Michael Ring
Question:90. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44810/24]
View answerForeign Birth Registration
Questions (90)
Written answers
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents were received for the application on 26 March 2024. A member of the FBR team will contact the applicant directly should any further clarification be required.
Departmental Equipment
Questions (91)
Catherine Murphy
Question:91. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by his Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44861/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has spent the following amounts on mobile phone handsets and billing in Ireland in the period 2022 to date.
|
Year |
Number of Devices |
Total Cost (Handsets + Billing) |
|
2022 |
551 |
€229,847 |
|
2023 |
598 |
€265,055 |
|
2024 (Jan -Oct) |
596 |
€143,533 |
Mobile phones are allocated based on business needs, with both mobile phone purchases and mobile billing managed under my Department's OGP contract.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (92)
Bernard Durkan
Question:92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in the foreign birth registration in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application is expected to be finalised and completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44873/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the application about which the Deputy has enquired, the number provided is not a valid application number. The passport service has contacted the Deputy’s office for clarification however without the correct application number the Passport Service cannot comment on the Deputy’s query.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
Due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration process, it takes approximately 9 months to process a fully completed Foreign Birth Registration application that requires no further submissions. The processing time begins when the application form and supporting documents are received by the Foreign Birth Registration Unit.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (93)
Paul Donnelly
Question:93. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish Consul General based in Los Angeles has met or spoken directly with the Governor of Hawaii to date in 2024. [45060/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's Consul General in Los Angeles has not been in direct contact with the Governor of Hawaii in 2024
However, the Consul General visited Hawaii in September 2023 in the aftermath of the devastating fires on Maui. In addition to meeting with members of the Irish community affected by this tragedy, the Consul General met with the Lt. Governor of Hawaii, Sylvia Luke, as well as the Mayor of Maui, Richard Bissen, to directly convey their sympathies on the tragic loss of lives.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (94)
Paul Donnelly
Question:94. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish ambassador in Washington DC has visited the state of Virginia to date in 2024; the purpose of the visit; and, if not, whether the ambassador has any plans to visit this state before end of the year. [45061/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland’s Embassy in Washington DC, as our representative office in the United States, leads on Ireland’s political, economic, and people-to-people relations across the United States. In addition to the Embassy’s engagement on a national scale, it also has consular responsibility for Washington, DC and the surrounding states of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia.
Since the beginning of 2024 the Irish Ambassador to the United States has had a number of informal political, economic, and cultural engagements in Virginia. The Ambassador and the Embassy also remain in regular contact with a wide range of contacts and businesses based in the state of Virginia. Furthermore, Northern Virginia is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area and as such the Ambassador visits the State regularly.
Through the Global Games Development Fund the Department of Foreign Affairs provides support for Michael Collins and Richmond Battery GAA clubs based in Virginia, as well as the Mid-Atlantic Division.
In the period ahead, the Ambassador and the Embassy will continue to engage with the State of Virginia and with key interlocutors there.
Passport Services
Questions (95)
Bernard Durkan
Question:95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to indicate the steps to be taken in the case of a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45118/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly in relation to the application.
Departmental Staff
Questions (96)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of WTE solicitors employed by his Department in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45177/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not recruit for the civil service grade of Solicitor.
However, in order to work as a Legal Adviser or Assistant Legal Adviser in the Department of Foreign Affairs, officers are required to have been called to the Bar of Ireland and be enrolled as a barrister in the State or have been admitted and be enrolled as a solicitor in the State.
There are 14 officers working in the grades of Legal Adviser, Legal Counsellor and Assistant Legal Adviser in the Department at present.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (97)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of foreign birth registration applications received by his Department in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the number of WTE staff by grade dealing with FBR applications. [45178/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
The Passport Service Customer Service Hub has dedicated agents to deal with Foreign Birth Registration application queries. The contact number for urgent Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331. This number is also available on the Department's website.
