Written Answers Nos. 112-132
112. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the specific recommendations contained in the Joint Research Centre review of the Blackwater fish kill incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46942/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the timeline for implementation of each recommendation contained in the Joint Research Centre review, the agency responsible for delivery; the current status of each recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46943/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
Following the Blackwater fish kill incident last year, an independent review was carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). The JRC Report, published in February 2026, made a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening prevention, detection and investigation of fish kills which are set out in the table below.
Many of these recommendations are being progressed through the development of an Inter-Agency Protocol between relevant agencies. This protocol, which will be finalised very soon, will ensure that the relevant expertise, resources and information are brought together quickly and will ensure consistency in how incidents are handled and communicated in the future.
The JRC report also includes some longer-term recommendations, such as continuous monitoring infrastructure, which requires careful planning, design and investment. Further consideration on how best to progress these is underway by the relevant authorities.
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Objective |
Recommendations |
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To Improve Detection |
• Major rivers (>100 km length) should have basic continuous monitoring with current and historical results available online. This should be provided together with ‘travel time’ catchment maps for different flow scenarios. • Chemical samples should be taken immediately when a fish kill is identified. This should be followed by frequent catchment-wide ambient water samples for complete background and pollutant specific chemistry for major fish kills. Local authorities should follow clear protocols to achieve this. • Given that the pollutant or its source has not been identified, vigilance should be maintained. Monitoring should be intensified in the river and its tributaries by IFI and CCC. • The public were first to raise the alarm. It is recommended to increase citizen scientist initiatives in the catchment led by LAWPRO and IFI. |
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To improve the coordinated response |
• Designate one agency to be responsible for leading and directing the response. • Major fish kills need to be recognised as such and treated with a higher level of priority. IFI should lead work to develop procedures to quickly classify and quantify fish kill extent. • IFI should lead work to develop and agree a clear multi-agency operating procedure to deal with major fish kills. This should guide all agencies to urgently explore all possible avenues until a cause is clearly determined. As part of this, the EPA and IFI should review investigative monitoring protocols for local authorities. • All agencies should establish clear reaction time goals for i) cross-agency information sharing, ii) diagnosis & remediation, iii) ensure sufficient capacity to meet emergency needs. • Investment should be made in crisis management and crisis communication skills. • Reports should clearly document all suspected causes, subsequent investigations and outcome. The logical steps of an investigation must be transparent to the public. |
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To prevent fish kills |
• Manage the catchment in an integrated way to allow a greater resilience of the biota to pollution events under scenarios that include high summer temperatures and low flows. • The EPA and IFI should commission and guide research to predict high risk locations for fish kills. Direct resources towards prevention. Anticipating and preparing for events will improve the response. • Carry out a thorough economic evaluation otherwise the resource will remain undervalued. • The deterrent to pollution under the Environmental Liability Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive (including recent revisions) should be highlighted. However, without the identification of the pollutant and source, prosecutions and costs for remediation measures (under the Environmental Liability Directive) cannot be pursued. • Prevention of future incidents is paramount. Increased efforts by national authorities are required to adequately implement relevant existing Community legislation such as the Water Framework Directive, the Nitrates Directive, the Industrial Emissions Directive, the Urban Wastewater Directive as well as the Habitats Directive. Further efforts should be made to achieve the environmental objectives set by these directives within the catchment. In addition, the Environmental Liability Directive should be fully implemented to provide a strong incentive to avoid polluting the environment. |
114. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Departments plans to counter coastal erosion, dealing with the potential impacts of coastal erosion; the contingency plans being put in place to protect coastal and marine environments from increasing climate change impacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46954/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised in the Question is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Government recognises the coastal change risks associated with climate change, and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-of-the-inter-departmental-group-on-national-coastal-change-management-strategy/) are being implemented.
