Alan Dillon
Mayo · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Landlords are generally not in a position to supervise day-to-day waste management practices within occupied properties. The Government therefore has significant concerns regarding both the practicality and effectiveness of these provisions.”
“The Government has commissioned an independent study to examine the feasibility of moving Ireland's household waste collection system from the current side-by-side competition model to a franchise-based system. That study is examining the environmental, economic, operational and consumer implications of alternative market structures.”
“If the evidence supports significant changes to the market structure, the Government will consider those recommendations carefully. If the evidence suggests improvements can be achieved through strengthened regulation, enhanced enforcement or targeted reforms within the existing framework, those options should also be considered.”
“We also want to see a well-designed waste collection system that not only delivers environmental benefits but also provides householders with the opportunity to reduce their own household waste costs through reducing residual waste, correctly segregating recyclable materials and correctly segregating organic materials.”
“We have a lack of capacity so we need to continue that, and investment certainty is really important in that regard but also to enable Ireland to meet both our national and European obligations, which are far reaching. These will all benefit from a stable and predictable policy framework.”
“Ireland requires continued investment across the waste and resource sector. We need investment in collection infrastructure, recycling capacity, material recovery technologies, organic waste treatment, digital systems and innovation. Those making long-term investments require certainty regarding Government policy.”
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“Along with the derelict property tax, however, it will certainly create an enhanced pipeline for a lot of these types of projects and will inevitably support this scheme. That is what the Department is hoping will happen when we roll it out over the coming weeks. I take Deputy Sherlock's point on how much funding will be allocated to this. We await the detail in the circular that will be delivered to the local authorities in the coming weeks. Measures such as the buy and renew scheme, the vacant refurbishment grant and the urban regeneration and development fund are all programmes we speak about, but action and delivery are now paramount for many town centres that need this refurbishment and need to have new life breathed into their areas. I welcome the discussion today and hope the information is presented in a swift manner.”
“I thank Deputy Sherlock for the constructive points she has raised this afternoon. Certainly I feel there are many good local authorities that engage in these types of schemes very proactively. There are also local authorities that fall behind and do not promote them. The modified and expanded buy and renew scheme is a positive and the new parameters are very welcome. The inclusion of the contractor-led approach will give certainty to many local authorities and approved housing bodies. There is a challenge to get small builders and SMEs involved in this type of refurbishment. Many of them are on greenfield sites or involve other large-scale developments. There is a certain niche market for contractors and tradespeople to do this. It is a challenge to bring them into these types of programmes.”
“With local authorities identifying these properties and engaging with contractors through the buy and renew scheme, there is huge potential for greater momentum in repurposing and refurbishing existing stock. That has environmental and sustainable advantages compared with building new properties.”
“This will involve the local authority or approved housing body entering into a fixed-price purchase agreement with the contractor, providing certainty of an end purchaser for the contractor and the provision of new social homes for the local authority or approved housing body once works are completed in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement. Of course, properties developed under the buy and renew scheme must be in compliance with all other statutory requirements and with the housing regulations around standards for rental properties. This is an important update. It is important that we maximise the benefits of all schemes to bring more properties back on stream.”
“It will also ultimately increase the supply of social homes. As a further provision, the modified scheme mandates that properties must be both vacant and derelict to be considered for the scheme. This modification will ensure that local authorities and approved housing bodies tackle the most challenging properties first, which may not be easily addressed by any other means. The expanded buy and renew scheme has enormous potential to unlock development that might not otherwise progress in the absence of an assured purchase agreement approach by local authorities or approved housing bodies.”
“It is timely to bring this to the fore because the buy and renew is an important scheme but in its implementation we want to change it in two key ways. First, the buy and renew scheme, which is currently led by local authorities and approved housing bodies, AHBs, is being expanded to include a contractor-led approach. That will have multiple benefits. The aim is to bring forward an additional option for local authorities and approved housing bodies to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction. It will also provide a potential workstream for local contractors and a stepping stone for tradespeople to move into contracting, bring extra resources to bear in tackling vacancy and dereliction, and give certainty to contractors prepared to bring vacant and derelict properties back into productive use.”
“I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this matter and for the opportunity to update the Dáil on the modification and expansion of the buy and renew scheme. I am taking this question on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Department has a number of schemes in place targeted at increasing the supply of social housing and working towards ending dereliction. That is a key priority of the Government’s housing policy, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. We are all aware of the existing schemes in croí cónaithe around the vacant refurbishment grant. The Department is finalising specific details on the updated buy and renew scheme, and it is expected a circular will be issued to local authorities in the coming weeks. In the interim, I welcome the opportunity to update the House.”