The Passport Service provides an emergency service for Foreign Birth Registration in cases of exceptional urgency, such as expectant parents or stateless persons. Such applicants may contact the Passport Service directly. All other applications are processed in order of date of receipt.
To date this year, over 29,000 entries have been made to the Foreign Birth Register.
The number of Foreign Birth Registration applications received in 2023 and to date in 2024 are outlined below in tabular form.
|
- |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Jan |
2,116 |
2,656 |
|
Feb |
2,367 |
3,280 |
|
Mar |
3,387 |
2,277 |
|
Apr |
2,717 |
2,682 |
|
May |
2,977 |
6,380 |
|
Jun |
2,657 |
3,892 |
|
Jul |
3,842 |
3,847 |
|
Aug |
2,621 |
3,379 |
|
Sep |
2,328 |
3,722 |
|
Oct |
3,175 |
3,258 |
|
Nov |
3,783 |
|
|
Dec |
3,133 |
|
|
Total |
35,103 |
35,373 |
There are currently 116 staff assigned to Foreign Birth Registration, the breakdown by grade is outlined in the table below.
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
13 |
|
Clerical Officer/Temporary Clerical Officer |
100 |
Election Monitoring Missions
Questions (98)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:98. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will be nominating Irish representatives to the upcoming OSCE election observation mission in Romania; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45245/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Ireland's current five-year international Election Observation Roster was established on 1 January 2024 and has 173 members.
Ireland is proud to have participated, through the Roster, in each of the EU and OSCE Election Observation Missions so far in 2024. 63 Roster members have participated across 14 Missions: four EU Missions, to Senegal, Jordan, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka, and ten OSCE Missions, two to Azerbaijan and one each to North Macedonia, Serbia, Mongolia, Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, the United States, and Uzbekistan.
Presidential Elections are due to be held in Romania on 24 November and Parliamentary Elections on 1 December. However, we have not so far received a request from the OSCE in relation to election observation missions for these elections.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (99)
Niamh Smyth
Question:99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications why persons have been refused the medically vulnerable scheme for the needs of their daughter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44454/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable Scheme is a targeted scheme for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for customers/households who are registered on the life support category of the Priority Services Register. These homes have a dependence on electrically powered equipment, including medical equipment, life protecting devices and assistive technologies for example dialysis machines, respirators, etc. As such, these households may have a higher energy demand than the average user and this scheme is designed to go some way towards helping to reduce those energy costs.
The scheme comprises of a fully funded 2kWp solar PV system for eligible households. This includes survey/design, supply, installation, and the post works BER. The scheme is wholly managed by the registered Energy Suppliers, with each of the Energy Suppliers contacting their own eligible customers directly, in line with the work plans for their Solar PV Installers.
The Solar PV for the Medically Vulnerable scheme was designed in 2022, with a budget of €20m allocated to provide direct support to approximately 4,000 households who were on the priority register at that time. The date used to determine the number of households eligible for support under this scheme and the required budget, was November 2022. Given that the specific household mentioned in the Deputy’s question was not on the Register prior to November 2022, they are unfortunately not eligible for the current scheme.
Most Energy Suppliers have agreed to provide the scheme for their customers, with some Suppliers more advanced in their Programme than others. The experience and information gathered on this scheme will assist the department in designing and obtaining funding for further similar targeted schemes, which may include eligibility expanded to cover those that may not be eligible for the current programme.
Seaweed Harvesting
Questions (100)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an application for a seaweed harvesting licence applied for under the Foreshore Act 1933 (details supplied) will be decided; the process involved in making a decision on such an application; whether it will be possible for the public or interested persons to make observations on the application; the latest date for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44752/24]
View answerWritten answers
The regulatory regime that operated under the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), has largely been replaced with the establishment of a new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) on the 17 July 2023. My Department has commenced an examination of all remaining applications received under the Foreshore Act 1933 with a view to ascertaining their suitability under the transitional provisions provided for in Section 1E (5A) of the Foreshore Act 1933 or to otherwise progress the application under the Foreshore Act.
