Written Answers Nos. 292-316
292. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the help available to single people who work full time and live alone in their own home to deal with the spiralling cost of energy, and in particular gas. [12547/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the emergency measures being taken to address the absolutely outrageous increases in energy bills (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11926/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the targeted measures being prioritised to reduce energy hardship among low-income and vulnerable households; the timeframe for scaling these measures nationwide;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12042/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 292, 304 and 308 together.
The Programme for Government acknowledges the increased energy cost pressures on households and commits to bringing forward measures to contain energy costs and tackle energy poverty. Government has introduced a suite of measures over recent years to help households and businesses deal with the cost of energy.
My Department has also established a cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce 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. The First Report of the Taskforce, published in November 2025, set out measures for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process. Many of these options were reflected in Budget decisions.
Examples of targeted budget measures aimed at improving energy affordability include:
• the Fuel Allowance was increased by €5 per week to €38, supporting over 450,000 households who most require Government assistance to meet their energy costs;
• to directly support working families, the Fuel Allowance was extended to recipients of the Working Family Payment. This will benefit over 43,000 families;
• a €10 increase in the weekly payments which supports pensioners, carers and people with disabilities;
• from September 2026, those who move from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to employment will be able to retain the Fuel Allowance for 5 years; and
• record funding of €558 million is allocated for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland residential and community energy upgrade schemes (including the Solar PV Scheme). This allocation will support the highest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme which is targeted at households in energy poverty.
In addition, the VAT reduction (from 13.5% to 9%) on electricity and gas bills has been extended to the end of 2030, saving households up to €100 per year.
It is important to note that the Department of Social Protection can also provide support through the Additional Needs Payment to help households meet expenses, including those who face difficulties with fuel bills. There are also a range of Commission for Regulation of Utilities customer protections in place, including a disconnection moratorium for vulnerable customers.
The work programme of the Taskforce will examine how targeted schemes can best assist households in energy poverty, including consideration of supports for households struggling to meet their energy costs. The Taskforce is now preparing an engagement and consultation process to inform the development of an Energy Affordability Action Plan which is due to be published in Q3 2026.
293. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding allocated to NGOs by his Department in 2025; the funding allocated to NGOs by agencies and bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13078/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent by his Department on funding NGOs, by organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11792/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the total level of Exchequer funding spent on funding NGOs by his Department, in each of the years since 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11810/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the assessments that are carried out to determine the level of Exchequer funding that any NGO receives from his Department on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any direct lobbying he has received from any NGO in relation to his annual funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 299 to 302, inclusive, together.
The information sought in the Question is set out in the attached document in tabular form. I meet various organisations and bodies, including NGO's, in relation to matters under the remit of my Department on an ongoing basis.
294. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of contracts his Department in the years of 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the nature of services this company (details supplied) has provided to the Department in each of the years in question; the amount his Department has paid this company for such services in each of the years in question, in tabular form. [11601/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department has a number of contracts with Eir/Eirevo for the provision of telecommunications services. The details requested by the Deputy are in the attached file.
295. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to 'explore if legislation could be enacted to divert surplus renewable energy, that would otherwise be wasted, to those in fuel poverty' and 'explore ways to use surplus renewable energy to help reduce energy poverty, ensuring that renewable energy benefits all communities'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the actions he will take to address the high level of wasted energy (details supplied) between now and Budget 2027, considering that his Department told the Oireachtas Climate Committee that the NEAT report will not be available until July 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the action he is taking to advance the Programme for Government commitment to utilise surplus renewable energy to support the 550,000 households in energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the Government intends to set a principle that surplus renewable energy should be used first, and only dispatched down as a last resort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 295, 296, 297 and 298 together.
