Energy Policy
7. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on the work of the national energy affordability task force; when the action plan will be produced; the way in which timelines on implementation will be managed so as to assist households and business in advance of winter 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44562/26]
I am seeking an update on the work of the national energy affordability task force; when the action plan will be produced; the implementation timelines; and what will be done to assist households and businesses in advance of the coming winter.
First, I congratulate Deputy Seán Kyne on his re-election to Dáil Éireann.
Hear, hear.
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.
I acknowledge the work of the Government in assisting those in fuel poverty and under pressure, the extension of the fuel allowance season and the continuation of the reduction in VAT on electricity on gas. We saw during March and April significant increases in the price of home heating oil. Thankfully, that has now come back to a degree but it was certainly a shock to the budgets of many homeowners. While I acknowledge the medium and longer term role of retrofitting as well as the moneys being spent from the carbon tax on the fuel allowance and retrofitting and the investment by the Government and the work of the Department, how can we prepare for such a shock, if it were to happen again in the coming winter, in terms of home heating kerosine prices?
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.
I thank the Minister of State for his response. I agree that the action plan needs to be flexible in relation to such shocks. I know this is not just an issue for his Department, and requires a whole-of-government response. During the winter period, demand for and usage of home heating oil will increase in Galway and Mayo. We will have colder nights and people will stay in for longer. I certainly hope that there is, in the action plan and in the Department, work taking place to engage with the Minister for Finance and other Ministers to ensure there will be a response should there be another home heating oil price shock. I acknowledge the medium and longer term view in relation to retrofitting, insulation and alternative sources, but we also have to look at the here and now for those under pressure.
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.
Legislative Process
8. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the timeline to enact the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44544/26]
It is now a year and five months since Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc on this country and caused so much damage. We were promised at that time that the Government would take effective measures to implement the learnings from this storm. I welcome the Minister's major commitment to upgrade energy infrastructure and to very substantial funding. There is also a need to implement new legislative measures, with particular regard to the relationship between forestry and power lines. I would like to know what the status of that legislation is because we do not want to be in a position where another storm happens and many areas of country are without electricity again.
I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important matter. The Bill to which he refers, the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025, is being progressed by my Department as part of a wider programme of work to strengthen the resilience of Ireland's electricity network in the context of climate change and increasingly severe storms. Lessons have and must continue to be learned from Storm Éowyn. We have seen significant work done in relation to the clearing of forestry corridors and debris. That work is under way.
The overarching objective is to ensure that overhead electricity networks and forestry can coexist in a manner that delivers a secure, reliable and climate-resilient electricity supply for homes, businesses and communities. The Bill will make provisions for a number of amendments, which include enhanced proactive vegetation management measures to protect the electricity network, including powers to clear vegetation likely to interfere with the network; the establishment and maintenance of forestry corridors to improve resilience and operational safety for the network; and statutory regulation of future forestry planting in proximity to the electricity network.
The Bill is informed by lessons learned from Storm Éowyn and other severe weather events where we have seen specific vulnerabilities in parts of the country.
The proposed legislation seeks to provide a clear statutory framework to facilitate the proactive management of vegetation and forestry risks, while balancing environmental considerations, forestry interests and the rights of landowners. That is under way while, as the Deputy has recognised, we are investing in critical grid infrastructure across the country.
The updated draft heads of Bill are currently being revised and the team in my Department continues to engage, as a matter of priority, with stakeholders, in particular the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but also ESB Networks, forestry representatives, landowner organisations and the Office of the Attorney General.
I thank the Minister for his reply. It should not be rocket science to bring forward these new legislative measures. The initial legislation in this area in this State is the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, which was amended in 1999 to address the relationship between forestry and transmission lines. For years, I have raised in this House the difficulties facing communities, especially those in my county of Cavan, and also across Leitrim and into Sligo. Year after year, during lesser storms than Storm Éowyn, trees were falling and bringing down power lines. I could be certain every January and February that I would have numerous calls from constituents who were without power due to forestry falling on power lines. This issue should have been addressed before Storm Éowyn. I know the Minister is prioritising it but legislation at official level moves far too slowly. This has to be given priority, as he said. There is no reason this type of legislation should not be enacted quickly and effectively. The last thing we want is to have forestry continuing to damage our critical infrastructure, including telecoms and ESB lines.
I agree with the Deputy. This is a priority. It needs to move quicker but there are a lot of stakeholders. To be frank about it, this is being made more complex than it should be because we are respecting the views of other stakeholders. We need to ensure the regulatory changes needed for new forestry are in place because the State is not going to be able to, nor should it, manage every private forest or private piece of land in the country. The State should not pay for it all either. The agreement with the Irish Farmers Association that was in place, which was a relatively loose agreement on forestry management, needs to be updated and put in legislation. We are operating under the 1927 Act and grey areas have been identified with respect to right of access. We are bottoming those out now. I met my team earlier this week. We are dependent on other stakeholders and Departments to work with us, which they are doing, but this needs to be done really quickly. I share the Deputy's sense of frustration with the pace heretofore but I assure him the legislation is being afforded priority. We need to get it done.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I cannot emphasise enough the priority that needs to be attached to this. We know the horrendous hardship and suffering that were inflicted on so many individuals, families and communities. Unfortunately, that also happened prior to Storm Éowyn. We are going to have more severe weather events, according to all predictions. Whatever needs to be done, the relevant measures have to be put in place rapidly. Under no circumstances can we have this idea that people can plant land up to other people's houses and all of that. There has to be strict regulation. Also, where the Department of agriculture is paying out premiums for forestry, it should have an inspection regime to ensure forests are properly maintained.
Absolutely.
It is the lack of maintenance that has allowed trees and forestry to cause so much damage. What has happened previously cannot be allowed continue. I implore the Minister again to emphasise to the stakeholders, namely, other Departments and the statutory agencies, that this legislation has to be prioritised.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute, as I did in 2025, to members of the emergency services who worked in very difficult circumstances to try to help families and communities, especially in ESB Networks.
The work of our emergency services is exceptional. We saw the difficulties they had to operate under following recent storms, including Storm Chandra and Storm Éowyn.
This work needs to be concluded. There is complexity in it. I hate even using the word because it seems like it is an excuse, but there is genuine complexity here. It involves updating legislation but also updating the operation and management of forestry. I agree with the Deputy completely that forestry owners have an absolute responsibility. That is why we need to get agreement now that we want re-afforestation across the country, with forests planted and maintained in such a way that we do not create a problem further down the road. We have nearly concluded that work and I will be convening stakeholders again in the next week or so. I expect to bring heads of Bill back to the Government well in advance of the summer recess. I completely understand the urgency of this legislation and I will keep the Deputy directly informed. I am aware of the impact this issue has had on areas of the country where there are large amounts of forestry, including the Deputy's area. Some of that forestry has not been managed or managed appropriately. I will keep him directly informed.
With the permission of the House the next question, which is in the name of Deputy Barry Ward, will be taken by Deputy Kyne.