“I thank the Senator for his amendment. I appreciate his intent and explanation in making sure the Bill works for sole trader employers. I know he was talking to some of our officials earlier. I assure the Senator that this amendment is unnecessary. The Bill itself already fully implements all the recommendations of the interdepartmental working group's report. That includes recommendation No. 4, which proposes a modified test for sole trader employers. Indeed, the test applied is that the sole trader must have ceased acting as an employer for any employee and that there are no restrictions on him or her continuing to earn a living as a sole trader. Therefore, I will not be accepting the amendment, but I trust that the explanation is to the Senator's satisfaction.”
“I can give a full response in writing but I agree that nature-based solutions are increasingly central to Ireland's adaptation policy. From my own experience, I know that examples are under way such as the wetland rehabilitation in the Shannon and Moy catchments. They are creating national flooding storage zones. I know we are under time constraints but I can send the Deputy the rest of the reply.”
“Nature-based solutions can build reliance into the priority risks that extreme wind and heat identified in the EPA's national climate change risk report published in June last year.”
“These contain measurable actions to improve the resilience of key sectors over the next five years. The Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment holds the responsibility for the NAF and the electricity and gas network sectoral adaptation plans. The other sectors are the responsibility of the relevant line Ministers. A new adaptation task force that was established at the end of last year recently commenced work to provide the senior level oversight and co-ordination of Ireland's approach to adaptation, including systematic delivery barriers and cross-cutting issues. Risk guidelines developed by the Department include as key principles a requirement that nature-based solutions be utilised where appropriate to improve resilience to climate impact.”
“In addition to our efforts to mitigate climate change, it is critically important that we plan ahead for a climate-resilient future. Over the past number of years this has become even more evident as powerful storms including Babet, Darragh, Éowyn and most recently Chandra have significantly impacted Irish people, our infrastructure and our economy. Ireland's whole-of-government adaptation policy response to the impacts of climate change is set out in the second national adaptation framework, NAF, published in 2024. The NAF sets out the national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of positive impacts. In November 2025, ten sectoral adaptation plans covering 13 key sectors developed under the 2024 NAF were approved by the Government.”
“Again, I agree with some of the Deputy's comments. It is an important piece that we need to get right. MARA can play an important role as to how it engages with those who are being supported through the community benefit fund and those in the locality who may not sit on the committee that manages the development fund but who have a role to play as to how we look at these types of projects. That approach would be very important in looking at the ecology piece and the benefit through the fund in order that it serves as a practical forum, that exchange of views can be brought to a meeting and there is problem-solving, guidance and data-sharing. That is an important focus that we will possibly go back and look to implement.”
“I thank the Deputy for his comments. I agree on the challenge faced by many communities dealing with the prospect of planning consent for large offshore projects. In the Department, my fellow Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, is looking at the national DMAP ORE element. The development of that, using the ecosystem-based approach, is really important. It is important that it is informative as to what impact it will have not just on the environment but also on the habitat and the fisheries. There is a job of work as to how we can work with local government, councillors and local authorities to ensure that awareness and that education piece is promoted and that the offshore renewable zones, which avoid ecologically sensitive areas, are incentivised and supported in a sustainable model to ensure that both can coexist.”
“The community benefit fund will be professionally managed on behalf of the local community, and a local community benefit fund committee will have full responsibility for its funding decisions. Given the anticipated high level of offshore generation, the amounts involved will be substantial and transformative for communities. It is estimated that these will comprise approximately €25 million per annum from the 3.1 GW of capacity contracted under phase 1 of ORESS.”
“In September 2025, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and my fellow Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, announced the publication of the proposal and accompanying public participation statement for the national designated maritime area plan, DMAP, for ORE. The proposal outlines the Government’s commitment to extensive and inclusive consultation with the public and stakeholders throughout the process. In recognition of the importance of coastal communities in the national DMAP process, a dedicated community liaison service has been contracted, with the sole focus of working with and providing information directly to coastal communities. Furthermore, all offshore wind generation development projects under the offshore renewable energy support scheme, ORESS, are required to make contributions to their community benefit funds.”
“The Government is committed to increasing support for offshore wind infrastructure in coastal communities. This is being done in ongoing consultation with all stakeholders in the development of offshore wind energy generation. This includes our local coastal communities and our valued fishing sector, which the Department recognises as crucial to the enduring success of offshore wind energy. The Department is committed to ongoing engagement with the fisheries sector under Ireland’s plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy, ORE, development. The seafood and offshore renewable energy working group provides a forum to facilitate constructive engagement on the interaction between the seafood and ORE industries.”
