Written Answers Nos. 162-181
162. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has provided, funded, or authorised the provision of a driver, security personnel, or related protective services to companies (details supplied); if so, to provide the basis, dates, and cost of such a provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50516/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not provide, fund, or authorise, drivers, security personnel, or protective services for private companies or entities and has not done so in relation to those specified.
163. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to deploy, as a matter of urgency, an Irish-led humanitarian response team to Venezuela, including trained personnel and essential resources such as emergency relief supplies, medical equipment, and search and rescue capabilities, including trained search dogs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken in response to the recent earthquakes in Venezuela; if emergency humanitarian assistance will be provided through Irish Aid; if support will be given to Venezuelan community efforts in Ireland to deliver aid; if Ireland will engage through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to provide further assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50672/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
I share the shock at the devastating impact of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June. The death toll continues to rise, and the extensive damage caused has worsened an already severe humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
On 30 June, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I announced a €1 million contribution to the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This funding will support the Venezuelan Red Cross, who are amongst the first responders and are best placed to carry out search and rescue, provide physical and psychological first aid, restore family links and conduct damage assessments.
Ireland is also responding through our contributions to global humanitarian funds. $15m has been allocated from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to UN agencies responding to the earthquake. CHF2 million has been allocated to the Venezuelan Red Cross from the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). We recently provided €1 million to the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is now also responding to the earthquake.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is liaising with Irish NGOs working in Venezuela on a possible deployment of relief items from Ireland’s pre-positioned stocks in the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama. This would be delivered in partnership with the EU, but through a different mechanism than the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Ireland prepositions essential relief items in strategic hubs around the world to facilitate the quick and cost-effective provision of relief items. There is no mechanism to support the shipping of items by private individuals from Ireland.
The Department will continue to engage closely with our EU, UN, Red Cross and NGO partners to understand evolving needs and provide all possible assistance.
165. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions taken by the Government to support women and girls in Afghanistan. [50688/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the commitment in "Securing Ireland's Future", Ireland continues to play an active role in seeking to maintain EU and international attention on the appalling human rights and Humanitarian situation within Afghanistan and, in particular, the deplorable restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan women and girls.
In line with our active engagement on this issue, senior officials from my Department met with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, in May to discuss Human Rights and humanitarian issues in Afghanistan. Senior officials also met with the EU Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Gilles Bertrand, in Brussels in June.
Since January 2020, Ireland has provided over €20 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan through the Irish Aid programme. So far, in 2026, Ireland has provided €3 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund and another €1.5 million to support the UNHCR Afghanistan Situation Response including support to Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan and provided a further €400,000 to Concern Worldwide to support its response in Afghanistan. For the 2025-2026 term, Ireland has also joined the Advisory Board of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. Ireland will include Afghanistan within its Presidency of the Council of the EU’s humanitarian focus, by fostering discussion on the situation and raising awareness of the continuing, neglected humanitarian crisis.
Since 2021, Ireland has welcomed over 700 refugees from Afghanistan under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), administered by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The Humanitarian Admissions Programme for 2026 is expected to commence shortly.
Along with other EU Partners, Ireland played a lead role in pressing for the establishment of an Independent Investigative Mechanism on Afghanistan at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. We will continue working with UN Special Rapporteur Bennett to ensure that this new mechanism is established and made operational as quickly as possible in order to try and help deliver much needed accountability to the people of Afghanistan.
I believe that the ongoing dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan clearly warrants a political level discussion within the Foreign Affairs Council and would support such a discussion taking place, if agreement to do so can be found. Ireland will also continue, including as EU Presidency, actively to support the role of the EU, through its Special Envoy for Afghanistan, and the UN-led Doha process. in working to address the human rights and humanitarian situation In Afghanistan. Ireland will also remain active in ensuring all possible pressure is maintained to bring about improvements in the dire political, economic and humanitarian situation confronting the Afghan people, in particular Afghanistan’s women and girls.
166. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether national planning guidelines for anaerobic digestion and biomethane production facilities are being prepared; when he expects such guidelines to be published; whether they will address issues including appropriate scale, location, zoning, feedstock, traffic, odour, digestate management, water quality, emissions, biodiversity, community gain and cumulative impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the engagement hi Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the development of planning guidelines for anaerobic digestion and biomethane facilities, given the targets set out in the National Biomethane Strategy; whether he considers the absence of such guidelines to be a barrier to sustainable delivery of biomethane infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 207 together.
Government has committed to deliver an ambitious target for indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In response to this ambitious target, my Department, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published the National Biomethane Strategy in May 2024.
Implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy is an on-going process of collaboration across key Government Departments and State Agencies, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Biomethane Implementation Group has been established to oversee implementation of the strategy and delivery of the 25 key strategic actions to ensure the necessary infrastructure and supports are in place to support development of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale.
Anaerobic Digestion (AD), although a very well-established technology in Europe with over 20,000 plants in operation, is a relatively small sector in Ireland to date. However, there is a robust regulatory framework in place to underpin the further development of the AD industry in Ireland and harness the benefits of biomethane.
For example, plants involved in AD of animal by-products or derived products must be approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Depending on the plants activity various licences are required from the Environmental Protection Agency. Onsite health and safety is regulated by the Health and Safety Authority and the plants connection to the gas network is regulated through the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and Gas Networks Ireland’s procedures and standards.
AD and other integrated assets are required to undergo a planning process to ensure proper consideration of a range of factors including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology. Requirements for these are currently set out through several acts, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. Projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment.
My Department has had engagement on the development of planning guidelines for AD facilities through a sub-group that was developed as part of the Biomethane Implementation Group to specifically examine such document. The support document to assist local representatives and planning authorities when assessing planning applications for biomethane plants is now being developed by ARUP Consultancy and is anticipated to be finalised in 2026.
167. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures in place, or being considered, to assist households with the cost of disposing of adult incontinence products, given the significant increase in waste collection charges in recent years; whether consideration will be given to introducing a national waiver, subsidy or support scheme for people who rely on these products for medical reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50486/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe waste collection market is serviced by competing private companies, where prices charged are matters between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable legislation, including contract, consumer and competition legislation. The Minister has no power to set prices in a private competitive market.
The Department has engaged with relevant public bodies and representative organisations with respect to the waste disposal costs for incontinence wear.
The National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO) has conducted a study on incentivised charging structures in the waste collection market. This study also considers mechanisms for supports in relation to households disposing of medical incontinence products based on international practice. Recommendations from the study will be considered together with the recently completed study to explore the feasibility of transitioning our national waste collection from its current competitive licensing system to a franchise tendering system.
The recommendations from both studies including any future policy decisions in relation to waste collection and regulatory arrangements will help to inform the next iteration of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. Any future decisions will be taken in line with the relevant framework and following appropriate consultation and consideration of the studies findings.
168. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding that was provided to retrofitting, broken down by each programme in each of the years 2020 to 2026, in tabular form. [50344/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of the funding that was allocated for solar PV in each of the years 2020 to 2026, in tabular form. [50346/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to parliamentary Question No. 155 of 24 February 2026, the breakdown of solar PV grants granted in each of the years since the schemes inception ; the breakdown of heat pump grants granted in each of the years since the schemes inception; the number of retrofits completed as part of the Government’s retrofitting programme in each of the years since the schemes inception; the number of window and door replacements completed as part of the Government’s retrofitting programme in each of the years since the schemes inception, by county, in tabular form. [50351/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding that was allocated to SEAI community grants in each of the years 2020 to-date in 2026. [50377/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168, 170, 175 and 179 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) manage a number of residential and community energy upgrade grant support schemes on behalf of my Department. These include the Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; the Community Energy Grant Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme through One Stop Shops; and the Solar PV Scheme.