Recycling Policy
9. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any Departmental review of the deposit return scheme; the mechanisms in place to measure the success of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43426/26]
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.
I thank the Minister of State for the response. It is good to see the statistics from Irish Business Against Litter showing a reduction of can and bottle litter. It is certainly welcome. There have been some concerns raised about the accessibility of the machines to wheelchair users, where the unclaimed deposit money will go and how long it is in the system, as well as how the machines' screens are not photosensitive, meaning they are bright at night when they do not need to be and are therefore using excess energy. Perhaps these issues could be looked at.
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.
It is important that unclaimed deposits be kept under review. Are there any regional differences in the uptake of the scheme? Is that something that could be examined, in particular whether particular parts of the country are lower? It is likely to be the case. There would be an average level and there would be some with higher rates of use and others with lower rates of use and return. We could engage with such communities to see what the issues, problems, stumbling blocks and impediments are to the uptake or what more could be done to improve the rates in those areas.
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.
Questions Nos. 10 to 11, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.
Electricity Grid
12. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline if his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the current high cost of electricity on the Government's own electrification and decarbonisation targets; the measures that are in place to ensure that the cost of necessary grid infrastructure investment does not fall disproportionately on domestic consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44140/26]
38. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps being taken to ensure that retail electricity prices are brought to a level that makes electrification a genuinely affordable proposition for ordinary households, given the Government’s ambition to accelerate the electrification of Irish homes through heat pumps, electric vehicles, and other demand-side measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44139/26]
I welcome the opportunity to raise this important matter. Has the Department looked into the impact of high electricity prices in Ireland on the uptake of technology like heat pumps, electric vehicles, EVs, and home batteries that are needed to meet our decarbonisation target, and how that might impact on our 2030 targets?
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.
Ireland has set an ambitious decarbonisation target of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030, which is nearly full electrification of heat and transport. I heard from constituents who have recently undertaken works to electrify their homes and from others who are considering it. The price of electricity means the payback calculations, unfortunately, no longer stack up. We face a situation where, unfortunately, the technologies required to meet our reduction targets are being undermined by the cost of energy that powers them. We cannot afford to set targets and then allow market conditions to quietly hollow them out. What plans does the Minister of State have in place to ensure the public have confidence in making investments into these technologies for the future?
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.
The electrification of our economy is the right policy direction but it will only succeed if ordinary households are not priced out of it. Ireland already has some of the highest electricity prices in Europe. The scale of grid investment required over the coming decade is enormous and there is a real concern that the cost of that infrastructure will be loaded onto domestic electricity bills through network charges.
If this continues, the people we are asking to switch to EVs and heat pumps are also the people being hit hardest by the cost of investing in the infrastructure needed to support our transition to full electrification. Will the Minister of State outline clearly how the Government will ensure that the burden of grid investment is distributed fairly and does not fall unequally on the domestic consumer who it is pushing to do the right thing?
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.
Renewable Energy Generation
13. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update offshore wind projects; the amount of offshore wind that is expected to be connected by 2030, 2032 and 2035, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43821/26]
Five phase 1 offshore projects are currently in planning, as the Deputy will be aware, off our east coast, with planned capacity of 3.8 GW. All five have submitted planning applications and first determinations from An Coimisiún Pleanála are anticipated on at least two of these by the end of this year, with the others to follow in 2027. The reason for that is they received detailed requests for further information, particularly around bird surveys. Subject to planning approval, I anticipate that some of these projects will be in construction by 2030. I do not see any of them being electrified, although there is the possibility of one, with a fair wind, if the Deputy will excuse the pun. I have said that publicly. Our focus is in getting them into construction and operational by the early 2030s.
We also have the 900 MW Tonn Nua project off the coast of Waterford. It was the only successful auction in the EU. If Britain is included as part of the European Continent, it was one of only two, along with allocation round 7, AR7. I expect that to be energised in 2033. Tonn Nua was the first of four sites to be brought to auction from the south coast designated maritime area plan, DMAP. We are making preparations to bring the remaining three south coast DMAP sites to auction over the coming period.
Separately, we are in the middle of the national DMAP process, that is, mapping our full maritime area to build that pipeline of sites into the future to be able to continue with regular auctions. That is to facilitate a further 20 GW.
I am not being evasive but I cannot say this we will have in 2030, 2032 or beyond. Suffice it to say, it is getting these ones out of planning and getting the phase 1 ones into construction. Tonn Nua is now done. I want to move on Lí Ban, for an auction there, and then conclude the national DMAP work by 2027, which is what we said we would do.
The Minister pointed on some of the issues that I want to raise. The first is what has been identified as a substantial delay in the planning system. This was reported on and accounted in the Oireachtas committee at the back end of last year. There were examples there, which he touched on, in terms of entering into the planning system in 2024, an expectation that people would have a decision in 2025 and instead they get a massive request for further information. I would make two related points on that. The first is that it felt like a planning system getting used to new types of applications. Is that something that we can expect in the future will be resolved? The second is the capacity in the planning system and the staffing of it. It does not fall directly under the Minister's remit, but where is that?
To be fair, on the Deputy's first point, that is acknowledge by what was then An Bord Pleanála and is now An Coimisiún Pleanála. Certainly, those were the first type of projects that they ever had to deal with. I agree there are learnings and they have learnt from them. Second, the planning environment is different now. New applications will come under the Planning and Development Act 2024, which sets strict timelines on planning decisions and sets timelines around requests for further information and how often further information can be requested. In short, that will improve the situation.
In relation to resources, I can tell the Deputy, given my previous portfolio, that we have increased resources in An Coimisiún Pleanála by over 50% and we have restructured an coimisiún. An coimisiún is meeting approximately 90% of its targets. I commend the officials on the work they are doing. The decisions are coming out quicker and more efficiently.
The Deputy made a very fair point. Tthese were large projects that had not been seen in the planning system previously. The learnings from them have been acknowledged. With the new planning Act, I expect that planning for new offshore wind projects will go through much quicker and much more efficiently.
That is something that we need to keep a continued emphasis on to ensure that these applications are processed in a timely manner and that all of the necessary scrutiny is conducted from all aspects.
One of the key enabling infrastructures around offshore wind is our ports infrastructure. In terms of the development of our ports infrastructure, will we be ready to take advantage of the opportunity that presents itself in terms of offshore wind, whether in terms of ports for the maintenance of these facilities or for their construction?
Ports will be critical. In the coming couple of weeks, certainly before the recess, we will be bringing the new national ports policy to Cabinet. A lot of work has gone into it, and fed in by stakeholders as well. The east coast will be very important on that. That will come to Cabinet and then we will publish it. That will go out for consultation and every party and all stakeholders will get to see it.
Right now, Belfast is the only port that one could say will be able to carry out both. Belfast will be important to the island of Ireland and I see it being utilised. Cork is well advanced as well. I have visited the Port of Cork on a number of occasions. There has been really good work on the extension of piers, and good assistance from the European Union in that regard.
I agree we need to increase port capacity for construction but also, really importantly, as the Deputy mentioned, for the maintenance that will be required.
