Darren O'Rourke

Sinn Féin · Meath East

Activity on Environment — 1214 events (22 lobbying · 1190 questions · 2 votes) full profile →

• 2026-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is considering building nuclear power plants in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26919/26]
• 2026-03-18
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 249 of 3 March 2026, if his attention has been drawn to the longest extended period of below average rainfall on the Boyne system since 1975 which took place across 2024/2025 and has displayed a system weakness in the fry counting system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19524/26]
• 2026-03-18
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no public consultation took place in relation to the proposed closure of salmon angling on the river Boyne in 2026; his views on whether this is fair to anglers in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19525/26]
• 2026-03-18
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures that will be taken to ensure anglers who have already purchased their licence will be compensated for the closure if the proposed closure of salmon angling on the river Boyne is implemented. [19526/26]
• 2026-03-18
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the length of time he would expect a closure of the river Boyne for salmon anglers to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19528/26]
• 2026-03-03
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of the serious local concern about the proposal from IFI to replace a well-regulated catch-and-release fishery with a full closure of the River Boyne under the draft Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Regulations for 2026; if he will seek clarification from the IFI on the evidence supporting full closure rather than continued catch-and-release; the way in which poaching and pollution will be monitored without anglers present; the reason the River Boyne remained marked for closure despite changes to other rivers between draft regulations; and the way in which community, economic, and wellbeing impacts have been considered. [17065/26]
• 2026-02-26
  PQ
  Asked Justice

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has considered delegated powers for enforcement in environmental, public order and other offences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/26]
• 2026-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the commitment to have at least 2 GW of new, flexible, gas-fired generation; the progress in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14757/26]
• 2026-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures he is taking to support families to move away from solid fuels for home heating but who cannot afford or whose home is not suitable for heat pump installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14758/26]
• 2026-01-20
  LOBBY
  The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Agriculture

  • IFA Budget 2026 Briefing
• 2026-01-17
  LOBBY
  The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA 9 returns EnvironmentFinance

  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Measures to Support Climate Action on Farm
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission Measures to Support Climate Action on Farm - Energy From Farms
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Measures to Support Climate Action on Farm - Protein Crop Supports
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Measures to Support Climate Action on Farm - Multi-Species Sward Scheme Including Red Clover
  • Measures to Support Farm Enterprises - Suckler Cow and Beef
  • Measures to Support Farm Enterprises - Sheep
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Cross Sector Support - Designated Area Payments
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Cross Sector Support - Farm Finance
  • Cross Sector Support - LEADER
• 2026-01-16
  LOBBY
  The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA 5 returns Finance

  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission-Proposals for an Improved ACRES Scheme- Administration
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Proposals for an Improved ACRES Scheme - Scoring
  • IFA Budget 2026 Submission - Proposals for an Improved ACRES Scheme - Penalties
  • Organic Farm Scheme - Measures to Support Farm Enterprises
  • Measures to Support Farm Enterprises - Farm Forestry
• 2026-01-13
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he is aware of an Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) survey conducted in 2025 which notes that salmon stocks on the Boyne and Kells Blackwater river has seen a catastrophic collapse, down to 10% of the conservation limit for the catchments; considering that salmon are a qualifying interest in the Boyne/Kells Blackwater SAC if he will consider it appropriate at this time to publish an SAC management plan to aid the recovery of the Boyne/Kells Blackwater salmon to favourable status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2381/26]
• 2025-12-10
  VOTE
  Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021

  A bill to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as An Coimisiún Náisiúnta um Thrasdul Cóir or, in the English language, the National Just Transition Commission to oversee the bringing together of workers, communities, employers and government in social dialogue to drive the plans, policies and investments needed for a fair transformation to a low-carbon economy; to require the preparation, by certain prescribed bodies, of just transition plans; to provide for the conferral of other functions on the said body; to amend the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended by the 2021 Act); and to provide for related matters.

  • ✓ voted to progress the bill whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) motion failed · 64–72
• 2025-12-09
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the options assessed when considering targeting energy credits rather as universal measures; if options based on household income were considered for example, and how; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70346/25]
• 2025-11-27
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason a person who is on the invalidity pension is not included in the criteria when applying for the SEAI warmer homes scheme. [66892/25]
• 2025-11-20
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of vacancies currently at each grade from higher executive officer level and above within his Department; and the estimated timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form. [65044/25]
• 2025-10-07
  PQ
  Asked Health

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE environmental health officers employed by the HSE based in CHO 8 in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [53610/25]
• 2025-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Taoiseach

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [50084/25]
• 2025-09-23
  PQ
  Asked Education

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the newly implemented additional assessment component for the first tranche of subjects will affect students taught at home; and the oversight will be provided to ensure fairness and equity for these students undertaking their studies outside of the traditional school environment. [49860/25]
• 2025-09-19
  LOBBY
  Irish Wildbird Conservancy Environment

  • Important Bird Areas for Seabirds in Ireland
• 2025-09-17
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to introduce a carbon credit scheme for quality fuels such as wood pellets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48743/25]
• 2025-09-17
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to introduce a carbon credit scheme for stoves and burners of quality fuels such as wood pellets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48744/25]
• 2025-09-01
  LOBBY
  Stop Climate Chaos coalition Environment

  • Climate Action Plans and Carbon Budgets
• 2025-06-10
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on the North-South interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30279/25]
• 2025-06-10
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the licencing system for mining operations at a mine (details supplied); what licences are currently issued; the frequency with which they are renewed; the process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/25]
• 2025-06-10
  PQ
  Asked Climate

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the royalties system for a mine (details supplied); the way in which royalties are calculated and governed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29623/25]
• 2025-05-21
  LOBBY
  Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) Environment

  • meaningful inclusion of youth voices in climate and sustainability decision-making, greater investment in ESD, and more responsive public services.
• 2025-05-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the DAA, AirNav and the IAA are subject to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23477/25]
• 2025-05-12
  LOBBY
  Business in the Community Ireland Environment

  • Regulatory changes at EU level, our submission reflects our distilled insights from engaging with corporates in their compliance journey.
• 2025-04-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which a private wires policy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17088/25]
• 2025-04-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the Eirgrid All Island Resource Adequacy Assessment 2025-2034 (details supplied) will impact on energy supply in the years ahead; if it means that more renewable and less fossil fuel generation capacity will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17087/25]
• 2025-02-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the national hydrogen strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6406/25]
• 2025-02-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is concerned at the sale of Bord na Móna’s waste collection arm; if he has assessed the impact of this on waste collection services in Ireland; if he intends to intervene in this sale perhaps for the State to take a greater role in waste-collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6468/25]
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Huhtamaki Cup Print Ltd. Environment

  • Highlighting the key positions and views of IPPCA
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Teneo Strategy Ireland Limited Environment

  • Implementation of Deposit Return Scheme Ireland
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Friends of the Earth 2 returns Environment

  • Oireachtas Committee on Climate re engagement with Ministers
  • Recommendations on Party Manifestos and Government Programme
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  SSE plc Energy and Natural Resources

  • Delivery of clean, homegrown, Irish energy
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  National Women's Council of Ireland Environment

  • NWC Feminist Climate Justice Report
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Environmental Pillar Environment

  • Launch of report on High-Level Recommendations for Funding Nature Restoration in Ireland
• 2025-01-21
  LOBBY
  Danone Ireland Environment

  • Letter to Sinn Fein spokesperson for Environment and Climate Action, Darren O’Rourke seeking a meeting to share an overview of Danone’s manufacturing footprint in Ireland, key sustainability initiatives and B Corp Status.
• 2025-01-20
  LOBBY
  Environmental Pillar Environment

  • Environmental Pillar Election General Manifesto 2025
• 2025-01-20
  LOBBY
  Coalition 2030 Environment

  • Email to all parties climate and environment spokespeople outlining Coalition 2030's election manifesto
• 2025-01-20
  LOBBY
  Instinctif Partners Public Affairs Ireland Environment

  • Correspondence with relevant Oireachtas members sharing ACE Ireland's General Election manifesto with key policy asks for their consideration.
• 2025-01-17
  LOBBY
  Christian Aid Ireland Environment

  • COP29
• 2025-01-15
  LOBBY
  AgTech Ireland Agriculture

  • General Election Manifesto - Understanding the transformative impact of agtech on Irish agriculture
• 2025-01-14
  LOBBY
  Irish Wildbird Conservancy Environment

  • General Election 2024
• 2025-01-13
  LOBBY
  Climate and Health Alliance Environment

  • Climate and Health Alliance Programme for Government
• 2024-12-12
  LOBBY
  Starrus Eco Holdings, a subsidary of Beauparc Utiliites Environment

  • Discussion on the Joint Oireachtas committee report on the circular economy
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average all in costs and the average grant, for the installation of a 3kw, 4kw and 5kw solar photovoltaic system under the domestic solar PV scheme, in 2023 and to date in 2024. [45602/24]
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the national demand strategy implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45617/24]
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the safeguards he has put in place to ensure that the deposit return scheme will not lead to price rises for households for waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45618/24]
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait time from filing an application for the SEAI warmer home scheme. [45625/24]
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps that were installed as part of the SEAI retrofitting schemes, broken down by scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45629/24]
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed as part of the SEAI retrofitting schemes; the pre and post-BER post retrofit; the average cost to retrofit, broken down by scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45631/24]
• 2024-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number solar PVs installed as part of the SEAIs retrofitting schemes; the pre and post-BER; the average cost, broken down by scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time to access the warmer homes scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44525/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting list time as part of the warmer homes scheme, broken down by country in the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44539/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the recently published report from the Dublin Taskforce (details supplied); if he is aware that one of the reports key recommendations was to “move to a single waste provider in the city centre via a tender process”; the assessments, if any, that his Department has carried out regarding the implementation of this model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44540/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the recently published report of the Joint Committee on the Environment and Climate Action on the circular economy; if he is aware of recommendation 42 that the committee recommends that his Department supports the establishment of a pilot scheme in Dublin City local authority to re-municipalise waste following Dublin City Council’s adoption of a cross-party composite motion calling for the re-municipalisation of household waste services in July 2019; the assessments, if any, his Department has carried out regarding the implementation of this model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44541/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to install a heat pump, broken down by post-BER rating and by SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44730/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the heat pump targets as outlined in the long-term renovation strategy (details supplied); the progress made in meeting these targets; the percentage of these targets reached in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44732/24]
• 2024-11-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the dates in 2024 on which his Department has received each of the 2023 audited financial statements and 2023 annual reports from each State agency under the remit of his Department, in tabular form. [45180/24]
• 2024-10-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 15 October 2024, if he will identify each individual provider of legal consultancy services to his Department regarding the development and operation of the renewable electricity support scheme, during 2023 and to date in 2024; the amount paid; and the specific services provided. [43614/24]
• 2024-10-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 15 October 2024, if he will identify each individual provider of economic advice to his Department regarding the development and operation of the renewable electricity support scheme during 2023 and to date in 2024; the amount paid; and the specific services provided. [43615/24]
• 2024-10-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to specify the agreed or provisionally agreed auction contracts under RESS 1, RESS 2, RESS 3 and RESS 4 respectively; the number of successful projects; the total capacity of successful projects; and the percentage share of total successful projects that are that are wholly or partly owned by ESB and its subsidiaries, in tabular form. [42437/24]
• 2024-10-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to specify the agreed or provisionally agreed auction contracts under ORESS 1 and ORESS 2.1 respectively; the number of successful projects; and the total capacity of successful projects and the percentage share of total successful projects that are that are wholly or partly owned by ESB and its subsidiaries, in tabular form of. [42438/24]
• 2024-10-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for the breakdown of the funding provided for community energy grants in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/24]
• 2024-10-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for the breakdown of the funding provided for domestic solar photovoltaic systems in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42530/24]
• 2024-10-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a breakdown of the funding provided for community solar photovoltaic systems in 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42535/24]
• 2024-10-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown, by fuel source, of the cost of importing energy in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42182/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government's position on liquefied natural gas, LNG; if the Government's position has changed from the position outlined in the programme for Government that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and that "we do not believe that it make sense to develop LNG gas import terminals importing fracked gas"; the implications that the development of an LNG terminal would have on Ireland's climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41632/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on preparations to regulate non-domestic gas works, with particular reference to timeframe, engagement with registered gas installers, training, legislation and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41633/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the objectives for the awarding of community energy grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41377/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the findings in the 2023 report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) that 39% of carbon taxes collected are not accounted for; if he can account for how his Department spent all of its carbon tax; the amount unspent or unaccounted for in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41374/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the Regional Renewable Energy Strategies; whether his Department is considering moving to a plan-led approach for the large-scale development of solar in advance of the adoption of these strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41376/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria that a contractor or builder must meet in order to be listed on the SEAI's website; how often these are reviewed and revised; if he is aware of concerns that work is not being carried out to an adequate standard (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41375/24]
• 2024-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his efforts to address the ongoing high cost of energy in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41378/24]
• 2024-10-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the targets for each of the SEAI's retrofitting schemes for heat pump installations in each of the years between 2020 to 2030, in tabular form; how the number of installations compares to the targets in each of the years to date; how the number of installations compares to the targets in 2025 and in 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40356/24]
• 2024-10-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the European Commission has decided to open an infringement procedure against Ireland for failing to fully transpose the revised renewable energy Directive into national law; the measures he is taking to address this; to provide a timeline for the transposition of the revised Renewable Energy Directive into national law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40393/24]
• 2024-10-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the reported 6.8% emissions reduction in 2023 that is contributed by imported electricity; what this equates to in tonnes of carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39957/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under heading B of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38495/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under heading A of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38496/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under heading C of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38497/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under heading D of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38498/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of homes that have had solar panels installed by the SEAI scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38812/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average income of households that have had solar panels installed via schemes funded through his Department. [38813/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading B of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38814/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading A of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38815/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading C of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38816/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading D of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38817/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update for the wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38823/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the regional renewable energy strategies; when these will be translated into county level targets and how this will inform city and county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38824/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the revised methodology for local authority and renewable energy strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38836/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the renewable electricity spatial policy framework. [38838/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on national energy demand strategy and implementation plan. [38839/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the roadmap to phase out fossil fuel heating systems in all buildings. [38840/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the draft heat Bill to establish regulatory model for district heating. [38841/24]
• 2024-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the establishment of a just transition commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38849/24]
• 2024-09-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the warmer homes scheme; the reasons solar PV has not comprised a significant component of this programme given the increased popularity and affordability of the technology; if he has plans to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38030/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects a conclusion to the energy security review; if he will be bringing forward legislation on a strategic emergency gas reserve to ensure that it is State owned, that it does not increase demand, and that it is used only in situations where technically necessary to bring safe supply to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37331/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by gas installers regarding the introduction of the non-domestic gas regulation into the current registered gas installer scheme, and that the pathway chosen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is contradictory to gas safety, operation and control; if there are plans to update these policies with guidelines on testing, installation, certification and limit of scope, which stakeholders feel are currently missing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37394/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by gas installers regarding the impending merge of non-domestic with domestic registered gas installers without additional training, specific certification or competency; if he plans to introduce additional training, certification and or competency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37396/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the consultation carried out with industry in advance of the impending introduction of the non-domestic gas regulation into the current registered gas installer scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37395/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the Commission for Regulation of Utilities or registered gas installer legal position should any accident or incident occur; if work has been carried out to clarify any insurance implications of insufficient training and / or competency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37397/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the provisions of the renewable energy III Directive, that were required to be transposed by 1 July 2024, will be written into Irish law; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/24]
• 2024-09-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national heat policy statement, which was due to be published at the end of 2023; when he expects it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37886/24]
• 2024-09-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the latest auction for onshore renewable energy; if he is aware that the volume that was delivered (1,146 and 925 GWh) was far less than was targeted in the Government’s renewable electricity support scheme auction schedule (2,000 – 5,500 GWh); the factors that led to the relatively low amount being delivered; how he plans to address this for the next auction; how this will impact on the 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37061/24]
• 2024-09-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the offshore renewable energy technology roadmap, which has 3.2 gigawatt hours (Gwh) as its baseline target for offshore renewable energy in 2030, which is below the 5Gwh target; the reason there is a discrepancy between these two targets, if it is anticipated that the 5GWh will not be reached by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37068/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a single individual or entity is eligible for retrofits on multiple residences under the SEAI’s retrofitting programme; to provide a breakdown of eligibility criteria under each of the SEAI’s retrofitting programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36036/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the update to the guidelines for the community energy grant scheme in June to specifically allow for applications from real estate investment trusts and commercial landlords to upgrade multi-unit dwellings; if real estate investment trusts commercial landlords were eligible for retrofitting grants up to this point or had they accessed them via a different avenue; if so, the breakdown of grants awarded; the breakdown of the average value of awards; the breakdown of the average incentive level for unit upgrades; if this was consistently 30% of eligible costs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36106/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the guidelines to the community energy grant scheme in June to specifically allow for applications from real estate investment trusts and commercial landlords upgrade multi-unit dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36107/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36262/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy community grant scheme in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36263/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the domestic solar PV scheme in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36264/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about workforce planning in the SEAI; to provide a breakdown of the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36265/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about workforce planning in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities; to provide a breakdown the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36266/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about workforce planning at the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority; to provide a breakdown of the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36267/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost for a renewable energy community to connect to the grid in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36268/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about workforce planning in the Environmental Protection Agency; to provide a breakdown the full-year cost of employing one FTE, per staffing grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36269/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the retrofitting of solid fuel homes; the number of solid fuel homes that were retrofitted in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36270/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the retrofitting of solid fuel homes; the number of solid fuel homes that were retrofitted with heat pumps; the number of solid fuels homes that have been retrofitted with a heat pump in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36271/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the installation of solar PV as part of the Government’s retrofitting scheme; to provide a breakdown of solar PV installed as part of the Government’s retrofitting programme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36272/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36273/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of heat pumps installed as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36274/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the installation of heat-pumps under the SEAI retrofitting programme; the number of heat pumps stalled in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36275/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the Revised Estimate for Public Service 2024, in tabular form. [36276/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to install a heat pump in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36277/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of community energy grant funding awarded, broken down by eligible category in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36278/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of community energy grant funding drawn down, broken down by eligible category in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36279/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of funding awarded to commercial organisations under the community energy grant fund, broken down by property type; the average grant that was awarded, broken down by property type; the average amount of funding that was drawn down, broken down by property type in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36280/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of funding allocated to retrofit multi-unit dwellings by commercial organisations under the community energy grant scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36281/24]
• 2024-09-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the funding drawn down by renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36283/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the percentage of renewable electricity that was generated from renewable fuel sources; the percentage of renewable electricity that was generated from fossil fuel sources; the breakdown of imported electricity, by fuel source, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34355/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action one of the national hydrogen strategy, to develop and publish data sets showing the likely locations, volumes, and load profile of surplus renewables on our electricity grid out to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34537/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action two of the national hydrogen strategy, to establish an early hydrogen innovation fund to provide co-funding supports for demonstration projects across the hydrogen value chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34538/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action three of the national hydrogen strategy, to adopt EU standards for renewable and low carbon hydrogen and develop a national certification scheme to provide clarity to end users as to the origin and sustainability of their hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34539/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action four of the national hydrogen strategy, to develop the commercial business models to support the scale up and development of renewable hydrogen, targeting surplus renewable grid electricity pre-2030 and an initial 2 GW of offshore wind from 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action five of the national hydrogen strategy, to develop a roadmap to bring net zero dispatchable power solutions to market by 2030, to support the delivery of a near net zero power system by 2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34541/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action six of the national hydrogen strategy, to undertake further work to assess the role that integrated energy parks could play in our future energy system, including their potential benefits and the possible barriers that may exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34542/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to date in the delivery of action seven of the national hydrogen strategy, to publish the draft national policy framework on alternative fuels infrastructure, and support the roll-out of hydrogen powered heavy duty vehicles and refuelling infrastructure in line with EU requirements set out in the recast Renewable Energy Directive and Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34543/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the pre-and post-BER ratings of all deep retrofits completed in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date under all SEAI schemes, by scheme, pre-BER and post-BER, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35703/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35704/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, were fitted with a heat pump, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35705/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost per retrofit in each of the SEAI’s schemes per post-BER rating, in tabular form. [35707/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the public funding provided to private operators of public refuse collection, disposal and recycling, broken down by private contractor and local authority, from 2009 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [35717/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the public funding provided for municipal waste collection, disposal and recycling in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35718/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the public funding provided for domestic municipal waste collection, disposal and recycling in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35719/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the public funding provided to collect, dispose or recycle illegally dumped material in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35720/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which real estate investment trust (REIT)-owned residences have availed of the SEAI’s retrofitting scheme; the number of REIT-owned properties that have been retrofitted under the SEAI various schemes, broken down by scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35868/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the real estate investment trusts (REIT) that have availed of the SEAI retrofitting schemes; the breakdown of the total value awarded to each REIT in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35869/24]
• 2024-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department has taken to address the bloom of bluegreen algae in Lough Neagh as 400km2 of the lake’s catchment area and tributaries are located in the south; the extent to which his department is working with its counterpart in the North, the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, to address this issue; what scope is there to address this on an all island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35596/24]
• 2024-07-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proportion of imported electricity that was renewable energy; the proportion of imported electricity that was from fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31200/24]
• 2024-07-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown, by fuel source, of imported electricity in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31201/24]
• 2024-07-23
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the flight paths at the north runway at Dublin Airport were appropriately environmentally assessed, including, but not limited to, the International Civil Aviation Organisation Guidance Material - Environmental Assessment of Proposed Air Traffic Management Operational Changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30981/24]
• 2024-07-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he aware of the 2018 Competition and Consumer Protection Commission report on household waste collection; if he has any plans to establish an economic regulator in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29977/24]
• 2024-07-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he considers it appropriate that waste collection companies pass on the cost of the deposit return scheme to households; if he has spoken to waste collection companies to discuss this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29978/24]
• 2024-07-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of warnings from an organisation (details supplied) that its members may raise prices for household recycling collection following the introduction of the deposit return scheme; the measures he is taking to prevent this; the actions he is taking to protect consumers from these prices hikes; to report on his engagement with industry to discuss the matter; the dates on which these meetings took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29089/24]
• 2024-07-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his engagement with the waste management industry in advance of the introduction of the deposit return scheme; if any understanding was developed with the industry that it would be insulated from losses following the introduction of the scheme (details supplied); if so, what the understanding included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29090/24]
• 2024-07-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on the roll-out of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29091/24]
• 2024-07-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 99 and 100 of 25 June 2024, to report on the meetings that took place on 28 February, 16 April and 15 May 2024; to provide a breakdown of all attendees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29122/24]
• 2024-07-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 99 and 100 of 25 June 2024, if the steering group considered the impact of the deposit return scheme on the pricing structures for household waste collection. [29124/24]
• 2024-07-09
  PQ
  Asked Enterprise

