Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

140. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the connection date for an area (details supplied) has again been pushed back for connection under the National Broadband Plan; his views on whether it is acceptable that an area less than 20km from Dublin city centre does not have access to high-speed fibreoptic broadband; the measures that will be taken to expediate connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24530/24]

National Broadband Plan

Robert Troy

141. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the provision of fibre broadband to a property (details supplied). [24569/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

35. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what supports are available for businesses to install solar energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24205/24]

Energy Conservation

Michael Ring

36. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an application for the warmer homes scheme can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, in view of the extenuating circumstances in their case. [24212/24]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas Gould

37. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that community groups have been told they must pay for works granted under the Climate Action Fund and will only then be reimbursed through the fund. [24262/24]

Defective Building Materials

Ivana Bacik

97. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to ensure homeowners eligible for the defective concrete blocks scheme can apply for SEAI grants including if they have already previously availed of them; when this problem will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/24]

Solar Energy Guidelines

Francis Noel Duffy

98. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that solar panels being installed on domestic roofs must be installed 500mm from the edge, whereas in the UK and other European countries they can be installed up to 200mm from the edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how frequently the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the proposed floating storage and regasification unit will need to be replenished, if approved, given the inevitable boil-off of LNG over time; where this gas will be sourced; what measures will be taken to minimise the frequency of this occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated length of time a proposed temporary floating storage and regasification unit, if approved, would be in operation in Ireland until a carbon neutral energy system is in place and we are no longer reliant on gas for our energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23621/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Ivana Bacik

101. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated timeline for the proposed acquisition of a floating storage and regasification unit and construction of ancillary grid-connection facilities, if approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23640/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Ivana Bacik

102. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated budget required for the proposed acquisition of a floating storage and regasification unit and the construction of ancillary grid-connection facilities, if approved; the estimated annual budget to be allocated for the protection of a floating storage and regasification unit from potential attack during both the construction phase and following project completion; if he will outline the comparative estimated budget to develop infrastructure for the geological storage of natural gas and associated defence costs during construction and following project completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23641/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Ivana Bacik

103. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the relative risks pertaining to the probability of gas supply disruption from the UK, given the presence of two separate Moffat pipelines, outweigh the climate risks, at national and international level, associated with the inevitable emissions from a proposed new floating storage and regasification unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/24]

Building Energy Rating

Aindrias Moynihan

104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason works carried out to a home under the free energy upgrades warmer home scheme (details supplied) did not improve the BER rating; the objective of these works carried out on homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23673/24]

National Broadband Plan

Holly Cairns

105. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that were included in the NBP intervention areas, in error (details supplied); what engagement they have had with households, NBI and commercial providers on this issue; and the steps being taken to resolve it. [23708/24]

National Broadband Plan

Martin Kenny

106. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline on the roll-out of the national broadband, including a breakdown of current and capital spend. [23756/24]

Cybersecurity Policy

Martin Kenny

107. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a timeline on improvement works to cybersecurity infrastructure, including a breakdown of current and capital spend. [23757/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

John Paul Phelan

108. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timetable for publication and consideration of draft legislation to ban disposable vapes; if primary or secondary legislation is planned; and if it is intended to hold public pre-legislative scrutiny with respect to the draft legislation. [23788/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

John Paul Phelan

109. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when Ireland intends to notify the European Commission of draft legislation to ban disposable vapes in accordance with the TRIS Directive; and what form of draft legislation will be notified to the Commission. [23789/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

John Paul Phelan

110. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in relation to draft legislation to ban disposable vapes, noting the substantial, cumulative cost impact on industry as a result of the proposed new ban. [23790/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Éamon Ó Cuív

111. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the guidelines for the development of offshore wind farms will be published; if a draft of the guidelines will be published for public consultation before adoption; what consultations have taken place between his Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that the two sets of guidelines dove tail with each other (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23840/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the will report on the excellence in energy efficient design scheme; the funding available to be drawn down; how much funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the support scheme for renewable heat; the funding available to be drawn down; the amount of funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to increase the capital funding for the better energy warmer homes scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy warmer homes scheme to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to estimate the cost of including properties with HAP tenancies in the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23869/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of doubling the climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23870/24]

