Written answers

Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Department of An Taoiseach

Departmental Staff

Photo of Barry HeneghanBarry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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98. To ask the Taoiseach the percentage of staff in his Department working from home for at least two days per week, in tabular form. [26564/25]

Photo of Barry HeneghanBarry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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98. To ask the Taoiseach the percentage of staff in his Department working from home for at least two days per week, in tabular form. [26564/25]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Guided by the Central Policy Framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service, the Department of the Taoiseach launched a Blended Working Policy in November 2022, with eligible employees invited to submit applications for blended working arrangements. The Department’s Blended Working Policy provides for a minimum attendance of three days per week in the office and additional attendance if business needs require it. Due to the nature of the work of the Department, employees are regularly required to attend in the office more than three days a week and not all roles in the Department are eligible for blended working. As at end Q1 2025, 47% (119) employees had applied for blended working arrangements.

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Guided by the Central Policy Framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service, the Department of the Taoiseach launched a Blended Working Policy in November 2022, with eligible employees invited to submit applications for blended working arrangements. The Department’s Blended Working Policy provides for a minimum attendance of three days per week in the office and additional attendance if business needs require it. Due to the nature of the work of the Department, employees are regularly required to attend in the office more than three days a week and not all roles in the Department are eligible for blended working. As at end Q1 2025, 47% (119) employees had applied for blended working arrangements.

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of the reported 1.3% energy emissions reduction in 2024 that is contributed by imported electricity; what this equates to in tonnes of carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27631/25]

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of the reported 1.3% energy emissions reduction in 2024 that is contributed by imported electricity; what this equates to in tonnes of carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27631/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.

The recently published SEAI Interim Energy Balance report for 2024 notes that there was a 1.3% decrease in energy-related emissions in 2024, including a 7.5% reduction in emissions from electricity generation, and a 1.2% reduction in transport emissions, though there was a 2.4% increase in heating emissions. In 2024, the gross supply of electricity increased by 4.1% compared to 2023.

Emissions from electricity generation in 2024 decreased due to reduced electricity supply from fossil fuel generation in Ireland. Electricity supply from fossil fuel generation in Ireland in 2024 was 0.5 TWh lower than in 2023, and 0.2 TWh higher for renewable generation. The report highlights that there was a 5.6% increase in renewable electricity generation in 2024. These are provisional figures and a detailed breakdown of emissions calculations won't be available until the EPA calculates Irelands national inventory of greenhouse gases, with 2024 figures expected to be published in July.

In 2024, 14% of Ireland's gross supply of electricity came from net-imports across interconnectors, including 7.4% across the East-West interconnector from Britain, and 6.6% across the North-South interconnector from Northern Ireland. Electricity supply from the net import of electricity across interconnectors in 2024 was 1.8 TWh higher than in 2023.

The CSO collates data around electricity imports and exports including around costs overall. Detailed monthly statistics are available on the Central Statistics Office website .

The increasing number of interconnectors between the continent, Britain & Ireland is enabling greater sharing of solar, onshore and offshore wind as weather patterns move across North-West Europe. This increasing interconnection is reducing emissions, prices and improving security of supply across all the interconnected countries.

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.

The recently published SEAI Interim Energy Balance report for 2024 notes that there was a 1.3% decrease in energy-related emissions in 2024, including a 7.5% reduction in emissions from electricity generation, and a 1.2% reduction in transport emissions, though there was a 2.4% increase in heating emissions. In 2024, the gross supply of electricity increased by 4.1% compared to 2023.

Emissions from electricity generation in 2024 decreased due to reduced electricity supply from fossil fuel generation in Ireland. Electricity supply from fossil fuel generation in Ireland in 2024 was 0.5 TWh lower than in 2023, and 0.2 TWh higher for renewable generation. The report highlights that there was a 5.6% increase in renewable electricity generation in 2024. These are provisional figures and a detailed breakdown of emissions calculations won't be available until the EPA calculates Irelands national inventory of greenhouse gases, with 2024 figures expected to be published in July.

In 2024, 14% of Ireland's gross supply of electricity came from net-imports across interconnectors, including 7.4% across the East-West interconnector from Britain, and 6.6% across the North-South interconnector from Northern Ireland. Electricity supply from the net import of electricity across interconnectors in 2024 was 1.8 TWh higher than in 2023.

The CSO collates data around electricity imports and exports including around costs overall. Detailed monthly statistics are available on the Central Statistics Office website .

The increasing number of interconnectors between the continent, Britain & Ireland is enabling greater sharing of solar, onshore and offshore wind as weather patterns move across North-West Europe. This increasing interconnection is reducing emissions, prices and improving security of supply across all the interconnected countries.

Photo of James GeogheganJames Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Taoiseach if his Department has full access and use of a software programme (details supplied); if not, the alternative provider being used and the version of that provider [26623/25]

Photo of James GeogheganJames Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Taoiseach if his Department has full access and use of a software programme (details supplied); if not, the alternative provider being used and the version of that provider [26623/25]

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