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 28 May 2024, the reason for the discrepancy between the total projects awarded; the average amount awarded; the amount drawn down as part of the Environmental Aid Programme 2020-2023; if businesses are failing to draw down awards; if so, the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29408/24]
• 2024-07-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the revenue that has been collected from the temporary solidarity contribution to date; the impact this legal challenge is having on the collection of the temporary solidarity contribution (details supplied); if he has engaged with the Revenue Commissioners on the matter; if the temporary solidarity contribution is being withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28630/24]
• 2024-07-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the energy security review; if and when the proposal from Gas Networks Ireland will be published; when he expects that a final decision will be made; if it will be forthcoming in advance of the Dáil Éireann summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28378/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department has undertaken as part of the energy poverty steering group; how many times the group has met; what actions have stemmed from these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the development of offshore wind; the status of the guidelines for the development of offshore wind; when the second offshore wind auction will take place; the progress of phase 1 projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27731/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on community-led projects that were successful in SRESS 1 and SRESS 2; the number of these projects that remain in the process; if he is aware of concerns that considerable barriers remain for community groups in the recently launched phase 2 of the SRESS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27732/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the re-turn scheme; to report on how the scheme is monitored and regulated; to report on how unclaimed deposits will be used (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27564/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work he and his Department are undertaking to increase electricity grid capacity in line with our 2030 target; if hybrid connections will form of this plan; if he is aware of mounting concerns over delays to renewable energy developments in securing grid connection posing a threat to our 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27559/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the barriers that successful applicants face, in particular community groups, when accessing funds; the measures he is taking to address these barriers; if any successful applicants have failed to access funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27557/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the target of 500,000 homes to BER B2 or higher by 2030; the proportion of retrofits that achieved a BER B2 or higher that were solar installations only, i.e., no other works; the proportion of homes that were retrofitted with solar PV as part of the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27560/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the conclusion of the private wires consultation; when the Government will bring forward a private wires policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27558/24]
• 2024-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the revenue that was raised via the cap on market revenues; how this compares to the original projected revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27698/24]
• 2024-06-25
  PQ
  Asked Further and Higher Education

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the professions of planning; his plans, if any, to introduce measures to increase the number of planners who graduate with environmental and climate expertise; if he has worked with an organisation (details supplied) to increase the number of planners who graduate with environmental and climate expertise; the number of planners who have graduated over the past five years with environmental and climate expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27023/24]
• 2024-06-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the work his Department is carrying out with the National Waste Collection Permit Office to examine whether fair and transparent pricing is consistent in the markets and how that information is disclosed to customers; for a breakdown of dates on which he and his officials have met with the NWCPO; when he expects this review to be complete and its findings published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26747/24]
• 2024-06-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the study on incentivised charging structures in the waste collection market; to provide a breakdown of dates on which he and his officials have met with the National Waste Collection Permit Office to discuss this; when he expects this review to be complete and its findings published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26748/24]
• 2024-06-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budget allocation for the National Cyber Security Centre in the years of 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [26482/24]
• 2024-06-11
  PQ
  Asked Social

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 29 May 2024, if she has considered making a recommendation to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications that those in receipt of an invalidity pension should qualify for inclusion as part of the SEAI’s warmer homes scheme; if she has not, to provide a breakdown of the reasons therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25437/24]
• 2024-06-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the Copper Switch Off Working Group established with the participation of ComReg and Eir; the membership of the group; the number of times the group has met; the work programme and expected outcomes of the group; if the latter will be made publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24910/24]
• 2024-06-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 14 May 2024, to provide a breakdown of how the figure of 16,600 heat pump installations in existing homes was arrived at; to provide a breakdown of installations per year of the period that the figure is accounting for, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown, per scheme, per year, that the figure is accounting for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25234/24]
• 2024-06-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if only heat pumps installed in existing buildings will be counted as contributing to the 2030 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25236/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how frequently the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the proposed floating storage and regasification unit will need to be replenished, if approved, given the inevitable boil-off of LNG over time; where this gas will be sourced; what measures will be taken to minimise the frequency of this occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated length of time a proposed temporary floating storage and regasification unit, if approved, would be in operation in Ireland until a carbon neutral energy system is in place and we are no longer reliant on gas for our energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23621/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the will report on the excellence in energy efficient design scheme; the funding available to be drawn down; how much funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the support scheme for renewable heat; the funding available to be drawn down; the amount of funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to increase the capital funding for the better energy warmer homes scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy warmer homes scheme to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to estimate the cost of including properties with HAP tenancies in the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23869/24]
• 2024-05-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of doubling the climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23870/24]
• 2024-05-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of the CRU in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/24]
• 2024-05-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of Gas Networks Ireland in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/24]
• 2024-05-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of EirGrid in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22562/24]
• 2024-05-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of ESB Networks in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22563/24]
• 2024-05-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a timeline for when the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan will be finalised and adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22564/24]
• 2024-05-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to implement an enhanced emissions reporting framework and price incentivisation for large energy users to encourage them to participate in flexible demand initiatives designed to shift electricity consumption to times when emissions are low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22565/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed to date relative to the 2030 target of 400,000; the challenges he has identified with heat pump installation; his plans to address these; if alternative technologies are being considered; if he is aware of the high number of calls made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP, regarding high electricity bills associated with heat pump use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21896/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total electricity generation capacity that has been energised since February 2020, broken down by fuel source and year; what percentage of Ireland’s electricity was imported in each of the years since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21897/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address surplus renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect surplus energy to energy-poor households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of ongoing concerns with the roll-out and operation of the deposit-return scheme; the measures he is taking to address these concerns; if he will report on Ireland’s experience thus far when compared with other EU states based on data he received (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21492/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on heat pump installations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 as part of the national retrofitting plan; how this compares to the targets set for the same period; what percentage of the 2030 target have been installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the national biomethane strategy; when he expects this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21496/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the reason a person (details supplied) did not qualify for a home heating upgrade as part of the SEAI's warmer homer scheme despite being an eligible applicant and having a suitable household; if there is sufficient scope to appeal the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21406/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received under the warmer homes scheme since its announcement; the number of homes completed in the country; the number of applications received in County Meath, by year, since 2020, in tabular form; the number of homes that have been completed under the scheme in Meath, by year, since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21627/24]
• 2024-05-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications waiting to be approved under the warmer homes scheme; the current average wait time for applications; the number of approvals, per month, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the number of approvals, per year, since 2020, in tabular form; the average cost, per grant, per year, since 2020, in tabular form; the efforts that are being made to reduce the wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/24]
• 2024-05-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the SEAI retrofitting schemes; to report to on the process through which a contractor is registered with the SEAI as part of their various retrofitting schemes; what the requirements are for contractors to become registered with the SEAI; what insurance and other documentation must they have; how often is this documentation rechecked; what responsibility does the SEAI take for works completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20553/24]
• 2024-05-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the SEAI retrofitting schemes; to report on the process through which BERs are accessed pre-works per scheme; to report on the process through which BERs are assessed post-works per scheme; does the SEAI sign off on works completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20554/24]
• 2024-05-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to heat pump installations as part of the SEAI’s retrofitting scheme; if he is aware of instances where heat pumps are installed incorrectly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20555/24]
• 2024-05-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to heat pumps as part of the SEAI’s retrofitting scheme; the measures he is taking to ensure they are used correctly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20556/24]
• 2024-05-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the offshore renewable energy future framework policy statement; when he anticipates this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/24]
• 2024-05-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on targets for floating offshore wind off the west coast; to provide a breakdown of targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050; how this compares to targets in Scotland; how this compares to targets in Britain and the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/24]
• 2024-04-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of heat pumps installed broken down, by scheme, to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19193/24]
• 2024-04-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of overall number of heat pumps installed to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19194/24]
• 2024-04-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the National Broadband Plan and its roll-out; if there will be further works in the Ashbourne LEA areas of Kentstown and Skryne; what plans there are to improve broadband access to those households who have not yet been covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/24]
• 2024-04-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s preparations for the switch-off of copper based broad band services; the measures he is taking to ensure that all services have migrated to fibre based networks in advance of the switch off; the percentage of households currently still use copper based services; the percentage of businesses still use copper based services; the timeline for their migration to fibre based services; if he anticipates that all broadband service users will have access to fibre broadband services in advance of copper based switch off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19316/24]
• 2024-04-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on connectivity blackspots in terms of Ireland’s broadband network; the breakdown of postcodes that are not included in the national roll-out nor commercially available; his plans to address these blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19395/24]
• 2024-04-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is planning to introduce to reduce the amount of renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect more surplus renewable energy to those living in energy poverty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19458/24]
• 2024-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 18 April 2024, to report on the data and insights shared by other EU states regarding their deposit and return schemes; the breakdown of Ireland’s performance in comparison to information received; what percentage of eligible containers sold have been returned; the proceeds that have been claimed since the scheme began; the total amount of unclaimed proceeds since the scheme began, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18475/24]
• 2024-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the regulatory oversight of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18476/24]
• 2024-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the Government intends to respond to a recent court decision (details supplied); if advice from the Attorney General has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18509/24]
• 2024-04-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the SRESS; when he expects details of the scheme to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17492/24]
• 2024-04-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the preparations his Department is making to ensure there are adequate measures in place to mitigate the risk of toxic water run-off as part of the development of the energy storage policy framework due to be published in quarter 2 of this year; what work his Department has done to mitigate the risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17762/24]
• 2024-04-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the work of the climate action regional offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/24]
• 2024-04-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 9 April 2024, to report on Ireland’s engagement rate with the deposit return scheme, compared with other similar schemes abroad at the stage of introduction; to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of Ireland’s engagement in comparison with the other countries cited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17129/24]
• 2024-04-17
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to issue an ocean environment policy statement; if so, what this statement will incorporate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17012/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Taoiseach

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change will next meet. [8950/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the energy storage policy for Ireland; if there are plans to alter EirGrid’s market systems in order to allow that energy storage asset to trade in the market; the reason that the participation of energy storage assets is restricted in EirGrid’s market systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16110/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide up update on co-located projects; how he plans to address the barriers that currently exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16111/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has plans to establish investment frameworks for long-duration energy storage; to report on progress on long-duration energy storage in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16112/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Electricity Storage Policy Framework; if he expects that this will be published in Q2 this year; how he plans to ensure that the regulatory structure delivers high standards of safety and environmental standards; what international standards will be followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16113/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Electricity Storage Policy Framework; if the safety standards will take account of the international recognised NFPA 855 (2023) in which all battery cells to conform with UL9540a specifications and testing (including second-life batteries) and be up to date in regard to NFPA, EPRI and independent experts in the field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16114/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the development of a large battery storage facility at Shankill, Cavan (108mw); what measures have been put in place to address safety concerns of local residents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16117/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 132 and 133 of 21 March 2024, which body will have a safety regulatory remit when it comes to energy storage; if he expects the CRU or the Health and Safety Authority to hold this responsibility following the conclusion of a review (details supplied); where or to whom concerns about the safety of energy storage should be addressed; who currently holds this responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16250/24]
• 2024-04-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the Capital Budget for his Department that has been spent in Quarter 1 of 2024. [16288/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of all current taskforces under his Department’s remit, in tabular form; to report on the objectives and progress of each taskforce; if he plans to set up any additional taskforces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to upgrade to a BER B2, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13924/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to upgrade to a BER B2 as part of the SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13927/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the projected/estimated targets for solar PV in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13928/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to install a heat pump, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13929/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown in of the number of heat pumps that were installed, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of heat pump installation targets, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13930/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to install solar PV that led to an energy uplift of BER B2 or higher per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13931/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on our 2030 heat pump targets; to report on the pathway between now and 2030 to reach our 2030 targets; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits per SEAI scheme in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13932/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets, per SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of how many retrofits were completed, per SEAI scheme, in the corresponding timeframe; to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets per SEAI scheme; to provide a breakdown of how many retrofits were completed to BER B2 standard or higher per SEAI scheme; to provide a breakdown of the retrofitting targets per SEAI scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13933/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on our 2030 retrofitting targets; to report on the pathway between now and 2030 to reach our 2030 targets; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits across SEAI schemes in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; to provide a breakdown of projected/estimated targets for completed retrofits to a BER B2 standard or higher across SEAI schemes in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13934/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the better energy warmer homes scheme in the year 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13963/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the one stop shop scheme in the years 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13964/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the Revised Estimate for 2024, in tabular form. [13965/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of total capital and current funding allocated to the solar pv scheme under subhead b4 of the revised Estimate for 2024; and to provide a breakdown of the allocation under this scheme dedicated to domestic and non-domestic solar PV, respectively. [13966/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to instal domestic solar PV under the solar PV scheme; and the average size of systems installed on homes in kWp, in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13967/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s warmer home scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14046/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s OSS scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s better energy homes scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14048/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 20 March 2024, to provide a breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14074/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 20 March 2024, to provide a breakdown of how many solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, were fitted with a heat pump, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress on the Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14438/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an updated statement of strategy for this Department will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14446/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 7 March 2024, if he is aware that millions of euro have gone unclaimed as part of the deposit return scheme (details supplied); how much has gone unclaimed since the scheme first started; what these unclaimed funds will be used for; how the deposit return scheme is monitored and regulated; what measures he is taking to increase the number of bottles returned as part of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the spending on programmes under subheading B4 as part of the revised estimates for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14703/24]
• 2024-04-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a situation (details supplied); what measures he plans to introduce to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15354/24]
• 2024-03-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the practice of automatic price increases from service providers for TV, broadband and phone services; his further views on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/24]
• 2024-03-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he aware a case (details supplied) in relation to broadband; the reasons that the connection was not extended to include the additional homes; if there are any plans to extend the fibre connection to include additional homes; what measures he taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/24]
• 2024-03-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the Houses of the Oireachtas have been granted an exemption (details supplied) as part of the deposit return scheme; the reasoning for this; if he plans to seek a reversal to this exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12710/24]
• 2024-03-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the retrofitting of solid fuel homes; how many solid fuel homes were retrofitted; how many solid fuels homes have been retrofitted with solid fuel boilers in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, broken down per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12952/24]
• 2024-03-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the European Commission's assessment of the draft updated National Energy and Climate Plan of Ireland (details supplied); what measures he is taking to respond to the assessments recommendations; what changes he plans to make to avoid the Commission’s assessment that Ireland’s NECP is not sufficient to meet 2030 targets; how he plans to ensure that Ireland’s share of renewable energy is sufficient to meet the 2030 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11411/24]
• 2024-03-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the deposit return scheme; to provide an update of his Department’s work to assess the operation of the scheme since its inception; to report on the work on the consultative group to ensure that concerns of those with accessibility issues are heard; to provide an update on the review of the scheme's infrastructure by disability organisations; to report on how his Department will monitor how unredeemed deposits are used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/24]
• 2024-03-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the just transition taskforce; how many times the taskforce has met since it was established; who sits on the taskforce; what is the estimated timeline for delivery for a just transition commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9976/24]
• 2024-03-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he could provide an update on the planned introduction of specific packaging formats and product targets, for example for beverage and food cartons, as committed to in Ireland’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy under Ireland’s progression to attaining EU packaging, recovery, and recycling targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10166/24]
• 2024-02-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 14 February 2024 (details supplied), the accessibility of the deposit return scheme; if any disability advocacy organisations were consulted on the accessibility of the deposit return scheme in advance of its roll-out; the formation of the consultative group to ensure concerns are heard and addressed; when this group was formed and how many times it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8679/24]
• 2024-02-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to develop carbon capture and storage technologies in Ireland; if any private companies are carrying out CCS in Ireland; how CCS is regulated and monitored if carried out by private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8701/24]
• 2024-02-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work the Government is undertaking to prepare for a potential collapse in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation; what representations the Government has made regarding the EU’s preparations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8708/24]
• 2024-02-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met since its inception; to provide a breakdown of departments and agencies that were present at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7819/24]
• 2024-02-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the Energy Poverty Steering Group; to what extend the group has evaluated the various SEAI retrofitting schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/24]
• 2024-02-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns that the deposit return scheme will discriminate against those with disabilities; how he plans to mitigate these concerns; if he will consider requesting that the CCPC conduct an examination of the roll-out of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6709/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider outlining the renewable electricity support scheme and offshore renewable electricity support scheme auctions to take place between now and 2030; the dates they will take place; how they will be sequenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5809/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress of the designated maritime area plans for offshore wind to date; if there are plans for a designated maritime area plan for the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the means through which designated maritime area plans are being identified; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking to increase the number of energy customers to adopt a smart tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he gathers data on the number of households that are on a smart tariff following completion of a retrofit as part of the SEAI’s schemes; if so, the proportion, that are on a smart tariff following a retrofit for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if measures are used to encourage households that have had a retrofit of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5819/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023, what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; what is the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; what is the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; what is the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/24]
• 2024-02-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department is doing to ensure that Ireland will meet its 2030 target of 500,000 dwellings to B2 BER status 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/24]
• 2024-02-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that Ireland has dropped six places on the climate change performance and is now 43rd amongst 63 countries; to report on the factors to that contributed to Ireland falling down the list; what steps he is taking to improve Ireland's performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/24]
• 2024-02-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the findings by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study of the warmth and wellbeing pilot scheme; if a report has been published or will be published in the future; how the finding of the study will inform the SEAI retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/24]
• 2024-02-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 168 and 169 of 25 January 2024, his views on the particular cases in questions and whether or not they are eligible payment for the microgeneration support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/24]
• 2024-01-31
  PQ
  Asked Finance

