First, I congratulate Deputy Seán Kyne on his re-election to Dáil Éireann.
Sentiment score: 0.49
He is very welcome. Addressing energy affordability is a key priority for this Government. That is why, in June of last year, the Department established the national energy affordability task force, NEAT, to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The first report of the task force informed key aspects of budget 2026. That included a 15%, or €5 per week, increase to the fuel allowance, providing an additional €140 to recipients during the annual fuel allowance season. Eligibility for the fuel allowance was also expanded to include those in receipt of the working family payment and there was an extension to 2030 of the reduced VAT rate of 9%, which is applied to gas and electricity. A €400 income tax disregard for households involved in microgeneration was also extended for a further three years. A record €640 million is also being provided to support the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's residential and community energy upgrade scheme this year. This includes €340 million for the warmer homes scheme, which provides fully funded upgrades for households in energy poverty. The allocation means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. According to the SEAI, since 2019 over 17,000 homes have been upgraded in Galway alone under SEAI schemes, including over 1,400 fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the warmer homes scheme, and over 7,300 solar PV installations. The NEAT continues to work intensively on an energy affordability action plan to be submitted to the Government in quarter 3 of this year. This action plan will focus on short-, medium- and long-term measures, such as addressing the price of energy, sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility, and addressing energy poverty, customer protections and energy affordability for businesses.
Sentiment score: 0.29
I thank the Deputy for his question. When we saw the huge volatility and the energy crisis that resulted from events in the Middle East, we introduced unprecedented supports. We expanded the fuel allowance for an additional four weeks, which provided some comfort for those who use home heating oil. Notwithstanding the pressures that energy costs are putting on many families and recognising the scale of the intervention that has already been delivered, we also recognise what is still required. That is why, through the national energy affordability task force, we are moving to the next phase, which is to move away from emergency supports to more long-term affordable solutions. The core driver is reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuels, scaling up renewables and improving energy efficiency. We want to continue to protect those who are most vulnerable. As I said, a comprehensive plan, which will come to the Government in quarter 3 of this year, will include a number of measures for those who are in energy poverty and those who need them most.
Sentiment score: 0.29
I take the points the Deputy has raised. We will feed in the challenges that many households that rely on kerosene face. The task force will engage with other Departments such as the Department of Social Protection on how the fuel allowance can better support those who require it. That is exactly how this should be structured. There should not be just one published document, but a phased approach in which we see immediate measures being delivered in the budget 2027 as well as further targeted actions, which can be finalised in the winter ahead, and a clear delivery timeline for the action plan itself. I take the points the Deputy has raised with regard to his constituents, especially those in rural areas who rely on oil and kerosene. I am sure we will engage with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and other Departments on that.
Sentiment score: 0.31
I thank the Deputy for the question. The framework for governance and oversight of the deposit return scheme, DRS, is set out in the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2024, the ministerial approval issued under those regulations and the code of corporate governance for compliance schemes. While Re-turn is responsible for all operational and funding matters relating to the DRS, officials from my Department monitor performance of the scheme closely and meet Re-turn monthly to review progress. In addition, quarterly meetings are held to discuss strategic priorities and governance matters. I have also met representatives of the company on a number of occasions. Regulation 7 of the DRS regulations provides for a review of Re-turn's approval three years after the grant of approval and every third year thereafter. Re-turn's approval was granted in July 2022, which means the first review was initiated in 2025, and this remains under consideration. As this is the first review since the scheme went live, a number of matters require review to ensure the continued effectiveness of the scheme. The scheme is performing very well to date. Communities around the country are making the most of this new fundraising opportunity and enjoying huge reductions in litter. The 2026 Irish Business Against Litter annual survey, which was published last week, reported cans and plastic bottles litter is down 50% since the scheme was introduced in early 2024. The approval also obliges the company to achieve two separate collection and recycling targets, namely, by 2025 to have an amount equal to 77% of products placed on the market by weight, and by 2029 to have an amount equal to 90% of products placed on the market by weight. The company will publish its annual report for 2025 in the coming weeks and will set out its performance against those targets and other metrics in detail.