As part of this review, the Foreshore application and supporting documents submitted by BioAtlantis Ltd, were examined and were considered suitable for the transitional provisions as set out in (5A) of Section 1E of the Foreshore Act. On foot of a Ministerial request, MARA have accepted this application on transfer for consideration as an application for a Maritime Usage Licence under Schedule 7 of the MAP Act 2021 (as amended) and BioAtlantis have been informed.
The contact details for MARA licence applications is licence@mara.gov.ie, or MARA may be contacted directly by members of the Oireachtas at oireachtas@mara.gov.ie.
Seaweed Harvesting
Questions (101)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:101. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications on hand in the foreshore section for the harvesting of seaweed; the average time it is taking to process each application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44753/24]
View answerWritten answers
The regulatory regime that operated under the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended), has largely been replaced with the establishment of a new Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) on the 17 July 2023.
My Department currently retains a small number of Foreshore Applications for the removal of seaweed, as a beach material, under Section 3 of the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended). An examination of all remaining applications under the Foreshore Act 1933 is currently underway by my Department with a view to ascertaining their suitability under the transitional provisions provided for in Section 1E (5A) of the Foreshore Act 1933 or otherwise progress the application under the Foreshore Act.
The time to progress through the Foreshore process is dependent on a variety of factors; this includes the quality and completeness of the application and supporting documentation submitted by applicants; the number of stages and points of determination required to proceed through the process, including public and prescribed body consultations; as well as key junctures where the applicant is required to submit material to this Unit as part of their application to progress to the next stage. Therefore, the Foreshore process can be particularly lengthy.
Details on applications received under the Foreshore Act, are available on the Departments website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/f2196-foreshore-applications-and-determinations/#foreshore-search
Since its establishment, applicants may apply for a licence to harvest seaweed to MARA, in accordance with Schedule 7 of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, which provides for the Maritime Usages which may be undertaken pursuant to a Licence.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (102)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:102. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of people eliminated from getting the ESB credits over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44913/24]
View answerWritten answers
Budget 2025 provided a €2.6 billion package of social protection measures to support households, individuals and businesses impacted by the increases in prices from recent high levels of inflation. It also introduced the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme IV through which over 2.2 million households will receive two payments of €125 (inclusive of VAT) in the November/December 2024 and January/February 2025 billing cycles, at a total cost of €520 million (excluding VAT). The payments apply to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay-As-You-Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2).
Scheme III introduced a low usage threshold which prevented the payment from being applied to vacant houses. ESB Networks identified accounts (as identified by Meter Point Registration Numbers) which consumed less than 150 kilowatt hours of electricity for four consecutive quarters between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 in respect of Scheme III, and between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024 in respect of Scheme IV.
Customers can appeal firstly to their supplier and later to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities if they feel that they should have received a payment.
The CRU reports regularly to me, as Minister, in relation to the operation of the Schemes. The final report will not be sent to me until all monies not used for the purposes of the Scheme III have been returned by suppliers and ESB Networks, however it is expected that over 90,000 low usage electricity accounts were identified as part of Scheme III, leading to an estimated saving of €40 million to the Exchequer. It is expected that approximately the same number of accounts will be identified as low-usage electricity accounts for the purposes of Scheme IV, and that this will lead to savings of approximately €22 million.
Wind Energy Generation
Questions (103)
John McGuinness
Question:103. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the setback figure that was used relative to residential dwellings for the modelling that confirms Ireland's onshore wind capacity to be 9GW; if that calculation was based on a 500-metre setback, as is the case in Kilkenny; if not, if it was calculated based on a setback of four times the tip height of a turbine which equates to a setback of 720 metres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45087/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), and reaffirmed under CAP24, Ireland has set a target of 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 made up of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar and at least 5 GW of offshore wind.
