Written Answers Nos. 177-195
177. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the launch of the home energy upgrade (low-cost) loan scheme, if applicants who wish to install solar panels to counter the extortionate energy costs in Ireland will be in a position to apply under this scheme without installing other additional retrofitting measures (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19421/24]
View answerThe Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was launched on the 24 April 2024. PTSB is the first financial institution to offer loans to homeowners under the Scheme, with rates from 3.55% available now. AIB, Bank of Ireland, Avant Money and seven credit unions from the Irish League of Credit Unions (Clonmel, Connect, First South, Listowel, Naomh Breandan, North Midlands and Progressive) are finalising the approval process and legal requirements to provide the Scheme and are expected to commence offering loans shortly.
The loans available will help reduce the financial challenges for many homeowners and will play a crucial role in helping homeowners to invest in energy efficiency, making their homes warmer, cheaper to run and helping to lower emissions. It will also signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy.
Loans can only be used to fund solar photovoltaic (PV) panels where they are installed as part of a deep retrofit supported under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (One Stop Shop Service) or Community Energy Grant Scheme. Where a homeowner is using the loan to pay for works under SEAI’s Better Energy Homes Scheme for Individual Energy Upgrade Grants, up to 25% of the amount borrowed can be used for other non-eligible home upgrades, which may include Solar PV.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are financing options generally available in the market for solar PV as a standalone measure. Some solar PV companies offer a fully funded solution whereby the entire cost is funded over a fixed number of years with no upfront costs. Many solar PV companies also offer solar PV ‘net of grant’ so the homeowner only needs to pay the difference between the overall cost and the grant.
It is also important to note that there is also a range of existing government initiatives supporting the installation of residential solar PV as follows:
• Under the Microgeneration Support Scheme, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grants of up to €2,100 are available for houses built prior to 2021. Buildings do not have to meet a minimum BER (Building Energy Rating) standard.
• On 1st May 2023, Government announced a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises’ which is also a significant support for homeowners.
• Revised planning permission regulations were introduced in October 2022 which expanded the eligibility of properties for exemptions from planning permission when installing Solar PV.
• Irish micro-generators can avail of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff, allowing them to receive payment from their electricity supplier for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value of the electricity.
178. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the carbon emissions associated with all official air travel in tonnes; the value of these emissions; the amounts paid to the climate action fund by each Department, agency and body required to do so under the procedures for offsetting the emissions associated with official air travel for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19423/24]
View answerPayments in accordance with the provisions of Circular 01/2020 (Procedures for Offsetting the Emissions Associated with Official Air Travel) are made into the Climate Action Fund (CAF) for which my Department has responsibility.
It is important to note that payments are not made directly into the CAF, as any transfers into the CAF are subject to prior approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This approval is usually sought later in the year so as to allow for error corrections or late payments.
It is the responsibility of individual bodies to ensure that the correct payments are made to the CAF in relation to the Circular. It is also the responsibility of individual bodies to estimate the carbon emissions associated with every official flight taken and to keep a central record of these emissions. While my Department does not keep a central record of every bodies carbon emissions associated with all official air travel in tonnes, I have provided information on payments into the Fund in the attached table.
179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is planning to introduce to reduce the amount of renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect more surplus renewable energy to those living in energy poverty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19458/24]
View answerIreland’s Climate Action Plans recognise the need for a range of cross-government policies to enable the transformation of the electricity sector, such that it can become more adaptable and flexible, in response to the ever-increasing volume of distributed renewable energy sources on the grid.
The underlying issue raised by this question is the "dispatch-down" of renewable energy, which refers to the amount of renewable energy that is available but cannot be used by the electricity system. This can be due to broad power system limitations, known as curtailments, local network limitations, known as constraints, or energy supply exceeding consumer demand at a particular time. Dispatch-down is unfortunate and EirGrid are addressing the grid limitations that cause it through various measures under its “Shaping Our Electricity Future” roadmap. Dispatch-down can be minimised by the adoption of demand-side response measures and greater levels of interconnection and electricity storage systems.
It is also recognised that Ireland’s citizens and communities can play a central role in this transition, by flexibly managing their energy assets; in response to the level of renewable energy on the grid and in doing so, they can also lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Consequently, Ireland’s Energy Security Package commits Government to improving the ways that homes and businesses can manage their energy use by providing an evidence-based programme of communications and supporting ‘active consumers’ through smart metering and smart energy services and technologies. These services will enable consumers, including those in energy poverty, to flexibly adjust their demand in response to market signals and the changing level of renewable energy available.
A consultation to inform the development of a revised Energy Poverty Action Plan was published on gov.ie on 13th March 2024 and is currently open for submissions. The revised Plan will set out a wide range of clear, timebound actions aimed at tackling energy poverty with appropriate governance and evaluation, and will consider the use of smart technologies, such as those utilised by EnergyCloud and other Smart Energy service providers, in order to benefit energy poor households and other vulnerable citizens.
180. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the provision of fibre broadband to the IDA Industrial Estate, Kilmallock Road, Charleville, County Cork; if he acknowledges the urgent need for fibre broadband at this location for the many businesses that require this infrastructure to support their growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19503/24]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
NBI reports that all 955 Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) sites have been installed before the end of 2023, of which 283 are publicly accessible Broadband Connection Point sites now connected with high-speed broadband service through a service provider contract with Vodafone. The remaining 672 installed SCPs are part of the SCP Schools Programme.
The remaining targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
A number of the premises in the Industrial Estate referred to in the Question are situated in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High-Speed Broadband Map, which is available on the Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to these premises can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at Network Map - NBI. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
The remainder of the premises in the Industrial estate referred to in the Question are in the BLUE area. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in any given area. Further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via my Department's webform at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and officials in my Department will escalate with open eir to investigate this matter further.
As per the records available to the department, all premises in this IDA industrial estate are capable of getting 90-100 Mbps from the local open eir HSBB cabinet RLC1_009.
In order to ensure that we are meeting the "Gigabit" targets as mentioned in the Digital Connectivity Strategy, my officials are continuously evaluating opportunities for adding premises to the Intervention Area, where appropriate. Alternatively, where it is not feasible for premises to be recategorised, we are addressing the issues through the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force (the Taskforce).
The Taskforce comprises State actors and industry representatives and is tasked with identifying and overcoming barriers to improved connectivity. The Taskforce was originally established in 2016 to identify immediate solutions to mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits, and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to full build and rollout of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention (NBP).
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 1.1 million homes. SIRO has recently reached a milestone of enabling over 560,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. Virgin Media recently announced a €200 million investment plan to upgrade its cable network to bring full fibre to up to 1 million premises over the next three years, to date it has passed 252,000 premises with full fibre.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 4 of 2023, saw a 7.51% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Quarter 3, 2023, and a 33.33% increase when compared to Quarter 4 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing substantially as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c. 40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (667,771) or cable (348,251) infrastructure.
181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of copper communication lines within his Department that are currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18832/24]
View answerMy Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. The data and telephony, which is Voice Over IP (VOIP), communication lines for the Department of Defence are fibre optic communication lines.
My Department also has a number of copper communication lines that are currently in active operation, this includes lines which are required to meet building safety requirements such as lifts and fire safety equipment.
182. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to list all Acts and Statutory Instruments sponsored by his Department which became law from 20 February 2020 to date in 2024 and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level. [19161/24]
View answerWork is currently in progress within my Department to transpose the new Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2557). The deadline for transposition of this Directive is 17 October 2024.
Apart from this Directive my Department has not sponsored any legislation within the scope of the Deputy's question.
183. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide the amount of grant-aid returned and or surrendered to his Department, by local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to include the heading of which it was intended for. [19356/24]
View answerI can confirm that none of the grant funding assigned within my budget for the 2022 and 2023 financial years was returned or surrendered. The position in relation to the 2024 financial year cannot be confirmed until post year end as the budget is assigned for the financial year and can be used at any time during the year.
184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to dismantle the keepers' quarters roof at Tiaracht lighthouse, County Kerry, effectively allowing it to fall into disrepair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19070/24]
View answer185. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the current condition of the Bull Rock lighthouse; if it is in a bad state of repair, with gannets flying in and out of the building through broken windows and a damaged roof; if there are plans to repair the lighthouse’s roof and windows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19071/24]
View answer186. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the current condition of the offshore lighthouses; the most recent date of assessment of each and the findings; if there are plans to maintain, renovate or safeguard any of the lighthouses in 2024; the budget for any planned maintenance works in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19072/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185 and 186 together.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights, which is under the aegis of my department, has statutory responsibility for the maintenance of lighthouses around the coast of Ireland. In view of this, I have referred your questions to it for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
187. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of difficulties facing Dublin Bus and other transport providers in recruiting and retaining maintenance staff; the steps his Department is taking to ensure staff shortages do not hinder the roll out of BusConnects or plans to expand the bus transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18749/24]
View answer188. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the staff numbers in maintenance and mechanics for Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and a company (details supplied); the details of any shortages of staff in these areas; the plans by these companies to ensure that staff numbers in these key areas are filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/24]
View answer189. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and a company (details supplied) use directly employed labour in the maintenance of their bus fleet; the scale of these companies' use of contract labour or outside companies for the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188 and 189 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, and GoAhead Ireland. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
190. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if further consideration will be given to increase the funding for roads in County Clare to ensure that roads that have been in disrepair for a number of years will receive immediate remediation to ensure road safety in rural communities in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18773/24]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads.
As outlined in the 2024 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 15th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.
Irelands regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilience. As such, €658 million was allocated to Regional and Local Road Grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This represents an overall grant funding allocation increase of 5%.