“The Government is focused on what we can control at the minute, which is building the network and ensuring that over 500 projects, including many substations and interconnectors, are delivered as part of EirGrid's and the CRU's project programme.”
“I thank the Deputy for his comments. Confidence is growing within the sector. The Lí Ban project was the only project across Europe that was awarded last year. We are ramping up our investment, from the State's perspective, to try to ensure the key enablers are in place. While many of these projects are currently in planning, we hope many will go to construction before the end of the decade. Our responsibility is to guide and support many of these companies. Each phase 1 project is responsible itself for the construction of its own offshore transmission asset. For the Tonn Nua project, EirGrid will build the offshore grid that will link to the connection.”
“Our immediate focus is to get these projects into construction. That is why we have established the accelerating renewable energy task force, alongside the Taoiseach's clearing house. That will provide inter-agency oversight to remove any barriers to grid planning or ports. We have very ambitious targets. In one sense, we are trying to put the resources in place financially, technically and institutionally because we need private investment, and significant amounts of it, to support connections on both the onshore and offshore sides. We are making progress in regard to previous and future auctions. We are also significantly ramping up investment in the CRU and EirGrid. They have agreed a new five-year programme with up to €18.9 billion being provided to support their plan in terms of building capacity within our grid.”
“The Department is currently developing proposals for an auction of the second site, Lí Ban, with potential capacity of between 900 MW and 1.5 GW. I expect the auction for that site to take place in 2027.”
“The Government remains committed to having 5 GW of offshore wind capacity in development by 2030, with a long-range target of 20 GW by 2040. Five phase 1 offshore wind projects off our east coast, accounting for 3.8 GW of capacity, are in development at present. It is anticipated that the first planning determination will be made by An Coimisiún Pleanála by the end of 2026. The phase 1 projects are responsible for constructing the offshore transmission assets that will connect the sites to the onshore grid. These transmission assets will transfer to EirGrid after commissioning. In December 2025, the Minister announced that the consortium of ESB and Ørsted had won Ireland's second offshore wind auction. It will develop an up to 900 MW project off the coast of Waterford, the first within the south coast designated maritime area plan, DMAP.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. Onshore wind is the largest contributor to renewable energy generation capacity in Ireland, with approximately 5.1 GW of wind generation capacity installed. The Government is committed to achieving 9 GW of installed onshore wind capacity. Onshore wind remains Ireland’s dominant source of renewable electricity and is second only to natural gas for overall electricity generation. In fact, we are among the world leaders for installed onshore wind capacity per capita and get a greater share of our electricity from onshore wind than anyone else across Europe. The Department recently launched a consultation on design features for the next onshore wind renewable electricity support scheme, RESS, auction scheduled to take place later this year.”
“Together, working with the local enterprise offices, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the cost of doing business advisory forum, we are very much committed to finding practical solutions and co-developing them to support our enterprise and small businesses.”
“I thank the Deputy for his remarks. I certainly hear that. During the engagements at the cost of doing business advisory forum. That is very much looking at the structural needs within the energy system, but also how businesses analyse and interpret their bills. We are looking to get more details in regard to how bills are calculated. I will point to empowering businesses to control the controllables. That is exactly why we have a suite of measures through the SEAI. They are readily accessible, be it the business energy upgrade scheme. We also have the support scheme for energy audits. That can give businesses up to €2,000 per site visit. We have other programmes, such as the EXEED programme, which funds on capital investment.”
“That would feed directly into the energy affordability action plan because price volatility has never been as apparent, especially given the current geopolitical state. It is important that the Government identifies the structural barriers, but also that we bring forward measures around affordability for enterprises and SMEs and that they become a permanent feature of the Irish energy system.”
“I again thank the Deputy for raising these important matters. I am someone who has a dual role within the Department of enterprise, with responsibility for small businesses. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has engaged with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to undertake an independent review into the speed and level of wholesale to retail price pass-through. That is really important because we need to ensure that there is transparency and fairness, but also that there is fair competition in pricing. We have had inherent structural challenges in Ireland such as our reliance on imported gas, our dispersed population and in other areas. It is important that through the national energy affordability task force we conduct a review on the cost drivers across the energy system, from infrastructure investment to market behaviour.”
“In June of last year, the Department established the national energy affordability task force to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The task force seeks to support the objectives of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, as well as other Government efforts and initiatives to alleviate the energy-related challenges businesses face, including through engagement with the cost of business advisory forum.”
