Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
186. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the business supports that are in place or planned for independent fuel merchants as Ireland transitions away from fossil fuels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61944/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 has set out, in law, Ireland's objective to transition to a climate neutral economy by 2050. This will require a transition away from fossil fuels, in a manner that is fair and just. The transition will also bring a number of additional benefits to society, including in relation to improved human health and air quality. To further progress this transition, I have signed new Solid Fuel Regulations, which came into force on 31 October this year and introduced minimum quality standards that now apply to solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This is to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market, and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. Some previously imported products may not meet these new standards. In September 2021, I announced that the regulations would come into effect for the 2022/2023 heating season. I made the announcement at that time in order to allow retailers sufficient time to run down existing stocks and plan accordingly for the introduction of the new regulatory framework. No new support measures have been introduced for coal merchants as a result of the new regulations. Over the past year, officials from my Department have been working with retailer representative bodies to support the transition to the new regulations, and we have run an awareness campaign for a number of months to inform retailers and producers of their responsibilities. More information for retailers can be found at: www.gov.ie/cleanair/The Government has put in place a comprehensive package of financial supports, through Budget 2023, to help households mitigate the increased cost of energy this winter. In addition, the National Residential Retrofit Plan provides financial supports for those wishing to retrofit their homes and switch from using fossil fuels to using renewable energy sources to heat their homes, with additional supports for those least able to pay. The retrofit industry offers new opportunities for employment, and the Government is encouraging new entrants into this sector by offering opportunities for upskilling and retraining.
