Tuesday, 17 Feb 2026

Written Answers Nos. 317-330

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Departmental Inquiries

Ceisteanna (317)

Paul Lawless

Ceist:

317. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of a proposed large-scale seaweed harvesting plan along the Galway and Mayo coastline by a Canadian company (details supplied) which owns an Irish company which is seeking permission to harvest 40,000 tonnes of seaweed wrack; if his Department has concerns in relation to the environmental impact of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12149/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The company referred to in the Question previously submitted an application for consent under the Foreshore Act, 1933 as amended, for the purpose of seaweed harvesting. That application has been withdrawn and the foreshore regime that operated under the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) has been replaced with the establishment of a new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) in July 2023.

Since the establishment of MARA, applicants may apply to the Regulator for a licence to harvest seaweed, in accordance with Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which provides for Maritime Usages that may be undertaken pursuant to the granting of a Licence. The MARA shall, before granting a licence, have regard to environmental impacts arising.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (318)

Erin McGreehan

Ceist:

318. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of all organisations and projects that received matched and/or partner funding from his Department in 2023, 2024 and 2025; the amount of funding allocated to each organisation or project; what was achieved and the stated outcomes from the funding provided in each case; the plans his Department has for the provision of matched and partner funding in 2026 and 2027 including the way such funding aligns with his/her Department’s philanthropy policy and objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12407/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

My Department, as well as through its agencies and bodies under its aegis, works to deliver climate action, the transformation of our energy systems, the protection and resilience of our environment, and a resource–efficient economy. Capital funding provided by my Department, including through its agencies, supports 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.

Details of organisations and projects that received matched and/or partner funding from my Department in 2023, 2024 and 2025 are set out in the attached table. Funding will continue into 2026 and beyond in line with ongoing programme and funding commitments.

Funding provided by agencies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for the bodies concerned and the Deputy may wish to contact the agencies directly in that regards. A list of contact details for the Agencies operating under the aegis of my Department is also attached in this regard

Table and Checklist

DCEE Agencies Emails

Departmental Projects

Ceisteanna (319)

Emer Currie

Ceist:

319. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the introduction of a levy on disposable coffee cups within the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12608/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

I refer the Deputy to the answer below which was provided in relation to PQ ref: 5651/26 of 26 January 2026. The position is unchanged.

Legislative powers are in place, through the Circular Economy Act 2022, to implement environmental levies on a range of singe-use products including single-use cups, single-use containers and other forms of single-use packaging.

In 2022, the Department commissioned a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on the introduction of a levy on single-use cups and a public consultation on draft regulations was undertaken. It was envisaged at the time that a levy might be introduced in a similar way to the plastic bag levy (i.e. at the point of sale in a retail premises).

Following further engagement with the Revenue Commissioners, a different collection model, collecting the levy when cups are first placed on the market by producers or importers, was discussed. Such a revision would require an amendment of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. The Department is working with the Revenue Commissioners on designing the provisions required to make this amendment.

Furthermore, in 2025, the Department commissioned an update to the RIA to explore the potential impacts of the revised collection model and any other policy measure to reduce single-use cup consumption effectively. That work is close to finalisation and will inform next policy steps.

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (320, 325)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

320. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide figures on the uptake of the home energy upgrade loan scheme since it was rolled out in 2024, broken down by quarter, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12633/26]

Pa Daly

Ceist:

325. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of retrofitting loans granted in each of the months since the schemes inception, broken down by county, and by average loan value, in tabular form. [12691/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 325 together.

The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme (HEULS), which launched in April 2024, is intended to play a crucial role in helping homeowners invest in energy upgrades to make their homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable, with lower emissions and lower bills. It was developed by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the European Investment Bank Group.

The scheme is available nationwide and homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at significantly lower interest rates to those currently on the market. Rates start from as low as 2.99% with price varying depending on the finance provider. PTSB was the first lender to join in April 2024, with AIB and Bank of Ireland joining in June 2024. In 2025, the group of participating lenders has been expanded to include Avant Money (in partnership with An Post) and seven credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions.

At the end of December 2025, there were 961 loans drawn to a value of €47,359,319 since the scheme launched. The average loan drawdown amount was €49,281.The SBCI provide a regional breakdown of loan uptake on a quarterly basis. The Deputy may wish to note that as uptake figures in certain counties mean that it could be possible to identify individual homeowners, these figures have not been disclosed. Instead, cumulative uptake figures by region are provided in table 1 attached, with average loan amounts per region attached in table 2.