Capital expenditure of over €1.8 billion has delivered over 268,000 home energy upgrades from 2019 to end May 2026, including over 36,300 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Under the New Residential Retrofitting Plan 2026, a range of new and expanded measures have been announced supported by a record capital budget of some €641m with the aim of delivering 73,000 retrofits.
The attached table sets out the annual capital expenditure for the SEAI's residential and community energy efficiency upgrade schemes for the period 2020-2026 (end-May).
The specific information sought by the Deputy relating to grant amounts paid by SEAI for solar PV and heat pumps, as well as windows and doors output data, since the inception of the SEAI schemes, is an operational matter for the SEAI. It is suggested that the Deputy contact the SEAI directly in relation to this matter. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
169. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of the funding that was allocated for solar PV as part of the warming homes scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2026, in tabular form. [50345/26]
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 the carbon tax revenues and the European Regional Development Fund.
The Warmer Homes Scheme is available to owner-occupied properties, based on the householder being in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection income supports. The scheme targets support to those on the lowest incomes who are living in the least efficient homes so that the resources available can have the greatest impact in addressing energy poverty.
The scheme follows a fabric-first approach, prioritising installation and ventilation to reduce heat loss before replacing heating systems in line with building regulations and best practice. At present, solar PV is not offered as a standard upgrade under the scheme. However, the SEAI is piloting the installation of renewable technologies including heat pumps and, in a small number of cases, solar PV where major renovations are taking place. As at end of May 2026, 102 Warmer Homes Scheme homes have received solar PV measures through the renewables pilot.
The renewables pilot is helping to assess the suitability of such technologies in the context of energy poverty. Measures available under the scheme are kept under ongoing review and my Department continues to work closely with the SEAI to ensure we maximise scheme output.
Homes built before 2021 are eligible for part-funded solar PV grants under separate SEAI programmes. The Government remains committed to ensuring that low-income households benefit from Ireland's renewable energy transition.
171. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of concerns that the Government’s retrofitting programme discriminates against those with solid fuel homes; the measures he is taking to address this; if he has considered ringfencing supports to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50347/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of concerns that the government’s retrofitting programme discriminates against those with older homes; the measures he is taking to address this; if he has considered ringfencing supports to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50348/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of concerns that SEAI HLI eligibility criteria for heat pumps are excluding homeowners in older dwellings. [50349/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of concerns that SEAI eligibility criteria for window and door replacement grants, including post-works BER requirements and U-value thresholds are excluding homeowners in older dwellings. [50350/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171, 172, 173 and 174 together.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan and new and enhanced measures announced in January 2026 have made retrofitting supports more accessible to households and allowed homeowners to undertake works to their home on a staggered basis, for example allowing homeowners to access windows and doors grants as part of individual measures, and increased grant rates for insulation and heat pumps.
It is important to note the grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) aim to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants and their respective eligibility criteria were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as best value for Exchequer money.
Specifically in terms of windows and doors, and heat pumps, recent developments include:
• new windows and doors, and heat pump, grants are now available across the SEAI schemes in line with eligibility requirements and scheme terms and conditions;
• the heat pump system grant has been expanded for a maximum total grant value of up to €12,500, up from €3,500 to €6,500 under the previous retrofitting plan. This new amount includes a €4,000 Renewable Heat Bonus grant solely targeted at homeowners decarbonising their existing heating system by swapping out their oil/gas boiler, solid fuel heating or electric storage heating with a heat pump;
• a grant of €6,500 is available for the replacement of an existing heat pump that has reached end of useful life and is out of warranty;
• the VAT rate for heat pumps was reduced to 9% in January 2025;
• changes have been introduced to the SEAI scheme rules to make the process of accessing heat pump grants easier for homeowners; and
• the SEAI also has two heat pump pilots underway which aim to inform appropriate approaches to increase the number of heat pump installations in homes with varying Heat Loss Indicator characteristics: the Residential Heat Pump and Heat Loss Indicator Research Pilot and the R290 High Temperature Heat Pump pilot.