I am advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was assigned the lead coordination role to promote a joined-up, whole of government response to coastal change by all relevant Departments and Agencies having regard to their existing policy remits. The work of this Interdepartmental Group will ultimately lead to the preparation of comprehensive Coastal Change Management Plans.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. I understand that this work is underway across a range of projects including coastal surveys, erosion hazard mapping and the development of databases of coastal defences and past erosion incidents, which will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
My Department is represented on the Interdepartmental Group by the Geological Survey Ireland given its expertise in modelling geological changes to our coasts.
At a national policy level, the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) developed by my Department outlines how various sectors and local authorities can implement adaptation measures to minimise Ireland's vulnerability to climate change's adverse effects while taking advantage of any beneficial impacts. The NAF emphasises the importance of integrating adaptation strategies into all levels of policy making, infrastructure development, and local planning. The Climate Act is clear that climate impacts are shared across Government with ownership assigned at sectoral level where the hazard can best be addressed.
The influence of climate change on coastal change is a single factor influencing the speed and scale of the coastal change that has and will occur. Management of the issue needs to integrate climate impacts into the existing policy responses. This is already the approach being taken by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage via the Interdepartmental Group as approved by Government.
115. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for a detailed progress update on the recommendations relating to his Department arising from the National Climate Change Risk Assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46956/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government approved Ireland’s second National Adaptation Framework (NAF) in June 2024. Ireland’s first National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) was a key deliverable under the NAF and was prepared by the EPA in 2025. The NCCRA provides a comprehensive national overview of potential climate change impacts for Ireland. It was developed with engagement from a wide range of stakeholders, including my Department, and identifies, ranks, and prioritises national climate change risks and areas where action needs to be prioritised to make Ireland more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
In line with the requirements set out in the NAF, and following publication of the NCCRA, 10 Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs) covering 13 key adaptation sectors were approved and published by Government in November 2025. The SAPs were informed by the methodology and prioritised risks set out in the NCCRA and by standardised Met Éireann climate data produced under the TRANSLATE project. Implementation of the SAPs is being progressed by the respective Departments responsible for the sectors.
The NCCRA report also includes key recommendations that could inform and strengthen future iterations of the NCCRA. These recommendations include the potential for the NCCRA to better integrate non-climatic sources of risk, cascading risks, transition risks and transboundary risks, alongside incorporation of financial quantification of risks. Consideration is being given as to how these may be addressed and is being supported by my Department.
116. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current assessment and contingency plans being considered by his Department relating to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current and its increasing risk of collapse which would have devastating impacts in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46962/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a crucial component of the global ocean circulation system, responsible for transporting warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic. A significant weakening or collapse of the AMOC could mean harsher winters, more frequent and intense storms, and disruptions to marine ecosystems in Ireland.
I am advised that Met Éireann has a team of ocean modelling experts working on AMOC research activities to better understand this issue in an Irish and regional context including how AMOC can be best captured within existing climate scenario data.
The Irish Government maintains a watching brief on research related to AMOC with particular regard to the likelihood of an AMOC slowdown. The outputs of ongoing climate research on AMOC will inform future policies on how to respond.
The National Adaptation Framework (NAF) notes the risks to Ireland from climate tipping points, including from changes to the AMOC. Ireland’s NAF is reviewed at least every five years to account for updated climate science, including updated research related to AMOC.
Following approval of the latest NAF, 10 Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs) covering 13 key Sectors were approved and published by Government in November 2025. These SAPs were informed by the National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) and by standardised Met Éireann climate data produced under the TRANSLATE project.
The NCCRA, published in June 2025, specifically outlines the AMOC’s low likelihood but high-impact challenges to Ireland. Preliminary work on a new NCCRA to be completed before 2030 has already commenced by the EPA.
A new Adaptation Taskforce was established in January 2026 and is monitoring delivery of adaptation actions and addressing cross-cutting issues and risks in a holistic way. The next meeting of the Taskforce will include an agenda item on AMOC including the latest analysis and an update on ongoing and planned research.
117. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to include the replacement of double glazed windows under the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46965/26]
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 is available at:
https://www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Scheme-and-Application-Guidelines.pdf.
