I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who is out of the country. Ireland is fully committed to an ambitious and just green transition, which is essential not only from an environmental perspective, but is also required to reduce our reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. This involves remaining abreast of new technologies in order to support the integration of increasing volumes of renewables and to further support the use of surplus energy to reduce the amount of wasted energy. Some major challenges exist for electricity systems like ours which are increasingly powered by renewables. These complex issues can only be addressed by taking a systematic approach requiring investment in grid, storage and demand flexibility. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has engaged widely with relevant stakeholders to identify areas for co-operation in relation to tackling energy poverty and renewable energy waste. A number of key measures are currently under way. First is grid enhancement and interconnection. We are investing €18.9 billion in network infrastructure. The Greenlink interconnector, completed in April 2025, and the forthcoming Celtic interconnector with France will allow us to export surplus energy to European markets during periods of high generation. Second is the national energy affordability action plan. Through the national energy affordability task force, we are developing an action plan to be published in late 2026. A primary objective is to identify solutions that allow household, particularly those in energy poverty, to avail of low-cost surplus renewable energy. Third is the electricity storage policy framework. Following the publication of our battery storage framework, we are accelerating the deployment of long-duration storage and batteries. In addition, we are increasing battery capacity to buffer the grid during peak production. The fourth is the national hydrogen programme. Our new national hydrogen programme task force is overseeing a work programme to develop green hydrogen as a long-term storage solution for surplus wind and solar power. Fifth is the smart grid and demand response. Through the CRU and ESB Networks, we are expanding "Beat the Peak" initiatives and smart meter incentives, encouraging consumers and large energy users to shift their demand to times of high renewable surplus. The national energy demand strategy aims to make 20% to 30% of electricity demand flexible by 2030. A key aspect of this strategy is preparing households and businesses to maximise their use of renewables. The sixth is district heating. We are advancing the development of district heating systems to take excess heat from large energy users and other sources to power district heating solutions for both households and businesses. Finally, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment will also lead the development of an integrated strategy on the use of renewable surplus energy, which will co-ordinate technical grid limits, flexible demand, storage deployment and interconnector flows to maximise the use of renewable energy units. These measures clearly demonstrate our commitment to a just and green transition while managing the current energy affordability strains on households in Ireland.

Sentiment score: 0.28

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is acutely aware that, with the scale of renewable electricity generation sources coming onto the grid, the grid needs to be more flexible to account for the intermittent nature of renewables. Moreover, for the decarbonisation pathway to be efficient our energy systems 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. Consequently the deployment of energy smart appliances such as electric vehicle charge points, domestic battery storage, energy storage systems, heat pumps and hot water heating solutions is a crucial step for empowering households and businesses to play a central role in Ireland’s energy transition. Some major challenges exist, however, that can only be addressed by taking a systematic approach requiring investment in grid storage and demand flexibility. The Government remains fully committed to an ambitious and just green transition that is fair and leaves no one behind. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has engaged widely with relevant stakeholders to identify areas for co-operation in relation to tackling energy poverty and renewable energy waste and a number of key measures are currently under way, some of which I referred to in detail earlier.

Sentiment score: 0.60

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I speak today on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, who could not be here. I am reading from a prepared script. I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on this matter. An Post is a commercial State company with a mandate to act commercially and as such, day-to-day operational matters including decisions in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are matters for the board and the management of the company and are not ones in which either the Minister of State or the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, has a statutory function. The Ministers are aware of the impact that decisions relating to changes in An Post operations have on communities and individuals in both rural and urban areas. This is a matter for the company. It would be inappropriate for the Government, as a shareholder, to comment on decisions that are for the board and management of An Post to consider. Notwithstanding that this is an operational matter, officials have engaged with the company. An Post has noted it is consolidating its national network of local sorting offices, also known as delivery service units, DSUs. It advises that it needs larger and purpose-fitted premises to manage increased parcel volumes. An Post has advised that as part of a citywide plan over this year and next, it is relocating a number of its delivery offices to new city delivery hubs. Among these will be the An Post delivery offices in Harmonstown, Dublin 5, and Griffith Avenue in Whitehall, Dublin 9, moving to a new north Dublin delivery hub. An Post states that the proposed move is scheduled for the second quarter of next year and there is much to be considered before then. It states that its delivery office in Finglas, Dublin 11, will also be sharing the new facility being completed and purpose-fitted at the North City Business Park in Dublin 11. An Post remains in consultation with staff and unions on the details of these moves. An Post has further advised that it will facilitate the collection of missed mail locally in local post offices and PostPoint parcel collection pick-up outlets. It states the move will have also little day-to-day impact on local customers as the same postal workers will be delivering to the same local routes as before. An Post advises that it needs much larger premises or repurposed facilities, or both, to manage increased parcel volumes and to meet the future needs of the city and the changing needs of its customers. It notes these new buildings also represent an improvement in working conditions for staff and make huge inroads in terms of sustainability with regard to heating, lighting and the day-to-day operations of buildings like the new delivery hub. In accordance with section 8.22 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, all State bodies are required to seek the approval of the relevant Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation in advance of any material acquisition or disposal of land, buildings or other material assets proposed by a State body. Departmental officials engage with An Post on various consent requests and An Post is aware of the requirement for compliance with the code of practice. The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is working to deliver on this and an enhanced amount of €15 million per annum has been allocated for supporting the network subject to all legal requirements being satisfied. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices, protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network. It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the post office network and help citizens access services effectively.