I see we will be ready. The Port of Cork has moved forward. I see Belfast as part of our offering as well and part of that solution, and, indeed, other ports that may come forward as well.
Questions Nos. 14 to 17, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.
The next available question is Question No. 18 in the name of Deputy Michael Murphy.
Departmental Schemes
18. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current average waiting times for applicants to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland warmer homes scheme at each stage of the process, including assessment, survey and completion of works; the number of households currently waiting more than 12 months and more than 24 months, respectively; the measures being taken to reduce these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41546/26]
I want to champion the warmer homes scheme and the Minister's commitment to it. I am seeking an update on waiting times for initial assessment and for completion of works, and details of any action plan to reduce those times.
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.
I reaffirm my support for the warmer homes scheme, which is having a real impact at local level, particularly for vulnerable householders, including older people and low-income families. The extension of the eligibility criteria for the scheme means that more than 470,000 families are now entitled to avail of it. My concern is the waiting times, with an average of 14 months for assessment and 24 to 26 months for completion of works. We really need to look at that. Having met with SEAI representatives this morning, my understanding is that there is an action plan for the scheme before the Department. A process is being gone through whereby there may be changes to the whole contractor system in terms of the individuals or companies that manage the contracts. With the numbers eligible for the scheme increasing, waiting times will surge unless we do something differently. While I support the scheme, I appeal for changes that will accelerate its operation.
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.
Since the early days of the scheme, which I continue to champion, more than 176,000 houses have been retrofitted. The Minister of State is right that the average retrofit cost per house is €31,000 but I am conscious that 30% of all applications are for what are called shallow refits involving both attic and wall insulation. When I met with the SEAI representatives this morning, there was a consciousness on both sides of the better energy homes scheme, which provides 100% funding for wall and attic insulation. We need to do more to encourage people on the waiting list for the warmer homes scheme who require only a shallow refit to avail of the better energy homes scheme instead, under which they can have wall and attic insulation done in the short term.
The key is to get the initial assessment done sooner and to avail of the capacity within the system. There are 1,000 BER assessors around the country. I understand there is a request within the action plan that is currently before the Department to better utilise those 1,000 assessors.
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.
There are no more Members in the Chamber to put their questions. I might put my Question No. 46 if Deputy Murphy will take the Chair. The Deputy is agreeable.
Questions Nos. 19 to 37, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.
Question No. 38 taken with Question No. 12.
Questions Nos. 39 to 45, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.
Energy Prices
46. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures being taken to address the high cost of energy for households and small businesses, particularly in rural areas; if he will consider further targeted supports in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42815/26]
Deputy O'Shea had better not go over time.
What measures are being taken to address the crisis of high energy costs for householders and small businesses, particularly in rural areas? Will further targeted supports be considered in the upcoming budget?
We have discussed a number of measures this morning, including directly funded retrofitting for families and the grants we can provide to reduce energy usage. Those measures are good for our climate because they reduce emissions and they reduce costs for households. We have been able to retrofit approximately 264,000 homes so far. Earlier this year, the Minister of State and I, along with our team, looked at the grants that were available and broke them down to make them more accessible, particularly for middle-income families. In the first quarter of this year, there were more than 50,000 applications for home retrofitting. We need to support that because it takes pressure off our energy system.
It is good as well because we are pointing families and householders in the direction of renewable energy. Over 120,000 homes now have rooftop solar systems. Those grants have been increased, as have heat pump grants. The focus on rural areas, which the Deputy mentioned, is critical.
We have brought forward things to be able to break down the grants, like attic insulation or cavity walls, which can be done separately. The windows and doors grants were also not available before unless you retrofitted your whole home. To be frank, many people could not afford to do that, even though the grants were substantial because these still needed to be matched with substantial funding. That is why we have broken them down. We have had over 8,000 applications for that grant alone, based on the last numbers I had, in just a two-month period. These are practical measures we are taking for people.
On the business side of things, we had 5,000 business retrofitting grants approved. We need to focus a lot more of our resources in that space because it protects people against future price shocks. When people get retrofitting done, their energy bills come down and they are protected against future shocks. They are also pivoting towards renewables and we are making good progress there.
I concur with the Minister on the uptake of the grants, particularly the windows and doors grant. There has been a significant uptake in that grant. Certainly, through our own constituency offices, we can see there is great interest in it. I commend the Minister, his Department and all the team on making that available. Having the smaller grants available is hugely important for people who can afford them and can do retrofits in pieces and patches. That opportunity allows people to invest in their own homes as best as possible.
I also concur with the previous speaker, Deputy Murphy, as regards the warmer homes scheme and community energy scheme on how we can work with the SEAI to ensure more people can access those grants as quickly as possible. There is great appetite out there for more work in this space. I hope, along with budget 2027 and further budgets, we can continue the good work that has been done to date.
On the warmer homes scheme, and I listened to the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach's intervention on that, approximately 34,000 homes have been fully retrofitted with 100% grants. It is a great scheme, but waiting times are too long. To be fair to the SEAI, as Deputy Murphy said, it has submitted an action plan. I have a meeting later this afternoon in that regard to see how we can speed that up. We have made two specific changes for people on the warmer homes waiting list who can now access certain grants, which will not affect them while they are waiting for the overall grant. We are also retrofitting social homes at a level that has never been seen before, which is also a good thing. This protects those at risk of energy poverty, it is good for the climate and good for their pocket, as well as being good for our energy system. I will keep Members informed on this. I have a further meeting this afternoon with the team specifically relating to the SEAI action plan.
The Minister mentioned in previous contributions this morning the national energy affordability task force. Having that come out in quarter 3 of this year will be very important, particularly the four points addressed as part of that. These are the price of energy, sustainability in demand, enhancement of flexibility and addressing energy poverty for the consumer and customer protections. That is hugely important because we have a lot of people who are currently in arrears. How we can target that energy poverty measures to those customers will be hugely important. Likewise, with energy affordability for businesses the Minister just mentioned, if we can keep going along that process for the next 12 months, we can also certainly do a significant amount of work and see significant benefits from that.
The meat of that report will feed into our budget considerations and deliberations. I expect to have that by the end of July this year. We have done a lot of work on it. It looks at some potential structural changes and short-, medium- and longer-term measures, as well as further improving measures that are in place.
We know we are not in the position we want to be in with regard to energy costs. That is why it is so important that we accelerate delivery of renewables across the board and reduce our dependence on wholesale fossil fuel markets. Fundamentally, that is the major problem we face.
The figures out today do not deal with long-term systemic arrears. They are arrears from day one to post-90 days, so the figures themselves need to be interrogated more. However, anyone who does find themselves in arrears should make contact with their energy provider. Plans are there and will be put in place to help households. The last thing anyone wants, and I have said this to energy providers, is for people to be cut off from the energy they need. People should engage with their providers. I thank the Deputy for his support.
