Written Answers Nos. 293-312
295. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the full delivery chain required for offshore wind deployment; the elements presenting the greatest delivery risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9711/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Renewable Electricity Support Scheme provides financial assistance to foster the early deployment of offshore wind energy. The support is in the form of a two-way contract for difference awarded to generators who are successful in periodic auctions staged by my Department.
Generators awarded supports are contracted to build an offshore wind farm and achieve commercial operation by a specified date. However, the generator is responsible for all matters relating to the construction of the wind farm, including procurement from the supply chain. I have no role in relation to the generator's procurement activities
The offshore wind supply chain is highly technical and international in nature, and the generators active in our auctions are international players with the experience and skills to best navigate any challenges arising.
296. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of renewable energy projects that have sought private wire electricity connections in each of the past five years; the number approved; the number refused or delayed; and the reasons provided at an aggregate level, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Private Wires Bill is currently being drafted following Cabinet approval of the General Scheme in December 2025. Therefore, there is no process to apply for private wires as they do not have a legislative basis. Pending approval, it is envisaged that the application process for private wires will be the responsibility of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The CRU will act independently from the Minister in this regard.
297. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether any estimate has been made of the additional renewable electricity generation capacity that could be delivered through wider use of private wire connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe General Scheme for the Private Wires Bill, approved in December 2025, includes provisions for private electricity wires in four specific circumstances. The intention is to unlock private investment in Ireland’s electricity infrastructure to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and storage. This purpose is reflected in the General Scheme based on the guiding principles of the Private Wires Policy Statement which was published in July 2025.
Additional renewable electricity generation capacity will be permitted in various circumstances including:
• A direct connection between a generator, for example a wind farm or solar farm, and an electricity customer, perhaps a factory that wants to decarbonise.
• A wind farm or solar farm owned by one company will be able to share a grid connection with another generator or a battery installation owned by another firm.
• To allow a firm that self-supplies electricity to provide electricity to neighbouring customer where the line does not have to cross land owned by a third party.
It is expected that new renewable capacity will be facilitated through each of these categories. The degree of private wires uptake will depend on the specific provisions in the legislation and regulations.
298. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of offshore wind projects that have received maritime area consent but have not progressed due to port, grid or supply chain constraints; the estimated generation capacity involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the cumulative offshore wind generation capacity that is consented, planned or in development; the proportion dependent on grid or port infrastructure that is not yet operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9733/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated grid connection timelines for offshore wind projects currently in the development pipeline, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9734/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 298, 301 and 302 together.
Government is committed to having 5 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity in development by 2030.
Five offshore wind projects off our East coast, with capacity of 3.8 gigawatts, are presently in development. Each of these projects hold a Maritime Area Consent and provisional grid connection offer and all five have submitted planning applications to An Coimisiún Pleanála and are preparing or submitting further information as requested by An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2025.
The first planning determinations are anticipated by the end of 2026. I expect that these projects will be in construction by 2030 and grid connected and operational by 2031/32. Each of these projects are responsible for the construction of the offshore transmission assets related to their project and are therefore in control of the construction timelines for these assets.
A consortium of ESB and Orsted won my Department’s second offshore wind auction and will be developing the 900-megawatt Tonn Nua project off the coast of Waterford. This project was the first of four to be brought to auction from the South Coast DMAP. The Tonn Nua project has submitted a MAC application and is awaiting a determination from MARA. Eirgrid is responsible for constructing the Tonn Nua offshore transmission assets and has committed to making a grid connection available by 2033, as specified in the Tonn Nua terms and conditions.
With respect to our commercial State ports, they are in ideal position to support the deployment of ORE, with developers now projecting planned commencement of construction circa 2029 or later. The commercial State ports have made significant progress regarding the development of infrastructure for the facilitation of ORE.
I am advised that each port is expecting to have their proposed infrastructure available in advance of demand from developers. The first phase of a multi-phase development at the Port of Cork’s Ringaskiddy facility will be available from mid-2026, well ahead of expected demand by ORE developers. Further infrastructure for the facilitation of ORE is in development and at the consenting stage at Rosslare Europort, the Port of Waterford, Port of Cork and Shannon Foynes Port Company.
300. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the delivery capacity of State bodies responsible for electricity grid development, planning and offshore renewable infrastructure has been assessed against the scale of delivery required to meet 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether workforce capacity within electricity grid operators, planning authorities and consenting bodies has been assessed against the scale of infrastructure delivery required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9750/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 304 together.