Energy Policy

Neasa Hourigan

118. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the legislative or regulatory frameworks in place to allow Ireland to import proposed fuels for an emergency gas reserve; the provision for State aid rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23902/24]

Energy Policy

Neasa Hourigan

119. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the legislative or regulatory frameworks in place to allow Ireland to fulfil its commitment to ban fracked gas imports into the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23903/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Neasa Hourigan

120. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work of his Department on how the current public interest determination used to evaluate proposed projects properly takes into consideration the impacts that LNG facilities have on the climate, communities, and national security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23904/24]

Defective Building Materials

Ivana Bacik

121. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when homeowners eligible for the defective concrete blocks scheme can apply for SEAI grants including if they have already previously availed of them; the number of current applicants that are affected; the number of cases SEAI has resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/24]

Waste Management

Mattie McGrath

122. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applicants that have applied to his Department under the farm film plastic recovery scheme since 1997, under the applicable regulatory framework in Ireland; the process involved in advertising the scheme; the process used to approve the body to legally operate a farm plastics recovery scheme; the reason that the Department has not sought to have competition within the sector; the steps his Department has taken to develop multiple farm plastics recovery organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24066/24]

Waste Management

Mattie McGrath

123. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason his Department has not established an independent regulatory mechanism to regulate the farm film plastic sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24067/24]

Waste Management

Mattie McGrath

124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the approved operator of a farm plastics recovery scheme is funded; the precise process for setting the associated plastics levy and collection charges at the point of collection; the exact legislative provisions to allow for the relevant financial charges to be set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24068/24]

Waste Management

Mattie McGrath

125. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an overview of the operational procedure and required documentation by his Department prior to granting approval to an organisation that operates a farm plastics recovery scheme in Ireland, citing the relevant legislative provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24070/24]

Waste Management

Mattie McGrath

126. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to make changes to the legislation pertaining to the farm plastics Regulations, which were originally introduced in 1997 and later revised in 2001 and amended in 2017, in light of exclusivity, monopolistic practices and anti-competition concerns surrounding the current process, no independent appeals or sanction agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24071/24]

Departmental Schemes

Jackie Cahill

128. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if concerns that deposit return scheme machines are too high for wheelchair users will be addressed; the action that will be taken to improve accessibility in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/24]

Energy Conservation

Jackie Cahill

129. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the SEAI's plans to expand their parameters to include and support stone wall external insulation, traditional/older buildings, dropped ceilings, dormer-style roofs, double glazed windows in need of replacement, amongst other features, as a good number of applicants are left with little to no works carried on their homes due to features being deemed 'ineligible' for work, it causes additional issues for those who need their heating system replaced as it cannot be done unless a "home's surface area is to be insulated by 25% or over"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23361/24]

Waste Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

130. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the exemption to the waste recovery levy for C and D will be removed; if so, when this is proposed to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23363/24]

Waste Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the exemption to the waste recovery levy for C and D is coming to an end, how much per tonne will be charged on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/24]

Waste Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

132. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what is proposed for 2025/2026 for waste recovery levy for C and D; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23365/24]

Foreshore Issues

Holly Cairns

133. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the work being conducted by his Department to ensure that there will be no undue planning delays for foreshore licences, given the transfer of authority from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and to provide a status update and timeline for completion of an application (details supplied). [23376/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

134. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

37. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be connected under the National Broadband Plan with high-speed broadband. [23106/24]

Building Energy Rating

Holly Cairns

146. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide the number of BER assessors assigned to each county, by year, from 2019 to date, in tabular form. [22433/24]

Building Energy Rating

Holly Cairns

147. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide the number of people currently waiting on a BER assessment and the length of time each has been waiting, by local area, in tabular form. [22434/24]