Arts Funding
69. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the basic income for the arts scheme, the number of applicants by county in tabular form; the timeline for approvals and to outline if each county will be given an equitable allocation of recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44127/26]
78. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the successor scheme to the basic income for the arts will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44454/26]
103. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when applicants for the new basic income for the arts scheme will be informed that they are selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44508/26]
105. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if, in view of applications for the successor scheme to the basic income for the arts pilot greatly exceeding the number of places available on the scheme, if consideration is being given to expanding the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44453/26]
114. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of applications that were received for the basic income for the arts; and when recipients will be informed and begin to receive payment if they are successful. [43460/26]
123. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the roll-out of the basic income for the arts scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44287/26]
I welcome the basic income for the arts, BIA, scheme and commend the Minister on securing funding to make it permanent. This is a genuinely progressive policy and is especially important to County Clare, with our rich arts tradition, from traditional music to visual arts and literature. I ask for an update on the application process, a breakdown by county and an outline of how rural counties such as Clare will be treated equally when faced with other more populated counties and urban centres.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 78, 103, 105, 114 and 123 together.
I thank the Deputy for his question and for his support for the basic income for the arts scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to support professional artists whose creative practice is based in Ireland. The scheme will provide 2,000 artists with a weekly payment of €325 for a period of three years. There has been significant international interest in the scheme, which clearly illustrates the value Ireland places on art and our artists here at home. Indeed, when it comes to the arts, Ireland as a small country punches well above our weight across film, music, and literature and this is in part due to the sustained investment in professional artistic practice.
Funding for the arts through the Arts Council, Screen Ireland and Culture Ireland is at the highest level ever in the history of the State. In February, the Government agreed to making the basic income for the arts scheme permanent, which was a major milestone for the arts in Ireland. Research conducted by the Department provided the Government with a clear evidence base on which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and the positive benefits for society as a whole, which we are all very aware of, if we invest in our artists.
The pilot scheme was underpinned by a robust research project consisting of a randomised controlled trial with a treatment group of 2,000 and a control group of 1,000. The research element will continue in the successor scheme.
An independent cost-benefit analysis of the pilot published late last year shows that the scheme produced over €100 million in social and economic benefits; for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return. The net cost of the basic income for the arts pilot went from €105 million to under €72 million due to tax generated and savings on social welfare payments.
Late last year the Department conducted a public consultation into the basic income for the arts scheme. This consultation received over 17,000 submissions with 97% of respondents in favour of making the scheme permanent, showing very much the value of the scheme and how it is appreciated not only by those in the arts sector but also by society at large. With an allocation of €18.27 million for this year, the Department will be in a position to fund 2,000 artists. At the launch in February the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, stated that over time he would like to expand the scheme beyond 2,000 artists, should more funding become available in future budget cycles.
We have seen strong demand for the scheme, with approximately 10,000 applications submitted. For the pilot scheme more than 9,000 applications were received. Participants are selected using an anonymous random selection process. This is considered the fairest selection process where there is not enough funding to provide the scheme to all eligible applicants. All applicants had to complete a comprehensive survey at time of their application and those who will receive the payment will provide data on an ongoing basis. The applications submitted show that there is great variety in the Irish arts sector today. A diversity of arts practices, ages and geographical distribution is visible. The data collected as part of the application is very much a snapshot of the sector in 2026 and will be a strong resource for the Department in terms of developing future policy for the arts. A report setting out this data will be published in due course.
The Department has begun eligibility assessments, which will continue throughout the summer. Given the volume of applications it is difficult to be precise about the date applicants will be informed but it will certainly be September at the earliest. The first payment to selected recipients will be made before the end of 2026 and will be backdated to September 2026 if necessary. Compliance with eligibility will be continuously recorded and assessed throughout the time a recipient receives the payment. All successful participants will need to register with Revenue as self-employed and pay schedule D income tax where appropriate on the basic income for the arts scheme.
This is a ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland, as Deputy Cooney recognises, and is significant for the artists in our country. It makes Ireland a world leader in how we support our artists and culture. It will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector. Applications were received from every county in the country and the county breakdown for applications will be sent separately to Deputy Cooney.
I thank the Minister. My question today is important. Will rural counties such as Clare receive an equal share of the BIA scheme? The randomised selection model is fair in principle as it ensures no bias in individual selection. However, fairness in process is not the same as equity of outcome. Clare has a proud professional arts community but artists in rural counties often lack access to the institutional networks, residencies and funding bodies that provide the proof of professional practice needed for the scheme. The structural disadvantage is real and will result in the pool of eligible applicants being skewed toward urban centres with large populations. Therefore, a random draw will still produce an urban-heavy result. How will this structural issue be resolved?
Over 10,000 people made applications for this particular round of the successor to the basic income for the arts scheme. The Department is in a position to support only about 20% of them. This means just over 2,000 artists will be supported and the other 80% will be left disappointed. This is about a similar level of disappointed applicants as we saw in the original pilot scheme launched by the then Minister, Catherine Martin. It is disappointing to see that the scheme is not growing. We welcomed at that time that there would be another round of funding coming for three years but the fact it is not growing and that more artists are not being supported and will not be able to enjoy the very real benefits of the scheme, which were charted by the research undertaken, is a letdown and I know many artists in the sector feel let down.
The Minister of State referenced that continuing research will be undertaken on the impact of the financial support on the second group of artists who receive it. Will he give us more detail about what is being measured and what is being examined? Will it be the same as the first time or are other benefits of the scheme being considered? Has consideration been given to putting the basic income for the arts scheme on a statutory footing so there would be real certainty that the scheme is an established part of the State's support for the artistic community?
It is good to hear that progress is being made and that the Minister of State expects at some stage, probably in October by the sounds of it, that the scheme will start but will be backdated to September. This will mean that 2,000 more artists will benefit from a basic income and, hopefully, it will help them in their output and artistic endeavours. It is about trying to ensure that others in future can benefit and that this is rolled over. The Minister of State mentioned that €18 million has been set aside for this year. This seems to suggest that if it does not start until the end of September, or is not backdated to the end of September, there may be a surplus. Is this expected to be spent this year or will it be rolled into the budget for next year's basic income?
I will take Deputy Ó Snodaigh's question first. The budget is allocated for this year to be able to pay 2,000 applicants from September onwards. While every effort is being made to give people early decisions, the payment will be backdated to September so nobody will lose out financially by virtue of any delay in being approved. The budget will be utilised by the end of this year.
To respond to Deputy O'Gorman on the scheme and its permanence, I recognise the previous Minister, Catherine Martin, and her initiative in establishing the pilot. The Government has progressed and built on it. We have made it permanent. We have been clear that this will be a permanent scheme. I do not believe it needs to be on a statutory basis for it to be a permanent scheme. We have been clear from a policy point of view and a budgetary point of view that it is something that will be continued.
In terms of the specific research that will continue to be carried out, I will get Deputy O'Gorman a further response specifically on what is being measured and how it compares to previous research which was significant. Having a treatment group of the 2,000 who were in the scheme and a control group of 1,000 who were outside of it was significant research and important in relation to seeing the scheme become permanent and built upon. In relation to more participants, it is something we have indicated we would like to be able to do but it is budgetary dependent. Making it permanent is a significant step forward, as is making sure new artists and more artists are able to participate and have an opportunity to avail of it.
