Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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147. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost to the State to achieve its 2050 climate plan of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54072/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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148. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the expected cost to the State to achieve its 2030 climate plan of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 51% compared to 2018 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54074/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.

Achieving Ireland's climate ambitions requires a significant, long-term and coordinated investment of both public and private capital. The costs and investment frameworks for the 2030 and 2050 targets are outlined in Government strategies, most notably the Climate Action Plan, the Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and the National Development Plan (NDP).

The cost of climate action, or inaction, can arise in a number of ways. Direct costs to business or the Exchequer to mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change, or costs arising as a

In terms of Government spending, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (2023) projects that investment in the order of €1.6–3.0 billion annually will be required in 2026–2030.

Within my own sectoral remit of energy, the investment is particularly significant. Decarbonising the electricity sector, which is targeted with a 75% emissions reduction by 2030, has a potential infrastructure investment requirement of €40 billion to €44 billion. This includes essential supporting grid upgrades, which will be backed by a €3.5 billion equity injection for ESB and EirGrid under the newly revised NDP.

This investment is guided by the updated NDP, which now allocates €102.4 billion in public capital investment to 2030, including a €5.64 billion provision for my Department. However, reliance solely on Exchequer funding is neither affordable nor sufficient to deliver the transformation required. Therefore, the State's strategy is to leverage private investment through mechanisms such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and its offshore and small-scale counterparts. These schemes provide the certainty needed to attract the private capital essential for developing our renewable energy resources.

While upfront costs are significant, the transition to renewable energy and electricity yields net economic gains, lower fossil fuel imports, a growing green workforce, cleaner air and greater energy security. The CCAC Annual Review 2025 on Adaptation underlines that investing early avoids far higher repair bills, insurance losses and economic shocks. The Government’s objective is to manage the transition to a climate neutral economy in 2050 in a manner that protects growth and competitiveness, and provides for a Just Transition for all.