Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider outlining the renewable electricity support scheme and offshore renewable electricity support scheme auctions to take place between now and 2030; the dates they will take place; how they will be sequenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5809/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress of the designated maritime area plans for offshore wind to date; if there are plans for a designated maritime area plan for the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the means through which designated maritime area plans are being identified; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking to increase the number of energy customers to adopt a smart tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he gathers data on the number of households that are on a smart tariff following completion of a retrofit as part of the SEAI’s schemes; if so, the proportion, that are on a smart tariff following a retrofit for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if measures are used to encourage households that have had a retrofit of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5819/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023, what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; what is the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; what is the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; what is the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department is doing to ensure that Ireland will meet its 2030 target of 500,000 dwellings to B2 BER status 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that have been completed; the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 Climate Action Plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

272. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that are have been completed; the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 Climate Action Plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5904/24]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that Ireland has dropped six places on the climate change performance and is now 43rd amongst 63 countries; to report on the factors to that contributed to Ireland falling down the list; what steps he is taking to improve Ireland's performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the findings by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study of the warmth and wellbeing pilot scheme; if a report has been published or will be published in the future; how the finding of the study will inform the SEAI retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 168 and 169 of 25 January 2024, his views on the particular cases in questions and whether or not they are eligible payment for the microgeneration support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/24]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport in relation to the proposals to introduce later opening hours for pubs and clubs; what work has his Department carried out to assess the potential impact on night time transport; what plans have been put in place to address its potential impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4980/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 687 of 17 January 2024, the funding provided per fee paying school for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; if she is aware of funding to fee-paying schools from other Government Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5470/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

549. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason care assistants working during the Covid pandemic with an organisation (details supplied) nationwide have been excluded from payment of the special recognition payment, despite doing the same work as all the other healthcare professionals who received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/24]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

21. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the deteriorating public bus services in County Meath; the level of bus cancellations; how he plans to improve these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4448/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the Climate Action Plan for 2023 in respect of the transport sector; what actions are still outstanding from 2023; the timeline for delivery of these delayed actions; how he thinks delayed actions will impact on rising emissions in the sector; his plans to address rising emissions in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/24]

Fiscal Policy

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance about the actions outlined in Ireland’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap; the progress to date to implement same; what engagement has been carried out at EU and international levels by him and his Department as outlined in the 2023 climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/24]

European Investment Bank

Darren O'Rourke

146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date to promote opportunities for the European Investment Bank to invest in relevant climate projects in Ireland; if a working group has been established; how many times the working group has met; if will he report on these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4483/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

26. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date to consider a number of reforms to the taxation system under relevant tax heads from an environmental perspective as outlined in the climate action plan 2023; what, if any reforms have been made; what is the environmental impact of these reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4484/24]

Energy Usage

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households availing of smart tariffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/24]

Energy Usage

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households availing of smart tariffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3706/24]

Data Centres

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres currently operating. [3740/24]

Data Centres

Darren O'Rourke

144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres proposed but not yet operating. [3741/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 55, 59, 60, 72, 92 and 93 of 17 January 2024, the process that is followed if the post BER rating of a retrofit completed remains the same or is downgraded; if there is an established procedure to follow up with the contractor and or homeowner; if there are any penalties for the contractor; if these procedures are the same across all SEAI schemes; what oversight is performed when contractors carry out a retrofit where post BER rating remains the same or is downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3850/24]

Illegal Dumping

Darren O'Rourke

153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of illegal dumping, broken down by local authority, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3903/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 58, 59, 60, 82 and 92 of 17 January 2024, the reasons that pre-and post BER ratings of properties retrofitted as part of the SEAI’s warmer homers scheme are not available for thousands of properties; the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what assessments are carried out to assess BER rating pre and post-retrofit across SEAI schemes; if these are standardised across all schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3905/24]

Waste Management

Darren O'Rourke

156. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what proportion of households have their waste collected, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3911/24]

Illegal Dumping

Darren O'Rourke

157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of illegal dumping in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3912/24]

Departmental Policies

Darren O'Rourke

241. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the 'right to repair' measures as set out in the European Commission Circular Economy Action Plan; if his Department will implement any of the proposals contained within; what is the progress to establish right to repair measures in Ireland; what preparations his Department is making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3843/24]

Middle East

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs about the situation in Palestine; what legal advice he sought before deciding not to join South Africa's case at the ICJ; about progress on the occupied territories Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3344/24]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made to scale up climate financing through existing channels; what new funding initiatives are planned and/ or underway; what plans there are to enhance reporting on the gender responsiveness of Ireland's climate financing; if official 2023 figures have been submitted to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3343/24]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the ongoing high cost of energy in Ireland, his plans to identify underlying factors for this; his further plans to address them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/24]

Environmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about heat pumps, what solutions are available for those whose homes are not suitable or who cannot afford heat pump installation; if biofuel boilers in the residential sector are being considered as part of the solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3488/24]

Energy Usage

Darren O'Rourke

93. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of EirGrid’s recent warning that capacity deficits have been identified in the ten years to 2032; what steps he is taking to address the structural features of the electricity market which contributed to the electricity market crisis as noted in the recently published McCarthy report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3414/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the warmer homes scheme whether the eligibility criteria is sufficient to ensure the most vulnerable have access to the scheme; how are the poorest, coldest homes identified and targeted; if there are plans to expand the eligibility criteria of the scheme to include those on invalidity pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3416/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the deposit return scheme; what measures he has taken to ensure that the retail sector is sufficiently prepared; what measures he is taking to ensure that the scheme is accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3417/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

126. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of growing concerns of industry that Ireland’s renewable energy targets are unlikely to be achieved; what measures he is taking to address the identified key barriers to progress; if he is aware of the recent report from the European Commission that Ireland’s share of energy consumption from renewables is the lowest level in the EU 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3415/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of the small-scale renewable support scheme; what additional supports are available to renewable energy communities; what measures his Department is taking to address the difficulties that renewable energy communities are facing including connecting to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3413/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the microgeneration scheme, and if he is aware of concerns of some customers that they will have to wait until at least 2025 to participate despite already having the investment. [3515/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the microgeneration scheme and the following case (details supplied); if he plans any measures to speed up this process; if delays will be compensated or any additional supports provided; if there are any alternatives for this business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3516/24]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

224. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education how she plans to respond to a judgment (details supplied); what guidance she received in preparing this planned response; what guidance has been provided to schools on the back of the ruling; if she has engaged with the NSCE on the back of this ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3459/24]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

225. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education about the assessment of children with special needs; if she is aware of concerns around the devolution of the legislative responsibility to schools; what stakeholders she engaged with; if she will report on these interactions; what factors led to the decision to devolve responsibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3460/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

226. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled permanent teaching positions in primary schools for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3461/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

227. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled permanent teaching positions in post-primary schools for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3462/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

228. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled fixed term teaching positions in post-primary schools for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

229. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled fixed term teaching positions in primary schools for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-3023 and 2023-3024 school years, broken down by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3464/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

230. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled maternity cover teaching positions in primary schools for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, broken down, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3465/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

231. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unfilled maternity cover teaching positions in post-primary schools for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3466/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

232. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to report on unclaimed EAL and part-time SET teaching hours for the school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-23; the number of unclaimed EAL, part-time SET teaching hours, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3467/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

233. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education about unclaimed hours EAL and part time SET teaching hours; the reasons these cannot be banked in the midst of an on-going teaching shortage; are there plans to change this; if there are plans to allow schools to bank these hours in order to meet the needs of vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3468/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

234. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unqualified teachers in fixed term positions for the school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, broken down by country, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3469/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

235. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the number of unqualified teachers in maternity positions for the school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-23, 2023-2024, broken down by country, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3470/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

236. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the revenue saved due to unclaimed EAL and part time set teaching hours for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 school years, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3471/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

237. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the revenue saved due to the number of unfilled permanent teaching positions for 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 the school years, broken down by country, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3472/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

238. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the revenue saved due to the number of unfilled fixed term teaching positions for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 school years, broken down by country, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3473/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

239. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the revenue saved due to the number of unfilled maternity cover teaching positions for the school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, broken down by country, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3474/24]

Healthcare Policy

Darren O'Rourke

330. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about the devolution of legislative responsibility for the assessment of children with addition needs to schools; to what extent his Department was involved in this policy measure; what work his Department did to ensure that the rights of the child are upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3475/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Darren O'Rourke

331. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of a ruling (details supplied); what work his Government is doing to respond to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3476/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) regarding the warmer home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the required contractor declaration of insurance (details supplied); when these changes come into effect; what supports are being provided to businesses in the Northern Ireland to support them to continue their work in southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/24]

Taxi Licences

Darren O'Rourke

188. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the ten-year rule for taxis not covered by the existing extension, starting with 151-registered vehicles, given the fact that they will be due for renewal in 2025 when, paradoxically, older vehicles will not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2888/24]

Industrial Disputes

Darren O'Rourke

237. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the ongoing industrial action at the emergency call answering service in Navan; if he is aware that they have balloted for strike action; if he is aware that a company (details supplied) has refused to attend the hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission; if it is permissible that a company carrying out a State contract can refuse to attend a hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2595/24]

