Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]

Climate Action Plan

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s role in the monitoring of the implementation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plans; the details of any engagement he or his Department has had to-date with Galway City or County Councils with regard to their LA CAPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/24]

Energy Conservation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

76. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current wait time for the one-stop-shop home energy grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21486/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 16 April 2024, the status of the community-led projects that were successful in RESS-1 and that remain in the process; the number of these that have energised to-date; the expected timeline for the remaining projects to energise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the national biomethane strategy; when he expects this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21496/24]

Energy Conservation

Ruairí Ó Murchú

79. 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 the installation and promotion of communal and district heating schemes in the State; if there are targets for the number that could be installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21525/24]

Grant Payments

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

101. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when clarity will be provide to the SEAI by his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure that applicants to the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme can avail of the maximum SEAI retrofitting grant. [21632/24]

Recycling Policy

Peadar Tóibín

102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of tax collected on plastic bottles and cans since the deposit return scheme was introduced, and the amount in deposits paid back to customers in each of those months. [21718/24]

Recycling Policy

Niamh Smyth

103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/24]

National Broadband Plan

Niamh Smyth

104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the roll out of the national broadband plan specifically in relation to counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he will outline what percentage of both counties have received connections under the scheme; how much is left to do, and the timeframe for same.
[21190/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Denis Naughten

105. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the implications at household level as a result of the extension of the ETS to cover domestic heating; the projected additional costs to householders with a threshold set at €45/tonne; if this is on top of existing domestic carbon tax commitments; if not, its implication for the carbon fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21218/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Denis Naughten

106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the implications at the fuel pumps as a result of the extension of the ETS to cover transport emissions; the projected additional costs road users with a threshold set at €45/tonne; if this is on top of existing domestic carbon tax commitments; if not, its implication for the carbon fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21219/24]

Waste Management

Michael Healy-Rae

107. 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. [21230/24]

Recycling Policy

Holly Cairns

108. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that disabled people in rural areas cannot avail of the deposit return scheme as collection machines are not generally available in small retail outlets; and if he would consider introducing a grant to small retailers who cannot afford to purchase a collection machine. [21244/24]

Energy Policy

Matt Shanahan

109. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland has purchased the gas storage ship it announced in 2023 which customers were told that they would be paying for through their household bills; if, given that Ireland has apparently less than two years' supply of gas left and this ship was intended for reserves, the ship has been purchased; if customers have begun paying for it; to provide a status update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21263/24]

Emergency Planning

Matt Shanahan

110. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the 'public warning system' which enables mobile phone operators in Ireland to send warnings to the public via text message on behalf of the Government before or during large-scale public emergencies or when there is danger to life; if, given that it is EU law that every State operates a warning system to alert citizens to a national emergency, he will respond regarding an announcement around this in 2023; what progress has been made with respect to any implementation; to provide a timeline for the completion of this emergency service fully tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21264/24]

European Union

John Paul Phelan

111. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 30 April 2024, to list all Acts sponsored by his Department, or Statutory Instruments signed by Ministers at his Department, from 20 February 2020 to date, and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21296/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Violet-Anne Wynne

112. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what penalties Ireland will accrue if it does not meet its 2030 targets of a reduction of 50% on emissions and the 2050 target of 100% reduction on emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21375/24]

Electricity Grid

Violet-Anne Wynne

113. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that there were two orange alerts on the grid in recent months as high energy demand units continue to be added to the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21376/24]

Data Centres

Violet-Anne Wynne

114. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the recent planning permission granted for a data centre in Ennis; if he is concerned by the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21377/24]