Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that air pollution is the single biggest environmental health risk and that polluted air from solid fuels continues to cause 1,300 premature deaths each year in Ireland; and the actions that his Department has taken to implement the measures to achieve clean air that have been recommended by an organisation (details supplied). [22752/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am acutely aware that air pollution is a significant cause of premature deaths and health problems in Ireland. It is estimated that each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning and that there are over 16,200 life years lost. Many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. In addition, there are significant costs to the economy each year in terms of healthcare costs and days of work lost. I have noted the recommendations in the report to which the Deputy refers. My Department is progressing new regulations on the use of solid fuels in Ireland which are critical to addressing this public health and environmental challenge and will serve to improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve.

With regard to retrofitting, a total of €267 million (of which €202 million is carbon tax receipts) has been allocated for SEAI residential and community schemes in 2022. This investment will support almost 27,000 home energy upgrades, including over 8,600 homes to a BER of B2 (a near doubling of B2 output over 2021) and 4,800 free energy upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty.

In addition, €85 million funding has been provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme. This investment is targeted to deliver 2,400 B2 (or equivalent cost optimal) upgrades this year.

Other actions to bring about cleaner air for all will be outlined in the forthcoming Clean Air Strategy. The public consultation period for the strategy has just closed and my Department is currently considering all submissions received, with a view to publishing the strategy later this year.