School Accommodation

Darren O'Rourke

280. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the conditions at a school (details supplied); what steps she is taking to address this; when the school can expect progress on a permanent address; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2532/24]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

298. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education her views on the recent ruling in the High Court which challenged the legality of the of the devolution of the NCSE's legislative responsibility for the assessment of children with additional needs on to schools; what steps she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2823/24]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

299. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of concerns that bodies representing schools felt they were insufficiently consulted concerning the devolution of the NCSE's legislative responsibility for the assessment of children with additional needs on to schools; what steps she is taking to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2824/24]

School Staff

Darren O'Rourke

300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education her views on teacher shortages; how many positions remain unfilled; what measures she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2825/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Darren O'Rourke

89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the apprenticeship programmes operating in Meath; the number of those on waiting lists in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number that have experienced delays in arranging training in education centres; to provide an update on those apprenticeships associated with the green transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2019/24]

Further and Higher Education

Darren O'Rourke

108. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what work his Department is carrying out to address the skills deficit to meet 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2018/24]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

248. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice her plans to ensure that increases in Garda recruitment are commensurate with population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2202/24]

Disability Services

Darren O'Rourke

288. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown of the staff numbers and grade in each of the CDNTs in County Meath in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2105/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

301. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health to report on progress of the HSE's climate action strategy; how much has been drawn down to date; when updated cost estimates will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2020/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Darren O'Rourke

302. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health what measures his Department is taking to address the impact of solid fuel burning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2021/24]

Passport Services

Darren O'Rourke

42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications currently with the Passport Office from persons based in County Meath. [1169/24]

Economic Sanctions

Darren O'Rourke

46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if additional harsher sanctions will be discussed to be applied to North Korea due to their involvement in the war against Ukraine at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. [1627/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

54. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if heat tests are carried out as part of the national retrofitting programme in advance of carrying out a retrofit. [56223/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

56. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) concerning the warmer home scheme, that inadequate work is carried out to reach a B2 standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56305/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Darren O'Rourke

57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the €170.2 million underspend in residential and community retrofits in 2022; the factors that caused this underspend; the steps that he took to address them; if he anticipates an underspend in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56310/23]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

58. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits carried out in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, broken down by scheme and by pre to post-BER ratings, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56315/23]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average energy uplift as part of the warmer homes scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56316/23]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average energy uplift per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56317/23]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many sold fuel homes were retrofitted as part of the national retrofit programme broken down, by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56318/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

62. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of additional workers required to reach the Government's national retrofitting targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56324/23]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed broken down, by SEAI scheme and the pre-BER, post-BER of completed projects in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56578/23]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

73. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of retailers who have signed up for the deposit return scheme to date; how many retails have yet to sign up; what major retailers have signed up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56603/23]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to double the domestic solar PV scheme by 50% over the next five years. [56818/23]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the Youth Assembly on Climate; and how he plans to respond to the report’s recommendations. [55772/23]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) that particulars of the re-turn scheme will render it anti-competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57325/23]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

101. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the re-turn scheme will process imported drinks containers from EU Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57326/23]

Electricity Grid

Darren O'Rourke

108. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what, if any, additional funding has been provided to increase grid capacity and-or to prepare the grid for renewable energy projects; if there are plans to increase this; what, if any, requests for additional funding have been made to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1100/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

111. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the WTE staff by job title working in the geological survey division of his Department as of 3 January 2024; the number of vacancies currently in this division; and when he expects these vacancies be filled, in tabular form. [1171/24]

Electricity Generation

Darren O'Rourke

112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Celtic Interconnector; and if the project is on track to meet the target of a 2026 completion date. [1209/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process for a firm to register on the SEAI website; what checks are performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1593/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on concerns (details supplied) that insufficient oversight is performed on firms registered on the SEAI website; the measures he is taking to address these concerns and to provide adequate protection to people pursuing energy upgrades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1594/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of recent reports (details supplied) that due to firms going into liquidation, would be customers have lost significant investment into home energy upgrades; what measures he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1595/24]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

122. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects to fill the vacancies on the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland. [1629/24]

Electricity Supply Board

Darren O'Rourke

123. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he last met the CEO of the ESB. [1630/24]

Fuel Sales

Darren O'Rourke

134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the supply of HVO fuel to Ireland; if the supply is sufficient to meet current demand in all relevant sectors; if there are plans to increase supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/24]

Fuel Sales

Darren O'Rourke

135. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the supply of biofuels to Ireland; if the supply is sufficient to meet current demand in all relevant sectors; if there are plans to increase supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1903/24]