The Government recognises the need for the electricity sector to become more adaptable and flexible in response to the ever-increasing volume of distributed renewable energy sources on the grid and an increasing electricity demand. To ensure reliability in such a distributed energy system, as well as to minimise the network upgrades (and costs for all) needed to accommodate peaks in demand, it will also be vital to align electricity usage with periods of plentiful, low-cost renewable generation. Ireland’s citizens (including energy poor and vulnerable households) can play a central role in this transition by flexibly managing their energy assets in response to the level of renewable energy on the grid and, by doing so, can lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. My Department is engaging with key stakeholders in that regard.
Furthermore, my Department is leading the Cross Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce which aims to identify and assess measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, operating within the broader policy context set by the Programme for Government. This includes the commitment to explore the methods, including legislation, that can be used to divert surplus renewable energy to homes in fuel poverty.
A key objective of this Taskforce is to develop and publish an Energy Affordability Action Plan which will identify a comprehensive range of solutions including demand-side solutions for households to allow them to adjust their energy demand and avail of low cost, or otherwise surplus renewable energy. The First Report of the Taskforce was published last November with the Action Plan to be published later this year.
303. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projects, if any, which he has designated under s.20 of the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Act 2024; the dates of their designation; and to supply a copy of the designations. [11886/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in my Department's NDP Sectoral Capital Plan, my Department will provide up to €5.64 billion in capital funding between 2026 and 2030 for investments in essential infrastructure to support the wider economy, including the delivery of secure and sustainable supplies of energy; a robust system for the regulation of Ireland’s energy markets and infrastructure; and the protection of Ireland’s environment and reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions.
Within this overall NDP allocation, my Department has been allocated €500 million from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF) to fund projects and programmes that will support the Department's climate mitigation and renewable energy objectives.
As required under Section 20 of the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Act 2024, I designated the following environmental programmes for which my Department has responsibility: -
Offshore Site Surveying Programme;
National Biomethane Programme;
District Heating Infrastructure; and
Public Sector Pathfinder Programme.
I formally notified the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation of this designation on the 17 December 2025.
305. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on Ireland’s progress toward meeting its 2030 sectoral emissions ceilings and whether any sectors are projected to miss their targets based on the most recent EPA modelling. [11937/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis. Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years, despite the concurrent unprecedented demographic and economic growth including an increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030 and we are now prioritising the development of offshore wind capacity. This Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025 and I have just announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across the country who are looking to benefit from home energy upgrades under the National Residential Retrofit Plan.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent emissions reporting (May 2025) confirms that Ireland has recorded overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for a third consecutive year, with a decrease of 6.8% in 2023 followed by a further 2% reduction in 2024. The latest EPA quarterly indicator report for Q3 2025 indicates that emissions fell 2.8% in Q3 2025 compared with Q3 2024
The latest EPA projections report also highlights that meeting Ireland's 2030 target will be challenging, projecting a 23% reduction against the target of 51%. According to these projections, which are based on the latest available data, sectoral emissions ceilings for 2030 are projected to be exceeded by the Buildings, Electricity, Industry and Transport sectors; and met by the sector ‘Other’.
It worth noting, however, that the EPA's projections are updated annually in light of delivery progress and emerging data. As an example of the dynamic nature of these projections, the EPA's projected exceedance of the first carbon budget (2020-2025) has reduced significantly over the last two years. The report released in 2023 projected a significant exceedance of between 12% and 15% under the WAM and WEM scenarios respectively. In contrast, their latest report released in 2025 projected a marginal exceedance of the first carbon budget of between 2.7% and 4%, showing the effect of our efforts in the interim period.
The definitive assessment of Ireland's performance against the 2030 target will be made when the EPA produces its emissions inventory following the conclusion of the second carbon budget period in 2031. Any exceedances which have been formally identified at that point will be accounted for in subsequent budget periods in accordance with provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 (as amended).
In line with our Programme for Government commitment, enhanced implementation governance arrangements to support accelerated climate action delivery, have been put in place in 2025 to streamline structures, ensure key strategic projects are supported and that corrective action is taken quickly where delivery is at risk.