“The Government has also introduced measures to reduce energy costs and unlock greater decarbonisation of Irish industry and enterprise over the medium term. For example, under the national development plan the Government has approved a significant equity investment, valued at €3.5 billion, in ESB Networks and EirGrid to support the financing of their ambitious capital investment plans of over €18.9 billion in the coming five years. The increased deployment of indigenous renewables, such as onshore and offshore wind and solar generation, will help to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and the associated price volatility. We are also supporting further interconnection with neighbouring jurisdictions, including the 700 MW Celtic interconnector between east Cork and France.”
“Addressing energy affordability for businesses is a priority for this Government. We are committed to supporting businesses to become more energy-efficient, thereby strengthening competitiveness through reduced energy costs. In budget 2026, the Government extended the accelerated capital allowance scheme for energy-efficient equipment until 31 December 2030. It also approved the extension of the 9% VAT rate currently applied to gas and electricity to December 2030. This encourages investment in energy efficiency and low-emission technology. The Department also funds schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which provide various supports to enterprises that can assist businesses in increasing their energy efficiency. The 2026 allocation for these schemes amounts to more than €40 million.”
“The combination of regulation on transparency and renewable integration will ensure that AI-related growth does not undermine the overall energy transitions we are trying to achieve.”
“Let me be clear, as will the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. The Government has very clear objectives. It has twin objectives around decarbonisation, but also around digitalisation. That is very much what we are focused on. We have the policy regimes to back this up. We are looking to harness Ireland as an AI innovation hub. That presents huge opportunities for economic growth. Along with that, we are providing significant investment into our energy systems. Some €3.5 billion in equity will go into EirGrid and ESB Networks and that will enable the modernisation of our grid, which is capable of balancing the new demand while safeguarding housing, enterprise, SMEs and essential services.”
“That is very important because each of these data centres or AI data storage systems will be required to meet at least 80% of their annual demand with new or additional renewable energy generation. That is driving down their emissions footprint.”
“I do not agree with the Deputy's assessment on where we are in regard to ensuring that we meet our climate commitments, which are enshrined in law. They are very much part of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act. They set binding carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings. That means no sector is left off the hook, and that includes AI and digital infrastructure. Neither of these can expand without regard to emissions footprints. The Department has developed a threefold policy response to this. The planning regulation specifies that all large energy users must comply with the CRU's guidelines and environmental licensing regime. When we look at the integration with renewables, the new large energy action plan promotes green energy parks where AI, data and research infrastructure directly connect to renewable supply.”
“Key pillars of the large energy users action plan will be the provision of a framework for the establishment of green energy parks in which to co-locate the most energy-intensive industry with the supply of renewables and other enabling technology and the establishment of a framework for near real-time greenhouse gas emissions reporting by large energy users.”
“To address these challenges and to maximise future opportunities associated with the twin digital and green transitions, the Government is pursuing a strategic medium-term approach for large energy users, as set out in the large energy users action plan published last month. In response to the question the Deputy asked, there is no single stand-alone Department report quantifying the climate impact of AI. As with all sectors of our economy, the operation and development of digital infrastructure, including AI, are underpinned by Ireland's legally binding climate objectives and the need to maintain robust energy security. The Government continues to work to secure a decarbonised energy future that unlocks enhanced use of renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technology and energy-effective solutions to reduce our carbon footprint.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government's new updated national digital and AI strategy was published last week. It sets out the Government's ambition and vision to 2030 to ensure Ireland remains a digital leader in an increasingly competitive global environment. It aims to secure Ireland as a global hub for applied AI innovation, strengthening our profile as a location for investment. It will ensure our economy reaps the benefit of digital and AI for growth and competitiveness, enhance our public services and empower our people to thrive in a digital society. In accelerating our digital and AI ambitions, it is important to acknowledge the significant energy and infrastructure challenges Ireland faces.”
“However, the Department of enterprise also wants to ensure that enterprises, SMEs and businesses are supported through the Department of Social Protection. That is an important element.”
“I thank the Deputies for raising these important matters. The most important lesson we have learned as to why there have been low rates of participation is that employers have not been engaged enough. We need to turn the dial as regards the challenges they may face and the barriers that may present themselves. We must ensure they are supported to have better disability and inclusion policies that are focused on employers. The voices of those within the disability sector also need to be heard at that table. We will look at the concerns, the challenges and the stories that have been presented. Many businesses want to employ people but need clarity on flexible arrangements and legal obligations. We have schemes in place that are managed through the Department of Social Protection.”