Building Energy Rating

Holly Cairns

148. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of time individuals are expected to wait before receiving a BER assessment; if his attention has been drawn towards instances of excessively long waiting periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22435/24]

Fisheries Protection

Mairéad Farrell

149. 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 ongoing legislative conservation of invasive roach in the Lough Melvin catchment and special area of conservation under the Conservation of Coarse Fish By-Law No. 806 (2006) (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22473/24]

Fisheries Protection

Mairéad Farrell

150. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it was his intention to increase the overall brown trout daily bag limit per angler to six fish for the entire Lough Corrib SAC under two separate harvesting regimes, with four trout being harvested from the lake and two trout being harvested from the Clare river catchment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Michael McNamara

151. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a person will be facilitated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22491/24]

Departmental Bodies

Holly Cairns

152. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail which companies are contracted to carry out works by the SEAI for each of its grant schemes; the work being conducted by each company; and the value of each contract. [22500/24]

Building Energy Rating

Holly Cairns

153. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current waiting times for a BER assessment, by scheme and local area, in tabular form. [22501/24]

Building Energy Rating

Holly Cairns

154. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the employment arrangements for BER assessors who work with the SEAI; whether BER assessors are obliged to work alongside companies subcontracted by the SEAI to carry out works in relation to grant schemes; and if his attention has been drawn to assessors' concerns in regard to these arrangements. [22502/24]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Carol Nolan

155. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on proposals under the consultation on private wires to extend compulsory purchase order powers to commercial entities; if he has engaged with farming representative bodies on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

156. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of the CRU in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of Gas Networks Ireland in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of EirGrid in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22562/24]

Electricity Supply Board

Darren O'Rourke

159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of ESB Networks in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22563/24]

Marine Protected Areas

Darren O'Rourke

160. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a timeline for when the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan will be finalised and adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22564/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Darren O'Rourke

161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to implement an enhanced emissions reporting framework and price incentivisation for large energy users to encourage them to participate in flexible demand initiatives designed to shift electricity consumption to times when emissions are low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22565/24]

Grant Payments

Niamh Smyth

162. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the SEAI application of a person (details supplied); if he will address the points raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22632/24]

International Agreements

Catherine Connolly

163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the legal provisions in place to ensure the State is in compliance with Article 3(8) of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters; and if he would make a statement on the issue. [22672/24]

Recycling Policy

Catherine Murphy

164. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of take-back exemptions, by category type, that have been granted in the context of the deposit return scheme. [22715/24]

Just Transition

Barry Cowen

165. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much of the just transition fund under the 2021-27 allocation has been drawn down to date. [22838/24]

Just Transition

Barry Cowen

166. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated to projects under the Just Transition Fund 2021-2027 to date, in tabular form. [22839/24]

Recycling Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

167. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to questions and concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) on the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22864/24]

Departmental Budgets

Catherine Murphy

168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the 2023 and 2024 budget allocation for his Department's anti-litter and anti-graffiti awareness grant scheme; and the percentage of the 2023 funding that was actually spent. [22890/24]

National Broadband Plan

Matt Shanahan

169. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason An Rinn in County Waterford is not included in the national broadband plan; the steps that can be taken by families and businesses in An Rinn that wish to access high-speed data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22926/24]

National Broadband Plan

Matt Shanahan

170. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in view of the lack of national broadband access in An Rinn, County Waterford, if he will advise alternative providers that can possibly provide a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22927/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Michael Creed

171. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the quantity of renewable wind energy generated between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22930/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

98. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Kehoe

99. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to compensate drift and draft net fishers affected by the ban on commercial salmon fishing; his views on whether the hardship scheme introduced following the ban should be reopened to relevant fishers who did not avail of it at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22181/24]

Business Supports

Martin Browne

100. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the funding assistance available to develop business projects on bogs by the owners of these sites in light of their discontinued use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22206/24]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Ring

101. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when work will be carried out in a home (details supplied), considering it is urgently needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22274/24]