It 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.
118. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he intends to introduce the private wires bill. [47061/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIntroducing a private wires regime is a priority for this Government. My Department has been engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft the necessary legislation required to bring forward the private wire’s regime.
The Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy have undertaken pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of the Private Wires Bill, with a report published at the end of April. This is currently under review in my Department.
It is my intention that the Bill will have completed its passage through the Oireachtas as early as possible this year.
119. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason the electricity charges in Ireland are considered out-of-kilter compared to European counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47085/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy affordability is a top priority for Government, as evidenced by the Programme for Government commitments in this regard and by the ongoing emphasis on key workstreams across my Department and in other Government Departments.
Retail prices are influenced by several factors including wholesale energy prices, system operation costs and supplier hedging. The latest data from Eurostat shows that, in nominal terms, Ireland ranked highest for electricity prices among European countries in the second half of 2025. When adjusting for purchasing power parity, in terms of energy affordability Ireland has the fifth highest electricity prices and eighth highest gas prices (below the EU average for gas) among European countries.
The Government is deeply aware and concerned about the pressures placed on households and businesses by high energy costs. We are taking action to help households and businesses with these costs. That is why, on 12 April, the Government agreed a €500 million package of fuel supports. This was in addition to the initial €250 million in targeted supports announced in March, which was already among the largest (per capita) intervention of any EU Member State. These packages were announced following significant engagement with industry representatives.
A range of measures in Budget 2026 also supported households with energy costs, including:
• an extension until 2030 of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity bills;
• enhanced social protection payments including an increase to the Fuel Allowance rate and an expansion in the eligibility rules; as well as
• a record allocation of €640 million for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) retrofit schemes.
Since 2019, capital expenditure of over €1.8 billion has delivered over 268,000 home energy upgrades, including over 36,300 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme (to end May 2026).
A rooftop revolution is underway across Ireland. Over 112,000 homes have received solar PV grants since the scheme began. The SEAI have received over 15,000 applications for solar PV in 2026 (to the end of April). This is a 72% increase on the total applications in 2025. 99% of new housing is A-rated.
A number of protections are in place for customers experiencing difficulties in paying their bills. Anyone who is struggling with their bill is strongly encouraged to engage with their supplier. Suppliers have hardship funds and focused measures in place for any customers who find themselves in difficulty will not disconnect customers who engage with them.
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 Government is also making crucial investments in renewable energy, in our electricity grid and in energy efficiency. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East underlines, once again, why we must accelerate the deployment of renewables across all sectors, and continue to invest in our grid as well as in retrofitting of homes and businesses across the country.
As Minister, I have written to retail electricity and gas suppliers, as well as fuel suppliers, to emphasise the importance of reducing the exposure for Irish consumers from the price shocks that global uncertainty can create.
Also as Minister, I will continue to engage with international and EU partners on an ongoing basis and voice the Government’s support for coordinated, EU-wide measures to address high energy prices.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce 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.
120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects to open a new round of the community climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47105/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very supportive of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) and have seen first hand how it supports and empowers communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way. Importantly, the EPA Climate Change in the Irish Mind Survey (funded by my Department) shows that 90% of Irish people accept the evidence of climate change and 80% are worried about its impact. Furthermore over 80% care about climate action and want to support it, so it is important to help our communities to do that.
The latest phase of the programme is providing a total of €29.5 million to local authorities to support communities across the country in delivering locally led climate action projects. Given that the demand for funding far exceeded the original allocation, in May I allocated an additional €2.6 million from the Climate Action Fund to the programme.
The CCAP has given opportunities to hundreds of groups around the country to access funding that directly benefits their communities. Many positive impacts have come out of the programme including reduction of energy costs, stimulating active travel, biodiversity enhancement and wildlife restoration.
The projects successful in receiving funding in the current phase of the programme were announced in May 2026. This phase will see funding being provided from the Climate Action Fund to all local authorities to partner with community groups to run 820 projects that will contribute to national climate and energy targets.
