Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

National Broadband Plan

Cathal Crowe

84. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what his long-term plans are to ensure adequate fibre broadband connectivity for Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13952/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the better energy warmer homes scheme in the year 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13963/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard under the one stop shop scheme in the years 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13964/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead B4 of the Revised Estimate for 2024, in tabular form. [13965/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of total capital and current funding allocated to the solar pv scheme under subhead b4 of the revised Estimate for 2024; and to provide a breakdown of the allocation under this scheme dedicated to domestic and non-domestic solar PV, respectively. [13966/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to instal domestic solar PV under the solar PV scheme; and the average size of systems installed on homes in kWp, in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13967/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

90. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be provided with high-speed broadband. [13975/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

91. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a housing estate (details supplied) will be provided with high-speed broadband. [13976/24]

Energy Conservation

Cian O'Callaghan

92. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will expand or alter the 'one stop shop' list of suppliers, to allow homeowners access to more competitive prices when upgrading windows and doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14036/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

93. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s warmer home scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14046/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

94. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s OSS scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

95. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the process for a firm to be placed on the firms register of retrofitting companies authorised to complete works under the SEAI’s better energy homes scheme; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14048/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 20 March 2024, to provide a breakdown of the pre-BER and post-BER rating of solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14074/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 20 March 2024, to provide a breakdown of how many solid fuel homes retrofitted as part of the SEAI retrofitting programme, were fitted with a heat pump, broken down by SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/24]

Litter Pollution

Steven Matthews

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he will take to support local authorities to address the issue of cigarette butt litter following the enaction of legislation (details supplied); if a ring-fenced grant can be made available to support the purchase of small road sweepers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14081/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Holly Cairns

99. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, following the CRU consultation on electricity generation and system services connection policy, he will support a second annual application window for renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity grid, in order to increase the number of grid connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14293/24]

Inland Fisheries

Mairéad Farrell

100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recent appointment of a deputy CEO at Inland Fisheries Ireland under section 24(3) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 was a tacit acknowledgement that the position of CEO is currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14342/24]

Inland Fisheries

Mairéad Farrell

101. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in light of the recent appointment in Inland Fisheries Ireland of a deputy CEO, what procedures were followed as per the Public Service Management Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14343/24]

Legislative Process

Darren O'Rourke

102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress on the Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14438/24]

Departmental Strategies

Darren O'Rourke

103. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an updated statement of strategy for this Department will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14446/24]

Climate Change Policy

Christopher O'Sullivan

104. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding provided to each local authority under the Community Climate Action Programme; the projects within each local authority that have been funded under the Programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14448/24]

Inland Fisheries

Mairéad Farrell

105. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his officials in the Inland Fisheries Division fully support the repugnant position of conserving and validating the presence of invasive/non-native freshwater fish such as pike in Lough Corrib SAC due to potential angling tourism revenue; if Fáilte Ireland has a veto over the application of the EU Habitats Directive when promoting catch and release angling for invasive/non-native freshwater fish present in Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14492/24]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

106. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cá mhéad uair a pléadh ina Roinn an Ghaeilge i bhforbairt Re-turn, agus cad iad na coinníollacha a leag sé síos lena chinntiú go mbeadh an Ghaeilge san áireamh i seirbhísí Re-turn.
[14595/24]

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

107. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén fáth nach bhfuil an tseirbhís Re-turn ach i mBéarla amháin, i limistéir Ghaeltachta san áireamh, agus cén fáth gur theip ar Re-turn seirbhís as Gaeilge a chur ar fáil in aon ceann dá innill nó in aon chuid dá mhargaíocht in áit ar bith sa tír, agus an nglacann sé leis go bhfuil sé sin ag teacht salach ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla agus ar an gClár Rialtais maidir leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn, ina ngealltar limistéir Ghaeltachta a chosaint agus a chaomhnú lena chinntiú go mbeidh siad i gcroílár na teanga beo i gcónaí, agus cé na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aige chun an cás a cheartú [14596/24]

Inland Fisheries

Robert Troy

108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current situation regarding the bye law banning the fishing of eels in the country which has not been renewed by the Minister since 2018; if the ban on eel fishing remains in place; and if not, if it is currently subject to review. [14617/24]