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date to consider a number of reforms to the taxation system under relevant tax heads from an environmental perspective as outlined in the climate action plan 2023; what, if any reforms have been made; what is the environmental impact of these reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4484/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households availing of smart tariffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households availing of smart tariffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3706/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres currently operating. [3740/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres proposed but not yet operating. [3741/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 55, 59, 60, 72, 92 and 93 of 17 January 2024, the process that is followed if the post BER rating of a retrofit completed remains the same or is downgraded; if there is an established procedure to follow up with the contractor and or homeowner; if there are any penalties for the contractor; if these procedures are the same across all SEAI schemes; what oversight is performed when contractors carry out a retrofit where post BER rating remains the same or is downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3850/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of illegal dumping, broken down by local authority, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3903/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 58, 59, 60, 82 and 92 of 17 January 2024, the reasons that pre-and post BER ratings of properties retrofitted as part of the SEAI’s warmer homers scheme are not available for thousands of properties; the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what assessments are carried out to assess BER rating pre and post-retrofit across SEAI schemes; if these are standardised across all schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3905/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what proportion of households have their waste collected, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3911/24]
• 2024-01-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of illegal dumping in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3912/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the ongoing high cost of energy in Ireland, his plans to identify underlying factors for this; his further plans to address them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about heat pumps, what solutions are available for those whose homes are not suitable or who cannot afford heat pump installation; if biofuel boilers in the residential sector are being considered as part of the solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3488/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of EirGrid’s recent warning that capacity deficits have been identified in the ten years to 2032; what steps he is taking to address the structural features of the electricity market which contributed to the electricity market crisis as noted in the recently published McCarthy report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3414/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the warmer homes scheme whether the eligibility criteria is sufficient to ensure the most vulnerable have access to the scheme; how are the poorest, coldest homes identified and targeted; if there are plans to expand the eligibility criteria of the scheme to include those on invalidity pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3416/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the deposit return scheme; what measures he has taken to ensure that the retail sector is sufficiently prepared; what measures he is taking to ensure that the scheme is accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3417/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of growing concerns of industry that Ireland’s renewable energy targets are unlikely to be achieved; what measures he is taking to address the identified key barriers to progress; if he is aware of the recent report from the European Commission that Ireland’s share of energy consumption from renewables is the lowest level in the EU 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3415/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of the small-scale renewable support scheme; what additional supports are available to renewable energy communities; what measures his Department is taking to address the difficulties that renewable energy communities are facing including connecting to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3413/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the microgeneration scheme, and if he is aware of concerns of some customers that they will have to wait until at least 2025 to participate despite already having the investment. [3515/24]
• 2024-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the microgeneration scheme and the following case (details supplied); if he plans any measures to speed up this process; if delays will be compensated or any additional supports provided; if there are any alternatives for this business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3516/24]
• 2024-01-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) regarding the warmer home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/24]
• 2024-01-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the required contractor declaration of insurance (details supplied); when these changes come into effect; what supports are being provided to businesses in the Northern Ireland to support them to continue their work in southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if heat tests are carried out as part of the national retrofitting programme in advance of carrying out a retrofit. [56223/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) concerning the warmer home scheme, that inadequate work is carried out to reach a B2 standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56305/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the €170.2 million underspend in residential and community retrofits in 2022; the factors that caused this underspend; the steps that he took to address them; if he anticipates an underspend in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56310/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits carried out in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, broken down by scheme and by pre to post-BER ratings, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56315/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average energy uplift as part of the warmer homes scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56316/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average energy uplift per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56317/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many sold fuel homes were retrofitted as part of the national retrofit programme broken down, by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56318/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of additional workers required to reach the Government's national retrofitting targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56324/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed broken down, by SEAI scheme and the pre-BER, post-BER of completed projects in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56578/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of retailers who have signed up for the deposit return scheme to date; how many retails have yet to sign up; what major retailers have signed up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56603/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to double the domestic solar PV scheme by 50% over the next five years. [56818/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the Youth Assembly on Climate; and how he plans to respond to the report’s recommendations. [55772/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) that particulars of the re-turn scheme will render it anti-competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57325/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the re-turn scheme will process imported drinks containers from EU Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57326/23]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what, if any, additional funding has been provided to increase grid capacity and-or to prepare the grid for renewable energy projects; if there are plans to increase this; what, if any, requests for additional funding have been made to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1100/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the WTE staff by job title working in the geological survey division of his Department as of 3 January 2024; the number of vacancies currently in this division; and when he expects these vacancies be filled, in tabular form. [1171/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Celtic Interconnector; and if the project is on track to meet the target of a 2026 completion date. [1209/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process for a firm to register on the SEAI website; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1593/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on concerns (details supplied) that insufficient oversight is performed on firms registered on the SEAI website; the measures he is taking to address these concerns and to provide adequate protection to people pursuing energy upgrades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1594/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of recent reports (details supplied) that due to firms going into liquidation, would be customers have lost significant investment into home energy upgrades; what measures he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1595/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects to fill the vacancies on the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. [1629/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he last met the CEO of the ESB. [1630/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the supply of HVO fuel to Ireland; if the supply is sufficient to meet current demand in all relevant sectors; if there are plans to increase supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the supply of biofuels to Ireland; if the supply is sufficient to meet current demand in all relevant sectors; if there are plans to increase supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1903/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much HVO fuel Ireland produced in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; how much, if any, was exported in each of the aforementioned years; what proportion can be considered sustainable versus land destruction, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1904/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much HVO fuel Ireland imported in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; what proportion can be considered sustainable versus land destruction, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1905/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the classification of HVO fuel as a vehicular fuel; if there are plans to expand its classification to include home heating uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1906/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the proportion of HVO fuel that is supplied within and to Ireland that is sustainable versus land use destructive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1907/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what supports are available to households to upgrade their boilers to make them compatible with biofuels and if there are plans to increase this; how many households upgraded their boilers to be compatible with biofuels in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1908/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many homes were heat pump assessed in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; how many of these were found not to be suitable for heat pumps; how many were offered alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1909/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on biofuels as a home heating method; the number of households who used biofuels as a home heating method in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the size of the reduction in emissions this yielded; how this method compares with other home heating methods, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1910/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to increase biofuels as a home heating method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1911/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage about the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála; the full year cost to employ one FTE per staffing level; the number of staff with environmental planning expertise employed in An Bord Pleanála and the full year cost to employ per FTE; the number of staff with biodiversity expertise employed in An Bord Pleanála and the full year cost to employ per FTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1123/24]
• 2024-01-17
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for MARA; the full year cost to employ one FTE per staffing level; the number of staff with environmental planning expertise employed in MARA the full year cost to employ per FTE; the number of staff with biodiversity expertise employed in MARA and the full year cost to employ per FTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1124/24]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the 2024 budget allocation for residential and community retrofits per programme, including a breakdown of capital and current allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56099/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart heating control grants awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the geographic spread per county; the average amount per grant; how much funding has been drawn down for smart heater control grants in the same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56128/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the support scheme for renewable heat; how much funding has been allocated in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date 2023; how much funding has been drawn down 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; how many grants were awarded in the same period, in tabular form; the average amount per award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56129/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the excellence in energy efficient design scheme; how much funding has been allocated in 2020, 2021 2022 and to date in 2023; how much funding has been drawn down 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; how many grants were awarded in the same period, in tabular form; the average amount per award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56130/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he report on the number of sustainable energy communities that were funded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; the level of funding awarded to each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56139/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the funding allocated to renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56140/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the funding drawn down to renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56141/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he report on the number of renewable energy communities that were funded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; the level of funding awarded to each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56142/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of climate action co-ordinators, community climate officers and climate action officers hired by each local authority to date, in tabular form [56160/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the indicative costs associated with hiring a climate action co-ordinator, a community climate officer and a climate action officer, in tabular form. [56161/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on plans to strengthen climate action teams in local authorities; the gaps and challenges that exist to reaching their potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56162/23]
• 2023-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much funding was allocated to the Irish Environmental Network in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [56173/23]
• 2023-12-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which easy study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55760/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to include HAP tenancies in the SEAI warmer homes scheme. [54980/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has carried out any assessment to estimate the cost and feasibility of including HAP tenancies as part of the SEAI warmer homes scheme. [54981/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total funding drawn down as part of the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54966/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated total cost to increase the capital funding for better energy warmer homes scheme by 50%. [54967/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total funding allocated to the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54968/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total funding allocated to the better energy warmer homes scheme in Budget 2024, as per the revised estimates. [54969/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022 and 2023. [54970/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the across all SEAI schemes in 2022 and 2023. [54971/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to increase the domestic solar PV budget by 50%. [54973/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to double the allocation to the climate action fund. [54975/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of funding drawn from the climate action fund in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, including details of proposed purpose of each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54976/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount allocated to the climate action fund in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54977/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to include HAP tenancies in the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54978/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has carried out any assessment to estimate the cost and feasibility of including HAP tenancies as part of the SEAI warmer homes scheme. [54979/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of staffing for environmental planning in An Bord Pleanála; and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54983/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of staffing for environmental planning in the CRU, and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54985/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has engaged with local authorities that have voted to municipalise waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54987/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan of the CRU; the total number of positions that have been filled per grade in 2023; the total number that remain outstanding per grade; when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54988/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE and THE staff, by grade, in the SEAI, in tabular form. [54989/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE and HTE staff, by grade, in the CRU, in tabular form. [54990/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the CRU with biodiversity expertise for example, ecologists, marine biologists, ornithologists; if there are plans to recruit additional staff; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [54997/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the CRU with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55001/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the SEAI with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55005/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures are being taken to reduce the current wait times, currently in excess of 20 months, on works completing from applications made on free energy upgrades under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55007/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the SEAI dedicated to supporting the generation of community renewable energy; the total cost per post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55008/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan for the CRU, which included the approval of 74 new whole-time positions; how many have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55009/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan of the SEAI; the total number of positions that have been filled per grade in 2023; the total number that remain outstanding per grade; when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55010/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the workforce plan for the SEAI in relation to its mandated role to provide support to renewable energy communities; the total staffing costs per grade; the estimated cost to double this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55011/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the domestic solar PV budget in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55012/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many retrofits were carried out in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, per SEAI scheme; the post-BER ratings per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in to date 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55020/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the workforce plan for climate action officers in local authorities; the total average cost for WTE per staffing level; if there are plans to recruit more; if any positions remain unfulfilled; if so, when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55021/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost for a renewable energy community to connect to the electricity grid. [55024/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total funding allocated to the Irish Environment Network in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024. [55026/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan at CRU; the staffing costs at the CRU; the staffing levels; the full year cost to recruit one WTE per staffing level; and the full year cost to recruit one HTE per staffing level. [55027/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report the workforce plan at SEAI; the staffing costs at the SEAI; the staffing levels; the full year cost to recruit one WTE per staffing level; and the full year cost to recruit one HTE per staffing level. [55028/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated to sustainable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55033/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many heat pumps were installed per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023 to date, in tabular form; the post-BER ratings per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55034/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if and how his Department plans to implement energy sharing; if there are barriers to energy sharing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55220/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what actions, if any, his Department is taking to overcoming the barriers that exist for renewable energy communities to connect to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55235/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 22 November 2023, to report on the Government's engagements with other EU partners with regard to a co-ordinated withdrawal from the energy charter treaty; if there is any agreed timeline in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55236/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of staffing for environmental planning in NPWS, and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54986/23]
• 2023-12-12
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of staffing for environmental planning in local authorities, in and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54984/23]
• 2023-12-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what subsidies the Government has provided to develop carbon capture and storage technologies in each of the years 2015 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53260/23]
• 2023-12-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to discounted rates on hardship meters, if he aware that discount rates are not available on hardship meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53339/23]
• 2023-11-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on Ireland’s climate finance to developing countries; how much was provided in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; how much is planned to be spent in 2024 and in 2025, in tabular form; if there is an overall target to 2030; if this climate finance will be separate to loss and damage fund to be discussed at COP 2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52605/23]
• 2023-11-28
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on his Department’s evaluation of the OECD report on Strengthening Environmental Considerations in Public Investment Management in Ireland; how his Department plans to implement the report's recommendations; what impact this will have on the infrastructure guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52283/23]
• 2023-11-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the report into the external review of governance within Inland Fisheries Ireland, including an examination of the respective roles of the IFI board and executive will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51988/23]
• 2023-11-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what assessments of the existing barriers and potential of development of renewable energy communities have been conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51710/23]
• 2023-11-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland plans to withdraw from the energy charter treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51250/23]
• 2023-11-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of progress on regional renewable electricity strategies; the consideration being made for their development; the date on which they will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50866/23]
• 2023-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the energy security review and the McCarthy report will be published; if both have been presented to the Cabinet; how the environmental impact of proposed energy security options will be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50447/23]
• 2023-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the small-scale renewable energy support scheme, SRESS, and the date on which it will be launched; how this process will differ from the renewable energy support scheme, RESS auction; what, if any, additional supports will be put in place as part of this process; if there are revised targets for the number of contracts to be awarded to renewable energy communities and then for the number of projects that complete all milestones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50448/23]
• 2023-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way the Government is preparing for COP28; the extent of the State's commitment to loss and damage funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50246/23]
• 2023-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns raised by the Climate Change Advisory Council on islanded data centre policy, specifically the connection of 11 new islanded data centres to the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50249/23]
• 2023-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way he intends to address the increasing concerns that Ireland will not reach the 2030 target for renewables and the key barriers to delivery such as grid capacity and delays in planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/23]
• 2023-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are in place to support the reduction in residential emissions for households currently using kerosene but who cannot afford a heat pump or whose properties are not suitable for heat pump installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50247/23]
• 2023-11-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the three grid studies to support communities to identify sites in their locality that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection; how his Department will implement their findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50146/23]
• 2023-11-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of any cases where a post-BER rating of a retrofitted home has been downgraded following works carried out as part of the SEAI's retrofit programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49448/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of renewable energy communities that received connection to the grid in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49198/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications a breakdown of the cost to connect to the grid, per renewable energy community, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49199/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the duration between application and connection to the grid, per renewable energy community, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49200/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of renewable energy community projects that were successful in the RESS 1 but that did not secure a grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49201/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of renewable energy community projects that were successful in the RESS 1 and secured a grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49202/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of renewable energy community projects that were successful in the RESS 2; how many of those have connected to the grid; how many of those are still waiting on a connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49203/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about funding accessibility for renewable energy projects; when a renewable energy project is eligible for funding from the SEAI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49204/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for renewable energy communities for energy generation; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at all relevant departments in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49205/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for retrofitting; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at all relevant departments in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49206/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for renewable energy communities; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at the SEAI in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49207/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for retrofitting; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at the SEAI in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49208/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about support and resourcing for renewable energy communities for energy generation; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at the SEAI in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49209/23]
• 2023-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of costs incurred by his Department for consulting services for renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49210/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants that were issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to homeowners for attic insulation in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and the average time for these grants to be issued, provided all necessary information has been supplied. [48337/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants that were issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to homeowners for external wall insulation in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and the average time for these grants to be issued, provided all necessary information has been supplied. [48338/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the warmer homes scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48345/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the better energy homes scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48346/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the one stop shop scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48347/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the community energy grants scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48348/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for solar PV as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48349/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting across the various schemes as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48350/23]
• 2023-11-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants following the introduction of low-cost loans for retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48351/23]
• 2023-10-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many solar panels were installed under the warmer homes scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; how many were standard B2 or above; the post-retrofit BER of solar panels installed under the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46857/23]
• 2023-10-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much revenue was earned from the levy paid by holders of Maritime Area Consent in 2022 and in 2023, in tabular form; how much is estimated to be earned in 2024, in tabular form; how the proceeds from the levy have been distributed; whether proceeds are ring-fenced for any specific purposes; whether revenues raised are ring-fenced for investment in the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46594/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the review of the ministerial accountability framework for the sectoral emissions ceilings as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45615/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on progress to develop a KPI monitoring and reporting system as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the feasibility report of geological resources as part of the transition to a low carbon economy, as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45617/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the roadmaps to implement roadmaps to implement CAP 23 have been updated, as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45618/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Gas Networks Ireland is considered a relevant body under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 following the dissolution of Ervia and its transfer of functions to Gas Networks Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45619/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on NewERA monitoring of the implementation of commitments in the commercial semi-State framework; what conclusions NewERA drew in their latest report; what is the progress of semi-states to implement commitments in the commercial semi-state framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45620/23]
• 2023-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date, to include the public sector, in the Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey, as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/23]
• 2023-10-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the amendments to the existing non-domestic microgeneration scheme; if the amended scheme has led to an increase in uptake; the number of grants that have been awarded over the lifetime of the scheme and since it was amended; the average amount of award over the schemes lifetime and since it has been amended; what is Ireland’s non-domestic solar capacity; the 2030 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44289/23]
• 2023-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the quantity of textile waste produced in Ireland annually in each of the years 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023; the quantity that is recycled in Ireland as part of a circular economy; the amount that is exported internationally; which countries does Ireland export this material to; the volume of same in each of the years 2020 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44254/23]
• 2023-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way the Government is preparing for the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles; the new regulation that will require Member States to separate textiles from other waste in January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44255/23]
• 2023-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the quantity of recycled materials that Ireland exports every year per source material; the countries to which this is exported; the quantities for same in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/23]
• 2023-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the quantity of soft plastics that is recycled in Ireland in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; what infrastructure exists to recycle soft plastics; if there are plans to develop this infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44265/23]
• 2023-10-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the allocation for all of the different retrofit schemes accounting for any changes post revised estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43463/23]
• 2023-10-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of funding awarded and community energy grants awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the average level of funding awarded per each successful grant application; the total number of applications rejected; the total number of successful applications per county; the target for community energy grants in the same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44016/23]
• 2023-10-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding community energy grants awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the total amount of funding awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the average level of funding awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 per successful grant application; the total number of applications rejected in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the total number of successful applications per county in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and to date in 2023; the target for community energy grants in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44023/23]
• 2023-10-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount he allocated in the 2023 climate action fund for the installation of solar panels on schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42168/23]
• 2023-09-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the risk of blackouts and brownouts this winter, in light of media reports that back-up generation will not be delivered on time; if this risk has been assessed, and what contingency is in place; the date on which the energy security review and a report (details supplied) will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/23]
• 2023-09-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met with renewable energy stakeholders regarding publicly expressed concerns about the latest renewable energy support scheme auction; if he will outline the measures he is taking in this regard to ensure that renewables targets are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42054/23]
• 2023-09-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the community projects successful in RESS1; the MW that will be delivered from these projects; if he is aware of the challenges these projects face in planning and grid access in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41785/23]
• 2023-09-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the National Broadband Plan in County Meath; the number of premises passed to date; the number of connections; the planned schedule for the remainder of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41788/23]
• 2023-09-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are being taken to ensure grid capacity to achieve our 2030 renewable targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41787/23]
• 2023-09-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures he is taking to identify and address the underlying causes of high electricity prices here and the fact that Irish retail energy prices are falling more slowly in Ireland than in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41784/23]
• 2023-09-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on progress to develop carbon capture storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41672/23]
• 2023-09-27
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the OECD report on strengthening environmental considerations in public investment management; how he plans to work with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to respond to its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41670/23]
• 2023-09-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date regarding the small-scale generation scheme; when it will be published and launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41436/23]
• 2023-09-26
  PQ
  Asked Justice

