Written Answers Nos. 266-290
266. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the development of the Marine Protected Areas Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34566/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 November 2025, Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme of a Maritime Area Planning (Marine Protected Areas) (Amendment) Bill which will amend the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. The proposed Bill will provide a legislative basis for the designation and effective management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Irish waters. Work on the general scheme is at an advanced stage, and it will be published at the earliest opportunity.
267. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the current status of the National Heat Policy Statement, including the expected timeline for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34635/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), contains detailed analysis that is being used to inform the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise Ireland’s heating and cooling sectors to 2050. A draft Heat Policy Statement, informed by the findings of the National Heat Study, has been prepared and has undergone extensive consultation with Government Departments and Agencies. The Heat Policy Statement will set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector. The draft statement encompasses the national heat-related policies currently in place relevant to households, businesses, energy suppliers, planning authorities, and developers.
It is a legal requirement to carry out a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to determine whether the draft Heat Policy Statement is likely to have significant environmental effects. An SEA screening and a screening for an Appropriate Assessment (AA) for the draft Heat Policy Statement has been completed. The SEA and AA screening reports resulted in a full SEA being required, but an AA is not required. The SEA has been undertaken and delivered to my Department.
A public consultation on both the SEA Environmental Report, the AA Screening report, and the draft Heat Policy Statement is required to take place before the SEA process can be finalised. Following completion of the consultation process, the draft Heat Policy Statement will be submitted to Government for approval and publication.
268. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the development and expected publication timeline of the Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Heating Systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34637/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan includes a range of measures to address the use of fossil fuels in heating systems in buildings, with the National Heat Study, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), containing the detailed analysis that is informing the development of options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in the period to 2050. Also included in the Climate Action Plan is a commitment to develop and publish a roadmap (Action BE/23/2(TF)), under the auspices of the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce, to phase out fossil fuel heating systems in all buildings. Progress has been made, with support from the SEAI and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, in developing this roadmap.
The roadmap being developed has been informed by the joint experiences across EU Member States and will produce a timeline with key actions and implementation measures to phase out fossil fuel boilers. However, the revised Energy Performance of Building Directive (EU/2024/1275) (EPBD), which entered into force in May 2024, requires Member States to indicate the national policies and measures to phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling in their National Building Renovation Plans. Work is underway at present to examine the alignment of the existing body of work undertaken with the more recent requirements of the EPBD. The draft Roadmap will be shared with the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce prior to going to consultation.
270. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in which instances are window replacements included in the warmer homes scheme; if a defective double glazed window can ever be included in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34800/26]
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 revenues and the European Regional Development Fund.
There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Warmer Homes Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property.
These can include:
• attic insulation and appropriate ventilation;
• wall insulation and appropriate ventilation – cavity wall, external wall or dry lining depending on the property;
• secondary measures – lagging jackets, draughtproofing, energy efficient lighting; and
• in certain circumstances, heating system and window replacements.
For each eligible home, the SEAI’s technical surveyor determines which upgrades can be installed and funded.
Under the scheme, windows are only upgraded in certain circumstances. Windows are only replaced where single-glazed windows are in place and where a primary measure of attic or wall insulation is also being installed. Appendix 1 of the scheme application guidelines
(www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/SCHEME-GUIDELINES.pdf) provides further details on the conditions for the various recommendations for energy efficiency upgrade measures, including the conditions for when replacement windows may be recommended.
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.
271. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of homes to date that have been retrofitted using funding derived from carbon tax receipts; the total amount of such funding allocated for this purpose; the average grant awarded per dwelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34836/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government 2020 committed to allocating revenues raised from the increase in carbon tax rates out to 2030 to a number of measures, including to part fund a socially progressive national retrofitting programme.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future commits to using the carbon tax as a key tool to encourage a shift away from fossil fuels and to invest in a sustainable future. Specifically, it contains commitments to continue to use carbon tax revenues to fund retrofitting.
The total carbon tax funding allocated to my Department for this programme for the period 2020 to 2025 was €1.442 billion. For 2026, a further €558 million in carbon tax funding has been allocated.
Over the period 2020 to end Q1 2026, a total of 238,500 homes have been retrofitted, including 32,400 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes scheme. In total, including funding spent on upgrading Approved Housing Body owned properties, the share of funding spent on lower-income households is more than 50% of the total allocation.
The upgrades have been carried out under a number of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's residential and community retrofit schemes. The cost per grant/upgrade, therefore, differs depending on which scheme the upgrade was carried out under. As an example, in Q1 2026 the average cost per home upgraded under the Warmer Homes Scheme was just over €31,000.
275. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will detail the scientific advice and evidence underpinning the decision to reduce the allowable catch under the recreational pollock fishing scheme through the introduction of a three fish daily bag limit; whether this decision is subject to review in light of concerns raised regarding barotrauma and the effectiveness of the measure as a conservation tool; whether recreational and charter fishing vessels have been considered or could be considered for inclusion in any national or EU decommissioning schemes; the financial, mitigation or transitional supports, if any, that are available or proposed for the recreational fishing and charter boat sector, which operators state has received no dedicated assistance to date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34932/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the concerns raised by the recreational angling and charter boat sectors as a result of the conservation measures being introduced for the recreational fishing of pollack under the EU Fishing Opportunities 2026 Regulation. These measures include the introduction of a daily bag-limit of 3 pollack per angler, with catch and release permitted once that limit is reached.
This measure arises from the scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), which is published at https://ices-library.figshare.com/articles/report/Pollack_i_Pollachius_pollachius_i_in_subareas_6_7_Celtic_Seas_and_the_English_Channel_/27202803.
ICES is an intergovernmental marine science organisation that provides scientific advice to the European Commission and to national governments. ICES advice indicates that levels of pollack stock in the Celtic Seas area, including waters around Ireland, are low and that catches should be restricted to support stock recovery. Bag limits are commonly used, both nationally and internationally, as a conservation measure to restrict catches. As this is an EU Regulation, it has direct effect in Ireland and there is no scope to review the decision. Accordingly, the measure will apply from 1 June 2026.
I fully recognise the importance of the recreational sea angling and charter boat sectors to coastal communities, and I am conscious of the challenges that this measure presents for operators in the sector. I recently met with representatives of the sector to hear directly their concerns regarding the introduction of this bag limit and to discuss the impact this measure will have on their businesses and on coastal communities.
While there are currently no specific support or mitigation measures under consideration in relation to these measures, the Department will continue to engage with stakeholders in relation to implementation of recreational conservation measures.
277. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the basis on which the current levy arising from public expenditure overruns is being calculated and applied to his Department’s Vote; whether any categories of expenditure, including pay, pensions or staffing-related costs, are exempt from the levy within his Department; and if he will provide a breakdown of the areas against which the levy is being applied. [35075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe levy in question will apply to the 2027 current provision for my Department, based on its 2026 current allocation as set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). The levy will not apply to capital expenditure. The basis for the calculation of the levy across each Department is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The specific areas against which the levy will be applied will be determined as part of my Department’s preparation for Budget 2027.
278. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment what assessment has been made of the implications of the EU Commission ruling regarding the incentivisation of domestic biomethane production within the renewable heat obligation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35267/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps the Government intends to take to revise the renewable heat obligation scheme in light of the EU Commission's finding that current plans are contrary to EU competition law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35272/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider the proposal for a parallel renewable liquid fuels obligation scheme, similar to the renewable transport fuel obligation, to accelerate decarbonisation in the home heating sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the Government's position on increasing the obligation levels for liquid fuels within the renewable heat obligation scheme, particularly given the industry's stated capacity to deliver a 20% blend immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35274/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 279, 280 and 281 together.
On 23 December 2025, formal notification of Ireland’s intention to introduce a draft regulation which included a domestic product multiplier under the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) was made via the online Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS).
On 30 March 2026, the European Commission issued a detailed opinion in response to the draft regulation which extends the notification process by a further 3 months, during which time Ireland may not progress with the notified draft regulation.
This extension period relates to progression of the notified draft regulation only, namely the inclusion of an additional certificate applied to each unit of indigenously produced biomethane under the planned scheme. This extension does not apply to finalisation of the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025.
The primary objective of the RHO is to support an increase in Ireland’s renewable energy share for heat (RES-H) by the most economical means available. Design of the scheme included two phases of analysis, multiple stakeholder engagement activities, and extensive industry engagement. Feedback received informed a full impact assessment on the RHO structure, including consideration of key scheme parameters such as starting obligation rates and obligated fuel types.
Decisions made in relation to the Government approved Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 are considered sufficient to incentivise market participation with the RHO and support the achievement Ireland’s climate and energy targets.
Introduction of the RHO is a key priority for Government. Priority drafting of the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 is underway with the intention to submit it to Government for approval and priority publication as part of the summer legislative programme.
282. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding options and support mechanisms that are currently available or are being developed to assist local authorities and dairy farmers in establishing anaerobic digestion facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35284/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the assessment that has been made of the potential for anaerobic digestion to enhance Ireland's prospects in terms of its emission targets for 2030 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35285/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration will be given to designating specific regions such as Offaly as pilot areas for the demonstration of anaerobic digestion possibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35286/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the specific strategies that are being considered to facilitate and promote anaerobic digestion production within rural counties such as Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35287/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 283, 284 and 285 together.
