Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has engaged with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, SEAI, ESB and EirGrid regarding the opportunity to use surplus renewable energy to help tackle fuel poverty in local authority and approved housing body homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27607/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Renewable electricity plays a crucial role in Ireland’s efforts to combat climate change. Under the Government has set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030 to create a more sustainable and resilient energy system for the future. My colleague, the Minister for Energy, Climate and Communications, has responsibility for these climates objectives and the regulation of electricity from a consumer perspective.

The which was approved by Government in December 2022, set out the range of measures implemented, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs were supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes over winter 2022/23. The implementation of the Action Plan has been monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications and including representatives from the Departments of Social Protection, Housing, Finance, Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Health and Rural & Community Development, along with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the HSE. A strong emphasis on fuel poverty and the need to improve thermal performance in the social housing stock remains a priority for my Department, as is evident in the Energy Efficiency Programme launched in 2021 which has received a substantial increase in annual funding support to assist local authorities in the management and maintenance of their stock.

Budget 2024 has provided a budget of €90 million for the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme this year which will allow for 2,500 local authority homes to be targeted for upgrade to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or cost optimal equivalent level.