Deputy Cooney has advocated very strongly for his county. There have been 10,000 applicants and 2,000 will be able to participate and will be successful for participating in the scheme. The approach that is planned to be taken is an anonymous random selection process. The assessment is that this is the way to be fair to all artists who have applied and to have the best possible spread representative of the number of artists who have applied. Our objective is to be fair and equal and give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate. Obviously there will be different participants this time in the scheme compared to the pilot scheme, and the objective is to ensure that as many people as possible can avail of the support.
The approach will be that randomised, anonymised selection process to make sure that people have faith in how the selection is being done and everybody has an equal opportunity to benefit from it.
Heritage Schemes
68. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he can provide an update on the American Presidents trail as we approach America 250; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44534/26]
A total of 23 US Presidents have had Irish heritage, with many coming from Northern Ireland. As the Minister of State knows, I floated the idea of an American Presidents trail in the House early last year. I thank the Minister for his great support. I ask the Minister of State for an update on the progress of this project.
I thank the Deputy for his question and his advocacy for this worthy project and his work on it. Significant progress has been made in advancing Ireland’s America250 programme, which is the State’s national commemorative initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. It is being delivered across this year and 2027, and the programme is being supported by €200,000 in funding from my Department to ensure a fitting and meaningful series of commemorative events.
The American Presidents trail is a key initiative within the programme. The Department is working closely with local authority partners to identify communities across the island with ancestral connections to former US Presidents, recognising the important contribution of Irish heritage to the American story. It is proposed that a native tree and interpretive information panel will mark the connection, creating a lasting legacy for local communities and visitors. A co-ordinated tree planting initiative is being developed as part of the trail.
Significant progress has also been made on the literary legacies of the American presidents' trail. Two publications, one for a general audience and another for younger readers, will provide a more widely accessible form of the presidents trail. The general publication is scheduled for completion in advance of the 4 July anniversary, with the children’s edition expected in the autumn. Work is also continuing in partnership with the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on the wider delivery of the America250 programme.
All activity will be guided by the established principles of commemorations: respectful remembrance, historical authenticity, inclusivity and accessibility. The American Presidents trail will leave a lasting legacy, celebrating the contribution of Irish communities to the American story while delivering cultural, educational and tourism benefits.
I thank the Minister of State. I am glad that progress is being made. The actions announced are the start of what will, hopefully, be a fully-fledged tourist route. I strongly believe that this proposal could be a positive North-South project. It could also be a major attraction for US visitors, especially those with Irish links, and could be comparable to the Wild Atlantic Way. I have pinpointed several key counties to consider with a suggested route. Ultimately, however, this map would benefit all parts of Ireland. This project should be a part of a national strategy for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Strong support for this project has also come from the shared island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in respect of developing the two-year programme. That is important. It is also important that we are undertaking this project on an all-island basis, because all of the island has contributed to the American story and to the development of the American nation over the past 250 years. This has been the case throughout all levels of American society but the most high-profile way has been through the number of American presidents with Irish heritage who have served their country. I will certainly continue to ensure that the Department engages with the Deputy on his ideas to make sure the project and the presidents’ trail are as impactful as possible and that any ideas in this regard are used and brought to reality. I recognise once again the Deputy’s advocacy for and work on this trail.
Never has it been so important to highlight the close relationship we have with the United States. This trail would promote our close ties. It is a perfect example of the use of soft power. Soft power is something we have in the context of the US and we need to constantly remind ourselves of this fact, develop it and not take it for granted. It has contributed to the massive investment in this country by the US. The trail would also fit perfectly, as the Minister of State said, with the goals of the shared island unit. It would boost the economy of Northern Ireland and deliver benefits that we cannot predict. It would also improve co-operation between both parts of this island and develop relationships that currently do not exist. This is the best way to unite our island. We hear a lot of divisive talk about North and South, but this is the perfect opportunity where we can bring North and South together, build relationships and unite people.
I agree fully. The shared experience and history of both parts of our island have been crucial to bringing our island together. When Irish people have gone abroad, from North or South, and built relationships abroad, that has been extremely positive. Those international relationships bring our own island together as well, whether this concerns our shared heritage of people travelling over the decades and centuries to America, or within the European Union context, where sharing the European project also brought our island together in terms of removing borders. We saw the challenge posed when that process started to be reversed through Brexit. In terms of looking towards the contribution that North and South have made to America, there is a real opportunity there to ensure this is part of our shared future and brings us together in the context of our clear similarities and shared history and contribution.
Question No. 71 taken with Written Answers.
Sport and Recreational Development
72. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider amending the Sport Ireland Act 2015 and expand the definition of competitive sport and recreational sport to include “all forms of sporting activity which through organised participation, aim at expressing or improving performance and at obtaining improved results in competition at all levels through organised participation” and “all forms of sporting activity which through casual or regular participation aim at expressing or improving mental well-being, self-esteem and at forming social relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43446/26]
I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic for consideration. Sport Ireland, as the Deputy knows, is the statutory body that we have assigned with responsibility for the recognition of sports in Ireland. As part of the recognition criteria, Sport Ireland must be satisfied that an activity meets the criteria for sport as outlined in section 2 of the Sport Ireland Act 2015, which was adopted from the Council of Europe’s definition of "sport". The Act defines competitive and recreational sport, a common theme being physical activity with the aim of improving physical fitness. It defines "competitive sport" as meaning: "all forms of physical activity which, through organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness, and obtaining improved results in competition at all levels". It also defines "recreational sport" as meaning: "all forms of physical activity which, through casual or regular participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, and forming social relationships".
The physical activity and fitness underpinning the statutory understanding of sport is important due to the significant physical health benefits associated with sport, for both the individual and for society. These benefits are central to the rationale that we all have and agree on for public investment in sport. The existing definitions give regard to persons with disabilities and older people participating in sport as they begin by noting that sport "includes all forms of physical activity", which can include a wide range of adapted and disability-inclusive forms of sport. There is a risk that a widening of the definition of "sport" by relaxing physical activity conditions could result in an overly expansive understanding of sport that would encompass almost any organised recreational pastime involving competition. Accordingly, I do not propose at this juncture to amend the Sport Ireland Act 2015 as proposed by the Deputy. It is, though, something that can be considered in the context of the development of the next national sports strategy, which will set out a framework for the next ten years. Everything should be up for consideration to make sure we have the right approach, and I am happy to have a good discussion on this matter in that context.
I am asking this question because activities such as chess are not recognised as sports in Ireland. Chess is recognised as a sport in 24 of the 27 EU member states and in over 100 countries worldwide. It is recognised as a sport by the Olympic movement, which holds its own chess Olympiad. After football, chess is the most widely played sport in the world. It has been played for over 1,500 years. Chess has great health benefits for the ageing by stimulating the brain and has multiple benefits for children taking up sport.