To support the new and enhanced measures I announced in January, Budget 2026 provided a record allocation of €640m, including €558m from carbon tax receipts. Latest data from the SEAI shows to end May 2026, over 22,900 homes were upgraded through SEAI schemes, including over 3,600 homes at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme. Over 55,000 applications have been processed to end May 2026, an increase of 118% on the same period last year.
To qualify for the heat pump and/or the windows and doors grants, the building fabric must meet a specified minimum performance standard. Many homes will already meet this standard. If works must be carried out to bring the dwelling heat loss down to the required level, then grants are available from the SEAI for these measures.
Recognising that traditional buildings require special consideration, homeowners carrying out insulation works can apply for grant support via the Traditional Homes Pilot: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/traditional-homes
The pilot is gathering data on technical issues, materials, and costs of the types of solutions set out in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage guidance: ”Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings: Guidance for Specifiers and Installers.” Any decisions to expand traditional home retrofits across the SEAI schemes will be informed by the final findings of the pilot scheme.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was formed to identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households. The Taskforce is now leading the response to the energy shock, and the immediate associated energy affordability challenge as well as preparing an Energy Affordability Action Plan, to be completed in Q3 of this year. This work includes examining how to support the increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and the continued development of the SEAI's retrofit schemes, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.
The Department and the SEAI commits to ensuring grant schemes will be kept under review taking account of the overarching need to build a bigger home upgrade sector, evolving science, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors, making appropriate changes as necessary.
176. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 22 June 2026, the breakdown of the funding that was allocated to district heating, by cap ex and opex funding; the breakdown of the funding that has been drawn down for district heating, by cap ex and op ex funding; and the breakdown of the funding allocated to district heating that was not drawn down, in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50358/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 22 June 2026, the Government has financially supported the development of district heating networks in Ireland through the Climate Action Fund (CAF). To date, funding support for district heating has only been allocated in the form of capital grants.
The Tallaght District Heating Project, developed by South Dublin County Council (SDCC), was allocated €4.92m funding from the CAF. In 2018, Dublin City Council (DCC) were allocated €20m from the CAF to support the development of the Dublin District Heating Project (DDHP). The CAF allocated an additional €30m to the project in 2023. In total, €50 million has been allocated to support the DDHP.
As of 2024, Local Authorities can avail of Pathfinder funding for feasibility studies for district heating projects. In 2025, €5 million from the CAF was allocated to support pre-construction development costs for efficient district heating projects in Ireland. Under the National Development Plan, for the period 2026 to 2030, €50m to €100m has been allocated to support the full development of efficient district heating networks.
Funding allocated to district heating in tabular form attached.
Funding Drawdowns
SDCC has drawn down the full allocation from the CAF for the Tallaght District Heating Project. This project has been operational since 2023. To date, no funding has been drawn down by DCC for the Dublin District Heating Project.
Since 2024, Pathfinder paid out approximately €700,000 to the Local Authority sector. It has a planned spend of €500,000 minimum for district heating feasibility studies in 2026.
The District Heating Pre-Construction Fund has completed the Expression of Interest phase and successful applicants have been invited to the next phase of the process. Following completion of a competitive selection process funding will be allocated to successful applicants.
All funding, both allocated or drawn down, is capital expenditure support.
Funding drawdown by district heating in tabular form is attached.
177. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of data centres that are currently planned, proposed or awaiting approval in the context of the annual emissions generated by data centres; the location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50375/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra'The Value of Data Centres to Ireland’, an independent report commissioned by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, identifies 72 operational, grid-connected data centre buildings as of 2025, made up of hyperscale and non-hyperscale facilities and predominantly located in the Greater Dublin Area.
The Deputy may wish to contact EirGrid and ESBN directly in relation to current and planned customer connections to the electricity network.
178. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps he is taking to give long duration energy storage a route to market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50376/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland and the 10 Government actions contained within it, my Department, in conjunction with the System Operators and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), are focused on removing the barriers to the development of electricity storage projects and their incorporation to the Irish grid system.