Sentiment score: 0.39
On accessibility, support and engagement are ongoing for those who require more adaptable Re-turn machines. The matter has certainly been brought to the attention of Re-turn and we have raised it. It is an operational issue for it. As the scheme continues to mature, more new initiatives will be included, not just through retailers but as part of the current review process. In terms of the unredeemed deposits, the huge amounts that are sitting with a return are a significant issue, but it is also an opportunity. That money does not go to profit for return. It is reinvested in the scheme around educational awareness, but also circular initiatives. Again, it is my clear expectation that these funds will continue to strengthen and improve the system, notwithstanding the fact that we need to get to a more sustainable model. As the scheme continues to deliver as intended, those unredeemed deposits will continue to reduce.
Sentiment score: 0.27
Through the ongoing governance and reviews, we get monthly operational and monitoring data. That is reviewed by our Department. We also get quarterly governance and strategic reviews. This is part of the statutory approval process, notwithstanding the strict corporate code of practice around this scheme. In response to the Deputy's point, we will continue to bring forward new initiatives if they are raised within this House and can be practically implemented. Overall, nationally we have seen a high uptake. More than 77% of PET bottles and aluminium cans are being collected and separated. We have seen a huge uptake in regard to it. More than 2 billion bottles and cans are being processed on the island of Ireland, which is significant. We will continue to engage with Re-Turn on how it can continue to adapt and deliver for all our communities and make it more accessible to people who require it.
Sentiment score: 0.13
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 38 together. I thank the Deputy for his question. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, is currently undertaking a multi-annual review of electricity network tariffs. Electricity network tariffs recover the costs of developing, operating, and maintaining the networks from the users connected to the electricity networks. The review will seek to put in place a framework for how network tariffs should be structured to ensure they are in the best interest of consumers, are fit for purpose for the modern evolving electricity networks and to help facilitate a low-carbon future. The tariff review will take account of upcoming legal proposals from the European Commission on network charges which are expected to be published in July. It is anticipated that the legal proposals will aim to expedite the transition towards a more electrified, more efficient and more resilient energy system that can lower prices for consumers. For the decarbonisation pathway to be efficient, our energy system must be smart. A smart and flexible energy system will reduce consumer energy bills by reducing the amount of generation and network assets that need to be built to meet peak demand. Since 2019, capital expenditure of over €1.8 billion has delivered more than 268,000 home energy upgrades, including over 36,300 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the warmer homes scheme to the end of May 2026. A rooftop revolution is under way across Ireland. More than 112,000 homes have received solar PV grants since the scheme began. The SEAI had received over 15,000 applications for solar PV in 2026, to the end of April. This is a 72% increase on the total applications in 2025. Some 99% of new housing is A-rated. I recognise the importance of helping households and businesses under pressure as a result of increasing energy prices. The cross-government national energy affordability task force, NEAT, will play a key role in this regard. NEAT is working intensively on an energy affordability action plan, which will be focused on short, medium and longer term measures to support households and businesses to meet their energy costs. The action plan will be built around four key pillars: addressing the price of energy; sustainable demand and enhancing flexibility; addressing energy poverty and customer protections; and energy affordability for businesses. To facilitate this, a number of NEAT subgroups has been established, bringing together officials from a wide range of Departments and agencies. A period of intensive engagement to refine options for consideration by the task force is under way, with subgroups meeting on an ongoing basis. This work is also being supported by structured engagement with relevant external stakeholders. The action plan will be submitted to the Government in the third quarter of this year.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I again thank the Deputy for the points he raises. I fully understand the concerns. Householders need confidence when switching to electricity that it will save them money. We have seen with the number of applications for SEAI grants but also for solar PV grants that those investments are reaping rewards. Electrification, when combined with efficiency and renewables, will lower energy costs over time for households. That is very much what we are focused on. Heat pumps in well-insulated homes reduce household heating bills. Solar PV allows households to generate their own electricity. We have seen a huge uptake in EVs and that has significantly reduced fuel and maintenance costs. These are the real drivers of ensuring that we can reduce our exposure to volatile, fossil fuel prices, particularly gas. That is why the Minister, through the SEAI and others, is scaling up the supports. We are also scaling up our renewable electricity at pace, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, but also building a more stable, low-cost system. Through NEAT, we are also bringing forward additional measures that will continue to support households. The risk to households who do not move to electrification in that they could stay locked into expensive fossil fuels. We will look at how we can utilise best practice, be it through smart meters, looking at lower tariffs, better use, better efficiency and better supports. That is the way forward for many consumers and households.