In line with the Programme for Government’s commitment to “Promote the €500 million Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme, offering low interest loans for home energy upgrades, from €5,000 to €75,000”, my Department continues to work closely with the SBCI, the SEAI and the participating finance providers to increase awareness of, and demand for, the scheme and drive additional uptake in 2026 and beyond.

The Deputy may wish to note that further information and quarterly reports related to the HEULS are available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/home-energy-upgrade-loan-scheme/

Cumulative uptake of the home energy upgrade loan scheme by region

Solar Energy Guidelines

Ceisteanna (321)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

321. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide updated figures on the installation of solar panels in homes, new and retrofitted, with a year-by-year breakdown since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12635/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The information requested which has been provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is set out in the attached table. Please note that the retrofit figures represent grants provided through the SEAI, while solar PV on new homes is typically installed to meet building regulation requirements.

SEAI Data

Departmental Inquiries

Ceisteanna (322)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

322. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to consider postponing licenses being granted for industrial scale harvesting of wild seaweed along the Irish cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12661/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The enactment of the Marine Area Planning (MAP) Act, 2021 initiated the transition to a new Maritime Regulatory Regime overseen by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). This has led to the gradual phasing out of operations under the Foreshore Act of 1933 (as amended), with new foreshore applications no longer accepted since the MARA’s establishment.

Applicants may apply to the MARA for a licence to harvest seaweed, in accordance with Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which provides for Maritime Usages that may be undertaken pursuant to the granting of a Licence.

Before granting a licence, the MARA shall, have regard to any environmental impacts and other relevant statutory criteria. MARA is an independent agency with statutory responsibility for the performance of its functions, including the assessment and granting of Maritime Area Consents (MACs) and Maritime Usage Licences (MULs).

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (323)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

323. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to consider the creation of a national seaweed policy which prioritises ecosystem health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12662/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Ireland’s National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) was adopted in May 2021. The NMPF brings together all marine-based human activities for the first time, outlining the Government’s vision, objectives, and marine planning policies for each marine activity. All public bodies and consenting authorities are required to have regard for the NMPF in exercise of their statutory functions. This is intended to ensure consistency, precautionary and evidence-based decision making across all Departments and agencies.

The NMPF sets out 3 key objectives in relations to seaweed harvesting which are to (i) support the sustainable harvesting of seaweed having regard to the important economic and social contribution it makes to coastal communities; (ii) develop and maintain a fit for purpose regulatory framework that supports sustainable harvesting, ensures that key seaweed species which support multiple vital ecosystems are safeguarded, and respects existing formal and informal rights to harvest and (iii) support ongoing research to build on available data.

A key research project, led by the Marine Institute, entitled a A Socio-Economic Study of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland, provides baseline socio-economic information regarding seaweed harvesting activity and product usage in Ireland. The report is available at the following link:

[https://emff.marine.ie/sites/default/files/bluegrowth/PDFs/Socioeconomic%20Study%20of%20Seaweed%20Harvesting%20in%20Ireland.pdf]

The report also sets out a number of recommendations for consideration by industry and policy makers, including the development of a sustainable seaweed harvesting policy. The development of a seaweed policy, led by the most appropriate Government Department, would require significant inter-Departmental engagement and stakeholder consultation given the range of factors (social, economic and environmental) that would need to be considered. My main focus for the marine functions in the Department are to establish a legislative process to support the designation of an ambitious network of Marine Protected Areas through the Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill 2026 and to complete the National Designated Marine Area Plan (DMAP) for Offshore Renewable Energy. I have no plans to develop a national seaweed policy.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (324)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

324. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the estimated cost to apply an electricity credit for three consecutive months for €50, €75, €100, €150 and €200 per month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12663/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

Government is deeply aware and concerned about the pressures placed on households by high energy costs. Providing supports to alleviate this pressure has and will continue to be a priority for this Government.

While electricity credits played an important role in recent years, the Government took other actions in Budget 2026 to provide significant supports to enhance energy affordability including:

• a 15% or €5 per week increase to the Fuel Allowance. This will provide an additional €140 to over 450,000 recipients during the annual fuel allowance season;

• eligibility for the Fuel Allowance has also been expanded to include those in receipt of the Working Family Payment;

• the reduced VAT rate of 9% which is applied to gas and electricity was extended to 2030. This provides clarity and certainty to energy consumers and reduces energy bills for households by up to €100 per year; and

• in addition, Government has extended the €400 income tax disregard for households involved in microgeneration for a further three years to end-2028.