I am asking the Minister of State to agree to a change in wording of the definition of "sport" to allow chess to become a sport.
This could have multiple benefits for bridge and similar games. It is a small change that could make a massive difference and have a huge impact on chess players right around the nation.
I thank the Deputy. I agree chess is a great game, one I played from an early age.
Any change that is made to the definition of "sport" within the legislation will have repercussions, not just for chess, and will have to be considered very carefully. We do not have any plans to change it but we are just coming to the end of the period covered by our first ever ten-year national policy for sport, which has been very impactful in bringing sport forward and improving participation across all sports in the country. From this autumn onwards, we will be doing the public consultation to have a new policy agreed by the end of next year to see us through the following ten years. We really want this to continue to be transformative for sport. The issues and their full implications should rightfully be considered in that context. I am happy to have the discussion and I thank the Deputy for raising the matter this morning.
The Minister of State’s response is positive. I cannot ask for more than that. I ask that he keep the matter on the radar as we begin the consultation for, and the implementation of, a new sports strategy. If he bears it in mind, I will be happy to work with him in that regard.
All topics should be up for consideration. Whenever we come to framing a ten-year national sports policy on the direction of travel for our NGBs and everyone working within sport, it is important to have thorough discussions. As I said about a couple of other matters earlier, let us make sure the consideration and consultation are thorough. All points, including the upsides and downsides, should be fully considered and we should have as much consensus as possible in making sure the next national sports policy is really strong, is as comprehensive as it can be, serves our communities as well as it possibly can and ultimately assists sporting competitions while, importantly, having physical activity and well-being at its core.
Sports Funding
73. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the total funding allocated to the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, to date; to provide a breakdown of funding awarded to each individual project, the amounts that have been drawn down or are in the process of being drawn down; the details of projects that have yet to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44338/26]
I ask the Minister for an update on the LSSIF, including detail about each project. Maybe the Minister of State can give me that afterwards. I do not expect him to list them all. I also ask for the amount that has been drawn down and the amount that has yet to be drawn down.
The LSSIF, as the Deputy knows, was established under the national sports policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects to be able to progress. Previously, there was a gap in that there was no such fund to enable larger projects to proceed. While it is aimed primarily at national governing bodies and local authorities, it is also open to other bodies. In this regard, I refer to applications that would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority in the process.
The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 has been €297 million across 68 projects. To date, €60 million has been drawn down by grantees, and the following projects have been completed: the linear walkway and playing fields project in Meath; phase 1 of Walsh Park in Waterford; the regional athletics hub in Limerick; the Dundalk Leisure Centre facilities refurbishment project; phases 1 and 2 of the Munster Technological University athletics track in Cork, in the Deputy’s own part of the world; St. Conleth’s Park in Kildare; Charlesland athletics track; Munster Centre of Excellence in Cork; Askeaton Pool and Leisure; Cavan Regional Sports Campus; St. Thomas’s multisport complex, phase 1; and the Dexcom Connacht rugby stadium in Galway.
A number of other LSSIF projects are due to be completed this year or significantly progressed, for example, the RDS main arena and Páirc Tailteann in County Meath. My officials continue to work closely with fund grantees to help them progress their projects. Nine construction projects approved under the 2018 LSSIF programme have yet to commence. In addition, two have indicated their intention to withdraw their grant allocation. All applicants allocated funding under the 2024 round of LSSIF are working through the procedures required under the infrastructure guidelines, which set out the value for money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects.
It will not come as a surprise to the Minister of State that I have asked this question before at committee meetings. To be fair, he knows my form on this. I do not begrudge anybody getting money they have applied for, or any of the sports bodies that have applied on behalf of clubs, mainly national clubs but what irks me is that, as he said, nine projects from 2018 have still not commenced. We just need to take the bull by the horns at some stage and have a realistic conversation with some of those organisations to say that, if they are not drawing down the money, it is going to be reallocated for another worthy project. I say this not out of a desire to take the money from any applicant. The reality is that some organisations have been sitting on the money for the best part of eight years, as the Minister of State said. I understand the difficulties and the amount they have to raise. It is onerous to draw down from the fund but, at the same time, we need the moneys drawn down. I am a massive supporter of the good the funding does. I would like to see allocations become more frequent but it is hard to argue for that when a fairly high proportion of clubs have still not commenced projects or drawn down the money.
I acknowledge the Deputy’s point on the need for realistic conversations with all applicants to make sure they are moving forward on drawing down the money. I assure him that those conversations are happening. We want to, and we have delivered the message that, these projects need to progress. The Government allocated the projects funding with the objective of seeing them come to fruition.
Between the two rounds so far, 68 applicants across the country have received funding. The projects probably would never have been able to get off the ground or be in a position to be viable without this State investment. We do need to see them move forward, however. This is not something that is going to be on the never-never. We are making it very clear to all of the projects that they need to be moving forward. My team is actively engaging with those behind them with the objective of making sure they can proceed to construction.
The Minister of State says this will not be on the never-never but the reality, as he said, is that nine projects have not commenced since 2018. There are more that have been allocated funding in a subsequent round. Deadlines need to be imposed. It gives me no satisfaction to say here that this is State money and that if State money were allocated for projects in any other field, we would be asking about it. We want accountability and transparency. We want projects delivered, let us be truthful. If the initial projects envisaged, or scaled-back versions, if required, could be completed, it should be explored. If those concerned are having difficulties with fundraising or whatever, it is a matter of helping them to bridge the gaps. Ultimately, however, we need projects completed.
There are sports clubs the length and breadth of the country crying out for substantial money like what has been allocated under the fund. The money for a certain project in Cork, which I will not mention here but with which the Minister is familiar, has been sitting there for six years, undrawn. Other potential suitors were interested in availing of it. A particular organisation has sat on it and withheld it from going towards a very positive project. The gun needs to be put to some of these organisations’ heads and they need to get on with the works.
I assure the Deputy that no project that has been given approval for funding is sitting on funding. We are spending all the money we have, managing the LSSIF funding stream to the nth degree and making sure it is getting invested. Likewise, we want to make sure every project is moving forward.
We will have one more round of the LSSIF over the term of the Government. I want that to be as early in the term as it can be but it will certainly be in the second half of it. It will be contingent on where we are at with projects. Projects that are not moving forward will have to be taken off the books so new ones can be considered. In the meantime, we are working with those involved to drive their projects forward and make sure that we see them completed so people can avail of and enjoy the benefits of these great facilities. We are working to try to deliver that.
Question No. 74 taken with Written Answers.
70. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to support grassroots sports clubs in north Dublin that are experiencing increased demand due to population growth; whether he is satisfied that existing funding programmes are sufficient to meet infrastructure needs, including in respect of pitches, clubhouses, changing facilities, lighting and accessibility improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44489/26]
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit faoi chúrsaí spóirt i dtuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath. Is iontach an infheistíocht atá déanta sa chlub Shells, but what steps are being taken to support grassroots sports clubs across north Dublin, including with clubhouses and changing facilities, in light of the recent bad weather? The weather this year, certainly the rain, was the worst in a long time. Multiple sports clubs had young girls and boys who could not play because of the lack of all-weather pitches.