For the electricity sector the targets for renewable energy capacities are based on emissions and power system modelling rather than geospatial analysis. Details of the emissions modelling and analysis that informed and supported the preparation of Climate Action Plan 2023, including the electricity sector can be found on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7bd8c-climate-action-plan-2023/
Regional renewable electricity targets for solar and onshore wind have been included in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework. This will deliver a regional balance and distribution of renewable technologies and provide a supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to protect Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices.
Following the finalisation of the revised National Planning Framework, the three Regional Assemblies will integrate these targets into their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and associated Regional Renewable Energy Strategies. These allocations will then be translated into local authority-level targets which are to be planned for through their city and county development plans. Counties in the East and Midland region will play a leading role in benefiting from Ireland's renewable energy transformation, with 25% of onshore wind and 45% of solar capacity due to be provided across the region by 2030.
Marine Protected Areas
Questions (104)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:104. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when it is expected that marine area consents will be decided on by Marine Area Regulatory Authority, given that the Oireachtas has now approved the south coast designated maritime area plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45236/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is an independent corporate entity having full responsibility under law for the performance of its functions, including assessment processes in respect of maritime area consents.
Arrangements have been put in place by MARA to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost-effective system to address queries which are proper for the agency.
In that context, I would ask you to refer your query directly to MARA at the email provided for Oireachtas queries: oireachtas@mara.gov.ie
Special Areas of Conservation
Questions (105)
Noel Grealish
Question:105. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason no meaningful habitat enhancement works have been carried out on the Owenriff system in County Galway that straddles two special areas of conservation due to the devastating ecological effects of an illegal introduction of invasive pike esox lucius circa 2009, considering that the now defunct Western Regional Fisheries Board classed the Owenriff as a category A - major salmon river in October 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44005/24]
View answerWritten answers
Habitat enhancement works are an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
Fisheries Protection
Questions (106)
Noel Grealish
Question:106. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason, given that the initial public consultation on the proposed Waterford Fisheries District, (River Barrow) Angling Limitations during Salmon Spawning Run Bye-Law (No. 1011) 2024, signed on 17 September this year, ran for a two-week period ending on 20 August 2019, it took five years for a basic fisheries bye-law to come to fruition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44006/24]
View answerWritten answers
Following the initial public consultation process on the proposed Waterford Fisheries District, (River Barrow) Angling Limitations during Salmon Spawning Run Bye-Law (No. 1011) 2024, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) further considered and reviewed the position in respect of this Bye-Law in terms of evidence based advice and recommendations that it wished to submit to the Department.
On receipt of this in addition to the revised Appropriate Assessment Screening earlier this year, the draft Bye-law was presented for my approval and made thereafter.
Angling Sector
Questions (107)
Noel Grealish
Question:107. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) established by himself in November 2020 has now been rebranded as the Angling Advisory Group (AAG); who the participants are in the AAG; the key policy targets of the AAG; why there was no public notification surrounding the revamp considering the overt and exuberant fanfare by his Department when the ACCI was formed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44007/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) was renamed as the Angling Advisory Group (AAG) by agreement of the Group at its meeting in August 2024. The change was proposed and agreed principally because the new name more accurately reflects the purpose and function of Group and now clearly distinguishes it from the Angling Council of Ireland (ACI).
The renamed AAG comprises representatives from my Department, Inland Fisheries Ireland and national angling representative bodies who can input to policy development in the Inland fisheries sector.
Fisheries Protection
Questions (108)
Noel Grealish
Question:108. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44008/24]
View answerWritten answers
As previously set out to the Deputy, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), in conjunction with my Department, is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application. The Conservation of and Prohibition on Sale of Coarse fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 are being examined as part of this extensive work programme.
Upon completion of this review which will take relevant legal acts of the European Union including the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives into account, I will be in a position to consider any action in respect of these two bye-laws.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (109)
Richard Bruton
Question:109. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the protracted waiting times that people are experiencing with the fully funded energy upgrades scheme (details supplied); if he is considering any measures to address this issue; the number of applications at each stage; the typical process time for each stage; the main bottlenecks for speeding up each stage; his views on what the main drivers are to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44017/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households in or at risk of energy poverty is a top priority for the Government.