National Broadband Plan

Ged Nash

109. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the problems being experienced in areas such as Cherrybrook, Ardee, County Louth, where infrastructure/ducting deficits prevent homes from accessing commercial fibre broadband services through the recognised providers; if he will consider a 'gap funding' model to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14618/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 7 March 2024, if he is aware that millions of euro have gone unclaimed as part of the deposit return scheme (details supplied); how much has gone unclaimed since the scheme first started; what these unclaimed funds will be used for; how the deposit return scheme is monitored and regulated; what measures he is taking to increase the number of bottles returned as part of the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/24]

Recycling Policy

Peadar Tóibín

111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there was any engagement with retailers and the hospitality sector prior to the introduction of the deposit return scheme on the additional card transaction charges and banking charge fees incurred as a percentage of the value of the transaction; if any analysis was conducted as to how much card merchants and banks will profit from the additional charges at the expense of the retail and hospitality sector; his plans to address this factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14646/24]

Energy Conservation

Niamh Smyth

112. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review correspondence regarding SEAI waiting times (details supplied); if he will address the points raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14675/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if, given that the December 2022 mining policy states that no damage may be done to the environment and its protection is “paramount”, he can cite any location where lithium has been mined without severe damage to the environment. [14684/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if he will comment on how, in its literature the company states that it will remove the settled rock sediment from the drilling site ‘for appropriate disposal’, by saying this acknowledges that its drilling has produced material which is now in a toxic or dangerous state - otherwise why should it have to be removed. [14685/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if he will assert that a drilling, two rigs working 12 hours a day, six days a week, will not damage the amenities (details supplied). [14686/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, if, given that in the response he mentions “working with Member States and stakeholders”, he considers that people who live and work in mining/prospecting areas are not stakeholders and that their water supply could be compromised. [14687/24]

Mining Industry

Paul Murphy

117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 5 March 2024, the reason the Government is favouring the mining of lithium with its many problems over development of truly sustainable systems. [14688/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Darren O'Rourke

118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the spending on programmes under subheading B4 as part of the revised estimates for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14703/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Seán Sherlock

119. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the current progress of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14724/24]

National Broadband Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

120. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the immediate measures that are in place to ensure that the residents of Ardee, and similar communities who are awaiting fibre broadband, are not left behind in our national effort towards digital inclusivity; how he plans to hold accountable those responsible for the delivery of these services; what measures are being implemented to prevent such discrepancies in broadband access in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/24]

Energy Conservation

Jennifer Whitmore

121. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the low-interest loans for retrofitting; when an interest rate will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/24]

Telecommunications Services

Marian Harkin

122. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce any restrictions in regard to the pricing model being used by broadband and mobile phone service providers who impose annual price rises that are linked to the rate of inflation, plus a certain set percentage, at the same time each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14768/24]

Food Waste

Francis Noel Duffy

123. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current annual budget allocation to the stop food waste section of the EPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14853/24]

National Broadband Plan

Cian O'Callaghan

124. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the case of a location (details supplied) will be examined, whereby a house is not included in the National Broadband scheme due to its location, but it has extremely slow broadband speeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14889/24]

Land Issues

Matt Carthy

125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 697 of 19 February 2008 and 123 of 5 March 2024, the current position regarding the ownership of the site on which the GPO stands; if ground rent is being paid for that site and to who; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14988/24]

Fisheries Protection

Michael Healy-Rae

126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [15041/24]

Just Transition

Claire Kerrane

127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise on the source of matched funding for the Just Transition Fund (details supplied); advise in a scenario where the Government should decide to increase funding, would this match funding come from the same source or another source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15043/24]

Telecommunications Services

Cian O'Callaghan

128. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to combat the price increases across mobile and broadband providers; if these increases are consistent with price gouging practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15054/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Robert Troy

129. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what actions are being taken by his Department to ensure An Post complies fully with the terms of section 46 of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs Act 1983 in providing the correct pension entitlements to retired employees (details supplied). [15137/24]

Energy Prices

Seán Sherlock

130. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is an issue with low electrical consumers receiving the Government allocated credits to their bills; if an issue with allowing such consumers receive the credit in the past; how many consumers did not receive the credit for this reason; if the Government will refund these customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/24]

Inland Fisheries

Darren O'Rourke

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a situation (details supplied); what measures he plans to introduce to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15354/24]

Official Engagements

Alan Kelly

130. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he last met the CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. [13335/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 3372 of 7 February 2024, when a response will issue; the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [13389/24]