My Department is undertaking a review exercise to establish how community-based climate action projects can be most successfully implemented. This will take account of best practice in other jurisdictions, as well as data collected from recipients of previous rounds of CCAP funding and our local authority partners. I have asked my officials to carry this work out as quickly as possible with a view to informing future policy and funding decisions.
121. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if grants are available through his Department to assist local authorities with the clean-up and presentation of areas of towns within their administrative areas which have become derelict, which may include littering and graffiti; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47115/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the plans for the use of HVO in household heating boilers as a substitute to fossil fuels; and if he will consider promoting the conversion of boilers to use HVO. [47126/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is a bioliquid which can be used as a renewable energy source and which, in a transport context, is classified as a biofuel. HVO is currently available for consumers to purchase for use in both transport and heating. The 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, containing the detailed analysis that is informing the development of options to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors in the period to 2050.
The National Heat Study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwellings and business premises. These included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogases, as well as heat pumps and district heating networks. The recommendation of the heat study is that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for heating systems, with district heating also being an option that can be widely deployed. However, the National Heat Study also recognised the potential role for sustainable bioenergy for buildings that require alternative routes to decarbonisation, and that is being considered as part of a suite of measures to decarbonise heat.
The Programme for Government 2025 contains a commitment to targeting older homes still using oil to switch to renewable heating systems and to consider the use of sustainable biofuels to reduce emissions from existing home boilers where deep retrofits are not possible in the short term. These commitments are framing the work underway to finalise a Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Heating Systems, which will set out Ireland's overarching approach to decarbonising the heat sector.
My Department is also working on the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO). Under current proposals, the RHO will obligate suppliers of all fossil fuels used for heating purposes to ensure a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. As such, all renewable fuels, including HVO and other bioliquids used for heat that satisfy the sustainability criteria of the Renewable Energy Directive, will be considered eligible for certification under the scheme. The RHO Heads of Bill were approved by Government and drafting of the RHO legislation is currently underway.
123. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects the review regarding the interaction between the small-scale renewable electricity support scheme (SRESS) tariffs and Community Enabling Grants to conclude; and if he will provide a timeline for the introduction of Community Enabling Grants under SRESS. [47139/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the categories of project development costs he expects will remain eligible for Community Enabling Grant support under SRESS following the completion of the ongoing review. [47141/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if consideration is being given to a transitional arrangement for community renewable energy projects that incurred costs in good faith in anticipation of the introduction of Community Enabling Grants under SRESS. [47142/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether he has assessed the impact on community renewable energy projects, including the Blackrock renewable energy community in County Louth, which have already incurred significant development costs while awaiting the introduction of SRESS Community Enabling Grants. [47143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of community renewable energy projects nationwide that have incurred development costs in anticipation of accessing Community Enabling Grant funding under SRESS; and the estimated value of those costs. [47144/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if SEAI has been instructed to advise communities that have already incurred project development costs regarding their eligibility for future Community Enabling Grants under SRESS. [47147/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he accepts that community renewable energy groups were encouraged to progress projects on the understanding that Community Enabling Grants would form part of the SRESS support framework; the reason projects that have already incurred costs are now at risk of receiving no grant support; and the measures he intends to introduce to address this situation. [47149/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 125, 126, 127, 128, 131 and 133 together.
The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework, launched in 2022, provides a range of supports including an accompanying Community Enabling Grant of funding of potentially up to €180,000, offered by SEAI to community renewable energy projects to help them participate in the RESS.
Since January 2025, support for community projects has transitioned to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
With the exception of the Community Enabling Grants, all of the other supports that were available under the SEAI RESS Community Enabling Framework are now available to communities under SRESS.
SEAI’s website also provides 9 free information guides covering key aspects including community groups and governance, grid and planning permission issues, stakeholder engagement and business planning. SEAI has also provided 13 county-level grid studies to assist communities in identifying economically viable grid connection sites.