I thank the Deputy for his question and for his ongoing advocacy for the role that sport plays in our communities. I was glad to join him recently for a visit to Shelbourne Football Club. It was great to see the work happening there. I know the club recently completed a new astro pitch, which is making a real difference.
One of my key goals as Minister of State for sport is to see an increase in participation levels. As the Deputy pointed out, the availability of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities' needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current sports action plan. Through the sports action plan, we have two particular funds aimed at delivering funding to clubs. Those funds are the community sport facilities fund and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. Over the past decade, over €96 million has been allocated to 1,435 sporting projects in Dublin under the community sport facilities fund, benefitting 57 different sport types.
Given the challenges of increased demand and a growing population, I consider that there is real merit in the development of municipally-backed shared facilities. As my Department does not purchase the land, local authorities have a key role to play here, including through the development plan process and through the processes by which they secure and acquire land. I also encourage sports' national governing bodies to work with local authorities to ensure that the land can be used to deliver sporting facilities. My Department is engaging with local authorities, particularly in Dublin, to see how we can work together to ensure we get maximum impact from the funding that will be put in there and particularly to see how we can address that challenge around land and space. We must ensure there are facilities available in communities for people to participate in.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus le gach duine atá ag obair sa Department faoi láthair. I thank the men and women of Dublin City Council, go háirithe na laethanta seo. They have put in more toilets than we have seen previously and are doing work in north Dublin. North Dublin has been neglected for too long. It is one of the main reasons I got involved. It is great to see that there is work being done. I thank the council for all the work at the Kilmore West Recreation Centre and the all-weather pitch at the Stardust Memorial Park, which I recently visited. I spoke to one of the executives in Dublin City Council and it is good to see that things are moving.
The Minister mentioned the multi-sport complex systems that we see in parts of southern European cities where all clubs use the facilities. It is not just one single clubhouse. Any club can use those facilities. That is an approach we should consider. We in Ireland need to move away from the idea of clubhouses for single clubs. We can put in more money, get better facilities for all clubs and get grassroots participation up.
I also want to ask about Killester Basketball Club, one of the largest basketball clubs with the largest number of female players. I would love for the Department to bring it any attention.
I thank the Deputy. I outlined previously that nearly 1,500 projects have been supported across Dublin through the community sport facilities fund. That has a big impact on communities, as I know the Deputy knows. We want to continue and do more in that regard. The benefit of building those facilities is that we are seeing increased participation. We are particularly seeing more and more young girls playing sport at the same level as young boys, and staying with it. That brings pressure and a need for more facilities. We are going to continue to invest but we want to do so in as strategic a way as possible. We are working with local authorities to ensure we are making the most of the land available. That involves working with local authorities and encouraging national governing bodies to work together to see where they can collaborate. We must structure the community sport facilities fund in a way that encourages that collaboration.
In the next round, we will be focusing strongly on encouraging schools to work with clubs. Often, there are school facilities that investment could significantly improve or through which new facilities could be developed. They can be available to students during the day and to the community outside of school time. We can maximise the impact and return on investment.
I appreciate that update. We will kill two birds with one stone with that approach. We will give children the opportunity at break time in school to get away from the books and get onto the pitch to play football, rugby or whatever they want to play. The club would then benefit later.
There are two projects I would love to highlight. I welcome Dublin City Council's plan for an 11-a-side, 3G all-weather pitch. As the Minister of State knows, Dublin produces the best footballers. I will also mention the upgrade to all-weather pitches at Stardust Memorial Park and in Kilmore West Recreation Centre. Dublin Bay North is a broad constituency, which runs from Fairview to Howth and Darndale. Across the constituency, there is a lack of these all-weather pitches. I welcome the fact that the Department is looking at that issue. The Minister mentioned continuing to increase the participation levels for young women and boys and ensuring they continue to play sports. We need to give them all-weather pitches and nearby toilets. It makes it easier for parents and the hard-working coaches coming down on a Saturday night. I appreciate that.
The Deputy and I could have a debate about which county produces the best footballers. There would, however, be no debate about which county produces the best goalkeepers for the number 1 jersey.
We want to ensure that the investment we are making this time around delivers the biggest impact. We want to ensure clubs collaborate. There is some low-hanging fruit in our education system. Schools could do with better facilities and if we can put the facilities on the school grounds where a club is working with the school, there will be a great dividend for the community on all fronts. We will focus on working in education and with local authorities. That is the message we have been getting out there. We will push hard once we launch the round over the summer to ensure we get the best possible bang for the investment we are putting in. We want legs on the ground, lungs being busted and people getting great enjoyment from their involvement in sport.
Television Licence Fee
75. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on TV licence sales for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43818/26]
I ask the Minister of State to provide an update on TV licence sales for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date 2026. I ask him to make a statement on the matter.
There are two key revenue streams associated with the TV licence, which are the revenue arising from television licences sold by An Post as statutory issuing agent and the allocation provided by the Department of Social Protection in respect of the provision of free television licences to recipients of the household benefits package. As I know the Deputy is aware, the number of television licences sold by An Post has been in decline over the past number of years. This has been driven by three factors. First, an ageing population means that the number of households qualifying for a free TV licence increases every year by between 13,000 and 20,000. Second, the number of households without a liable television set has increased, driven by changes in the way that people access audiovisual services. Third, there has been a marked increase in evasion since the revelations regarding presenter payments and governance failings in RTÉ in July 2023.
In this context, TV licence sales have continued to decline over the past number of years. In 2024, 792,000 TV licences were sold by An Post. In 2025, this figure was just over 768,000. To the end of May 2026, just under 300,000 TV licences were sold, a 4.5% year-on-year decline in the year to date. A total of 299,373 were sold to the end of May this year.
In July 2024, the Government decided that the TV licence system would be retained, underpinned by improvements in collection and compliance to maximise revenue generation. The technical working group on the reform and enhancement of the TV licence was reconvened to bring forward proposals to that effect. The Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, recently received the report of the group and will decide on the next steps with Government colleagues.
It is clear, based on the figures the Minister of State has outlined, that the TV licence funding model is completely broken. People are voting with their feet. The Minister of State has outlined a number of contributing factors. The single biggest contributing factor is scandal after scandal in RTÉ. In 2019, over 1 million TV licences were sold. The Minister of State is saying that in the first half of this year, fewer than 300,000 have been sold and in all of last year, only 768,000 were sold. This is a very significant decrease and it calls into serious question the fundamental funding model for public sector broadcasting in this State. When will decisions be made on the review that has been conducted and will the scrapping of the TV licence be considered?
I thank the Deputy. As I said in my initial response, the technical working group on the reform and enhancement of the TV licence has brought forward proposals to that effect.