The Climate Action Delivery Board (CADB), which I now chair, and the Climate Action Programme Board (CAPPB) provide co-ordinated oversight and strategic direction on the delivery of the Climate Action Plan measures and actions and provide oversight and support to delivery taskforces in delivering their work programmes. Through these structures we will continue to focus on closing the gap to reach our 2030 targets.
306. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of home retrofits completed under SEAI schemes in 2025; the statistics on uptake by lower-income households and the barriers identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11940/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is responsible for the administration of a range of home energy upgrade schemes funded by my Department. Over 58,000 home energy upgrades were supported by the SEAI in 2025, representing a 7% increase on 2024.
Included in these upgrades were:
• 8,139 homes under the fully funded Warmer Homes Scheme which is available to homeowners on certain Department of Social Protection payments;
• 473 homes upgraded with solar PV under the Solar PV Medically Vulnerable Scheme, which provides fully funded solar PV installation to households on the Priority Services Register, who have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies; and
• additional vulnerable households at risk of energy poverty living in Approved Housing Body homes were also supported with home upgrades under the Community Energy Grant and National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.
Separately 2,673 home energy upgrades were carried out in Local Authority homes, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Overall, in 2025, including the amount spent on upgrading Local Authority homes by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, 65% of Government investment in residential and community retrofitting has been in homes of more vulnerable households at risk of energy poverty.
The Programme for Government committed to the continued delivery of these SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including delivering more 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.
The new National Residential Retrofit Plan, published in January, identifies persistent barriers to retrofit and sets out additional initiatives necessary to address those barriers. As part of the plan, further measures have been introduced to support lower-income households to retrofit, including:
• a higher fixed-amount grant for attic insulation and cavity wall insulation will be introduced for homeowners who are on qualifying Department of Social Protection payments. This will allow qualifying homeowners at risk of energy poverty to get these works done using their own SEAI-registered contractor in a shorter timeframe. This grant will be available from the beginning of March and further details are available on the SEAI website;
• increased grant amounts for Approved Housing Bodies to upgrade their homes under the Community Energy Grant and National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme. This will also support the upgrade of multi-unit developments in Approved Housing Body ownership, which are a particularly difficult segment of the market to retrofit; and
• increased grant rates for energy poor households under the Community Energy Grant Scheme, ensuring no homes are left behind in area-based projects.
Budget 2026 has allocated record funding of €641 million for the SEAI's residential and community retrofit schemes as well as a further €140 million for the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Upgrade Programme, meaning that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat.
307. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the systems in place to agree performance metrics of Chief Executives of agencies within the aegis of his Department; the way in which these are measured; the person or body that carries out the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11953/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, primary responsibility for the governance and effective operation of commercial and non-commercial agencies rests with the Board. This includes responsibility for the management of the contract with the Chief Executive including any associated performance metrics.
The Code sets out distinct roles for the Board, executive management and the Minister and parent Department, creating a clear separation between governance, operational management and oversight. State bodies are established by legislation which provides for statutory independence and assigns governance responsibility to the Board.
In terms of commercial State bodies, the CEO KPIs are required to be aligned with requirements set out in the Shareholders Letter of Expectation (SLOE) which is the primary oversight mechanism between the Department and the Board. Following the “Review of Remuneration of Chief Executive Officers in Commercial State Bodies (CSBs)” by the Senior Posts Remuneration Committee, Government Departments have been requested to review the SLOEs and that process is underway in my Department.
309. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which the Government is supporting community-led and farmer-owned renewable energy projects in rural Ireland, including access to grid, planning certainty, and fair compensation, and to address concerns regarding large-scale developments in rural communities;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12045/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) supports community-led, farmer-owned, and SME solar and wind projects.