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the progress made in establishing an environmental court within the High Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41001/23]
• 2023-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received the 2022 Annual Report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if so, when same will be published online. [39976/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the brief given to a firm (details supplied) to advise on Climate Action Plan 2023; how much the firm was paid for its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38109/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide in tabular form the external research or reports commissioned by his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the stated objective of each; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38110/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a firm (details supplied) is contracted to undertake work to inform Climate Action Plan 2024; if so, if he will detail same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38111/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on his Department's work with the Department of Education to arrange a scheme for the 2023 budget commitment for the provision of up to 6kW photovoltaic panels on all schools; what progress has been made to date on the development of the scheme; what the scheme's provisions are; if 100% funding will be provided; when the scheme will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38131/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standard to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standards, broken down by county, in tabular form, to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38228/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standard, broken down by county, to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38229/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fossil fuel boilers installed per scheme by post BER standard to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38230/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait to retrofit fit a home broken down by scheme and by post BER standard to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38237/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of the projects that have received funding from the Climate Action Fund in 2022 and to date in 2023; the amount of funding awarded to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38289/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount currently in the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38306/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much was drawn from the support scheme for renewable heat in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; how many businesses were supported, broken down by intended use, that is, a biomass application versus installation of a heat pump versus additional upgrade measures and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38509/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many grants were provided for energy audits as part of the support scheme for renewable heat in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38510/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much was drawn from the excellence in energy efficient design in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; how many businesses were supported, broken down by intended use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38511/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many grants were provided for energy audits, broken down by scheme in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38512/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 141, 142, 145, 154 and 156 of 13 July 2023, to provide an update on the nationally representative fortnightly research tracker, and his statement that there has been a reduction in the difficulty in meeting energy costs; if he can provide more detail on this research and how this conclusion was reached; the specific groups of people who are finding it less difficult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38663/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the next meeting of the National Climate Stakeholder Forum will take place; how participants in the Stakeholder Forum are selected; to provide a list of organisations which have participated in the Stakeholder Forum to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38664/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to include NGOs/civil society organisations working in the sphere of poverty/energy poverty on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how these groups have been consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38665/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met since its inception; how the group has consulted NGOS/civil society organisations working in the sphere of poverty/energy poverty; how many times it has met with these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38666/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the report on the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38667/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide and update on how the temporary solidarity contribution will be spent; how it will provide relief to households facing high energy costs; how it will be used to target energy poverty; if it will be targeted at large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38668/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the legislation for the cap on market revenues will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38669/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on how the cap on market revenues will be spent; how it will provide relief to households facing high energy costs; how it will be used to target energy poverty; if it will be targeted at large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38670/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s plans to develop energy storage as part of Ireland’s 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38671/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s plans to develop solar power as part of Ireland’s 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38672/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any plans to develop underwater pumped hydro energy storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38706/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on efforts to reduce construction and demolition waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38710/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the National Climate Stakeholder forum; if he will report on the forum that took place on 10 May 2023; who took part; if any NGOs/civil society organisations were there; and when the next one will take place. [38866/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the biomass strategy, if any, the Government has as part of its effort to achieve net-zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38879/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans to implement district heating across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38880/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in the specified period 1 July to 31 December 2023 if the cap on market revenues were applied for that timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38960/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the cap on market revenues were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38962/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in the specified period 1 July to 31 December 2023 if the cap on market revenues were applied for that timeframe and capped at €100 per megawatt hour for electricity produced for the fuel sources of wind and solar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38964/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the cap on market revenues were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024 and capped at €100 per megawatt hour for electricity produced for the fuel sources of wind and solar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38966/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the temporary solidarity contribution were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38971/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the temporary solidarity contribution at a rate of 80% were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38974/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the temporary solidarity contribution at a rate of 85% were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38976/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the temporary solidarity contribution at a rate of 90% were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38979/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the temporary solidarity contribution at a rate of 95% were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38981/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue that would be generated in 2024 if the temporary solidarity contribution at a rate of 100% were applied from 1 January to 31 December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38983/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue generated by temporary solidarity contributions in 2023 if the temporary solidarity contribution set at a rate of 100% was applied from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. [39019/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue generated by the temporary solidarity contribution in 2023 if the temporary solidarity contribution set at a rate of 95% was applied from 1 January 2022 to December 2023. [39020/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue generated by temporary solidarity contributions in 2023 if the temporary solidarity contribution set at a rate of 90% was applied from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. [39021/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue generated by temporary solidarity contributions in 2023 if the temporary solidarity set at a rate of 85% was applied from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. [39022/23]
• 2023-09-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated revenue generated by temporary solidarity contribution in 2023 if the temporary solidarity contribution set at a rate of 80% was applied from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023. [39023/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 15 June 2023, to ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on progress to develop a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme; when he expects the scheme to be in place; what the lending portfolio will be; how it will be resourced; what the guarantee structure will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35735/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for authorisation of an increase to the An Post superannuation scheme; when he will make a request to the Minister for Public Expenditure to do same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36029/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters for domestic customers in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36656/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters; the total number for domestic customers, per company, in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36657/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters for domestic customers that were installed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters for domestic customers; the proportion and total classified as ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average total of arrears a domestic household was in before a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter was installed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36660/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average time a household was in arrears in before a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter was installed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36661/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process through which a domestic customer with a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go meter, with a view to reducing arrears on the energy bills, can switch back to a credit meter, if this is allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36662/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of domestic customers with a pay-as-you-go meter, and those with a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go meter, that switched back to credit meters in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36663/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process through which a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter is installed not at the request of the customer; if there is a threshold that must be reached before a pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter is installed when not requested by the customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of domestic customers, per household type (for example, rental, owner/occupiers, holiday homes, holiday lets, and so on), with a pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter; the proportion and total classified as ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36665/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which high energy costs have contributed to the reduction of residential emissions, as detailed by the latest EPA report; the measures in place to mitigate against an increase should energy prices decrease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36708/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed to a post retrofit standard of B2 or higher as part of the warmer homes scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36709/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a report will be produced following the Energy Summit which was held on 6 July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36710/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the latest EPA report on Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions (details supplied); his views, moreover, on the 12.4% annual emissions reduction from 2023-2025 that will be required to stay within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36711/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait-time for a retrofit as part of the warmer homes scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36712/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait-time for a retrofit as part per-scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36713/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a report will be produced following the stakeholder forum which was held on 7 July 2023 as part of the Energy Poverty Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36807/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 155 and 184 of 13 July 2023, his views on the nationally representative research tracker to monitor public sentiment and knowledge in relation to energy issues; if he will report on the evidence that demonstrates that there has been a “reduction in the difficulty meeting energy costs” despite continued high energy prices; the income levels to which this applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36808/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of solid fuel homes, per scheme, that had a home energy upgrade via the national retrofit plan; their post-retrofit standard in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36809/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the ERSI’s Quarterly Economic Commentary; his plans to address the finding that forward gas prices may be a better predictor of retail prices than wholesale electricity prices, and further, the recommendation that wholesale gas and electricity prices alike should therefore be monitored when considering whether anti-competitive behaviours may be manifesting in the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36810/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the ERSI’s Quarterly Economic Commentary; his plans to address the recommendation that a sustained decrease in wholesale gas prices that is not followed by a reduction in retail prices within six to twelve months should be investigated for evidence of anti-competitive behaviour; if he plans to conduct such an investigation when the criteria are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36811/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 147 and 185 of 13 July 2023, if he will provide details of his request to the CRU to investigate pricing strategies in place, taking account of the electricity market participants, and to ascertain if there have been any market failures, particularly where vulnerable customers are concerned; when he expects this review to be complete and reported on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36845/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 147 and 185 of 13 July 2023, the number of times he has met with energy suppliers to discuss energy prices; the numbers of times officials from his Department met with energy suppliers to discuss energy prices; the dates on which these meetings took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36846/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 138, 139, 140, 143 and 144 of 13 July 2023, the duration of the period of verification for the revenue collected on the cap on market revenues and temporary solidarity contribution; if he expects that this will delay the distribution of proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36847/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 141, 142, 145, 154 and 156 of 13 July 2023, if he will rule out the distribution of proceeds from the cap on market revenues and temporary solidarity contribution to provide subsidies to large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36848/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the draft Bill on the cap on market revenues will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36849/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the industry stakeholder event as part of development of the Energy Storage Policy Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36850/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the draft updated National Environment and Climate Plan was submitted by the 30 June 2023 deadline, in line with article 14 of the EU Governance Regulation; if not, when he plans to submit the draft NCEP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36854/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many SEAI heating control grants were awarded in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; the average amount per grant in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form. [37065/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of doubling the funding available for heating control grants. [37066/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants awarded to owner/occupiers; renters; landlords and holiday homes in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form. [37067/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to install a smart heating control in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form. [37108/23]
• 2023-07-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects the distribution of proceeds from the temporary solidarity contribution will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that wholesale electricity prices fell by 35% in June 2023 (details supplied); when he expects this will be passed on to the final customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34868/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he was aware of comments made by the Taoiseach that energy prices would remain very high this winter; how many times he has met with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to discuss this; if he will report on these meetings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34873/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he was aware of comments (details supplied) made by the Taoiseach that energy prices would remain very high this winter; how many times he has met with energy companies to discuss this; if he will report on these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34874/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the wholesale price of energy; if he expects the price of gas and electricity to fall; what has informed his conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34875/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what reliefs will be put in place for high energy prices, and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34876/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the easing in energy prices inflation for consumers in Ireland has to date lagged in the euro area as a whole (details supplied); what his plans are to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34877/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the legislation for the cap on market revenues; when he expects it to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34884/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the decisions to end the inframarginal revenue cap for electricity; when the revenue will be collected; if an analysis was conducted to estimate how much revenue would be earned by extending the measure to the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34885/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the revenue collected from the inframarginal revenue cap for electricity will be used to fund targeted cost-of-living supports, as detailed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34886/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the revenue from the inframarginal revenue cap for electricity will be collected; how this revenue will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34887/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the cross-departmental and inter-agency Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met over the past year; the issues it addressed and the actions that followed from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34909/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the cross-departmental and inter-agency Energy Poverty Steering Group progress to address how the revenues earned from the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues to address windfall gains in the energy sector will be distributed to provide relief from high energy prices; how many times it has met; how stakeholder voices have been included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34910/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the revenue from revenues earned from the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues to address windfall gains in the energy sector will be distributed to large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34911/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if large energy users will be excluded from the distribution of revenues earned from the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues to address windfall gains in the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum on 7 July 2023; the outcomes and any actions to be carried forward; and if there are plans to conduct another forum in the future. [34913/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the Government's summit on energy independence held on 6 July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34914/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his public comments (details supplied) that he expects energy bills to fall from this autumn; how this conclusion was informed; if he has met energy firms to discuss this; and how much he anticipates they will decrease by. [34915/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the stakeholder engagement with the commercial built environment's working group; how often they have met and met with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34935/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures he is taking to reduce energy demand, in particular the demand coming from large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34950/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the CRU will be resourced to carry out its new functions with respect to the cap on market revenues; if new staff will be recruited; when he expects this to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the draft Bill for the cap on market revenues will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the draft Bill for the cap on market revenues contains specific provisions around hedging in the energy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34973/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the evidence base for the policies the Government has put in place to address energy poverty. [34983/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the evidence base for Government policy that seeks to address Ireland's high energy prices. [34984/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the research network on energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34988/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the work to match Building Energy Rating (BER) data with the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC); if this data will be released; if a report will be published; when this can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34989/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the consultation on private wires/direct line renewables will be released; his plans for the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the green hydrogen strategy will be published; if he will provide an update on its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34994/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the public consultation document on the design of ORESS auctions in phase two will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34995/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 15 June 2023, regarding his request to the CRU to investigate pricing strategies, taking account of the hedging strategies of electricity market participants and any possible market failures, if he will provide an update and report on this request and the outcome of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35008/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s energy security review and the review by a person (details supplied), respectively; when he expects both to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35009/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Governments electricity storage policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan for the CRU, which included the approval of 74 new whole-time positions; how many have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, by post-BER standard, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard for each retrofit scheme under subhead B4, in tabular form. [35107/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the one-stop shop (national homes retrofit); and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35108/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for a retrofit under all SEAI schemes in Q2 in 2023, by scheme, per BER rating pre-completion, and per BER rating post-completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35109/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35112/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the one-stop-shop scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35113/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy community grant scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35114/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of the energy security review (details supplied); when he expects both to be published; if they will be published this quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35123/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 in 2023, per scheme, in tabular form. [35118/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023 by post-BER standard, per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35119/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of total retrofits completed that were of a standard of B2 or higher post-completion, per scheme, in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35120/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of total retrofits completed that were of a standard of B2 or higher post completion per scheme, in tabular form in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of total retrofits completed by post-BER standard per scheme, in tabular form in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35122/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of gas and electricity disconnections in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35125/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of gas and electricity disconnections per local authority in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35126/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he aware of a survey (details supplied) which highlights barriers to achieving retrofit targets; how he plans to address these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35127/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a survey (details supplied) which cites lack of availability of finance or grant funding as key barriers to achieve national retrofitting targets; how he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35129/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 23 May 2023, to report on the monitoring his Department carries out on the effect of existing supports to address the high cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has discussed with energy providers what proportion of the wholesale energy they use is hedged; if so, to report on this; if not, if he has plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35149/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on Q2 2023 targets in the Climate Action Plan to manage our energy transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35289/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the number of new grid connections in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q2 2023 for renewable energy per source, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35291/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the level of funding provided to sustainable energy communities in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35292/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the number of sustainable energy communities that were funded in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q3 2023, in tabular form; the level of funding provided to each project funded in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35293/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35301/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait time for retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost for retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35303/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on his plans to develop Ireland’s offshore wind energy grid connection capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35335/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to address retrofitting in the rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35400/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if will provide an update on the commitment in the Energy Poverty Action Plan to introduce a mechanism to ensure homeowners have the option of paying for upgrades “net of grant”, and to explore options to support homeowners to convert from oil and solid fuel to heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35401/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many rental properties were retrofitting in 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35404/23]
• 2023-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date on the strategic workforce plan and skills need assessment in MARA with reference to environmental and marine expertise specifically; how this has impacted on the workforce plan and recruitment; how this will be resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/23]
• 2023-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities that gained access to a grid connection in 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, per local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34592/23]
• 2023-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities that were on a waiting list to gain access to a grid connection in 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, per local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34593/23]
• 2023-07-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the March 2023 agreement to increase the pension of former workers at An Post, the reasons there has been a delay in payment to former workers; when they can expect to receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32956/23]
• 2023-07-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the interdepartmental engagement process on the distribution of revenues raised from the windfall gains in the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32085/23]
• 2023-06-29
  PQ
  Asked Enterprise

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of The Environment, Climate and Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31491/23]
• 2023-06-29
  PQ
  Asked Enterprise

