofits being provided under the scheme, the SEAI is projecting that new applications may face the following waiting times:
- the usual processing time for applications is 5 to 10 days from receipt;
- pre-works BER can be up to 12 months from application (if required);
- the survey is approximately 14 months from application;
- works are completed approximately 24 to 26 months from application; and
- the post works BER/inspection is approximately 2 to 3 months after works are completed.
The SEAI publish indicative wait times on their website for each stage of the process. This is available here: [Warmer Homes Scheme waiting times]. Applicants can contact the SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address: [oireachtas@seai.ie]
Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a key priority for my Department and the SEAI. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of fully-funded energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
175. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to detail his plans and timeframe to review Ireland’s energy security; the reports he has commissioned on the matter; the timeframe for their publication; the timeframe for a public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report was published in November 2023 and outlines a strategy to ensure energy security in Ireland for this decade, while ensuring a sustainable transition to a carbon neutral energy system by 2050. Progress on the 28 actions outlined in Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 is overseen by the Energy Security Group (ESG) which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department and attended by officials from relevant Government Departments and Agencies. Delivery of the Energy Security Package is progressing well, with 3 actions now complete and the remaining 25 underway and estimated to be on track.
At the end of 2024, my Department engaged the International Energy Agency (IEA) to undertake a further energy security study for Ireland in the context of recommendations in the McCarthy Review of Electricity Security of Supply, and the 2024 IEA policy Review of Ireland (IDR). The IEA’s analysis builds on the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 report, and considers an extended timeframe out to 2035.
The study provides an independent technical assessment of the role of the power sector in achieving Ireland’s policy objectives of decarbonisation and energy security. It examines the emerging power system security challenges in the context of the energy transition and provides an authoritative independent assessment on the stability of the electricity system, and the wider role of the power sector in decarbonisation of transport, heating and industry.
As part of this assessment the IEA held workshops and bilateral meetings with key stakeholders across Government, industry and academia in Dublin on 25-26 February 2025. A peer review process was carried out in June 2025. My Department received the IEA’s final analysis and recommendations at the end of September 2025, which I have reviewed with officials from my Department. The report has been circulated across key Government Departments and has also been reviewed by the Energy Security Group (ESG).
This technical assessment by the IEA will serve as a starting point for a major programme of work in 2026 to consult on the role of the energy sector in delivering security, competitiveness and sustainability across Irish society into the 2030s. Discussions are ongoing with the IEA around timely publication of their analysis, which is expected by the end of the year.
176. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide the Department’s annual expenditure on State Claims Agency costs for the years 2020–2025. [66343/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe expenditure relating to the State Claims Agency for my Department for the period 2020 - 2025 to date amounts to c. €799,396.
177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to list the number of Ministers, ministerial special advisers and officials who attended all or part of the "COP" conferences held in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66798/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOP27 took place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 to 18 November 2022. During COP27, Ireland was represented at Ministerial level by:
• The then Taoiseach, who was accompanied by two special advisers.
• The then Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was accompanied by two special advisers.
• The then Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora
• The then Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications led Ireland’s National Delegation to COP27, accompanied by two special advisers.
Ireland’s delegation at COP27 included 54 representatives across six Government Departments and three Agencies. Ireland’s national Climate Youth Delegate, was also a member of the Irish delegation, under the Department
COP28 took place in Dubai, U.A.E., from 30 November to 12 December 2023. During COP28, Ireland was represented at Ministerial level by:
• The then Taoiseach, who was accompanied by two special advisers.
• The then Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was accompanied by two special advisers.
• The then Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications led Ireland’s National Delegation to COP28 for the second week of the conference, accompanied by two special advisers.
• The then Minister of State, Department of Finance.
• The then Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who was accompanied by one special adviser.
Ireland’s delegation included 75 representatives across six Government Departments as well as a number of State Bodies and Agencies. Ireland’s national Climate Youth Delegate, was also a member of the Irish delegation, under my Department.
COP29 took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 22 November 2024. During COP29, Ireland was represented at Ministerial level by:
• The then Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, accompanied by two special advisers.
In total there were 40 members of the Irish delegation at COP29, across five Government Departments, which included officials from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The national delegation also included representatives from relevant State Bodies and Agencies including personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency, Met Éireann, the Central Bank of Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Attorney General’s Office. Officials from the Irish Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which is also accredited to Azerbaijan, also attended the Conference. Ireland’s national Climate Youth Delegate was also a member of the Irish delegation, under my Department.
178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to list the number of Ministers, ministerial special advisers and officials who are attending all or part of the "COP 30" conference in Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66818/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Belem, Brazil from 10 November – 21 November and was preceded by the World Leader’s Summit which took place from 06 – 07 November, also in Belem. During the World Leader’s Summit, Ireland was represented by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, whilst Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, attended during the first week of COP30, from 12 -13 November. I led Ireland’s National Delegation for the second week of the conference, from 17 – 21 November.
The Taoiseach was accompanied at the World Leader’s Summit by two special advisors. Minister of State Richmond was accompanied during the first week of COP30 by one special advisor. Two special advisors accompanied me for the duration of the second week at COP30.
Across the 3 weeks, Ireland’s delegation included 56 representatives across four Government Departments and two Agencies. This number also includes two Climate Youth Delegates under my Department. Officials were engaged at COP30 across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to priority areas for Ireland including; loss and damage, adaptation, science, and climate finance. A number of the official delegation were also responsible for logistics and operations, as well as preparing for Ireland’s role as holding the EU Presidency during COP31 in 2026.
My own engagement at COP30 focused on supporting Ireland’s climate priorities which includes promoting greater ambition, accelerating a shift away from fossil fuel dependence and calling for increased climate finance with improved accessibility and quality of adaptation finance going to the most vulnerable.
