Questions

4. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures being considered in the upcoming Budget to assist SMEs and local businesses in reducing ongoing energy costs, including through increased supports for energy efficiency, building retrofits, renewable energy and other measures that can deliver long-term reductions in electricity and heating costs. [67381/26]

5. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider measures in Budget 2027 to make energy retrofit grants more accessible and affordable for small and local businesses, particularly those for whom the upfront cost of works remains a barrier to undertaking energy-efficiency upgrades. [67380/26]

6. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in the context of the upcoming Budget, if he intends to increase funding or introduce additional supports for energy-efficiency and retrofit works for SMEs and small businesses. [67379/26]

108. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures his Department is taking to support the development of demand-side flexibility within Ireland’s electricity system; the role he expects demand-side response to play in achieving national electricity system and renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60266/26]

109. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has engaged with EirGrid, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and representatives of the demand-side response sector regarding the operation of the electricity market and the participation of flexible demand resources; the outcome of any such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60271/26]

137. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 will be published; if it will be accompanied by a full impact assessment and full cost benefit analysis with respect to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter [60775/26]

187. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether, in making appointments to the Climate Change Advisory Council, he assesses if there is a sufficient balance of specialist expertise and viewpoints to ensure robust scrutiny of climate accounting methodologies, including GWP* and temperature neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62724/26]

207. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration will be given to allowing the SEAI solar PV grant to support backup systems that enable households to safely use their solar-generated electricity during power outages, particularly during storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63373/26]

228. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the National Energy Affordability Taskforce is examining additional targeted measures to reduce home heating oil costs from September 2026 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58539/26]

213. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has assessed Ireland’s strategic oil security arrangements, including the resilience of national oil reserves, supply routes and emergency fuel distribution capacity; if any such assessment identified risks to Ireland’s energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54473/26]

149. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will consider extending the eligibility criteria for the warmer homes scheme to include recipients of the living alone allowance, thereby allowing them to qualify for free home energy efficiency upgrades. [49348/26]

242. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment further to the publication of consultation responses on plug-in mini solar systems, whether he has noted that every objection raised by (details supplied) relates to the absence of regulation rather than the technology itself; when he will publish a regulatory framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45597/26]

52. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the legislative or regulatory steps the Government plans to take to enable community energy sharing models, whereby locally generated renewable electricity can be shared directly between producers and consumers through the distribution network, similar to the model operating in Austria where over thousands of energy communities are n…

53. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps his Department is taking, including engagement with relevant standards bodies and stakeholders, to facilitate any necessary amendments to the National Rules for Electrical Installations (I.S. 10101) that would permit the safe installation of plug-in solar systems in homes and apartments; and if he will make a statement on t…

142. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration has been given to the introduction of financing supports aimed at encouraging investment in renewable energy technologies and residential energy efficiency upgrades, including apartment-based solar generation technologies such as plug in balcony solar systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [398…

281. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has engaged with the operators of the deposit return scheme regarding accessibility concerns raised by wheelchair users in accessing reverse vending machines independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40215/26]

316. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether accessibility standards or guidelines were applied in the rollout of reverse vending machines under the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/26]

317. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has received representations or complaints regarding the accessibility of reverse vending machines for wheelchair users and persons with limited mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40212/26]

318. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has engaged with a company (details supplied) or participating retailers regarding concerns that some reverse vending machines may not be accessible to wheelchair users due to the height and positioning of bottle and can chutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40213/26]

319. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether accessibility and universal design requirements form part of the operational or contractual arrangements governing reverse vending machines under the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40214/26]

310. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the safeguards currently required by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for homeowners making substantial upfront payments to SEAI one-stop-shop retrofit providers before works commence; whether additional consumer protection measures are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37416/26]

311. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has examined the potential financial exposure faced by homeowners participating in retrofit schemes who may be required to pay significant deposits in advance of works being completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37417/26]

260. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when submissions received as part of the Department’s September to October 2024 consultation on the optional provisions under Directive (EU) 2024/1711, including those relating to plug in mini solar systems, are expected to be published; whether it is intended that such submissions will be published in full; and if he will make a st…

261. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the potential impact of plug in mini solar systems on electricity bills, emissions reductions and grid demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34279/26]

262. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has examined the rollout of balcony or plug in solar systems in other EU member states, including Germany; any findings or conclusions arising from such examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/26]