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the industry sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of The Environment, Climate and Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31490/23]
• 2023-06-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met the Chairperson of the ESB in the past three months. [31470/23]
• 2023-06-28
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the measures the Government is taking in response to the estimated €1.9 billion in climate harmful spending identified in Budget 2023; what measures, if any, he is taking to ensure that this cost is reduced in Budget 2024; if he has plans to review the harmful impact infrastructure provision and wider environmental impacts beyond climate mitigation considered, for example, biodiversity, which were not included in this iteration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31459/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the review of greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31170/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery task force has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-government collaboration in all relevant departments in the land use, land use change and forestry sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31172/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and all relevant departments in the public sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31175/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the electricity sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31176/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31177/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery task force has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant Departments on citizen engagement, as outlined in the climate action plan annexe of actions; if he will report on its progress to date and the participation of his Department in the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31180/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in ensuring a just transition, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31181/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the expected timeline for delivery for a Just Transition Commission, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31182/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected timeline for delivery of a regulatory framework for district heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the updated roadmap guidance to reflect updates to Public Sector Mandate, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31184/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the engagement with OneLearning on the provision of climate related training and upskilling; the expected timeline for delivery for the proposal for a training programme content and structure, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31186/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the workforce plan for Inland Fisheries Ireland; how many bailiffs are currently employed; if there are plans to recruit more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31228/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Enterprise

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the industry sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions, if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31173/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Enterprise

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31174/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Enterprise

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31178/23]
• 2023-06-27
  PQ
  Asked Agriculture

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the agriculture sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of the Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31171/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to ensure savings on the wholesale price of electricity are passed on to customers; the reason that savings have not been passed on to date; the dates on which he has met with energy providers to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28912/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s energy security review and, separately, the review by a person (details supplied); when he expects both to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28919/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what, if any, assessments have been made by the Government regarding the best way to implement a windfall tax here in order to capture excess revenues in the energy sector in the year 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28914/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what additional measures are being taken by the Government to ensure our grid has the capacity to accommodate the required increase in connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28915/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail the extent to which the mandate and resourcing of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities provides for an assessment of the hedging practices of energy companies and, separately, investigation of price gouging and prosecution of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28918/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what assessments, if any, the Government have made concerning the remunicipalisation of waste and the various models that are available and operating successfully in other European countries, in particular the ‘franchise’ model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28917/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to review the application of the PSO levy given the disproportionate burden it currently places on households, in particular low-income households; if alternative funding models, including direct state investment have been considered to support renewable projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28916/23]
• 2023-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the considerations to be made by local authorities when deciding on whether or not to re-municipalise waste collection services; if legislative or regulatory barriers prevent local authorities from re-municipalising waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of the re-municipalisation of waste services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27723/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the SEAI's database of BER ratings and the CSO's database on household incomes are entirely separate and not used together due, possibly, to GDPR considerations, and that this significantly limits analyses of energy poverty in Ireland (details supplied); if he has plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which a public consultation on the use of direct lines and private wires will be launched; if he will provide an update on the development of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27819/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address the barriers to hybrid connections to facilitate wind, solar and battery technology on the same site for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27820/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the green hydrogen strategy will be published; if he will provide an update on its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27821/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in the wake of ORESS 1 and in advance of ORESS 2, if consideration is being given to an auction process which assesses projects not solely based on price but on other factors such as track-record, readiness of project, planning approvals and so on; what the benefits of either approach are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27822/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart electricity meters installed; the geographic distribution of the smart meters installed; and the amount of funding that has been spent on the installation of smart meters. [27836/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart heating controls grants awarded in 2022 and Q1 2023; the geographic spread, per local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27840/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2022; and how much of this was drawn down in 2022. [27841/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2023; and how much of this has been drawn down to date in 2023. [27842/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which policies to achieve 2030 climate goals have been tested in order to create behavioural change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28054/23]
• 2023-06-13
  PQ
  Asked Agriculture

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for environmental impact assessment screening for boundary removals that have been received; the number of screening applications approved; the corresponding length of hedgerows approved for removal in each of the years from 2010 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27825/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the staffing levels of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, by job title; the estimated full-year cost of filling each position, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26408/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of solar PV capacity that there was by the end of 2022; and the amount of new solar PV capacity that is expected to be installed by the end of 2023 and 2024 respectively, in tabular form. [26413/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of solar PV capacity that is expected to be installed by the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26414/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of onshore wind capacity that there was by the end of 2022; and the amount of new onshore wind capacity that is expected to be installed by the end of 2023 and 2024 respectively, in tabular form. [26415/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of onshore wind capacity that is expected to be installed by the end of 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively, in tabular form. [26416/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of capital and current funding allocated to the solar PV scheme in each of the years 2021 to 2022 and to date in 2023 respectively, in tabular form. [26417/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of capital and current funding expended under the solar pv scheme in each of the years 2021 to 2022 and to date in 2023 respectively, in tabular form. [26418/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average value of grants awarded under the solar pv scheme in each of the years 2021 to 2022 and to date in 2023 respectively, in tabular form. [26419/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of solar PV capacity that has been supported by grants provided under the solar PV scheme in each of the years 2021 to 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively, in tabular form. [26420/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 4 May 2023, the specific provisions under European Union law which require the separation of ESB's generation and retail supply arms specifically, irrespective of ESB's role as the Distribution System Operator (DSO). [26426/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints received by the National Waste Collection Permit Office in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26464/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the staffing levels at the price-monitoring group; the estimated cost per year to fill each position, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26465/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding provided to the Irish Environmental Network in 2022; if he plans to commit to funds in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the Government commitment to expand the role of the NWCPO to become a market collection oversight body to include data analysis on the operation of the market, oversight of charging structures and penalties, oversight of service provision, management of consumer rights and a complaint escalation mechanism and data protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26634/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the Government commitment to expand the role of the Price Monitoring Group, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26635/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the data being collected by the Price Monitoring Group are informing the data analysis role of the NWCPO, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26636/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the review of existing incentivised charging systems as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26637/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the standardisation of incentivised pricing structures for recycling and waste prevent, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26638/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the Government commitment to require waste collectors to ensure staff are fully trained to provide accurate pricing information to the public, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26639/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the Government commitment to strengthen the customer service charter with penalties, including fines, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26640/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the Government commitment to facilitate households and businesses to easily access their waste data and pricing plan, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26641/23]
• 2023-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the Government commitment to require waste collection firms to ensure they provide accurate and timely pricing information to the public, as noted in A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26642/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the staffing levels of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, by job title; the estimated full-year cost of filling each position, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26409/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy homes scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26421/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26422/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the one stop shop scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26423/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy community grant scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26424/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the staffing levels in the Commision for Regulation of Utilities, and their salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26332/23]
• 2023-05-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the staffing levels in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and their salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26333/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and total value of solar photovoltaic grants provided in 2022; the average grant provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25059/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the funding for the sustainable energy communities programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25061/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of projects in respect of the national trust transition fund; the nature of such projects; the total value of the projects; and the number of full-time and indirect jobs created in these projects to date. [25062/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if retrofitting grants will be available to persons with solid fuel central heating systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff working in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities; their cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the offshore wind delivery taskforce is resourced to complete its objectives and mandate. [25071/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met with waste management companies regarding their recent price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25082/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met with energy companies regarding the fall in wholesale energy prices; if these will be passed onto the customer; when this is likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25083/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of marine and environmental expertise in the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25066/23]
• 2023-05-24
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of marine and environmental expertise in An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/23]
• 2023-05-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Local Energy Assessment Fund funding for sustainable energy communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22762/23]
• 2023-05-11
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress to date on the development of definitions to identify, track and reduce Government spending that may be having a negative impact on climate and environmental outcomes as contained within the 2023 Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/23]
• 2023-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress to date on the examination of the role the Public Spending Code can play in the achievement of broader environmental objectives, for example, valuing biodiversity or ecosystem services as contained in the 2023 Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/23]
• 2023-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the definition of Government spending that may be harmful to the climate and environmental outcomes as contained within the 2023 climate action plan; if such a definition yet exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/23]
• 2023-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the Government spending that may be harmful to the climate and environmental outcomes as contained within the 2023 climate action plan and if any harmful government spending has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22191/23]
• 2023-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the tracking of Government spending that may be harmful to the climate and environmental outcomes as contained within the 2023 climate action plan; if such a framework for tracking yet exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22192/23]
• 2023-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Public Expenditure

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform given the tracking of Government spending that may be harmful to the climate and environmental outcomes as contained within the 2023 climate action plan, if any harmful Government spending has been tracked / reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22193/23]
• 2023-05-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of whole-time equivalent, WTE, staff working in the National Cyber Security Centre as of 2 May; and the number expected to work in the NCSC at the end of 2023. [21284/23]
• 2023-05-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number waiting, and the median waiting time, between the time of application and time of works completed under the warmer homes scheme; the breakdown of same, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21325/23]
• 2023-05-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost per retrofit in each of the SEAI’s schemes per post-BER rating; and to report this in tabular form . [21741/23]
• 2023-05-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the median cost per retrofit in each of the SEAI’s schemes per post-BER rating; and to report this, in tabular form. [21742/23]
• 2023-05-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the solid fuel regulations that came into force on 31 October 2022; the measures in place to enforce them; how they have been resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21743/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the Revised Estimate for 2023. [20958/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will specify the amount of the targeted 0.9 MtCO2eq abatement by 2025 (vs 2018) under the theme of the National Retrofit Plan within the residential built environment sector of the Climate Action Plan 2023 is anticipated to be delivered by the retrofitting of 120,000 dwellings to BER B2 cost optimal or carbon equivalent specifically. [20959/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the amount of the targeted 0.9 MtCO2eq abatement by 2025 (vs 2018) under the theme of the National Retrofit Plan – as outlined in the built environment section of the Climate Action Plan 2023 – is anticipated to be delivered through the retrofitting of 120,000 dwellings to BER B2 cost optimal or carbon equivalent standard and the installation of heat pumps in 45,000 existing dwellings. [20960/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have achieved a B2 cost optimum standard in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [20961/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the Revised Estimates for 2022, the March Supplementary Estimates for 2022 and the post-March Supplementary Estimates for 2022, in tabular form. [20962/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard for each retrofit scheme under subhead B4 in tabular form. [20963/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard for each retrofit scheme under subhead B4 in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [20964/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a study into the heat loss indicator criteria for the installation of heat pumps has concluded and whether a determination has been made regarding the efficacy of installing a heat pump in homes with a heat loss indicator of >2.3 and 2.6 W/K m2. [20965/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the State that could have the potential to connect to district heating at the present time or in the short to medium-term. [20966/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes in the State that are currently heat pump ready. [20967/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have been retrofitted to a B2 cost optimum standard under the One-Stop-Shop scheme also had a heat pump installed in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [20968/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the current or future potential of households to connect to district heating is a criterion in determining eligibility for supports that subsidise heat pumps and retrofitting work under the One-Stop-Shop or better energy homes schemes. [20969/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of new renewable energy capacity is expected to be delivered in each of the years 2023 to 2030, specifying the breakdown between onshore wind, solar pv and offshore wind, in tabular form. [20970/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of new renewable energy capacity is expected to be delivered in each of the years 2023 to 2030. [20971/23]
• 2023-05-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to specify whether EU law or domestic law require the separation of ESB’s generation and supply arms and to specify the specific provisions in the relevant legislation. [20972/23]
• 2023-05-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 19 April 2023, the reason the total percentage(s) for the better energy warmer homes, better energy warmth and well-being, better energy homes, solar PV and national homes retrofit (on-stop shop) SEAI schemes do not add up to 100%; if there are data missing; and, if so, if the absence can be explained. [20561/23]
• 2023-05-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the fish counts for 2022, in tabular form; and the number of counters that did not provide continuous reports, their geographical location and the duration. [20594/23]
• 2023-05-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on Inland Fisheries Ireland's national fish counter programme and the methods used for data collection; how the data is being collected; if it is available publicly; how different species are distinguished from one another; and the methods for verification. [20595/23]
• 2023-05-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the national energy and climate plan will be published. [20642/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the engagements, if any, the Commissioner for the Regulation of Utilities has had with energy providers here to ensure reductions in wholesale prices are passed on to customers; the measures he will take to ensure that the super-excess windfall profits of those companies for all of 2022 will be captured in the planned windfall tax measures and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19966/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends to maximise compost and recyclable waste; if he recognises that charges and increasing charges are a disincentive in this regard, but are a logical consequence of the privatisation of waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19967/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends to act on the recommendations of the energy security review; if he has assessed the environmental, social and economic impact of State-owned gas storage versus commercial LNG; if he will rule out the introduction of commercial LNG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19962/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed under the SEAI one-stop shop and warmer homes schemes in quarter 1 2023, and for the pre-BER, post-BER of completed projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19963/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received the final report of the Citizens Assembly on biodiversity loss; the way in which his Department will respond to the report and its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19961/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to expand the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce to bring ports, the ORE industry and State agencies together to improve readiness to deliver offshore wind, including through the possible introduction of an Irish strategic port investment model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19964/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the immediate plans for the North-South Interconnector; the legal basis on which agencies intend to access private lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19965/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under all SEAI schemes; the total number per scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20012/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the better energy warmer homes scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20013/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of fully funded retrofits completed under the better energy warmer homes scheme and the better energy warmth and well-being scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20015/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the better energy warmth and well-being scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20017/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the better energy homes scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20018/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of Solar PV's completed under the SEAI scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20019/23]
• 2023-04-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the one-stop shop (National Homes retrofit); and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20020/23]
• 2023-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about warmer homes scheme particularly in relation to the finding of the 2020 'Social Impact Assessment - SEAI Programmes Targeting Energy Poverty' that the level of data collected was not sufficient to provide an assessment of the schemes' impact on recipients (i.e. does the scheme bring them out of energy poverty); if that data is being collected; and the impact of retrofitting on warmer homes schemes recipients. [20021/23]
• 2023-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the warmer homes scheme particularly in relation to the finding of the 2020 'Social Impact Assessment - SEAI Programmes Targeting Energy Poverty' that the level of data collected was not sufficient to provide an assessment of the schemes' impact on recipients (i.e. does the scheme bring them out of energy poverty), if that data is being collected; and if he will outline the impact of retrofitting on warmer homes schemes recipients. [19835/23]
• 2023-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if ##he will provide an update on the SEAI community grant scheme for solar installation; and the number of grants that have been provided to non-profits this year compared to previous years. [19838/23]
• 2023-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his recent comments regarding commercially owned LNG terminals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19039/23]
• 2023-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what motivated his recent comments regarding commercially owned LNGs (details supplied); if this was predominantly driven by economic considerations; how this was influenced by the consultation period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19040/23]
• 2023-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the consultation period regarding commercially owned LNG terminals, and how this influenced his recent comments regarding commercially owned LNG terminals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19041/23]
• 2023-04-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his recently comments regarding LNG terminals (details supplied) and how he believes this will impact achieving emissions targets; the steps, if any, that will be taken to mitigate this impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19042/23]
• 2023-04-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the National Broadband Plan rollout for County Meath up to the end of Q1 2023, including overall target, number of properties currently passed and connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the pre- and post-BER ratings of all deep retrofits completed in 2022 under all SEAI schemes, by scheme, pre-BER, and post-BER, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18595/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the figures for all retrofits completed in Q1 2023 under all SEAI schemes, by scheme, pre-BER, and post-BER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18596/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the figures of retrofits completed under the SEAI 'one-stop-shop scheme' in Q1 this year, pre-BER, and post-BER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18597/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the figures for all solar installations under all SEAI schemes in Q1 this year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18598/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the figures of retrofits completed under the SEAI's 'warmer homes' scheme in Q1 this year, pre-BER, and post-BER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18599/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting home for a retrofit under all SEAI schemes in Q1 this year by scheme, per BER rating pre-completion, and per BER rating post-completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18600/23]
• 2023-04-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for solar installation under all SEAI schemes in Q1 of 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18611/23]
• 2023-04-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify a matter regarding his Department’s press statement regarding the review of the North South Interconnector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16062/23]
• 2023-04-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the forthcoming introduction of a 0% VAT rate on the supply and installation of solar panels; and how the VAT will be treated with respect to the current grant offering. [17316/23]
• 2023-04-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is resourced to monitor, regulate and enforce payments as part of the microgeneration support scheme. [18194/23]
• 2023-03-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the analysis that has been carried by his Department on the purchasing of carbon credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16020/23]
• 2023-03-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the pre- and post-BER ratings of all deep retrofits completed under all SEAI schemes, by scheme, pre-BER, post-BER, and the number completed in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15885/23]
• 2023-03-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on a plan-led approach in offshore wind farming. [15084/23]
• 2023-03-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work carried out to date on the Government’s review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems; if he has received a draft of the completed review; when he hopes to bring the review forward to Government; and when he hopes the completed review will be published. [15289/23]
• 2023-03-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the proceeds from the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023 will be used to lower profits for consumers; if an energy credit will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15361/23]
• 2023-03-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the market revenue cap included in the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023 the motivation to backdate to December 2022 only, excluding the months in which the profits of energy companies were at their peak throughout 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15362/23]
• 2023-03-28
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if planning permission or environmental or other impact assessments are required for major changes to flightpaths to and from airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15057/23]
• 2023-03-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the transition to a plan-led approach in offshore wind farming and the engagement of industry and stakeholders in the offshore wind delivery task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14524/23]
• 2023-03-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the transition to a plan-led approach in offshore wind farming; if this will prompt any changes in the structuring and resources of the offshore wind delivery task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14525/23]
• 2023-03-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will allocate an additional full-time environment attaché and communication attaché to be posted at the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU. [13358/23]
• 2023-03-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Governments proposed changes to off-shore wind policy announced recently and the motivation to move a plan-led approach. [13482/23]
• 2023-03-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the timeframe for the development of Designated Marine Areas as announced in the proposed changes to off-shore wind farming recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/23]
• 2023-03-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the anticipated impact of a plan-led approach to off-shore wind-farming on timelines outlined in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13484/23]
• 2023-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason simple heating controls such as those provided by a device (details supplied) are not eligible for funding support from the SEAI given their recognised benefit; if he will review this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11743/23]
• 2023-03-08
  VOTE
  Environmental Protection Agency (Emergency Electricity Generation) (Amendment) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages

  • ✓ voted to add an amendment to the bill motion failed · 47–78
• 2023-03-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is the case that the windfall tax on electricity companies operating here will apply only from 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2023; if there is provision in the Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 to apply the tax retrospectively to account for the super-normal profits prior to that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11366/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken to ensure that energy companies reduce their prices for customers to reflect the significant reduction in wholesale energy costs; if he has met with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in this regard; the date on which windfall taxes will be introduced; the amount they are expected to raise; if he will support an energy price cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9983/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he will take to maximise delivery of solar photovoltaic, PV, systems on homes, schools, farm sheds, and community/sporting, commercial and public buildings in 2023; his targets in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9984/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will carry out a full review of the role and governance of Inland Fisheries Ireland, in light of recent revelations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9982/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on measures he is taking to ensure sufficient electricity generation capacity for the remaining months of 2023; the estimated capacity and headroom that will be on the system for winter 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9980/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the commitment in the Energy Poverty Action Plan to introduce a mechanism to ensure homeowners have the option of paying for upgrades “net of grant”, and to explore options to support homeowners to convert from oil and solid fuel to heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9979/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to amend the legal mandate of Bord na Móna to ensure that the protection and restoration of the environment and climate action are core obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9978/23]
• 2023-02-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on investigations into the potential of geothermal energy in the State; if it presents a possible solution to runaway heating costs in communal heating systems; the immediate solutions that will be provided for people living in complexes with these systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9981/23]
• 2023-02-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking or planning to take to ensure the re-use of construction and demolition waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8840/23]
• 2023-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he considers that the independence and focus of the EPA is comprised and diluted by the fact that its functions and lines of accountability are spilt between departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7450/23]
• 2023-01-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of onshore and offshore wind turbines constructed in each of the years from 2000 to 2022, in tabular form. [3355/23]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes retrofitted under each scheme in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63237/22]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that applied for solar PV grants in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63238/22]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent that have been used to date out of the 295 Metric CO2 equivalent allocated for the first carbon budget. [63535/22]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of the first carbon budget, 295 Mt CO2 eq over the period 2021 to 2025, that has been exhausted as of December 2022; the date on which he expects the full budget to be exhausted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63762/22]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the €287 million capital underspend in his Department in 2022, in tabular form, as outlined by the Fiscal Monitor published by the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1193/23]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the final 2022 allocation for each subhead in his Department in 2022; the final outturn for each subhead in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1194/23]
• 2023-01-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish his diary and expenses for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1890/23]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the upcoming climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62750/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he has taken since the publication of the energy security review to improve Ireland’s energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62751/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions that his Department is taking to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind energy to ensure that Ireland meets the target of 7 GW by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62752/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the grant support for lower income households to aid the installation of solar PV; the target number of homes for solar PV installation in the years 2023 to 2025, inclusive, to help meet the recently announced increased target of 5 GW of installed solar power capacity by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62754/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to help build a green hydrogen sector in Ireland; if he will outline the targets for green hydrogen production by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62756/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Meath; the target number of homes to be passed for 2022; the number of homes passed in County Meath to date; the targets for County Meath in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62753/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the feasibility study of geothermal energy; the role that he sees geothermal playing in community heating systems in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62755/22]
• 2022-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position regarding supports for pay-as-you-go gas and electricity customers to protect them from disconnection this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62888/22]
• 2022-12-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the specific additional actions in addition to those included in the Climate Action Plan 2021, that he is planning in order to achieve the newly announced target of 5GW of installed solar power capacity by 2025 (details supplied); the amount of this new capacity that will be delivered by homes, businesses, community buildings, farm buildings and commercial solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60182/22]
• 2022-11-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any review of EPA operations has been conducted with a view to improving the efficiency of the organisation; his views on whether the EPA would be able to carry out its duties more efficiently if all of its functions were in the one department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59496/22]
• 2022-11-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the electricity credit will be applied to units in student accommodation to ensure that students benefit from this financial support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58760/22]
• 2022-11-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the implementation of section 14(7) of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, which states that the Minister shall prepare a report examining the way that single-use packaging used in the sale of fruit and vegetables can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58897/22]
• 2022-11-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the upcoming Climate Action Plan will include proposals to promote the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a replacement fuel in traditional home heating systems as one method of cutting emissions from homes in which heat pumps are not an option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58463/22]
• 2022-11-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budget allocation for attic and cavity wall insulation for 2022; the number of applications to date in 2022 for each; the number of works completed to date in 2022 for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56438/22]
• 2022-11-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action the Government is taking to expand the role wave and tidal energy can play in Ireland's renewable energy generation; the estimated energy generation potential both have off the Irish coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56439/22]
• 2022-11-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of reports used in the preparation of the sectoral emissions ceilings; the cost of commissioning each report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56440/22]
• 2022-11-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of consultants and external experts contracted as part of the preparation of the sectoral emissions ceilings; the contract cost of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56441/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the commitments he will seek from international counterparts at COP27, with particular reference to climate ambition, climate finance, loss and damage, and fossil fuel non-proliferation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55345/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that the number of attic and cavity wall insulation works has decreased dramatically in recent years; if he accepts that approximately 165,000 homes have no such works completed and that in the region of 500,000 homes could benefit from such improvement works; if he will increase the 80% grant and reduce the administrative burden for accessing these supports in light of the urgent climate, energy and cost-of-living crises, and in order to accelerate the roll-out of shallow retrofits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55346/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with a company (detail supplied) and its partners with a view to expanding its pilot programme, which uses surplus wind energy to provide households at risk of fuel poverty with hot water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55347/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a publication date for the McCarthy review into what went wrong in relation to the electricity generation capacity shortfall which the State is now facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55351/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the negotiations from the EU Energy Council negotiations on decoupling gas from electricity prices, price cap proposals and on the windfall tax on excessive profits of energy companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55350/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the national broadband plan roll-out in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagements and meetings that he has held with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, relating to the increased staffing requirements in Ireland’s planning agencies to reduce the delays facing offshore wind and other renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55348/22]
• 2022-11-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to increase the arrears limit on pre-pay electricity and gas meters to ensure that these households are given the same protection from disconnection as bill-pay households during the moratorium on disconnections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55349/22]
• 2022-10-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of installed solar photovoltaic capacity in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51472/22]
• 2022-10-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment, membership and remit of the cross-departmental acceleration taskforces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50528/22]
• 2022-10-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of attic and cavity wall insulation completions in 2022, 2023 and 2024. [50684/22]
• 2022-10-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of homes that require attic and cavity wall insulation upgrades. [50685/22]
• 2022-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount that the large energy-user rebalancing subvention raised in each year since its introduction; if this revenue was paid to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49611/22]
• 2022-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which revenue raised from the large energy-user rebalancing subvention was used to subsidise large energy users; the criteria that were used to determine if a company was a large energy user; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49612/22]
• 2022-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the large energy-user rebalancing subvention was calculated and levied on domestic electricity bills; the way in which the subvention was calculated and paid to large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49613/22]
• 2022-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount Ireland has been fined to date for the failure to fully transpose the European Electronic Communications Code within the required timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49834/22]
• 2022-10-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will bring forward a cybersecurity Bill. [49992/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the further retrofitting funding measures that are included for Approved Housing Bodies in Budget 2023. [48788/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the Energy Transformation Programme; the capital, current and total 2022 budget allocation for the Energy Transformation Programme, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; the capital, current and total allocation under the 2022 Revised Estimates for the Energy Transformation Programme, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; the capital, current and total allocation under the 2022 March Supplementary Estimates for the Energy Transformation Programme, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation. [48837/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for residential and community retrofit programmes; the capital, current and total 2022 budget allocation for residential and community retrofit programmes, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; the capital, current and total allocation under the 2022 Revised Estimates for residential and community retrofit programmes, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation; the capital, current and total allocation under the March Supplementary Estimates 2022 for residential and community retrofit programmes, and the percentage difference compared to the Budget 2023 allocation. [48838/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the 2023 Budget allocations for each programme under subhead B4. [48839/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the 13,800 homes forecasted to be brought to a building energy rating of B2 as part of the Budget 2023 allocation will be delivered under the better energy warmer homes scheme, the better energy homes scheme, the community energy grant scheme and the national home energy upgrade scheme; and the average cost of bringing homes to a BER of B2 for each of the schemes that has been used to underpin the overall target B2 output of 13,800. [48840/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the 6,000 target free upgrades under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland energy poverty scheme announced as part of the Budget 2023 allocation are forecasted to be brought to a building energy rating of B2. [48841/22]
• 2022-10-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of bringing a home to a BER of B2 under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022, inclusive of VAT. [48842/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total capital funding provided for his Department in 2022, broken down by programme; the expenditure profile at the end of September 2022 on each programme; if there is likely to be an underspend in any particular area; the reason for such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48601/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €513 million allocated to the energy transformation programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48603/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €143 million allocated to the climate action and environment leadership programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48604/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €110 million allocated to the circular economy development programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48605/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a subhead breakdown of the €272 million allocated to the connectivity and communications delivery programme in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48606/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of retrofits per retrofit scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48607/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of solar photovoltaic installations targeted for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48608/22]
• 2022-10-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of installing solar photovoltaic panels on all schools as announced in budget 2023; the number of panels to be installed on each school; the timeframe for this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48609/22]
• 2022-09-22
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce a scrappage scheme for the oldest and most polluting lorries to help hauliers transition to more environmentally friendly engines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46318/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce the price of electricity and energy for households and businesses over the coming months; if he has examined introducing a price cap on electricity in Ireland or introducing other market reforms or interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45782/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed under the warmer homes scheme and, separately, under the one-stop shop service; the measures he will take to increase the roll-out and to better target supports to those most in need; if he agrees a dedicated retrofit scheme aimed at households that rely on solid fuels for heating is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45783/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households and businesses that are generating electricity through microgeneration; if all energy suppliers are now paying microgenerators for the excess electricity that they are exporting to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45786/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to recoup the excess profits being made by renewable electricity generators contracted under the renewable energy feed-in tariff schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45788/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that he is taking to increase public and community-owned and led renewables projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45787/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the energy security review will be published; the immediate actions that he will take to improve the State’s energy security and independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45784/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that he opposed decoupling gas from electricity prices at the European Energy Council in October 2021; if he now supports the proposal to decouple gas from electricity prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45785/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding that Ireland has applied for under the REPowerEU programme; the projects for which the funding would be allocated towards; the maximum amount of funding that Ireland is entitled to under this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46013/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 8 September 2022, if he will confirm that 3,678.966MW of renewable energy production is contracted under the renewable energy feed in tariff schemes, and is therefore not obliged to refund the Public Service Obligations if the wholesale electricity price is higher than the REFIT reference price, while just 633.48MW of renewable energy is contracted under the renewable electricity support scheme, and is therefore obliged to refund the Public Service Obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45402/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated full-year revenue from introducing a price-cap on inframarginal generators in Ireland at a rate of €180 per megawatt hour, compared to current wholesale electricity prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45855/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that his Department can take to mitigate the gas price increases that are being experienced by some Approved Housing Bodies and their tenants who are paying commercial energy rates as a result of a district heating system. [45931/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the District Heating Steering Group that was formed under the Climate Action Plan 2021; and if this group is examining ways in which residential units can exit district heating systems that are subject to commercial energy rates. [45932/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of reports used, and consultants availed of, in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings, broken down by the reports used for each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45976/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish all of the modelling and economic analysis used in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45977/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish the McKinsey Report on the cost of decarbonisation up to 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45978/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reports used and consultants availed of in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceiling, by sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45979/22]
• 2022-09-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45981/22]
• 2022-09-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the topics that are being examined by the consumers, vulnerable households’ and businesses’ subgroups of the Energy Security Emergency Group; the latest proposals they have submitted to the Energy Security Emergency Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44946/22]
• 2022-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the consideration that he has given to converting oil heating systems to hydrotreated vegetable oil biofuel instead of kerosene and other fossil fuels; if he agrees that this could play a role in the decarbonisation of domestic heating systems and could supplement the installation of heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42297/22]
• 2022-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions that the Government is taking to develop Ireland’s wave and tidal energy industries; the estimated level of MW power identified for both of these energies off Ireland’s coasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43178/22]
• 2022-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some electricity providers are increasing their standing charges at a time of record energy prices, which is compounding the financial hardship households are facing; if he has discussed the matter with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44018/22]
• 2022-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has discussed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities low-usage charges on electricity customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44020/22]
• 2022-09-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of wind farms, and the total megawatts of wind power for each, that are contracted under the older renewable energy feed-in tariff schemes, in tabular form; if the energy companies that own these wind farms contracted under the REFIT schemes are obliged to refund via the PSO the excess price achieved for their wind energy compared with their contracted price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44184/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received the review into the north-south interconnector; when the findings of this review will be published; the total cost of this review to date; the number of experts involved in the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39705/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of retrofits under each scheme for 2022 and for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39706/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed under each retrofit scheme to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39707/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons on the warmer homes scheme waiting list, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39708/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for retrofitting to be completed under the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39709/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes completed under the warmer homes scheme in each of the past five years per county in tabular form. [39710/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the projected electricity demand in each year to 2030, including the demand from data centres; the projected electricity demand in each year to 2030, excluding the demand from data centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39741/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount currently in the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40629/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of the projects that have received funding from the Climate Action Fund to date in 2022; the amount of funding awarded to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40630/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria for the funding to be allocated to projects from the Climate Action Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40631/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the oversight measures that he has put in place to ensure that any decrease in global oil prices is passed onto Irish consumers at the forecourts and in home heating oil prices in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40798/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the gas storage capacity that Ireland currently has; the attempts, if any, that he has undertaken to arrange for gas storage in another country for the State’s use in the event of a gas shortage; if he will provide a list of such countries and the dates on which engagements took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail all engagements and discussions that he has held in relation to Ireland’s participation in an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), Hy2Tech; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40801/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of coal that was burned at Moneypoint power station in the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2022; the estimated percentage of the increased use of coal for electricity generation in 2022 will have on Ireland’s carbon emissions in 2022, compared to the original 2022 carbon emissions estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40803/22]
• 2022-07-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the cross-Departmental Offshore Renewable Energy Team; the members of this team; the dates on which the team has met to date in 2022; if he will list the topics that the team is currently examining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/22]
• 2022-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if households that export renewable energy to the grid via microgeneration now receive payments for same from all electricity suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37067/22]
• 2022-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of households that have installed solar photovoltaic panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37068/22]
• 2022-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will draft and publish a green hydrogen strategy; if the energy security review has examined the role that green hydrogen can play in Ireland's energy security going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37069/22]
• 2022-07-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide funding to local authorities to allow them to distribute the €200 electricity credit directly to members of the Travelling community who were excluded from this payment due to them paying their electricity bills directly to their local authority, or in cases in which they share a common electricity meter in a halting site and did not therefore received the €200 credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37755/22]
• 2022-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a list of reports used and consultants availed of in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings broken down by the reports used for each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36368/22]
• 2022-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish all the modelling and economic analyses used in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/22]
• 2022-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish a report (details supplied) on the estimated cost of decarbonisation up to 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36370/22]
• 2022-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a list of reports used and consultants availed of in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceiling for transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/22]
• 2022-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a list of stakeholders he met during the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36374/22]
• 2022-07-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated annual cost that will be added to household electricity bills to cover the cost of acquiring 450 MW of additional electricity generation capacity, as per the provisions of the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36182/22]
• 2022-06-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to ensure gas, liquid and solid fuel supply for winter 2022 in view of ongoing and expected supply challenges; the extent to which his and other Departments are engaged in these efforts; the extent of European and international co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34888/22]
• 2022-06-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department or other Government Departments provide funding to an organisation (details supplied); if so, the amount of funding that has been provided in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30149/22]
• 2022-06-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which household electricity bills here are more expensive than the European Union average; the reason for this and the measures that he will take in advance of winter 2022 to address electricity cost, and energy and electricity security of supply challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28788/22]
• 2022-06-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that he plans to address the high cost of renewable energy here in view of provisional renewable energy support scheme auction results; if he intends to establish a cross-government high-level task force to work with stakeholders in industry and State agencies with the aim of bringing forward policy recommendations within six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28794/22]
• 2022-06-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to some households in multi-unit complexes not receiving the full electricity credit, due to the fact that there is only one shared meter point reference number; if he will address this anomaly to ensure that each household benefits from the full payment support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28380/22]
• 2022-06-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports that are in place for persons to carry out remediation works to their homes if they are found to be at high risk of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28381/22]
• 2022-06-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the new solid fuel regulations; the date that the regulations will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/22]
• 2022-06-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he intends to build the State’s energy storage capacity which has the potential to cut annual carbon emissions by more than one million tonnes; if he will prepare and publish an energy storage strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28383/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 24 February 2022, the breakdown of the €8 million that has been allocated to support the Sustainable Energy Communities and community activation in 2022; the amount of funding that has been allocated for the Sustainable Energy Communities in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27531/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits that were completed to B2 standard in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022 under each scheme; and the average costs in tabular form. [27725/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that did not have new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27726/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that had new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27727/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that had fossil fuel boilers installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27728/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that had heat pumps installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27729/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits that were completed to a lower than B2 standard in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022 under each scheme; and the average costs in tabular form. [27730/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that did not have any new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27731/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that had new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27732/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that had fossil fuel boilers installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27733/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that had heat pumps installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27734/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy homes scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [27735/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grants available to install a wood pellet stove; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27882/22]
• 2022-05-31
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action that he intends to take in response to the increased number of homes that are at risk from radon as outlined on the Environment Protection Agency’s updated radon map; the supports that are in place for homeowners and landlords to test for radon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/22]
• 2022-05-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met with a social enterprise (details supplied); the steps that he has taken to reduce energy waste and address fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25296/22]
• 2022-05-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered the impact of existing virgin plastic levies across the European Union and an organisation (details supplied) with subsidies in Ireland on the indigenous plastic recycling market; the way that he assesses same; the way he intends to respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25311/22]
• 2022-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons currently on the warmer homes Scheme waiting list; the average waiting time from application to having work completed; the average cost of a retrofit per home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23151/22]
• 2022-05-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reasons identified contributing to the delays in the warmer homes scheme retrofitting scheme; the actions being taken to reduce the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23152/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and total value of solar photovoltaic grants provided in 2021; the average grant provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19666/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that the 2021 estimates for the energy transformation programme outlined in the estimates under the Budget 2022 expenditure report were adjusted in the 2022 revised estimates; the reason that the 2022 estimates for the energy transformation programme outlined in the estimates under the Budget 2022 were adjusted in the 2022 Revised Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19667/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target output for the number of homes upgraded to a building energy rating of B2 or above outlined in the 2022 Revised Estimates remains at 8,640; if it has since been adjusted; the projected cost of meeting the output target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19668/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households that purchase turf from commercial operators for domestic heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any consideration has been given to prioritising retrofits for households that still burn solid fuels for heating and hot water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/22]
• 2022-04-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional funding and personnel will be provided to Eirgrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to ensure these agencies are fully resourced to deliver on the increased number of renewable project developments planned in the coming years; the requests for additional funding and personnel from these agencies have been made to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/22]
• 2022-04-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the energy security review; the action that is being taken to ensure security of supply in view of the war in Ukraine; the measures that are being put in place to assist households with escalating energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19069/22]
• 2022-04-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the roll-out of the national broadband plan; the number of premises that were passed and connected as of 31 March 2022; the way that he plans to accelerate the delivery of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19070/22]
• 2022-04-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional resources that are being provided to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid to account for the increased workload as a result of offshore wind developments; the discussions he has held with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the need to provide extra resources to An Bord Pleanála for the same reason; the number of additional staff provided to each for this reason to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18801/22]
• 2022-04-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the one-stop-shops will be established under the new National Retrofit Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18803/22]
• 2022-04-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that homeowners with solar PV panels are still not receiving any payment or credits for excess electricity exported to the grid; if he has discussed with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government ; the reason for the delay in amending planning regulations to allow schools and community halls to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18800/22]
• 2022-04-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits carried out under each programme in quarter one of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18747/22]
• 2022-04-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of, and the timeline for, the introduction of a deposit return scheme; if he plans to include glass in the scheme or has plans to introduce glass in the scheme at a later stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17851/22]
• 2022-04-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount that is currently in the environment fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17852/22]
• 2022-04-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of activities that will be funded from the new circular economy fund to be established under the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/22]
• 2022-04-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action that he is taking to end the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in biodegradable containers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17854/22]
• 2022-04-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional staff or funding has been provided to the Environmental Protection Agency given the additional work the agency will have establishing a circular economy programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17858/22]
• 2022-03-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the anomalous situation which gives rise to significantly higher gas prices in residential complexes served by district heating systems (details supplied); the reason that such systems are classified as commercial rather than residential; his proposal to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15959/22]
• 2022-03-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of proposals to regulate district heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15960/22]
• 2022-03-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of full-time petroleum exploration specialists working in his Department as of 14 March 2022. [15228/22]
• 2022-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to re-examine the licence fees for special local draft net on the Owenea and Owentocker tidal waters given the provisions of section 74 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/22]
• 2022-03-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment of a cross-Government taskforce on offshore wind and hydrogen; the persons or bodies that will be included on this taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13395/22]
• 2022-03-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment of a cross-Government taskforce on offshore wind and hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13396/22]
• 2022-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered bringing forward a ring-fenced auction specifically for floating offshore wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12531/22]
• 2022-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current floating offshore target for 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12532/22]
• 2022-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he is taking to build a supply chain industry in Ireland for offshore wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12533/22]
• 2022-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of recommendations from the 2016 Kerr Report that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12907/22]
• 2022-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government considered the final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group recommendations to utilise the post office network for the provision of driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/22]
• 2022-03-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that his Department is assisting communities to develop community-owned renewable energy projects; the number of projects currently receiving assistance from his Department; the annual budget for helping develop community owned renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12990/22]
• 2022-03-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish the findings of the review into the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11099/22]
• 2022-03-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider extending the 80% grant scheme in the National Retrofit Plan to include window and door replacement; if such a proposal was considered at any point for the new plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11104/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the recent comments by the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, that greenhouse gas emissions are unlikely to fall here in 2022; if he has plans to strengthen the climate action remit of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, CRU, to prioritise the achievement of Ireland’s 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10693/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the rising cost of energy and electricity for households; when households will receive the €200 electricity credit; the additional measures he will take to address rising fuel, electricity and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10694/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans he has to develop the capability of the State to produce and store green hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10260/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he intends to maximise the roll-out of solar PV to schools, community buildings and sports clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10258/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the establishment of a just transition commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10261/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the funding for the sustainable energy communities programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10257/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the national broadband plan, including the targets to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10259/22]
• 2022-02-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the upfront cost of installing solar PV, which still makes it inaccessible to many households; if he plans to increase the financial support for households to install solar PV; when households with solar PV already installed will begin to receive a payment or credits for excess electricity sent back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10742/22]
• 2022-02-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the eligibility criteria for the free energy upgrade scheme have changed from houses built before 2006 to houses built before 1993; if so, the number of houses this measure will exclude from this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/22]
• 2022-02-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the McKinsey reports have been used to inform the development of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and 2021; the way that this compares to the advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10239/22]
• 2022-02-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 19 January 2022, if he will clarify the number of deep retrofits that were completed in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10350/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if institutional investors or vulture funds will be eligible for taxpayer fund grants under the new national retrofit scheme for houses they own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9165/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish the findings of his review into the north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9321/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the eligibility criteria for the warmer homes retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9322/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person who was left a property from a family member can access the 50% and 80% retrofitting grant on their own home and the house that they were left in a will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9740/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person who owns more than one house can access more than one 50% and 80% retrofitting grant under the new national retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9741/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the 50% and 80% retrofitting grants under the new national retrofit scheme can be accessed by persons who will also apply for the new grant to renovate derelict properties being brought forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9742/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the 50% and 80% retrofitting grants under the new national retrofit scheme can be accessed by a person who has a semi-built house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9743/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown from 2022 to 2030 of the €3 billion funding for the national retrofit plan not funded by carbon tax receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9850/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of homes to be completed under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9851/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of homes to be completed under the attic and cavity wall insulation scheme in 2022 and 2023; the budget for this scheme in both years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9852/22]
• 2022-02-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the carbon emission savings from deep retrofitting 1,000 homes under the national home energy upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9853/22]
• 2022-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the seven successful community projects in RESS-1; if all the projects are still progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7646/22]
• 2022-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that disincentives for landlords not retrofitting their houses were not included in the new National Retrofit Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/22]
• 2022-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households that will apply for the attic and cavity wall insulation scheme in the new National Retrofit Scheme in each of the years 2022 to 2026; the estimated budget for the programme in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/22]
• 2022-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households that will apply for the deep retrofit scheme in the new National Retrofit Scheme in each of the years 2022 to 2026; the estimated budget for the programme in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8168/22]
• 2022-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he examined the inclusion of a household income cap in the new National Retrofit Scheme; if so, the income caps that were examined by his Department; the estimated number of households that would be excluded under each income cap if the cap was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8169/22]
• 2022-02-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated carbon reduction savings made by upgrading 100,000 homes under the new attic and cavity wall insulation scheme in the new National Retrofit Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8170/22]
• 2022-02-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated carbon emission reduction savings, as modelled by his Department, by bringing 100,000 poorly insulated homes up to each of the following building energy ratings of C3, C2, C1, B3, B2 and B1, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4804/22]
• 2022-02-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the projected 8GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030 as envisaged by the 2021 Climate Action Plan that will be owned by Irish semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4797/22]
• 2022-02-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the projected 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 as envisaged by the 2021 Climate Action Plan that will be owned by Irish semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4798/22]
• 2022-02-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish in full the report by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5031/22]
• 2022-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Local Energy Assessment Fund funding for sustainable energy communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3063/22]
• 2022-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that the target of 500,000 homes to be retrofitted by 2030 and with 400,000 heat pump installations was calculated; the carbon reduction that each proposal is expected to deliver in each year until 2030; the alternative targets and estimated carbon reduction savings that were considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3558/22]
• 2022-01-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of external reports commissioned in 2021; the cost of each; the external reports that were received by his Department in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3561/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes retrofitted under each retrofitting scheme in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63159/21]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities supported in 2020 and 2021; the amount of funding and grants provided to this scheme in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1033/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the European Union taxonomy as being compatible to contributing to fighting climate change particularly in view of his March 2021 letter to the European Commission opposing any increase to the threshold for gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1337/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a ban on the plastic packaging of fruit and vegetables similar to his French counterpart (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1447/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the ESB has cancelled a further three contracts for gas power plants in Dublin (details supplied); the way and the reason this situation arose; if the issue of below cost tendering has been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1461/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assessment that has been taken of energy constraints for winter 2022 in view of the reports that the ESB has cancelled a further three contracts for gas power plants in Dublin (details supplied); the plans to address these constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has carried out energy transition modelling examining specifically the cost of transitioning to a fully electric heating and transport system including the upgrades needed to the electricity network such as the updating of transformers and pole fuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1813/22]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will cost a free public transport system as an option to encourage the uptake of public transport in Ireland in line with recommendation 22 in the report on reducing emissions in the transport sector by 51% by 2030 by the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63179/21]
• 2022-01-19
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of and position regarding the review by his Department of siting and size conditions for rooftop solar panels on homes, and review of exemptions for educational and community buildings, as part of the current development of interim planning regulations; if he will provide the stated need to consider environmental assessment reporting before finalisation; when the interim planning regulations will be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1422/22]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed flat-rate deposit under the deposit return scheme on the drinks and container materials markets; and the assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a variable rate of deposit under the deposit return scheme. [62072/21]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the deposit return scheme regulations as published do not stipulate specific collection or recycling targets for aluminium cans beyond the European Union target rate for all aluminium packaging of 50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030; the reason a target of 90% is not being proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62073/21]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has assessed the risk that the stated timescale for setting up and launching the deposit return scheme may not leave those involved in the scheme including agencies and industry with enough time to ensure that they are adequately prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62074/21]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the regulations recently published for the deposit return scheme do not stipulate that an approved body, that is, a system administrator must hold separate accounts for each included material type; if he has considered if it would be better if each material to be recycled had its own collection and sorting costs thus preventing cross subsidising between in scope materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62075/21]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a difference in the operating costs and possible unintended consequences of a deposit return scheme depending on whether there is a variable rate deposit or a flat-rate deposit. [62076/21]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has assessed the potential effect of a flat-rate deposit on the levels of product wastage in relation to the planned deposit return scheme. [62077/21]
• 2021-12-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of a variable rate deposit on return rates in relation to the planned deposit return scheme. [62078/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he will take to reduce energy bills for households this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61986/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the deposit return scheme will be in operation on-time; if glass will be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61425/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will expedite the preparation of a national hydrogen strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61422/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way he plans to roll-out district heating on a large scale; if legislative change will be required to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61423/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount in the Climate Action Fund; if the recently announced reduction in the National Oil Reserves Agency levy will reduce projected revenues raised for the Fund; if so, the extent to which; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61421/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the modelling that was used by the Government to calculate the emission reduction targets under the 2021 Climate Action Plan; if it was the same as those used in the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Carbon Budget technical report. [61522/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected emissions reductions by 2030 from the Government’s plan to deliver the equivalent of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a BER of B2 cost optimal or carbon equivalent and to install 600,000 heat pumps in residential buildings in tabular form. [61523/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected emissions reduction from the National Retrofit Plan by 2030. [61524/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected emissions reduction from the National Retrofit Plan and the annual breakdown in tabular form. [61525/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of the Energy Transformation Programme that was allocated to decarbonising electricity in Budget 2021 and 2022, respectively; and the breakdown across each programme subhead by current and capital funding in tabular form. [61526/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the €2.7 billion investment contained within the National Development Plan to deliver on the National Broadband Plan through National Broadband Ireland including the financial years that this investment corresponds. [61531/21]
• 2021-12-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of residential and commercial connections delivered under the National Broadband Plan to date by the location of connections and on a quarterly basis in which they were completed tabular form. [61532/21]
• 2021-12-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the application to the European Union Just Transition Fund; the timeline and process for adjudication, allocation and administration of the fund in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60613/21]
• 2021-12-08
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the Government did not separately sign the COP26 declaration of support for a Just Transition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60614/21]
• 2021-11-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the persons and companies he held a meeting with at the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57048/21]
• 2021-11-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the percentage share of the average demand from each sector of the electricity market, that is, domestic, non-domestic, medium and large commercial for the 2020-2021 public service obligation levy year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57084/21]
• 2021-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected funding to be made available from the Climate Action Fund between 2021 and 2030 to deliver on the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55599/21]
• 2021-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected funding to be made available from the Just Transition Fund between 2021 and 2030 to deliver on the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55600/21]
• 2021-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the penalties provided for in the Climate Act 2021 for failing to meet targets including sectoral emissions ceilings and carbon budgets, 2030 interim targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55921/21]
• 2021-11-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the plans to rent and import 200 megawatts of emergency gas generators in winter 2021 have been abandoned; the amount which was spent on the attempted procurement; if the State or a semi-State body will face fines for abandoning this plan; if so, the estimated amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55953/21]
• 2021-11-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 2 November 2021, if he will provide the name of the Italian consultant companies appointed to undertake the review of the North-South Interconnector. [55400/21]
• 2021-11-09
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the 183 actions in the Climate Action Plan 2019 that have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54113/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to prevent electricity blackouts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53880/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the climate action plan and sectoral emissions ceilings needed to achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53881/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to expand the solar PV output throughout the State; the way he plans to make solar PV more accessible to schools, GAA clubs, local authorities and farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53882/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the review of the North-South Interconnector; the impact the judicial review decision in Northern Ireland will have on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53684/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will prepare an updated strategy to combat energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53683/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration scheme will be in operation; the reason for the delay in introducing this crucial scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53682/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will prepare a national hydrogen strategy given the role this fuel can play in Ireland's decarbonisation effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53681/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has examined and discussed alternative models of finance for climate action at a local level such as the local climate bonds piloted in two local authority areas in England in 2020 with his colleague the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53685/21]
• 2021-11-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts he is making to position Ireland as a world leader in renewable energy research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49081/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are available for persons, farmers or community groups that want to establish a solar farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52358/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons, farmers or community groups that establish a solar farm are permitted to sell renewable energy to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52359/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the name of the international expert or consultants appointed to undertake the review of the North-South interconnector; the estimated cost of the review; the timeline of the review; and when its report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52468/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the detail of the appointment process to the board of the Loughs Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52522/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will implement Article 8 of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive; the reason it has remained unimplemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52604/21]
• 2021-11-02
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he is taking to promote the use of solar photo voltaic, PV, technology on Irish farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52755/21]
• 2021-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the Economic and Social Research Institute report entitled Carbon taxes, poverty and compensation options, 2020 cited by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as proof that carbon tax increases leave the lowest income fifth of households on average better off and reduces poverty, fails to take into account the huge increase in energy prices since its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51563/21]
• 2021-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the ESRI report entitled Carbon Taxes, Poverty and Compensation Options, 2020 cited by his Department as proof that carbon tax increases leaves the lowest income fifth of households on average better off and reduces poverty, does not accurately measure energy poverty, due to the fact that the Government failed to act on a recommendation from their own 2016 Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, calling for an appropriate methodology for measuring and tracking energy poverty levels across the State to be designed, which means no appropriate methodology currently exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51565/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the definition that his Department uses for energy poverty or fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51000/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the methodology for measuring and tracking energy and fuel poverty levels that his Department uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51001/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households in energy or fuel poverty in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51002/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount carried over from his Department’s 2021 budget allocation to Budget 2022; the Departmental underspend in the 2021 budget allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51289/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the programmes or initiatives to be funded under the energy transformation heading in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51290/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have been retrofitted to date in 2021; the number estimated to be retrofitted by the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51291/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will be retrofitted in 2022; the number of these that will be fully funded by the State; the cost of same; the number that will be partially funded by the State; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51292/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to the State of retrofitting a home for those living or at risk of energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51293/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average grant provided to a household for retrofitting their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51294/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the detailed breakdown of the €202 million announced for retrofits in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51295/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that will receive financial assistance under the solar PV grant programme in 2022; the estimated average grant; the estimated impact this will have on electricity demand and carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51296/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that have received a grant to date under the solar PV scheme in each year; the impact this had on carbon emissions to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51297/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount the low-cost loan scheme for residential retrofitting will cost the State in 2022; the number of households that are expected to use this facility in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51298/21]
• 2021-10-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason he did not increase the €109 million retrofitting budget for those living or at risk of energy poverty in Budget 2022 compared to Budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51299/21]
• 2021-10-12
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected yearly percentage decrease in the use of fossil fuel products by category as a result of the increasing carbon tax out to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49633/21]
• 2021-09-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises in each county connected under the National Broadband Plan in the past 12 months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45065/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide assurances that the State will not face blackouts in winter 2021 as a result of the demands on the electricity generation and transmission network, including from data centres; the steps he is taking to address the increasing number of amber alerts and supply and demand challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44107/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the process and timeline for the introduction and implementation of carbon budgets in view of the recent IPCC report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44108/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the introduction of the microgeneration scheme; when it will be in operation; the way it will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44109/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on claims made in advertisements relating to carbon offsetting and neutrality by companies that provide little detail on such claims; if he will strengthen legislation in this area to prevent misleading advertisements or greenwashing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44101/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government review on the north-south interconnector; the number of times the review group has met; when its report will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44098/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and businesses connected to high-speed broadband in 2021 under the National Broadband Plan; the number of homes and businesses passed under the scheme; the reasons for delays to date; his plans to ramp up the scheme in the time ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44100/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address the increasing number of scam and nuisance phone calls and texts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44102/21]
• 2021-09-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to meet retrofitting targets; if he will set out year-on-year targets by retrofitting programme; if he has examined other funding mechanisms for retrofitting houses given the number of homes that need to be retrofitted and the high up-front cost to households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44099/21]
• 2021-09-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff working in the National Cyber Security Centre in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [43883/21]
• 2021-09-09
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if information will be provided on his Department's review of siting and size conditions for rooftop solar panels on homes and the review of exemptions for educational and community buildings as part of the current development of interim planning regulations; if further information will be provided on the stated need to consider environmental assessment reporting before finalisation; when the interim planning regulations will be submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42070/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the total EU contribution to the Energy Charter Treaty secretariat Ireland’s contribution represents. [40893/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has conducted a risk assessment of liabilities arising from potential legal challenges under the ISDS mechanisms of the Energy Charter Treaty. [40894/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has conducted a risk assessment of liabilities arising from potential legal challenges under the ISDS mechanisms of the Energy Charter Treaty. [40896/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of upgrades to the Moffat pipeline. [41116/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the predicted increase in gas demand by data centres by 2030. [41117/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if a strategic review has been conducted on the impact data centres will have on meeting renewable energy targets or emissions targets; and if any consultation with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has commenced on this issue. [41118/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if emissions from data centres are included under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [41119/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the evidence base of the including of increased electrification in the heat and transport sectors as a relevant factor in the technical analysis to inform a Review of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems request for tender given EirGrid’s analysis shows increased demand for electricity will come exclusively from data centres and not electrification of heat and transport. [41120/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason increased demand for gas, for example, from data centres is not included in the relevant factors in the energy security technical analysis request for tender. [41121/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration scheme will be introduced; the reason for the delay in introducing this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41126/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons on the warmer homes scheme waiting list; the current estimated time from application to completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41128/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households that will have their homes retrofitted under the various schemes in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will be providing a public service obligation for the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41133/21]
• 2021-07-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the findings of the review into the north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41137/21]
• 2021-07-14
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the guidelines for planning and development of solar farms; if there is a regional or spatial element of guidelines for planning authorities; if specific areas or regions within counties are identified as suitable or preferential for farms; if not, if they will be developed in a random ad hoc, less planned way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38617/21]
• 2021-07-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the electricity demand, current and projected has been factored into critical infrastructure planning; the assessments and reports that have been prepared and published in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37379/21]
• 2021-07-07
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to introduce a disability waste waiver to support those living with long-term incontinence for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36569/21]
• 2021-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment of the mobile phone and broadband taskforce; the members and objectives of the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36444/21]
• 2021-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he consulted or will consider consulting the OPW to compile a register of State sites and assets that may be suitable for telecommunications infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36445/21]
• 2021-07-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the implementation of the EU connectivity toolbox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36446/21]
• 2021-06-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding needed to increase the budget of the National Cyber Security Centre to €50 million. [33744/21]
• 2021-06-23
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent of electricity grid expansion in the past decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/21]
• 2021-06-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current holders of the oil and gas licences for the Barryroe oil and gas field off the Cork coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32955/21]
• 2021-06-22
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of Vote 29 with headings and subheadings for 2021, in tabular form. [33275/21]
• 2021-06-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2020 and 2021 by project. [32385/21]
• 2021-06-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of just transition funding; and the number of workers it is expected to support on an annual basis. [32386/21]
• 2021-06-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the environment fund over the past three years. [32387/21]
• 2021-06-16
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of costs associated with the Climate Change Advisory Council for the three most recent years; his views on plans to resource the Council for completing the responsibilities in the Climate Action Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32504/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the implications for Ireland of the recent cyberattack on a pipeline system (details supplied) that resulted in a state of emergency in the United States of America from Florida to Virginia; the actions that have been taken to protect Ireland’s imported gas supply that comes from Britain through an interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is an emergency response plan to deal with a potential cyberattack on an interconnector (details supplied) which supplies Ireland’s imported gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30774/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has evaluated the loss of a day’s gas supply to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30775/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way he plans to deal with the growing energy needs of data centres with Eirgrid’s generation capacity statement of 2020 to 2029 projection that demand from data centres could account for 27% of all demand in Ireland by 2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30776/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes retrofitted in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form on each retrofitting programme; the spend to date on each scheme in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31256/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding currently contained in the Climate Action Fund; the projects that received funding from the fund to date in 2021; the amount of funding each received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/21]
• 2021-06-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding currently contained in the National Oil Reserves Agency Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31903/21]
• 2021-06-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to increase funding and resourcing for the National Cyber Security Centre, NCSC; when the capacity review of the centre will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29408/21]
• 2021-06-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the review of the North-South interconnector will be published; if he will ask Eirgrid to halt all activities relating to the construction of the interconnector, including stopping procurement processes until such a time as the Government review into the project is undertaken and reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29409/21]
• 2021-06-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to tackle illegal dumping; if he intends to amend current legislation to permit the use of anti-dumping CCTV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29406/21]
• 2021-06-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a public service obligation payment for the post office network in order to protect this essential service and prevent further more closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29403/21]
• 2021-06-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 19 May 2021, if he will publish the Just Transition Commissioner’s latest report given the added importance of its timing as the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 progresses through the legislative stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29405/21]
• 2021-06-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that businesses in rural Ireland that have access to slow basic broadband services are not being included in the National Broadband Plan despite their need for access to high speed broadband; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29407/21]
• 2021-05-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to ensure there is a refundable deposit for plastic bottles and aluminium cans that varies by container size as part of the proposed deposit and return scheme which was the preferred option in the most recent consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28889/21]
• 2021-05-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to include a specific target for aluminium cans aside from general metal recycling rates as part of the deposit and return scheme proposal similar to plastic bottles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28600/21]
• 2021-05-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to include the same high collection and recycling targets for those beverage containers which fall outside the scope of the deposit and return scheme particularly glass to ensure there is an increase in ambition across all beverage container types; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28601/21]
• 2021-05-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a takeback obligation on online retailers with no physical presence in Ireland who sell beverage containers within the scope of the deposit and return scheme in the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28602/21]
• 2021-05-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a licence for the exploration of oil and gas will be sold from its holder to another entity; the impact on a licence for the exploration of oil and gas when the company which holds the licence is sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28179/21]
• 2021-05-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish a report (details supplied) which examined the costs of decarbonisation up to 2050; his views on the importance of publishing the report while the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 is progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28232/21]
• 2021-05-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding in each year provided for a just transition; the drawdown in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26842/21]
• 2021-05-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of jobs that have been created in each county using just transition funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26843/21]
• 2021-05-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons who have been provided with upskilling, retraining or further educational opportunities using just transition funding in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26844/21]
• 2021-05-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the next just transition progress report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26845/21]
• 2021-05-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of Ireland’s compliance or non-compliance with each of the international greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25527/21]
• 2021-05-18
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the financial penalties Ireland has already been subject to and will be subject to from 2021-2030 for failure to meet international greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25528/21]
• 2021-05-05
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number in CO2 equivalents or other measure that corresponds to the commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce greenhouse gases by 7% per annum or 51% between 2021 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22733/21]
• 2021-05-05
  PQ
  Asked Agriculture