Under the 2024 grants allocations, Clare County Council was allocated over €43 million for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of over €4.8 million compared to their 2023 allocation. This funding will support Clare County Council in carrying out an extensive 2024 programme of maintenance and restoration works. In addition, the funding is earmarked to support various climate adaptation projects, bridge rehabilitation schemes and vital safety improvement works.
Under the National Development Plan, the Government prioritises carrying out targeted improvements to sections of the regional and local road network with €677 million earmarked over the 10-years until 2030. Road improvement projects can be proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding. All projects put forward must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and the Transport Appraisal Framework. Each project will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, keeping available resources in mind. My Department continues to work closely with all local authorities.
191. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Irish Rail/Bus Éireann to see how additional car spaces could be provided at Athlone bus and train station to incentivise people to use public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18798/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of park & ride facilities.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
192. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to allocate further funding to Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and throughout the country, given the dire state of Ireland’s minor and local road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18820/24]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads.As outlined in the 2024 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 15th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.Irelands regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilience. As such, €658 million was allocated to Regional and Local Road Grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This represents an overall grant funding allocation increase of 5%.Under the 2024 grants allocations, Monaghan County Council was allocated over €17 million for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of nearly €835,000 compared to their 2023 allocation. Cavan County Council was allocated over €18 million for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of nearly €630,000 compared to their 2023 allocation.
This funding will support Monaghan and Cavan County Councils in carrying out an extensive 2024 programme of maintenance and restoration works. In addition, the funding is earmarked to support various climate adaptation projects, bridge rehabilitation schemes and vital safety improvement works. Under the National Development Plan, the Government prioritises carrying out targeted improvements to sections of the regional and local road network with €677 million earmarked over the 10-years until 2030. Road improvement projects can be proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding. All projects put forward must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and the Transport Appraisal Framework. Each project will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, keeping available resources in mind. My Department continues to work closely with all local authorities.
193. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if, in relation to the underspend within his Department (details supplied), some of this money can go to Cavan and Monaghan to help fix the road network. [18821/24]
View answerThe Department's Capital Carryover from 2023 into 2024 is fully committed, and an underspend in 2024 is not forecast.
The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient. As such, €658 million was allocated to Regional and Local Road Grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This represents an overall grant funding allocation increase of 5%.
Under the 2024 grants allocations, Monaghan County Council was allocated over €17 million for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of nearly €835,000 compared to their 2023 allocation. Cavan County Council was allocated over €18 million for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of nearly €630,000 compared to their 2023 allocation.
194. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if a more in-depth plan/survey is being pursued on the local and national road network in Cavan/Monaghan to assess the condition and monies needed to fix same. [18822/24]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.As outlined in the 2024 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 15th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.Irelands regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilience. As such, €658 million was allocated to Regional and Local Road Grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This represents an overall grant funding allocation increase of 5%.
Within the budget available, grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all eligible local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain the network. The three most significant grants for Councils in terms of monies and in terms of maintaining the road network in a serviceable condition are Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement and Discretionary Grant. The amount that each local authority receives under these three grant programmes is based on the regional and local road length in each county or city area (taken as a proportion of the total road length and multiplied by the amount available for that programme) with some account taken of traffic.
Under the National Development Plan, the Government prioritises carrying out targeted improvements to sections of the regional and local road network with €677 million earmarked over the 10-years until 2030. Road improvement projects can be proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding. All projects put forward must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and the Transport Appraisal Framework. Each project will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, keeping available resources in mind. My Department continues to work closely with all local authorities.
As well as providing grant support to local authorities, my Department has supported the development of a Road Asset Management System for regional and local roads. The Road Management Office, which has been established as a shared service between 31 local authorities, together with my Department, has been working with local authorities to ensure that this road pavement management system includes a record of all pavement-related works and information on road surfaces and pavement condition.
The objective of the MapRoad pavement management system is to provide the data needed for evidence-based prioritisation and management of road work programmes by each road authority.
My Department has also produced a Pavement Survey Standard for regional and local roads for use in respect of road pavement management by local authorities. This standard requires local authorities to carry out a Pavement Survey Condition Index (PSCI) visual survey on regional, local primary and local secondary roads every two years and every five years for local tertiary roads. The next regional roads survey is to be carried out this year.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
195. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that from the funding pot this year of €18.1millon for Cavan, only 13km of road in the Ballyjamesduff municipal district, which has 1,000km of road, will be resurfaced due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/24]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
On 15th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €658 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an increase of €32 million over the 2023 allocations, with each local authority receiving an increase in funding for their Restoration Improvement grant.Cavan County Council received a total allocation of €18,140,310 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of nearly €630,000 compared to their 2023 allocation.
The Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated to local authorities on a pro-rata basis, determined mainly by the length of the regional and local road network in a local authority functional area. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority, taking into account the funding available to it from local and State sources as well as its particular priorities.