Climate Change Policy

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will take legislative action to close the policy gap by prohibiting SRM geoengineering, providing penalties and enforcement for violations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21916/24]

Recycling Policy

Brendan Griffin

12. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the provisions in place for people with disabilities and elderly people to access the deposit return scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22135/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed to date relative to the 2030 target of 400,000; the challenges he has identified with heat pump installation; his plans to address these; if alternative technologies are being considered; if he is aware of the high number of calls made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP, regarding to high electricity bills associated with heat pump use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21896/24]

Electricity Generation

Darren O'Rourke

51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total electricity generation capacity that has been energised since February 2020, broken down by fuel source and year; what percentage of Ireland’s electricity was imported in each of the years since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21897/24]

Corporate Governance

Jennifer Whitmore

52. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the process for the establishment of Re-Turn Ireland; the governance structures of that entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21899/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address surplus renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect surplus energy to energy-poor households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/24]

North-South Interconnector

Matt Carthy

54. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the meetings he has had, and-or the briefings he has received, in respect of the North-South Interconnector. [21467/24]

Recycling Policy

Pádraig O'Sullivan

55. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the engagement his Department has had with local authorities to progress the next phase of the deposit-return scheme development and roll-out; the number of local authorities that have registered interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21563/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Seán Sherlock

56. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and businesses connected to fibre as of May 2024 nationwide. [20954/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Niamh Smyth

57. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the need for a licence to be required to erect a battery storage facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/24]

Cybersecurity Policy

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

58. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the role of the National Cyber Security Centre in tackling cyber scams [21487/24]

Recycling Policy

Alan Farrell

59. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the implementation and operation of the deposit-return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21557/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of ongoing concerns with the roll-out and operation of the deposit-return scheme; the measures he is taking to address these concerns; if he will report on Ireland’s experience thus far when compared with other EU states based on data he received (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21492/24]

National Broadband Plan

Aindrias Moynihan

61. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to progress areas still pending survey in mid-Cork under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21551/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 16 April 2024, the status of the community-led projects that were successful in RESS 2; the number that remain in the process; if these projects are on track to energise by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/24]

Climate Change Policy

Bernard Durkan

63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which Ireland continues to make progress towards meeting climate change issues with particular reference to flooding prevention, land drainage or management and any other issues of potential positive impact in meeting the various climate challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21542/24]

National Broadband Plan

Bernard Durkan

64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/24]

Recycling Policy

Paul Donnelly

65. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a stream of funding to local community groups or local authorities to repair and upcycle musical instruments that are left in recycling centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20938/24]

Energy Policy

Niamh Smyth

66. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has had discussions with the HSA on the enforcement of the Seveso III Directive in relation to battery energy storage systems. [21387/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on heat pump installations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 as part of the national retrofitting plan; how this compares to the targets set for the same period; what percentage of the 2030 target have been installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/24]

Energy Policy

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 25 January 2024, the status of the review by the CRU of gas and electricity connection policies for new large energy users; the timeline for the completion of the review and publication of the new decisions on the rules for future gas connections of large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/24]

Just Transition

Richard Bruton

69. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he has completed a review of the Just Transition process to date; what new elements are being considered in creating a legislative base for a Just Transition Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/24]

North-South Interconnector

Matt Carthy

70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his engagements with EirGrid at which he has received an update on the North-South Interconnector. [21466/24]

Climate Action Plan

Ruairí Ó Murchú

71. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the progress being made in local authorities to establishing climate action plans; what additional funding will be provided to councils for the implementation of these plans over their lifespan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21526/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 7 March 2024, the date on which the export tariff phase of the small-scale renewable energy support scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21572/24]

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

Richard Bruton

73. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the schedule for completing DMAPS for the different areas with potential for offshore wind projects; if he will outline the next steps on the first mapping completed for the south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21568/24]

State Bodies

Pádraig O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures are being taken to reduce the SEAI wait times which are currently in excess of 24-months; if consideration has been given to prioritising applications where an SEAI home upgrade would benefit a person’s health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21562/24]