Investing in and ensuring a fit for purpose electricity grid is a priority for Government. However, issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks (ESBN). EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESBN, as Distribution System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network, both of which make up the electricity grid. EirGrid and ESB Networks are independently regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which in turn is accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.
The CRU in December published Price Review 6 setting out the up to €18.9 billion investment to take place in our electricity grid over the coming 5 years, split between capital and operational expenditure. Price Review 6 includes updated oversight and governance procedures and is the result of detailed engagement throughout 2025 between the CRU and System Operators. System Operators provided detailed submissions to the CRU to underpin the investment ultimately approved. PR6, coupled with the €3.5 billion equity investment from Government in ESB Networks and EirGrid, ensures that System Operators have the investment required to deliver upon their plans for the electricity grid. The Deputy may wish to engage with EirGrid or ESB Networks regarding the issues raised in the Question. The relevant email addresses are Oireachtas@eirgrid.ie or Oireachtas@esb.ie.
Notwithstanding that the CRU is independent, it is a body under the aegis of my Department, and it must receive approval from myself, as Minister, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, in consultation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, for any increase in its overall staff sanction.
CRU’s Strategic Workforce Plan 2025-2027 was submitted to my Department for consideration seeking consent for various proposed increases in staffing levels across the organisation. The consent request is currently under consideration, in line with the relevant required governance processes.
In December 2025, Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan which contains 30 time bound measures to remove barriers to infrastructure delivery. The work of the Taskforce and implementation of the Action Plan will assist with delivery of critical infrastructure, including the electricity grid. As part of implementation of the Action Plan a review and reform of regulatory and consenting processes for critical infrastructure will be undertaken.
As regards the planning system, I as Minister, have no role in such matters and the Deputy may wish to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, in this regard.
305. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if the new individual energy upgrade grant for windows and doors is available to households who have ordered windows and doors for delivery in March 2026. [9788/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a retrospective element is available under the new individual energy upgrade grant for windows and doors for households who were advised by the SEAI that standalone grants were not available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9789/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
In line with the Programme for Government commitments, the Government is taking decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes, as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability.
Following Government approval at Cabinet last month, I have published a National Residential Retrofit Plan and an enhanced set of measures to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026, including its new and enhanced set of measures, will continue to make home energy upgrades more accessible and affordable making it easier for homeowners to undertake deep retrofits on a phased basis as suits their budgets.
The SEAI advise that applications for windows and doors grants open on Monday 2 March 2026. While homeowners are not entitled to retrospectively apply for SEAI home energy grants, eligibility provisions allow for homeowners who begin installation on or after the Government announcement on 27 January to apply for the grants where they meet the scheme requirements and use registered contractors. The SEAI operate their schemes within a specified governance framework with a set of rules determining eligibility for grant support. This includes ensuring that the contractor is registered for the type of work that they are carrying out and have grant approval in place before works commence.
Homeowners can check eligibility for the new windows and doors grants by contacting the SEAI via email at: info@betterenergyhomes.ie[].
Further information on the new grants are available on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/individual-grants/windows-and-doors.
307. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of funding that was allocated for the solar PV scheme for medically vulnerable customers; the number of individuals that have received the solar panel grant since it was launched; and what the process of selection is/was; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10047/26]
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 households have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies such as 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 Building Energy Rating. It is important to note that suppliers, who manage the administrative aspects of the scheme under the SEAI, issue offers to eligible homeowners in batches.
The scheme was launched in 2022 with an overall budget allocation of €20 million. The SEAI report that 137 systems were installed in 2024 with expenditure of €1.78 million. 473 systems were installed last year with expenditure of €2.4 million. This year will see a major expansion of delivery with an allocation of €11.7 million to support over 1,900 homes.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
308. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under his remit. [10149/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table attached. With regard to inter-agency working groups, information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. As such the Deputy may wish to contact those agencies directly. Contact details are set out in the attached document for ease of reference.
Further information being processed for publication.
309. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will review eligibility criteria for new windows and door grants, particularly wall insulation requirements, to ensure older homes built before cavity wall standards and occupied by older households are not excluded such as in a case;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Government approval at Cabinet last month, I have published a National Residential Retrofit Plan and an enhanced set of measures to increase the delivery of home energy upgrades.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026, including its new and enhanced set of measures, will continue to make home energy upgrades more accessible and affordable making it easier for homeowners to undertake deep retrofits on a phased basis as suits their budgets.
