Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding allocated to energy security as part of Budget 2026; the way this will be spent; the timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55333/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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In July of this year, Government approved a €3.5 billion investment in Ireland’s electricity grid infrastructure over the period 2026-2030 as part of the National Development Plan. This represents the largest single investment in the country's electricity network in its history. This represents a transformative investment, which will strengthen Ireland’s energy security, support economic growth and accelerate our transition to renewable energy.

The investment will see €1.5 billion allocated to ESB Networks and €2 billion to EirGrid, enabling both companies to significantly increase capital investment to expand our onshore and offshore electricity transmission and distribution network infrastructure.

€1.1 billion has been allocated to my Department in Budget 2026, of which €724 million is allocated to the acceleration of Ireland’s energy transition. This is the most effective way in which we can enhance our energy security, by becoming more energy independent, less reliant on imported fossil fuel energy, and by developing a more sustainable energy system.

The funding allocated to the SEAI’s residential and community energy upgrades has been increased by €89 million to €558 million, delivering warmer and more comfortable homes and reducing heating bills.

The Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF), which was established in last year’s budget to manage windfall tax receipts and fund the climate transition, has facilitated the development of multi-year funding plans for many areas relating to Energy, Climate and Environment. €500 million has been allocated to my Department for the period 2026-2030 toward the development of new markets to accelerate the diversification and decarbonisation of Ireland’s energy system.

Specific spending commitments within the ICNF include, for example, €8 million which has been allocated for the delivery of an Offshore Site Surveying Programme in 2026, gathering data which will inform and de-risk ORESS (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) auctions, reducing costs long-term for the consumer and accelerating the delivery of Offshore Renewable Energy.