The SRESS export phase, which opened in 2025, assists these sectors in establishing generation projects of up to 6MW by providing guaranteed tariffs. SRESS simplifies market access for such projects, aligning more closely with the experience and capacity of these sectors. Farmers can apply to SRESS themselves, on the same basis as SMEs, or as members of Renewable Energy Communities. SRESS application forms and details are available at www.gov.ie/sress.
To assist development, SEAI provides 9 free comprehensive guides covering key areas including planning permission, stakeholder engagement, and the electricity market. These are available on the SEAI website.
SEAI also offers community groups free access to specialist technical advisor support for planning permission applications, feasibility studies, community formation, and grid connection.
Additionally, 13 county-level grid studies have been made available to communities to help identify economically viable grid connection sites.
In 2025, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published the new Electricity Connection Policy - Generation and System Services which enhances opportunities for community projects. Key updates include reduced first-stage grid payment fees, the removal of capacity limits, an increase in the threshold for capacity bonds from 5MW to 6MW and the removal of caps on the number of projects per processing batch.
All renewable energy projects, including in rural areas, undergo detailed assessment by Planning Authorities under relevant planning and environmental legislation and regulations.
To ensure fair compensation, both SRESS and the larger, utility scale, Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) require projects to establish Community Benefit Funds (CBF), providing a minimum of €2 per MWh generated annually. These funds empower rural communities to shape local funding priorities, ensuring transparency through local involvement in formal governance structures. This ensures that local areas share directly in the benefits of renewable energy development.
310. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason his Department has not listed the Owenriff River (Inverin) No. 140 and the Crumlin River No. 139 situated in the Galway Fishery District No. 9(1), in the proposed Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026, considering that both rivers contain native anadromous salmonids with Atlantic salmon being harvested from the Owenriff River (Inverin) in 2024 as per published data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12069/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 144 designated salmon river stocks assessed by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) as part of its advice regarding conservation measures for the upcoming season.
The Owenriff (Barna) has a river system number of 140 and is situated in the Galway Fishery District No. 9(1). It is not a designated salmon river assessed by TEGOS. It is regarded as a sea trout river but may hold some stocks of salmon.
The Crumlin River has a river system number of No. 139 and is situated in the Galway Fishery District No. 9(1). It is not a designated salmon river assessed by TEGOS. It is regarded as a sea trout river.
Neither of the two rivers are included in the proposed Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026 as they are not amongst the 144 designated salmon rivers assessed by TEGOS.
311. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the date for the publication of the terms of reference for the independent review into Inland Fisheries Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12070/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to carry out an independent review of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I have written to the IFI Board signalling my intention that this review should commence once a new Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and has been embedded in the Agency. This sequencing will ensure the review can draw upon the leadership of the incoming CEO and maximise the effectiveness of the review. This review will be carried out externally and it is intended that the terms of reference will be developed in due course as part of the engagement process.
312. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to confirm the existence of the ‘Inland Fisheries Primary Legislation and Policy Group’ within his Department; the number of staff assigned to this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is structured into divisions (under Assistant Secretaries) and sections (under Principal Officers). The Inland Fisheries section is part of the Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Division.
Responsibility for Inland Fisheries is divided into an agency governance team with two staff assigned and policy/legislation team with eight staff assigned.
313. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department considered scientific advice contained in the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025 as proposed by TEGOS (Technical Expert Group on Salmon) in November, considering the liberalisation of the national rod angling harvest for Atlantic salmon proposed in the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026 recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12074/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which Lough Corrib SAC in County Galway went from a proposed ‘catch and release’ fishery for Atlantic salmon with no harvest in November 2025 to having a harvestable surplus of 1,162 fish in February 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
The draft Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations form part of Ireland’s salmon management framework which integrates scientific advice, policy decision making and regulatory implementation.
Independent scientific advice was received from the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) which assesses which rivers are likely to meet their conservation limits using probability thresholds. The TEGOS Report looked at 144 salmon rivers using a range of thresholds from 75% to 99% and sets out the status of each river at each threshold level. While the scientific advice provided by TEGOS sets out the various threshold options, it does not prescribe the threshold to be used as this is a policy decision.