The new increased grant rates are available across Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administered schemes: Better Energy Homes for individual upgrades; the Community Energy Grant, and the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme for an end-to-end service. There are also fully funded upgrades for qualifying households under Warmer Homes.
Both wall insulation grants and windows and doors grants are available across the SEAI schemes in line with eligibility requirements and scheme terms and conditions.
Further details on individual energy efficiency measures can be found on the SEAI website at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants
In addition, to support the appropriate upgrade of traditional buildings, I note the SEAI are currently running a pilot scheme for the retrofit of traditionally built homes. The pilot scheme is available under the SEAI’s National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which provides an end-to-end service for homeowners. Any decisions to expand traditional home retrofits beyond the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will be informed by the final findings of the pilot scheme. Further details on the pilot scheme are available on the SEAI's website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/traditional-homes.
My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
310. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline progress with respect to the implementation of the EU Methane Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10300/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Methane Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 entered into force on 4 August 2024 establishing a new EU legal framework for the measurement, reporting, and verification of methane emissions. The new rules require companies to measure and quantify their asset-level methane emissions at source and carry out surveys to detect and repair methane leaks.
The Regulation requires each Member State to appoint a competent authority, the role of which is central to the proper implementation of the Regulation. The competent authority will review reports received from operators detailing recorded measurements and potential leak and detection programmes. The competent authority is also expected to carry out periodic inspections to check the compliance of operators with the requirements set out in the Regulation.
My Department issued a letter dated 17 September 2025 to the EU Commission to notify the intention to appoint the EPA as Ireland’s designated competent authority. In addition, discussions have taken place between my Department, the EPA, and relevant stakeholders, concerning the implementation of the Regulation in Ireland. Those stakeholders include Geological Survey Ireland and Gas Networks Ireland.
311. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the difference between taskforce on energy affordability, and the cross departmental group of energy poverty in the last Government; the new organisations, bodies or departments which are represented in the NEAT; the members of NEAT which were represented at the previous group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10317/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2025, my Department established the National Energy Affordability Taskforce to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments, and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The First Report of the Taskforce, which included measures for consideration in Budget 2026, was published last November. The report is available on gov.ie.
Further analysis will now be carried out in order to inform the Energy Affordability Action Plan. This Plan will include a broad review of cost drivers in the energy sector and will identify a comprehensive range of solutions. It will further progress work that has been completed to date on energy poverty, including work from the Energy Poverty Steering Group. Specific engagement and measures to address those most at risk of energy poverty will also be a key feature of the Energy Affordability Action Plan due for publication later this year.
As Minister, I chair meetings of the Taskforce which consists of senior officials from several Government Departments and Agencies as follows:
• Department of the Taoiseach
• Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
• Department of Finance
• Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation
• Department of Social Protection
• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• Commission for Regulation of Utilities
• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
• Economic and Social Research Institute
• ESB Networks
• EirGrid
• Gas Networks Ireland
Further bilateral engagements take place outside of this group. Many of these Departments and Agencies were represented in the Energy Poverty Steering Group. However, the Department of Taoiseach, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, ESB Networks, Eirgrid and Gas Networks Ireland did not sit on the Energy Poverty Steering Group.
The Taskforce's work programme will be supported by a process of ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders, including industry bodies, suppliers, social enterprises and other non-Governmental organisations. A formal consultation and engagement process is planned in the coming months to ensure that Taskforce priorities are shaped by public and stakeholder input.
312. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which his Department plans to address vulnerabilities in the State's electricity transmission grid highlighted by recent extreme weather events, including storm Éowyn, particularly in the context of climate change; the measures being taken to manage existing levels of curtailment and constraint on the system ahead of significant offshore wind integration; the way he plans to mitigate electricity grid operating risks in the period to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10445/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electricity and Gas Networks Sectoral Adaptation Plan (EGN SAP) aims to enhance the future resilience of the energy sector to the long-term impacts of climate change. The plan will ensure the energy sector can effectively manage risks and maintain service continuity into the future.
Curtailment and constraint are two elements of dispatch down, which also includes oversupply, when generation exceeds demand. Dispatch down is not a matter in which I, as Minister, have any function.
EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, has responsibility for the management of dispatch down and any associated compensatory payments. EirGrid is independent of me as Minister in such matters and operates under the supervision of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.
The Deputy may wish to engage directly with EirGrid in this matter. They may be contacted at oireachtas@eirgrid.ie.