The report from that group has only recently been received by the Department. That will be considered and I have no doubt over the next short period we will step it out in responding to it and plotting the way forward. There are real challenges there as we all accept. It is really important we see the continuing reform happening at RTÉ to build confidence in the public in terms of people purchasing their TV licence. I think we all agree it is more important than ever at the moment that we have a good public service broadcaster in this country and have that service. When we see what is happening in the level of disinformation and misinformation now in the online world, having a credible authoritative public service broadcaster is more important than ever. We have recognised that at Government level in putting the funding streams in place to support RTÉ. It is important we ensure there is a sustainable way forward and a strong broadcaster underpinned by that funding into the future.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I absolutely agree and that is why it is important to raise these issues. At the heart of this is the question of the funding model for good-quality public service broadcasting. I will give another example on this. I welcome the Ashbourne Women's Shed who are visiting today. There were a number of posts for local democracy journalism funded across the State but in Meath and Mayo those posts have been withdrawn. They are not being funded. It was an initiative on behalf of this Government and the previous government. It was a welcome and important initiative. It could be seen reflected in local online and print media covering local council meetings and court services. There needs to be increased investment in this initiative. In particular, the post in County Meath needs to be reinstated. The public in County Meath need to have the same access to that service as we have in other parts of the State.
There was a new round recently of those public service grants for coverage and journalism across different mediums, whether that is broadcast or print. Like the Deputy, I have seen the benefit and the impact of that in the increased coverage of what is happening in the public sphere by journalists. It is a very worthy scheme. I will certainly pass it back and ask the Department officials to consider the point the Deputy makes and to respond to him regarding Meath and Mayo. I expect it must be that from one round to the next not all applications would be able to be approved each time.
A sustainable funding model for our public service broadcaster and for public service broadcasting in general across different streams is really important in the country. It has been challenged. It is important we consider that and have debates and discussion around it. As a Government, we have committed to the TV licence. However, we have commissioned a report to look at how it can be reformed. We can all agree it is important that it is removed from the Government. That is a really important principle on which public service broadcasting is established in terms of a broadcaster. It is something we are taking seriously and will be coming forward, on the back of receiving the report, with that further direction of travel.
Questions Nos. 76 and 77 taken with Written Answers.
Question No. 78 taken with Question No. 69.
Broadcasting Sector
79. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider measures to strengthen the sustainability of local and regional media outlets serving rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/26]
I join with Deputy O'Rourke in congratulating Charlotte Davis who has her last day with that scheme tomorrow and is taking up a new role with the Western People. It has been a fantastic scheme.
Local and regional media plays a vital role in rural communities. However, they are facing rising costs as they continue to operate this crucial service. Especially concerning is the €3.7 million broadcast levy that has to be paid to Coimisiún na Meán by local radio stations. Will the Minister of State consider measures to strengthen the sustainability of local and regional media outlets?
I thank Deputy Keogh for her question. As we have just discussed, we are all agreed that local and regional media outlets play a vital role in providing high-quality public service content and in contributing to the diversity and plurality of trusted voices in our media sector, which greatly enhances democratic participation and also provides safeguards for our information space. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will provide for the establishment of a statutory media fund, which will provide a robust framework for supporting the wider media sector in the long term. A suite of funding schemes catering to all parts of the media sector currently operates on an administrative basis, pending the establishment of the statutory media fund.
In January of this year, Coimisiún na Meán announced a total package of approximately €15 million in supports for the wider media sector in order to enhance the provision of public-interest journalism, to assist the modernisation of technology and to support the upskilling of staff within the sector. Almost €5.7 million of that was awarded under the local democracy and courts reporting schemes to enhance the vital role of media service providers in reporting on public interest matters. We saw €3.8 million awarded through the news reporting scheme this year to support the provision of additional high-quality news and current affairs coverage. There was €2.7 million was awarded through the digital transformation scheme providing vital support, as the Deputy knows, for media outlets to enhance their technological and digital infrastructure, as well as to provide training and upskilling opportunities for staff in the context of the increasingly digitalised media landscape we are now seeing.
These supports are of particular important in rural areas where local, regional and community radio contributes significantly to the strength of communities and their access to trusted news. It is something to which we have been, and will stay, committed. I welcome the Deputy raising its importance here and her own strong commitment to seeing that public service in our regions, through our papers and our local radio, is very much supported.
I definitely welcome those funding schemes, especially the new ones that are going to come on board. Money does have to come in if it is going to go out, but that €3.7 million broadcast levy that has to be paid to Coimisiún na Meán is €1 million more this year than it was last year, which is an average 39% increase. For some local radio stations that is translating to €14,000. That was communicated at really short notice and it did not give them a lot of time to put finances in place. When we look back, that has increased 69% over two years and, as the Minister of State said, local media outlets are a trusted source of news when there is so much misinformation and disinformation out there. Our constituents rely on them for updates on local issues, such as weather, community events, road conditions and other local notices, especially in Mayo. The Midwest Radio death notices are very popular and are turned on in the kitchen every single morning. Midwest Radio is like a friend in the kitchen. I just want to make sure these local media outlets have enough support.
I hear what Deputy Keogh is saying in relation to the impact of costs but as she knows, neither the Government nor the relevant Department plays a role in formulating or approving the proposed income or expenditure of Coimisiún na Meán or in setting the levy. The preparation of those annual estimates of income and expenditure under Section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Act requires Coimisiún na Meán to submit such estimates to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. It is important to note that the Minister does not approve or agree the actual estimates or the annual budget. The Minister’s sole role is in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to give an coimisiún consent for the publication of the budget on its website in accordance with Section 26(7) of the Act. That is the statutory position. I accept what the Deputy is saying and there have been many representations and points made in relation to the budget, which no doubt will be considered by Coimisiún na Meán, but there is a statutory separation between the Government and the commission under the Act.
I thank the Minister of State. I absolutely appreciate and value that separation between the Minister and Coimisiún na Meán. Given the shock that occurred across the county when that levy was announced, local radio stations in particular are struggling, and ahead of the approaching budget we should make sure they get as much support as possible. Older people in particular really rely on turning on that local radio station, getting the local update and hearing local voices. It is also vital, with some of the stations facing viability issues, that we consider local jobs. Many people start out in a local newspaper and then make it to sitting in the Gallery here in Dáil Éireann. We have to make sure that these radio stations can continue.
This ties back to the previous conversation we had about public service broadcasting and the importance of the separation of the Government from the distribution of funding in relation to achieving good public service in broadcasting and media across the country. That is why Coimisiún na Meán was established on a statutory basis. It then has a legal duty to set its levies in relation to that. The Government, as we just discussed, is giving significant funding with over €15 million distributed last year through Coimisiún na Meán. We all agree in the House today that we can see the benefits of that in terms of media and communication at local and regional level.
We will continue with the commitment in relation to that. It is important we keep that separation so the allocation of Government funding is not tied to how the coverage looks, other than that it serves the public in a neutral way and in a way that enhances the quality of communications, broadcasting and journalism at all levels from local right up to national but especially at local and regional level.
Is féidir teacht ar Cheisteanna Scríofa ar www.oireachtas.ie.
Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.