In recent years, the Warmer Homes Scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to €26,464 in 2024. However, it is important to acknowledge that deeper retrofits take longer to complete.
The improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand. Approximately 24,000 applications from homeowners were received in 2022 and 2023 combined.
The number of applications for 2024, as of end September is 10,511.
Applications to the Scheme are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works.
There are currently 20,267 homes on the scheme work programme. This includes homes that are:
• Awaiting the initial survey of their homes:
• Have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor;
• Have been allocated to a contractor for works; or,
• Currently undergoing works.
Significant reductions in the average waiting time for works to be completed have been achieved this year, reducing from 26 months in 2022 to 17 months for the worst performing homes (rated E, F and G) for homes completed so far in 2024.
This has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures;
• A record budget allocation of €208.8m;
• ERDF funding of €264 million over the period 2021 until 2027 to supplement Exchequer funding for the scheme; and
• A new €700 million contractor panel has been put in place for the next 4 years, which has increased contractor capacity to 36.
Budget 2025 has allocated €240 million to the Warmer Homes scheme which is supplemented by the European Regional Development Fund. The 2025 allocation for the scheme represents a 10-fold increase on the 2020 expenditure figure.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme. For further information, the SEAI commenced the publication of quarterly reports on scheme performance in 2023. The most recent reports are available at:
www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Full-Year-Report-2023.pdf
www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/2024-09/SEAI-Retrofit-Mid-Year-Report-2024.pdf
Climate Change Policy
Questions (110)
Ivana Bacik
Question:110. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 15 October 2024, if he expressed views on the policy options that are being presented or discussed by the Global Solidarity Levies Taskforce on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in September; and the reason Ireland did not join the taskforce. [44081/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Global Solidarity Levies Taskforce hosted a meeting for its Members, and other interested parties, on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. The meeting was an opportunity for the Taskforce to present and highlight its work and plans to date and I attended the meeting to hear more about this. I did not express views on the different policy options set out.
Consideration of Ireland's membership of the Taskforce is ongoing.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Questions (111)
Thomas Pringle
Question:111. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the sectoral emission ceilings for carbon budget 1, 2021-25, for all sectors, including LULUCF, will be set before the Government's term ends, noting that Ireland is already more than two-thirds of the way through the period of the first carbon budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44111/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is committed to achieving a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels, and climate neutrality by no later than 2050. These objectives are set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and are legally binding.
Sectoral emission ceilings (SEC) for the first two carbon budgets, 2021-2025 and 2026-2030, for all sectors, excluding Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) we set and published by the Government in July 2022.
In June 2022, with work on the sectoral emissions ceilings almost complete, there were significant refinements to the LULUCF baseline in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2022 National Inventory Report. These refinements required a deferral on a SEC for LULUCF. Refinements to the estimation of emissions and removals is standard practice in the compilation of the inventories. Due to the more recent focus on the LULUCF sector, more significant revisions are being seen there than is usual in the rest of the Inventory which has reached a higher degree of maturity. This sector’s baseline has fluctuated over several years and significant inventory refinements are anticipated for the coming decade.
Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) sets out an approach for this sector that aligns with the EU LULUCF Regulation and deals with such fluctuations for this sector. This approach will set us on a pathway to achieve our goals for climate action by setting of activity targets, annual key performance indicators, and a 2030 emissions reduction target. Consequently, Ireland’s target is to reduce net LULUCF emissions by 0.626 MtCO2eq by 2030, relative to a baseline of the average of emissions in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Responsibility for this sector has been assigned by Government under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, coordinating with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The approach will be subject to future reviews as the data improves, including the second phase of the Land-use Review which shall complete its work and report in the first quarter of 2025. I, along with my colleagues in Government, the Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform have provided resources and a framework to deliver on this commitment.