Action 6 of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework supports the immediate procurement of 500MW of long duration electricity storage to meet specific network needs in the transmission system. In line with Action 6, EirGrid, in conjunction with the CRU, are developing a route to market for this Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) product.
To date EirGrid have successfully completed a Call for Evidence and the first of two public consultations. Both public engagements received strong industry responses. While matters are progressing the second public consultation has been delayed from Q2 2026 and it is now expected to be published by the end of 2026. In line with its original roadmap the first LDES contracts are still expected to be signed in 2027, for connection to the transmission grid by end of 2030.
180. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on the administrative and support that is available to renewable energy communities; the number of staff that are employed to support renewable energy communities; the cost to employ these staff in each of the years from 2020 to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50378/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of initiatives to support Renewable Energy Communities in Ireland. This support includes the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS) provides financial incentives to community groups and others to develop smaller scale solar and wind energy. SRESS was designed with two support mechanisms to suit two cohorts of applicants.
The first phase of SRESS provides grants via the Non-Domestic Microgen Grant which are available for renewables self-consumers above 50 kW and up to 1 MW.
The second, SRESS Export tariff scheme, targets community, SME and farm export-only projects, above 50kW to 6MW. It offers fixed tariffs for solar and wind, supported by the Public Service Obligation.
Regarding the administrative support for the scheme, there are currently four staff in my Department working on SRESS and community policy, including engagement with SEAI on the Community Enabling Framework. The officers are established civil servants and their remuneration is per the Assistant Principal, Administrative Officer, Higher Executive Officer and Executive Officer salary scales.
In terms of SEAI staff allocated to the Community Enabling Framework, the administration and management of the schemes, as well as the assignment of staff to particular work areas, is an operational matter for the SEAI.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly and in line with the SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is.mailto:oireachtas@seai.ie
181. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on the revenue generated from the Cap on Market Revenues; to provide a breakdown on the revenue that has been spent; the amount that remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has conducted any analysis on the revenue that would be earned by the cap on market revenues per year if it had of been kept in place; if he has considered reintroducing same; his reasoning for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50387/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 185 together.
The Market Cap Fund was established by the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Act 2023. This Act implemented in Ireland EU Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 which sought to address windfall gains in the energy sector by collecting excess revenues from companies that had unexpectedly benefited from the high energy prices arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The legislation provides that the excess revenues be used to finance measures in support of final electricity consumers to mitigate the impact of high electricity prices and that measures to be considered for allocation from the fund be clearly defined, transparent, proportionate, targeted, non-discriminatory, verifiable and not counteract the obligation to reduce gross electricity demand.
To date, I have approved the allocation of up to €37m from the Market Cap Fund to the Non-Domestic Micro-generation Grant Scheme, of which €10m has been approved since 10 June 2025, to cover anticipated payments by SEAI under this scheme to the end of 2026. That scheme provides support to the SME and not-for-profit sectors to address energy costs and reduce emissions in their buildings and is open to businesses, public sector bodies, societies and charities. Disbursements to this scheme take place on a regular basis to enable SEAI make payments following completion of installation works by approved applicants. Total disbursements to SEAI to the end of June 2026 for this scheme were €16.882m.
The cash balance in the Market Cap Fund at the end of June 2026 is approximately €177m.
I intend that the remaining balances in the Market Cap Fund will be fully deployed, in accordance with the applicable legislation, and subject to consent from the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation, to fund suitable measures to support electricity customers. This is expected to include a continuation of funding for the Non-Domestic Micro-generation Grant Scheme as well as consideration of funding for any new measures to be brought forward in a new Energy Affordability Action Plan by the National Energy Affordability Taskforce.
In accordance with the EU Regulation, the cap on excess revenues was introduced as a temporary measure and applied on a once-off basis covering the period 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2023. I have no plans to extend the application of this cap beyond this period on a unilateral basis in Ireland in the absence of a coordinated approach at EU level, which is preferable given the interconnectedness of EU energy markets.