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I understand the points the Deputy raised. The challenge of high electricity prices is well-understood. That is actively shaping Government policy in terms of regulatory discussions and decisions, but also how we continue to prioritise investment through price review, PR, 6, through ESB Networks and also EirGrid. That is precisely also why we have commissioned the regulator of utilities to undertake an in-depth, fundamental and multi-annual review of the electricity network tariffs. That review is very important in ensuring the costs are shared fairly right across users on the system, that households are protected, that they are not paying the most but also that they are protected from disproportionate impact, and that the tariff system supports electrification rather than acting as a barrier. That work will certainly be aligned with future forthcoming EU proposals that will be brought forward. We want to continue to invest in our grid and bring more renewables on-stream, continue to support households and businesses through SEAI supports and ensure that businesses and households are protected into the future. We have already delivered in some of these areas. We reduced the VAT rate on electricity, in line with gas, to 9%. We have also increased the fuel allowance and its eligibility, bringing many recipients of the working family payment into direct energy supports. We will continue to shape budget 2027 around the energy affordability piece, working with other Departments, such as the Department of Social Protection, for those who are at risk of energy poverty.
Sentiment score: 0.25
I thank the Deputy for his question. The warmer homes scheme aims to improve home energy efficiency and warmth for people at risk of energy poverty. It is a nationwide scheme delivering 100% funded energy efficiency improvements to the homes of people in receipt of certain welfare payments, thereby making their homes more comfortable and energy efficient and reducing their energy costs. The scheme is operated by the SEAI on behalf of the Department and is funded through carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF. From 2019 to the end of May 2026, SEAI schemes have provided more than €1.8 billion in support to homeowners for over 268,000 home energy improvements, including more than 36,300 fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the warmer homes schemes. Some 8,139 homes were upgraded under the scheme in 2025. In quarter 1 of 2026, the average cost of upgrades under the scheme, which were fully funded, was just over €31,000. The breakdown of average wait times under the scheme in 2025 is as follows: 6.5 months for applications prior to publication of the building energy rating, BER; 13.5 months for applications for survey completed; 14.8 months for applications for contractor allocation; and 22 months for applications for work completed. The overall waiting time for applications for works completed represents a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. In parallel with that decrease in the average waiting time, the number of homes upgraded in a year has almost doubled in the same period, increasing from more than 4,200 in 2022 to over 8,100 in 2025. The reduction in waiting times and increase in the number of home upgrades follows a range of measures introduced by my Department and the SEAI. They include the allocation of additional staff to the warmer homes scheme, a significantly increased budget allocation, active contract engagement management by the SEAI to increase contractor output, and actions to address ongoing supply chain pressures.
Sentiment score: 0.36
I thank the Deputy for raising those important points. He has been consistent in his advocacy for improvements in waiting times for the scheme. The Minister will meet again with SEAI representatives to try to progress and build more efficiencies into the programme. We are not where we want to be. We want to make the scheme more agile. Demand for it has increased significantly, as I said, because it is fully funded. We understand the real benefits it provides to households. At the same time, the level of work involved, often amounting to full home retrofits, means these are complex projects, not quick fixes. The grants available are in the region of €31,000, which is significant. We have allocated record levels of funding to support the scheme and we have also increased contractor capacity. We will continue to work with the SEAI to make the process more efficient. We are very much committed to delivering twice as many upgrades annually compared with the numbers a few years ago. We will continue to do that in the months ahead.
Sentiment score: 0.30
I again thank the Deputy for his work to try to streamline the process. I know he has engaged directly with the SEAI on a case-by-case basis regarding the operational details. There is no lack of oversight by the Department. We are very closely monitoring the overall performance with a view to improving it. We want to drive improvements and deliver more capacity within the schemes. That in itself will provide many more of the upgrades that people desperately need and that will reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and make their homes more comfortable and cheaper to heat and run. The objective of streamlining the process, maintaining the quality and increasing the speed of delivery is why we have allocated €340 million this year. The ambition is that it will deliver more than 11,500 upgrades. That is exactly what we are focused on doing.
Sentiment score: 0.18