Sentiment score: 0.29

I thank the Deputy for his comments. When I was on that side of the House, we brought in a lot of Private Members' business about An Post. We always emphasised the importance of the post office and the postman. In all fairness, the postman was the connection with a lot of elderly people living at home. He used to call and check on them to make sure they were there. There is always that fear you will lose the services in the area. I will not read out the script I have in front of me. However, I will get a transcript of what the Deputy said and bring it to the Minister. I will ask him to reply directly to him about the issues he raised.

Sentiment score: 0.04

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. I will outline to the Dáil the current position on investments in school infrastructure in County Waterford. Waterford county is broken down into five school planning areas. An analysis of the primary school population in Waterford indicates that primary school enrolments will reduce in all areas over the next five years, with the exception of the school planning area of Ring, which may see a small increase in enrolments. Post-primary enrolments in all areas are projected to remain steady and to peak in the next few years. There are currently four school projects under construction in County Waterford. These projects are in addition to €150 million in capital funding for County Waterford schools since 2020. During that period, over 30 schools in County Waterford were upgraded through the provision of a new school building, a large-scale extension or the provision of modular accommodation. In addition, approximately 120 small-scale improvement works were undertaken across the county's schools to address maintenance needs and enhance energy efficiency. Furthermore, since 2020, a total of 68 special classes have been sanctioned in County Waterford, of which 17 were sanctioned for September 2026. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department published the €7.55 billion NDP sectoral investment plan for the education and youth sectors for the period from 2026 to 2030 earlier this year. Of the total €7.55 billion investment, it is envisaged that approximately €5 billion will be used for project roll-out to support the delivery and modernisation of school buildings across the large-scale, additional accommodation, modular and annual September accommodation needs programmes. The Department continues to build on the progress made over recent years with the roll-out of projects on a prioritised basis to meet the most urgent needs in terms of provision of additional capacity and modernisation of existing facilities. In this regard, the Department also published a list of 105 school building projects in the first tranche to proceed to construction or tender over 2026 and 2027. This list included two projects in County Waterford, one of which is the now under construction. The second project has moved to tender stage. As part of planning ahead for the next tranche of projects to progress to tender, a Department-led prioritisation process will continue over the course of 2026 and 2027. This will include engagement with key stakeholders, including meetings with patrons this month. The Department-led energy and condition survey of the school estate, which will be finalised later in 2026, will provide an additional evidence base for assessing priorities. A next tranche of projects to proceed to tender is expected to be announced in 2027. Investment under the plan also involves the delivery of the first tranche of 297 projects under the climate action summer works scheme. This includes seven projects in County Waterford that are approved to undergo works this summer.

Sentiment score: 0.16

The Department has a strong track record of delivering the Government's school building programme, with over €6.9 billion invested since 2020. This has delivered more than 1,400 completed school building projects along with over 4,000 small-scale improvement works to meet priority maintenance needs and advance energy efficiency and climate goals. A total capital ceiling of €7.55 billion for 2026 to 2030 was allocated to the Department of Education and Youth under the national development plan review. This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education, and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country. This €7.55 billion investment will be prioritised to ensure every child has a school place and it will support the overall operation of the school system and youth sector in terms of capital infrastructure. The Department puts a very strong emphasis on achieving value for money. Its focus is on delivering good quality functional accommodation for schools based on its suite of standard designs and specifications. That is the response I was given from officials in the Department of education. I wish the Deputy well in the meeting tomorrow. It is important that the school engages with the Minister. Perhaps, they will get some good news.

Sentiment score: 0.41