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of and implementation schedule for action 29 of Ag Climatise A Roadmap towards Climate Neutrality, to Establish a Future of Farming in Ireland Dialogue which will include farmers, scientists, environmentalists and social groups to find practical solutions for productive, sustainable agriculture; the terms of reference of the dialogue; when it will meet first; the list of invited stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22731/21]
• 2021-04-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the recent analysis of Ireland’s energy security that has been undertaken; the way in which he is assessing projected demand and supply in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21221/21]
• 2021-04-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the tender to commission a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems; the timeline and scope of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21222/21]
• 2021-04-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are guidelines in place for telecommunication providers to share mast infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21537/21]
• 2021-04-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the holders of exploration licences, petroleum prospecting licences and petroleum leases; the date each was issued; the date each expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21750/21]
• 2021-04-28
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of replacing the State vehicles that are owned by his Department or agencies under his remit with hybrid or electric models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22564/21]
• 2021-04-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has identified or estimated the percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions for which each Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18427/21]
• 2021-04-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the North South interconnector project is still considered a project of common interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19942/21]
• 2021-04-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the renegotiation of the Trans-European Networks for Energy Regulation, with particular reference to projects of common interest; when these negotiations will conclude; when the proposals will be agreed or made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19943/21]
• 2021-04-21
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the exemptions for Ireland on delivering the environmental objectives of the EU water framework directive within the time period allowed, that is, high or good status by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/21]
• 2021-03-24
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new marine planning and development management Bill will include a minimum distance from the coast for offshore windfarms; if not, if this will be dealt with by way of regulation; if so, if his Department or the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/21]
• 2021-03-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assessment that has been conducted into the impact of remote working on year-on-year household electricity and energy usage, year-on-year overall electricity and energy usage; the implications of same for climate policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13762/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if he has amended the Bill to include recommendations from the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action; if so, the recommendations adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if EirGrid has recently sought between €700 million and €3 billion for grid investment; if so, the new and existing projects this will fund; the way in which he plans to deliver this crucial grid investment while also working with local communities; his views on delays to key grid improvements and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13517/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken to an Taoiseach regarding the concerns in regard to the proposed North-South interconnector; his plans to address the significant concerns of local representatives and communities across counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan; if funding will be provided to underground this important project for the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans for all persons in Ireland to have access to high-speed broadband when commercial operators are reluctant or refuse outright to extend existing lines, even by a few metres, to other homes and businesses in need of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13263/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans to address the concerns of households that rely on solid fuels for their heating while also recognising the need to improve air quality; if he has examined new schemes that can help such households transition to cleaner heating sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to combat fly tipping and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12598/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of litter wardens employed by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount each local authority spent in 2018, 2019 and 2020 cleaning up fly tipping and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/21]
• 2021-03-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and value of on-the-spot fines issued for littering in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of prosecutions and convictions in relation to same for the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12601/21]
• 2021-03-04
  PQ
  Asked Housing