A summary of the river-specific advice using the various probabilities is set out in Table 5 of the Report, with a more detailed assessment in Appendix IV. The status of a river can change depending on the threshold used. The threshold options for the Corrib are included on page 27 of the Report as shown below:
|
District |
River |
75% |
80% |
85% |
90% |
95% |
99% |
|
Galway |
Corrib |
Surplus |
Surplus |
C&R |
C&R |
C&R |
Close |
Section 69 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 obliges me to publish the draft regulations for consultation and also allows me to modify the draft regulations following consideration of submissions received.
The draft Regulations published last November used an 85% probability threshold as a starting point for consultation with stakeholders. The Department received a significant response to the consultation. All responses were considered, together with the scientific advice, and some modifications were made to the draft Regulations, including the use of a 75% probability threshold. 75% has been the core scientific standard used in Ireland since 2007 and maintaining this baseline ensures continuity, consistency and comparability with previous stock assessments and policy decisions.
The change in status of the Corrib reflects the change in probability threshold from 85% (Catch and Release) to 75% (Surplus).
The updated draft Regulations were published for a second consultation in early February. This second consultation provides stakeholders with another opportunity to review the measures being proposed and to share their views before I finalise the Regulations.
315. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason his officials failed to publish in full all submissions received for the public consultation on the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and conservation measures for the 2026 season that closed on 20 December 2025, in view of declarations made on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12076/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department received a significant volume of responses (326 submissions) to its public consultation on the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations for 2026 which closed last December. A comprehensive Consultation Report, which includes a list and summary of all the responses received, was prioritised for publication to ensure stakeholder feedback was made publicly available in a timely manner.
It remains the Department's intention to publish copies of all submissions received. However, given the high number of responses received, it will take some time to prepare submissions for publication. The submissions will be made available on the consultation page once this process has been completed.
316. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will report on the Climate Action Plan 2026: the reason for the delay in publication; the projected timeline for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12092/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day, and the rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace.
Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years, which is notable given concurrent demographic and economic growth including an increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030 and we are now prioritising the development of offshore wind capacity. This Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025 and I have just announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across the country who are looking to benefit from home energy upgrades under the National Residential Retrofit Plan.
Regarding the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2026, the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy has undertaken detailed scrutiny on the Climate Change Advisory Council’s proposals for the second Carbon Budget programme. Due to delays in the formation of new Oireachtas Committees in 2025, the work of the Joint Committee, and the delivery of its report, took place later than expected.
This Report, delivered in October of last year, outlines 38 comprehensive recommendations spanning multiple sectors, extending beyond the budget proposals themselves. The Committee’s report will need to be carefully considered before any further proposals are brought to Government.
The carbon budgets have very significant implications for our economy and society. They need to be considered in the context of ensuring that affordability, competitiveness and energy security are paramount, particularly given the fast-paced evolving international geo-political landscape.
This process necessarily delays the completion of the next Climate Action Plan so that the plan can address the full Carbon Budget Programme. Work is underway on the plan, however, in anticipation of the outcome of the Carbon Budget process, with a view to bringing a draft to Government later this year.
The upcoming plan is intended to be a more targeted one, focusing on strategic, realistic, high-impact actions to be delivered over the course of the budget programme rather than annual actions, with short-term horizons. I have also emphasised the importance of focusing on delivery both of existing and planned actions and the Government supports this approach, including the new governance structures such as Climate Action Plan Programme Board and the reconstituted Climate Action Delivery Board.
In the interim, Climate Action Plan 2025 in tandem with its predecessor, Climate Action Plan 2024, remains in place and provides a strong framework for continued delivery of climate action across all sectors, as many of its commitments are multi annual in nature. Work remains ongoing across Government Departments to deliver on these commitments and carry out climate mitigation efforts every day. The rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace.