In addition, the SRESS community solar tariffs provide a significant premium to communities over RESS prices.
My Department is currently assessing the interaction between the SRESS tariffs and proposed accompanying grants to ensure that these do not constitute 'double funding' or cumulation of aid under EU State Aid rules. To protect against that risk, my Department has commissioned an independent technical review as part of the tariff review to ensure certainty in terms of State aid compliance. The review will also allow my Department to determine whether and how accompanying grants can be legally provided alongside the tariff. This work is currently underway and is expected to be completed later this year, with a decision on the reinstatement of these grants expected thereafter.
It is not possible to confirm the structure of any grants in advance of the SRESS tariff review findings and no instructions have been issued to SEAI on project development costs. However, under the previous RESS Community Enabling Grant, retrospective costs, that is costs already incurred by the project prior to grant letter of offer, were not eligible and this may also be a feature of any future community enabling grants in SRESS. Furthermore, SEAI only advised projects that it viewed to be economically viable to proceed.
My Department does not hold a register of the number of community renewable energy projects nationwide nor details of those that have incurred development costs.
124. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether legal advice has been received regarding the potential double-funding issue between SRESS tariffs and Community Enabling Grants; if so, whether he will publish or summarise that advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47140/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has engaged with the European Commission regarding the State aid concerns identified in relation to SRESS Community Enabling Grants; and if he will provide details of such engagement. [47146/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 130 together.
The Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework, launched in 2022, provides a range of supports including potential grant funding from SEAI to communities. Since January 2025, support for community projects has transitioned to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
With the exception of the Community Enabling Grants, all of the other supports that were available under the SEAI RESS Community Enabling Framework are now available to communities under SRESS.
Following the finalisation of the terms and conditions and the opening of the scheme to applications, work continued on the development of a potential accompanying SRESS Community Enabling Grant. As part of that grant development work, my Department sought legal advice in respect of eligible costs in the context of State aid rules.
The issue in respect of the interaction between the SRESS tariffs and proposed grants, and the risk of the “'double funding' or cumulation of aid under EU State Aid rules relating to certain project costs came to light at that stage and the Department was advised that a review providing technical guidance on the SRESS tariffs was required.
In that regard, my Department commenced a review of the tariffs available under SRESS in February 2026. This review is being undertaken to ensure the scheme continues to provide appropriate support. It will also allow my Department to determine whether and how grants can be legally provided alongside the tariff.
This work is currently underway and is expected to be completed later this year, with a decision on the reinstatement of these grants expected thereafter.
My Department also engaged with the State Aid Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on the issue. Engagement has not been required with the European Commission on the issue.
129. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if alternative financial supports are being considered for renewable energy communities pending the resolution of the State aid issues affecting Community Enabling Grants. [47145/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he intends to introduce to ensure that smaller community-led renewable energy projects are not disadvantaged compared to commercial developers as a result of delays in introducing Community Enabling Grants under SRESS. [47148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 132 together.
The Programme for Government commits to promoting the SRESS to simplify market access for communities, SMEs and farmer-owned solar and wind projects.
The SRESS export tariff is designed for community, SME and farmer export-only projects above 50 kW to 6 MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind. All export projects up to 1 MW can also apply to SRESS, and need not be community, SME or farmer-owned projects.
The key support provided to community projects is through the SRESS community solar tariff. This provides a significant premium to communities, compared to the prices available in the utility scale RESS schemes. For example, the greater than 1MW and up to 6MW category tariff provided to community applications is €140/MWh. That is 40% above recent RESS average support prices.
To further support communities, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), provides a range of supports to assist communities in developing renewable energy projects, including free access to specialist technical advisers and free comprehensive guides available on the SEAI website.
These guides cover various issues such as community groups and governance, stakeholder engagement, business planning and grid connection. The SEAI has also undertaken 13 county-level grid studies to help communities identify economically viable connection areas.