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.

The range of supports that were included in Budget 2026 represent a movement towards permanent supports with funding also provided to address structural issues such as retrofit and infrastructure which reduce energy costs in the long-run.

Budget 2025 introduced a fourth Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme which over 2.2 million households benefitted from. This was worth €250 in total per household.

Based on the previous estimate of 2.2 million Meter Point Registration Numbers (MPRNs), the cost of providing the amounts requested by the Deputy are included in the attached table. This takes account of the direct cost to the Exchequer plus VAT foregone.

Estimated Cost of Credits

Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 320.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (326)

Ciarán Ahern

Ceist:

326. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reforms or changes that have been made to the Environmental Protection Agency on foot of the recommendations contained within the OECD’s review of the EPA in 2020, ‘Driving Performance at Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency’; the measures outstanding; if he plans any statutory changes or reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12781/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

In 2018 the EPA commissioned the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to undertake a review of the EPA. Consultations were carried out in 2019. The review followed a framework developed by the OECD to assess and strengthen the organisational performance and governance of regulators. The OECD team was supported by peer reviewers from Norway, Scotland and Portugal. In addition to extensive internal consultation, the team met with a wide range of stakeholders including non-governmental organisations, government departments and members of the Oireachtas. The review was published by the OECD in early 2020.

Overall, the OECD findings were that:

“The EPA has established itself as a trusted and respected body for environmental and radiological protection that is recognised for its scientific integrity. It has been given responsibility for regulating an increasing number of areas on account of its reputation to deliver and it operates with a strong culture of independence. EPA data and reports are the reference for knowledge on Ireland’s environment, and the EPA is seen as an authoritative voice on environmental issues. It networks effectively at the European level, where it has gained a reputation as an innovative, open organisation with many good practices to share”

The findings of the review were welcomed and the EPA confirmed, at the time of publication of the review, that it had already implemented a number of the recommendations in the report. Subsequent to its publication, the EPA collaborated with my Department to address the opportunities identified in the review for the Agency to build on its strong reputation and continue to ensure its effectiveness as a modern regulator and employer.

Further actions were incorporated into the EPA Strategic Plan 2022-2026 and annual Work Programmes. Significant changes such as restructuring and consolidating the climate and enforcement functions across the Agency were implemented. In addition, the EPA confirms that it has further enhanced its communications including redesigning the EPA website, adopting more extensive use of social media and improving the communication and uptake of its environmental research programme to inform and support policy development.

The EPA is an independent corporate entity having full responsibility under law for the performance of its functions. Arrangements have been put in place by the EPA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost-effective system to address queries which are proper for the agency.

The EPA may be contacted directly at the email provided for Oireachtas queries [e-mail].

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (327)

Ciarán Ahern

Ceist:

327. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide a list of the recommendations from the 2011 Review of the EPA that have not been implemented; and to outline in each case the reasons for not progressing that reform, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12782/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I am advised that this query was previously answered on 29 September 2020 in response to Parliamentary Question 189.

The response confirmed that no further action on foot of any outstanding recommendations from the 2011 Review was required.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (328)

Ciarán Ahern

Ceist:

328. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline the accountability mechanisms for ensuring actions are delivered under the EPA’s Performance Delivery Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12783/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The current Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreement 2024 – 2026 between my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the EPA defines the relationship between the Departments and the EPA. This Agreement specifies the service, performance and output levels.

The EPA provide relevant, timely and appropriately detailed performance information to enable monitoring of the Agreement. Key Performance Indicators within the Performance Delivery Agreement are updated annually.

As required by the Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreement, quarterly meetings are held with relevant officials from my Department to provide updates on governance matters, compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, performance delivery and any other relevant matters.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (329)

Ciarán Ahern

Ceist:

329. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when a new strategic plan will be prepared and published by the EPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12784/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

The current EPA Strategic Plan covers the 2022-2026 period. I am advised that it is the EPA's intention to begin work on developing the new plan once the new Director General’s term begins in March 2026.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (330)

Tom Brabazon

Ceist:

330. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will approve a pension increase for retired workers of EirGrid without delay. [13582/26]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

EirGrid is a commercial State body under the aegis of my Department and was established under Regulation 50 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000. EirGrid is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department and Minister.

My Department has received two requests to apply increases to payments under the EirGrid Defined Benefit Pension Fund. These consent requests are currently under consideration by my Department, in line with the relevant required governance processes.

• Written Answers Nos. 292-316
• Written Answers Nos. 331-351