To assist in the achievement of Irelands national and EU climate and energy targets Government has committed to support the ambitious delivery of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In response, my Department in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published the National Biomethane Strategy in May 2024.
Delivery of indigenously produced biomethane and its use within our energy system will have multiple cross-sectoral benefits for Ireland’s economy, energy security and emissions profile. As such, development of the industry will require a coherent and collaborative approach to policy implementation across all sectors including energy, agriculture and enterprise.
Implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy is an on-going process of collaboration across key Government Departments and Agencies. The Biomethane Implementation Group has been established to oversee implementation of the Strategy and the delivery of the 25 key strategic actions to ensure the necessary infrastructure and supports are in place to aid development of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale.
In addition to the National Biomethane Strategy, as the primary policy document for the development of biomethane plants in Ireland, the Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter has also been developed and is available on the Gov.ie website. The Charter outlines the scope and vision for the biomethane sector, and best practices that participants in the industry should adhere to during plant design, construction and operational phases of production.
A subgroup of the Biomethane Implementation Group has also been established to develop a support document for Local Authorities when assessing Anaerobic Digester planning applications. This document will be completed in 2026. The sustainability requirements under the Renewable Energy Directive will need to be stringently adhered to in all funded projects
As a newly emerging market, it has been well documented that the Irish biomethane sector will require support to stimulate early growth in the industry. A combination of capital grants and the introduction of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) has been agreed by Government to put Ireland on a trajectory to meeting our 2030 ambition.
The RHO will drive demand for biomethane in the heating sector and stimulate domestic production of biomethane. The RHO Heads of Bill were approved by Government and drafting of the RHO legislation is currently underway.
Funding of up to €200m for a second round of capital grants has been secured through the NDP/ICNF (Infrastructure, Nature and Climate Fund) process. My Department is now in the initial stages of putting the grant scheme in place, which will be available to support the development of anaerobic digestion plants in Ireland from late 2026. Support will be provided on a nationwide basis and it is not envisaged that a pilot programme will be rolled out to specific regions for the demonstration of anaerobic digestion opportunities at this time.
286. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the levels of fines or other compliance measures he is considering for the failure of data centres to comply with articles 11 and 12 of the Energy Efficiency Directive. [35308/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) (EED) is a wide-ranging European directive which seeks to enhance energy efficiency across all EU Member States and forms a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 Package. The Recast EED replaces the 2012 EED, as amended in 2018, which Ireland has previously fully transposed and fully implemented.
Article 11 of the EED introduces mandatory energy management systems for large energy consuming enterprises, meaning enterprises that have an annual energy use greater than 85 TJ. It also introduces energy audits for enterprises which have an annual energy use of greater than 10 TJ. The purpose of these measures is to support the identification and implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements and reductions in energy consumption. Article 11 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) is being transposed via statutory instrument and is close to being finalised.
Article 12 of the EED provides an obligation for Member States to require that owners and operators of data centres with an installed information technology power demand of at least 500kW to monitor and make publicly available information, subject to Union and national law protecting trade and business secrets and confidentiality, on the energy performance of their data centres.
Article 12 of the EED is supplemented by the directly effective delegated Regulation 2024/1364 that requires the same in-scope data centres, as under Article 12, to make public and report annually key performance indicators on their energy and sustainability to a European database on data centres established by the European Commission. This information is to help establish a common Union wide scheme to measure and rate the energy performance and sustainability of data centres, work on which the Commission has advanced. My Department is the Member State coordinator overseeing reporting by data centres operating in Ireland currently. Data centres in Ireland are already reporting this information to this confidential EU database for all reporting cycles.
The drafting of the relevant legislation in respect to the transposition of Article 12 is at an advanced stage and my Department is keeping key stakeholders and the Commission updated.
Enforcement provisions and penalties for the non-compliance are being considered in line with the State’s existing legislative framework in the transposition of these articles. This is in line with previous provisions under the 2012 and 2018 EED.
287. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the timeline to enact the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electricity (Supply) (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2025 is being progressed by my Department as part of a wider programme of work to strengthen the resilience of Ireland’s electricity network in the context of climate change and increasingly severe storm events. The overarching objective is to ensure that overhead electricity networks and forestry can co-exist in a manner that delivers a secure and reliable electricity supply.
An updated draft Heads of Bill are currently being revised following engagement with relevant stakeholders. My Department aims to submit these revised Heads of Bill to Government for approval to proceed to drafting in the coming weeks.