“The 15-hour threshold is a bit of a challenge. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, has been informed about that. It is something we could use into the future.”
“I thank both Deputies for raising these important matters. I absolutely share the concerns they have raised and about how long change has taken in this area. I want to underline that we are finally moving from language to implementation. Through the reporting and monitoring implementation group chaired by the Taoiseach, he wants to see the pillar around employment progress. As I said earlier, we have an employment gap between those who are disabled in employment and those who are not. At the most recent Fine Gael disability network conference, it was very apparent that we need to engage more with employer representative bodies to try to engage better with them to see what the perceived barriers are but also to ensure the likes of the wage subsidy scheme are refined to meet the needs of those who can avail of it.”
“The central commitment for my Department is to establish a ministerial-led forum on disability employment as a subgroup of the Department's enterprise forum. This forum will be issue driven and serve as a means of progressing how best to support employers to employ people with a disability, including addressing the perceived obstacles from an employers' perspective and covering issues, such as cost, productivity and legal concerns. The forum would also be a means of raising awareness among employers of the benefits of employing a person with a disability.”
“I also point to the wage subsidy scheme, which offers employers a financial incentive in hiring disabled people. Budget 2026 recently provided for an expansion of the scheme to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from invalidity pension to partial capacity benefit. In April 2026, the subsidy rate will also increase. My Department is co-lead of the employment pillar in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was launched in September last year. The ambition of the employment pillar of the strategy is to substantially reduce the employment gap between disabled people and others who are in employment and to enhance the opportunities for disabled people who can earn a living that they can do so.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government continues to support workers throughout their careers with initiatives to improve work-life balance and flexible working arrangements, which encourages greater labour market participation including the participation of people with disabilities, resulting in greater diversity and inclusion within our workforce. The Government has a wide range of supports in place to assist people. For example, through the Department of Social Protection's Intreo centres, disabled people can access mainstream employment opportunities and employment schemes as well as referrals to tailored supports, such as EmployAbility, which is a service that offers a professional job matching service and ongoing supports and advice.”
“We look at it through an interdepartmental group. We identify our domestic talent within certain specific areas in terms of where the skills needs are. My Department engages extensively with the Department of further and higher education, the National Skills Council and the skills and labour market research unit. We ensure that every recommendation on the occupations list is paired with where our domestic supply strategies are. That is across construction, ICT, healthcare and advanced manufacturing. We ensure the allocations we provide help to plug the gaps today, while we build up long-term strategies within the Irish capacity and educational system. It is about in one sense to manage carefully the balance between safeguarding our competitiveness, protecting our growth model and delivering for key sectors and our communities.”
“It is important to reflect that without those tradespeople and permits, our housing completions would slow down. It is having a positive impact regarding where we place these skilled labour workers.”
“Again, I thank the Deputy for the points he has raised. Targeted migration is essential for sectors, such as housing. It does not worsen the housing challenge that we are presented with. Through controlled and skilled-based migration into sectors such as construction, engineering and housing delivery, it directly increases our housing supply. That is reflective of the example where access to qualified tradespeople and technical specialists for housing completion will be a positive. Last year, over 2,000 permits were issued in the construction sector. That was a 47% increase on 2024. That is reflective in the completions. We have had over 36,000 new housing completions. These are record numbers. It is a 20% increase in housing supply from 2024.”
“The Department is finalising the outcome of the overall review and we expect to publish the updated occupation lists in the coming month. I remain committed to ensuring the employment permits system continues to be responsive, evidence based and supportive of key national priorities, including the delivery of housing.”
“For this review, the Department has worked closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure the employment permits system aligns with the national effort to expand housing supply. This collaboration focuses on identifying pathways for occupations that are essential to improving Ireland’s housing output. More broadly, when assessing changes to the lists, we take into account not only labour market evidence but also wider whole-of-government collaborations. This includes the impact inward migration may have on housing demand, transport, health and other public services. The economic migration interdepartmental group has convened and considered the evidence of the Department’s inputs.”
“Ireland’s economic migration policy is designed to address verified and persistent skills shortages across the economy. The system is vacancy-led and managed through the critical skills occupations list and the ineligible occupations list, which the Department reviews on a regular basis. A new review of the occupation lists is under way. This began with an open public consultation, which closed on 19 September and attracted a broad range of submissions including from the construction and built environment sectors. As part of this review, we consider both the eligibility of occupations and, where relevant, the need for quotas. Previous reviews have already made a significant number of construction-related roles eligible for permits, reflecting the importance of supporting increased housing delivery.”