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homes most at risk of energy poverty, doubling grants to €3,600, a new grant for battery storage and finally rolling out plug-in solar, which this Government has delayed for far too long. Imagine the difference it would make to people’s lives if they could simply

considering measures with regard to domestic batteries. I have asked the ESB to examine the whole area of balcony or plug-in solar, as it is called. These are things that are critically needed. What is also critically needed is investment in our grid. For argument's sake

immediately cutting electricity costs for some of the most vulnerable households. As a short-term measure, the Government needs to allow for plug-in solar to be used in Ireland just as it is in the UK and across the EU, giving people without a roof access

grants for all other households. I ask the Minister to do that. The battery grant needs to be brought back in and plug-in solar needs to be looked at as well as more supports for businesses. They are simple measures but they are sustainable. They will help

lower end. They are the ones who do not qualify for the fuel scheme, etc. We need to take on plug-in solar energy in a serious manner

households, a €1,000 grant for batteries, free panels for those eligible for the warmer homes scheme and the rolling out of plug-in solar across the country. I ask the Tánaiste to consider that as part of the upcoming package

disability allowance, carer’s allowance and fuel allowance. We also need to see the rapid deployment of, or the ability to deploy, plug-in solar, which is very common in Germany and which has been introduced in the United Kingdom. These are very simple measures that we have

morning, middle Ireland and everything else. I think middle Ireland are households on less than €75,000 gross. We need to improve the solar panel grants for homes so people can afford them, and grade the cost as income goes down in a household so those with lower … Certainly, we need to target workers in what Government likes to talk about as the middle-income bracket. We need to introduce plug-in solar. That can be done. For low-income households in particular, solar is a quick and easy win to reduce the amount of electricity

when we have tens if not hundreds of renewable projects waiting for grid connections. Yesterday, I raised the issue of CIÉ charging a solar farm that is ready and built. Over €450,000 has been allocated in respect of a job that will take … with the Irish public? The families paying energy bill every month deserve nothing less than action. I will again mention plug-in solar. We are at a point where renewable energy generation is being reduced. We are wasting clean energy while households are paying the price. The concept

They are doing everything right and they still cannot get ahead. It is really important that those people can access schemes like the solar panel scheme. For the life of me, I do not understand why the Government cut the grants to those schemes which were so beneficial … actually charge up the batteries when electricity rates are cheaper at night. It just makes sense. We also need to see plug-in solar for apartments. Thousands of people are living in apartments in this country and they have no access to solar. I ask the Minister

Russia mounted its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Spain rapidly ramped up renewable energy capacity, achieving 75% low-carbon electricity generation last year. Solar and wind power are significantly lowering energy bills in Spain. Why are we not doing the same? Our climate boasts plenty of wind … else can explain the delay? There is so much more we could do. It is not just wind energy; there is also plug-in solar and enhanced battery capacity. Renewables can drastically reduce household bills. We need them to cut emissions and meet climate goals too. The Government

problem we face at the moment is significant. We are curtailing clean energy on a massive scale. We are switching off wind farms, solar installations and renewable sources because the grid cannot absorb what it is generating. At the same time, Irish families and businesses are paying some … trying to run a modern, renewable system on tools that belong to another era. Countries like Germany are reducing bills by allowing plug-in solar and easier battery roll-out by allowing renewables, and they have safe standards for it. Meanwhile, on another point, we are still making

energy so that we can make our own choices. The solution is to rapidly build onshore and offshore wind, develop our solar farms, put in place the energy interconnection systems that will tie us into other grids and ensure the energy we create here at times of high … systems. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, and I have spoken already about something small that will not change the world. In plug-in solar, even something small such as that, Ireland is behind because there is not that effort to bring those concerned, whether ESB Networks, EirGrid

taken radical action and adopted sustainable solutions. For example, in our budget, Labour proposed that the State should bulk buy targeted, free, plug-in solar units to lower bills for those most in need, a practical and tangible measure that had been taken in Germany. That

transition to renewable energy. For example, we have called for a radical measure, which is a €500 million investment in free plug-in solar units for households that would cut their bills by €150 per year and help meet climate targets. We have seen it done in Germany

flag in our sea and putting money into generating cheap electricity from our greatest asset. It is about spending €500 million on plug-in solar energy, as we proposed in our alternative budget, and additional investment on rooftop solar to help permanently bring bills down. This is something

other things we can do with taxation. I welcome my engagement with the Department and internally regarding energy in battery storage, plug-in solar and my Bill on private wires. I look forward to working with the Government in alleviating and allowing large energy users, LEUs, to supply

will always push for plug-in solar. The Tánaiste sent a lovely letter to my office regarding finance and directly helping on that. We need to make it easily available for people across Ireland and do a pilot scheme for those with disabilities or those who live

thank the Deputy for his ongoing interest in and genuine expertise regarding the issue of renewables and plug-in solar, and for his correspondence. I continue to engage with colleagues across Government on that. We will keep in touch with the Deputy in respect of it. I also

campaign has highlighted. They also need to be catered for in relation to the greater context of energy and how plug-in solar, battery storage and other smarter uses of electricity can really help them. Last week, we saw people asking for a one-off energy measure

private wires that could help to unlock community energy sharing, as is done in Denmark and Germany. I am also pushing plug-in solar, but that is all I can do. Will the Tánaiste, as the Minister for Finance, ahead of the budget, increase the school capitation grant

this issue in the forthcoming budget. I was pleased to hear my colleague, Deputy Heneghan, once again call for the introduction of plug-in solar. In my opinion, the sooner the better. His idea, supported by the Independents from day one, can make a real difference

wise words from our treasured older people. On the issue of vision, or lack thereof, Deputy Heneghan has been persistent in pursuing plug-in solar, which is not too far away. I say this in case there is any doubt about the ambition and vision of those

background to it, if I am honest, so therefore I cannot comment in any great detail on it. Deputy Heneghan referred to plug-in solar. He is plugged in himself on that issue; there is no doubt about that

highlighting some of the issues that are faced and providing some potential solutions. Most recently, Deputy Heneghan proposed a solution regarding plug-in solar panels. The Government needs to learn that when decisions are to be taken, if we take them more swiftly, the solution will then obviously