Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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731. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has assessed the feasibility of establishing a modest electric arc furnace using domestic scrap to produce rebar or plate for public works; the estimated scrap availability, annual capacity range, power requirements and grid connection options; the engagement to date with potential operators; the supports for mature node PCB and controls assembly used in critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47212/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I am not aware that any such analysis has been carried out within my Department.

The proposal would seem to relate to a circular economy initiative to support steel recycling and use in public projects. As such it would intersect with the mandates of both the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (which leads on waste, recycling, circular economy, and green public procurement) and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (which leads on public procurement and public works).

While I am not be in a position to comment on the technical feasibility of such a project, I would welcome the implied objectives of reducing our demand for virgin metals and using circular economy principles in public procurement. If the Deputy wishes to engage further with my officials on a particular project or proposal I will be happy to facilitate through my office, with the support of the responsible Departments where appropriate.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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732. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the annual tonnage of ferrous scrap collected in the State since 2020; the share exported compared with that remelted domestically; the measures under consideration to retain higher-value processing in the State, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47213/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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This is a matter for the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment who would be best placed to provide this information.