Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This refers to our focus on the transition to a lower-carbon and climate-resilient society. The next decade is critical in order to address the climate crisis and this is a core part of the national development plan.

In terms of the figures in the plan, through the period out to 2030 an additional €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency. In terms of strategic investment priorities for the sector, this includes supporting the delivery of offshore renewable energy, retrofitting homes and the installation of heat pumps.

I will provide examples of what is now happening. More than 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, an increase of 12,000 homes compared with the previous year. The first renewable electricity support scheme auction for onshore wind and solar projects was held in 2020, with 63 projects progressing through delivery milestones in 2021 and 2022. More than 5,000 ha of Bord na Móna peatlands were rehabilitated in 2022 as part of the enhanced decommissioning, rehabilitation and restoration scheme, which is co-funded under this heading by the EU recovery and resilience facility. From a transport perspective, 172 new buses for public service obligation, PSO, bus fleets were delivered in 2022, including 107 fully electric vehicles and 24 hybrids. There is a huge selection of themes under that heading but I have provided a sample of some of the areas of progress.

See this speech in context