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there has been an update to the 1987 Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government document A Policy for the Provision and Maintenance of Parks, Open Spaces and Outdoor Recreation Areas by Local Authorities; if not, if this remains the only national advice specifically for local authorities providing for parks, open spaces and outdoor recreational activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12411/21]
• 2021-02-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national clean air Strategy; if this strategy will contain a ban on the cutting, selling or burning of turf for domestic heating purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7605/21]
• 2021-02-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that many households, particularly in rural Ireland, still depend on burning turf as a heating source for their homes; if the cutting or burning of turf will not be prevented for domestic heating purposes in the absence of the State providing alternatives for these households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7606/21]
• 2021-02-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to raise the borrowing limits of semi-State companies under his remit to permit higher borrowing for climate-focused investments; the proposals being examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7767/21]
• 2021-02-11
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if new environmental criteria are to be applied to existing or new transport projects as part of the review of the national development plan; if so, if he will outline the new criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7607/21]
• 2021-02-04
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the sanctions in place for those who breach the smoky coal ban either by the continued burning or selling of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6104/21]
• 2021-02-04
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there is a date by which polluting diesel trains should all have been removed from the rail network and replaced by more environmentally sustainable alternatives as in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6091/21]
• 2021-02-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budget allocated to each retrofit scheme (details supplied) in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5353/21]
• 2021-02-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a maximum amount a person or household is allowed claim in various grants from the SEAI in one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5354/21]
• 2021-02-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount each of the top ten persons and households claimed from the SEAI using various grant schemes in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5355/21]
• 2021-02-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons and households that claimed more than €20,000 in various grants combined from the SEAI in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5356/21]
• 2021-02-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if gold prospecting is defined as essential work during the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5668/21]
• 2021-01-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of State-owned buildings that will require retrofitting by county; the number that have been completed to date; the estimated investment that will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3584/21]
• 2021-01-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of homes that will remain without access to high-speed broadband after the national broadband plan is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3701/21]
• 2021-01-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which it is ensured that State retrofitting funding is directed to areas it is most needed, that is, to the lowest income, coldest and most vulnerable households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3702/21]
• 2021-01-27
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding introducing a nationwide smoky coal ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the transposition of the EU electronic communications code; if the directive will be transposed prior to a temporary derogation that is currently subject to a rapid agreement at trilogue on a final text; his views on the concerns expressed by persons (details supplied) in regard to a lack of derogation and its consequences on the production and circulation of child sexual abuse material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3024/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the State-funded retrofitting grants available in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total funding provided by SEAI in retrofitting grants in 2019 and 2020 by the total funding provided in each local authority area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3339/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if equality impact assessments have been conducted on retrofitting schemes; if so, the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3340/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons on waiting lists for each SEAI grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3341/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the uptake of SEAI grants particularly in relation to persons on lower incomes due to the high cost of energy efficiency works that are not covered by existing grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1582/21]
• 2021-01-21
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which high-speed broadband will be provided to areas not covered under the national broadband plan and in which commercial operators are reluctant or refuse to extend existing lines even by a few metres to other homes and businesses in need of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1583/21]
• 2021-01-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the work of the Climate Action Forum (details supplied); the number of times the forum has met since its creation; the Ministers who have met under the forum since its creation; the projects that have been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44763/20]
• 2021-01-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the existing climate action responsibilities of local authorities; the devolved powers local authorities have in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44766/20]
• 2021-01-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 26 November 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is estimated that approximately 30,000 new and corrected Eircodes are currently missing from a service (details supplied) and that some members of the public have been reporting that due to the fact that their code is missing they have not been able to avail of some commercial services; if he will invoke his specific oversight authority under the Communications Regulation (Postal Services Act) 2011 to consider specific non-postal services related uses of the national postcode in order to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45074/20]
• 2021-01-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 26 November 2020, his plans to instruct his Department to immediately proceed with the well-resourced national campaign to raise awareness regarding privacy dangers associated with the use of Eircode as recommended in the Privacy Impact Assessment for Eircode that was carried out by a company (details supplied) in 2015 under contract to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45103/20]
• 2020-12-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of State investment planned for investment in offshore wind energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39778/20]
• 2020-12-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for State owned offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39779/20]
• 2020-12-01
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of energy produced from offshore windfarms; the projected level of energy that will be produced from offshore windfarms in each year from 2020 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39780/20]
• 2020-11-26
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn the delay with transferring new Eircode locations to an application (details supplied); the terms of the contracts in place to ensure the transfer happens in a timely manner; if he is satisfied that the terms of the contract are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39425/20]
• 2020-11-25
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which it is planned in Ireland to meet the target of a society (details supplied) of all European households having access to 100 Mbps connections by 2025 given the fact that the national broadband plan is limited in its areas of intervention; the specific interventions that will be made in non-intervention areas; the details of the stakeholders responsible to deliver on the 2025 target; the plan they are working to; the progress being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39124/20]
• 2020-11-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the most recent estimated cost for undergrounding the North-South Interconnector; the year in which the cost was estimated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38234/20]
• 2020-11-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the North-South Interconnector will be constructed if Eirgrid or the construction contractors ESB do not have permission from land owners to access private land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/20]
• 2020-11-24
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Minister Nichola Mallon on the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/20]
• 2020-11-24
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the terms of reference of the current review of the proposed Navan rail line; the threshold for approval and the variables and calculations used to decide this; the extent to which benefits to the environment and the well-being of citizens will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/20]
• 2020-11-19
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government position on the disposing of waste in landfills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/20]
• 2020-11-11
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project in tabular form. [35502/20]
• 2020-11-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concerns and suggestions brought forward by stakeholders and experts at the pre-legislative scrutiny meetings on the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action; his plans to amend the Bill to take account of these concerns and suggestions to strengthen the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35129/20]
• 2020-11-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the rolling out of green infrastructure, including smart meters, EV charging points and home retrofitting, have been subject to a human rights and equality impact assessment as required under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35127/20]
• 2020-11-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to provide policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to extend the moratorium on disconnections of gas and electricity past 1 December 2020 when the current moratorium is set to lapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35128/20]
• 2020-11-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a community survey (details supplied) conducted in Gormanston, County Meath, regarding the lack of quality broadband in the area; the measures he is taking to improve broadband provision and quality in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34721/20]
• 2020-11-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to local community groups that wish to have an independent assessment of noise conducted particularly as it might relate to industrial noise pollution; if the EPA or other authorities can assist with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35305/20]
• 2020-11-10
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the progress in delivering on the programme for Government commitment to publish a national clean air strategy and to develop a regional approach to air quality and noise enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of domestic gas and electricity disconnections for failure to pay a bill in each month to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32739/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of times he has used his power under section 10A of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999; the area of policy direction that was given to the Commission each time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33413/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the legislative protections in place to ensure customers who are having difficulties with the customer service received from their broadband or phone provider are properly addressed; the recourse consumers have if they are unsatisfied with the way in which their complaint is handled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Communications Regulation in 2019 by the name of the company in respect of which the complaint was lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33901/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Communications Regulation in 2019 by the type of complaint lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33902/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in 2019 by the name of the company in respect of which the complaint was lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33903/20]
• 2020-11-03
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of complaints made to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in 2019 by the type of complaint lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33904/20]
• 2020-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane as mentioned in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31154/20]
• 2020-10-20
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the retrofit plans announced in budget 2021 including the target completions, the total budget, the source of this funding and the cost per house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31480/20]
• 2020-10-15
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 6 October 2020, if he will provide a breakdown of the over 8,000 homes on the scheme waiting list by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30843/20]
• 2020-10-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he has contacted electricity and gas providers in relation to proposed increases in prices during the Covid-19 pandemic; the providers he has made contact with; the outcome of these discussions; his views on not increasing energy prices during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29962/20]
• 2020-10-13
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the impact the large increase in the PSO will have on electricity customers during the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the fact hundreds of thousands of persons are already struggling financially. [29963/20]
• 2020-10-06
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if it is the case that works on the SEAI warmer home scheme were suspended or are suspended due to Covid-19; the number of homes affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28793/20]
• 2020-10-01
  PQ
  Asked Transport

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 28 July 2020, if he will undertake to collate the data from now on to ensure that his attention is drawn to the number of private jets operating here in view of the significant impact they have on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27849/20]
• 2020-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the cost breakdown to the ESB of installing a standard electric vehicle charge point and a fast charging electric vehicle charge point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27455/20]
• 2020-09-30
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of public charging points for electric vehicles that have been constructed; the number currently in operation; the number of new charging points planned for the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27456/20]
• 2020-09-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to restore the grant available to persons to upgrade their boiler within residential homes. [27138/20]
• 2020-09-29
  PQ
  Asked Environment

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken formally to the CEO of ESB Networks in the past two months; and if so, the issues discussed. [27139/20]
• 2020-07-30
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of introducing a deposit return scheme here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/20]
• 2020-07-30
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the capital projects his Department will fund in 2020 and 2021; the budget for each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/20]
• 2020-07-30
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reports he has commissioned in 2019 and 2020; the titles of the reports completed but unpublished in 2019 and 2020; the cost of each report in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20825/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual target completions and budget for the retrofitting plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an audit has been carried out on publicly owned buildings regarding their energy rating and their potential need for retrofitting; if an estimated cost has been calculated for the publicly owned buildings which need to be retrofitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of retrofitting an average home; the total estimated spend by the State on retrofitting each year from July 2020 until 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the 2020 budget allocations for all the offices, agencies and semi-State companies under his remit including additional funding allocated as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18191/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that companies (details supplied) jointly requested and obtained approval from the regulators here and Northern Ireland for exceptional funding to commence an advanced procurement process prior to receipt of planning approval having signed procurement contracts without planning approval yet fully obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18192/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the individual home energy grant schemes available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of applications for each grant; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded under each heading; the annual spend on each home energy grant scheme in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18317/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for electric vehicle grants made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded; the annual spend on electric vehicle grants in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18318/20]
• 2020-07-28
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications for electric vehicle home charging point grants made to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2019; the number of grants awarded; the average value of grant awarded; the total annual spend on electric vehicle home charging point grants in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18319/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the renewable energy projects he will pursue to help reduce the reliance of Ireland on fossil fuels in view of the Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas emissions projections report published recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16250/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the quadrupling of the carbon tax over the next decade is going to disproportionately affect those who can least afford it and contribute to already high levels of fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16251/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the North-South interconnector; if his attention has been drawn to the considerable local opposition to the proposed pylons included in this plan; his views on an independent review of this project which will consider the undergrounding of these power lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16252/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of progress of the national broadband plan; the amount spent to date; the number of homes and businesses that have been and are yet to be connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16068/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on improving the level of community ownership of wind farms here; his further views on whether the State should intervene to help support local communities establishing and running their own wind farms which can power their own local energy needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce legislation in line with the provisions in the Microgeneration Support Scheme Bill 2017 that would empower persons and local communities to produce renewable energy that they can then use and sell the excess of back to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16069/20]
• 2020-07-15
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will expedite the implementation of the recommendations included in the Just Transition Commissioner’s first report published in early 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/20]
• 2020-07-14
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the restructuring of his Department; the agencies and offices that now fall under his remit; the offices and agencies that have been removed from his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/20]
• 2020-07-14
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated budget allocation for his reconfigured Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/20]
• 2020-05-20
  PQ
  Asked Communications

  Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagements he has had with utility companies in an effort to reduce consumer utility bills during the Covid-19 crisis; if he has considered or proposed the introduction of off-peak rates on a permanent basis for telephone, broadband, electricity and gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/20]