Pre-legislative scrutiny will follow thereafter with the aim of publishing the Bill the in a timely manner.
288. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when the National Energy Affordability Taskforce will report. [35338/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cross-Government National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) was formed last June to identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households, operating within the broader policy context set by the Programme for Government.
The first report of the Taskforce was published in November 2025. This report analysed recent trends in energy costs and related matters and set out a range of options for consideration as part of the Budget 2026 process.
Last week I provided an update to Government on the work of the Taskforce, its expanded scope, governance structures, and key deliverables as it works to address the energy affordability challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The NEAT is working intensively on an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be submitted to Government in Q3 of this year. This Action Plan will be focused on short, medium and longer-term measures to support households and businesses – to meet their energy costs, and will be built around 4 key pillars:
•addressing the price of energy;
•sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility;
•addressing energy poverty and customer protections; and
•energy affordability for businesses.
To facilitate this robust and coordinated cross-Government response, a number of NEAT subgroups have been established, bringing together officials from a wide range of Government Departments and Agencies.
A period of intensive engagement to refine options for consideration by the Taskforce is currently underway, with subgroups meeting on an ongoing basis.
This work is being supported by structured engagement with relevant external stakeholders.
289. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism. [35339/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccelerating the deployment of renewables across the EU is key to unlocking progress on energy security, affordability, competitiveness and decarbonisation. EU Member States, including Ireland, have committed to an ambitious set of targets for renewable energy up to 2030 to drive this transition.
There are a range of tools available at EU level to support the collective achievement of the EU’s targets for renewable energy. In 2020, the European Commission launched the EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism.
The mechanism is designed to support the cost-effective deployment of renewable energy in the EU by matching countries with high renewable energy potential (“host countries”) with those countries where the deployment of renewables is more constrained or slower (“contributing countries”). Once countries have been matched by the European Commission, funding is allocated to renewable energy projects in host countries following a competitive tendering process for grants. Contributing countries receive a statistical allocation of the resulting renewable energy generation.
To date, Luxembourg has participated as a contributing country, with Finland, Estonia and Bulgaria agreeing to host projects.
The European Commission recently launched a further call for expressions of interest from Member States to participate in the 2026 round of the mechanism, which is open until 15 May 2026. Initial expressions of interest are non-binding.
In addition to domestic policies and measures to support renewable energy, which remain the priority, Government is considering a range of additional options to support progress towards Ireland’s renewable energy targets. In this context, Government has approved the submission by Ireland of a non-binding expression of interest to participate in the 2026 round of the mechanism.
While no binding commitment to participate is being made at this stage, it is considered that participation could be a potentially cost-effective approach for supporting progress towards Ireland’s targets, while directly supporting wider decarbonisation efforts across the EU. It would also demonstrate Ireland’s proactive commitment to our EU legal obligations for renewable energy. Further analysis will be undertaken before any decision is taken by Government on entering a binding commitment.
290. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when the Climate Action Plan will be published. [35800/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to delivering on Climate Action. Work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate action every day, and the rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at increasing 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, having now reached the major milestone of 8GW onshore renewable electricity generation. We are now prioritising the development of our offshore wind capacity. We have doubled our wind energy capacity over the past 10 years, just last month wind energy provided a record 50% of our electricity. The Government has also 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 there are now over 227,000 EVs on Irish roads as of end March 2026. I have also recently 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.
These ongoing efforts are supported by Climate Action Plan 2025, in tandem with its predecessor, Climate Action Plan 2024, which contain a comprehensive programme of climate action and provide a strong framework for continued delivery across all sectors, given that many of the measures and actions in these plans are multi-annual in nature and effect. Work remains ongoing across Government Departments to deliver on these commitments and carry out climate action efforts every day, supported by recently enhanced governance and delivery arrangements.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, enhanced implementation governance structures to support accelerated climate action delivery have been put in place in 2025 to streamline structures and ensure that key strategic projects are supported.
Work is currently underway on the next Climate Action Plan which will build on the measures in the previous plans and be a more targeted, implementation-focussed plan that provides a basis for our new governance structures to accelerate the delivery of our highest impact measures. In that regard, my Department is working towards bringing a draft of the new Climate Action Plan to Government later this year.
In formulating the next plan, Government must carefully consider a wide range of factors to ensure the approach is ambitious, feasible, and sustainable. It is vital that our climate policies and emissions reduction pathways deliver the best possible value for money while maximising the net benefits to society. We must protect the long-term competitiveness of the economy, maintain the State’s attractiveness for investment, and maximise employment opportunities while ensuring a just transition that supports communities right across the country.
