Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that are being taken to reduce reliance on Russian energy on a European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36354/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The European Commission’s RePowerEU Communication of 18 May 2022 sets out measures to end dependence on Russian energy, including: saving energy, diversifying supplies away from Russia, substituting fossil fuels by accelerating Europe’s clean energy transition, removing financial and regulatory barriers to rolling out needed infrastructure, and ensuring Member States have contingency plans to deal with any disruption in supplies from Russia. The European Council meeting of 30 and 31 of May 2022 called on the Council to rapidly examine the Commission proposals to deliver on the REPowerEU objectives and this work is ongoing.

The National Energy Security Framework, published in April 2022, provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability.

Although Ireland is not as dependent on Russian gas as other Member States, it is important that we continue to be vigilant and cooperate closely with our European and UK counterparts. In recent weeks, Russia has disrupted supplies to an increasing number of EU Member States. Regularly tested emergency plans are in place which could be activated, if necessary, by Gas Networks Ireland - Ireland’s gas transmission system operator (TSO) and designated National Gas Emergency Manager. In addition, there are protocols in place between the UK and Ireland TSOs to deal manage gas supply emergencies.

The short to medium term oil supply outlook is positive, with petroleum product availability having improved somewhat in the last few weeks and no major supply difficulties expected by industry in the immediate term. NORA (the National Oil Reserves Agency) currently holds approximately 85 days of oil stocks, the overwhelming majority of which is in the form of physical product, with approximately 85% stored on the island of Ireland.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that he is taking to promote the installation of non-fossil fuel heating sources in homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36355/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) committed to reducing emissions from the residential sector to between 3.5 - 4.5 Mt CO2eq. by 2030, from 7 Mt in 2018. As part of the achievement of this reduction, the CAP set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide. As part of the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan, the Government recently announced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. Included in these measures was the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering significantly increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with heat pump. Information on all SEAI schemes is available on the SEAI website www.seai.ie.

Near Zero Energy Building requirements for new dwellings were introduced into the Building Regulations in April 2019 by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The NZEB requirements make it more attractive for builders and homeowners to further incorporate renewable technologies and move away from fossil fuels for heating. There are options for meeting compliance including heat pumps and/or solar PV.

Another important development was the publication of the National Heat Study in February 2022. The study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwelling and business types. This included the use of liquid biofuels, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks. The Study, which was prepared at my Department’s request, contains detailed analysis which will now facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050.