Written Answers Nos. 1169-1185
1169. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of persons who have evaded paying their television licence between 2015 and 2017 and to date in 2018; his plans to tackle this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15543/18]
View answerIn estimating the national evasion rate, my Department takes into account a range of factors including the overall number of occupied houses and liable businesses, the levels of vacant units and the estimated television penetration rate, that is to say the estimated number of homes possessing a television set. Based on currently available information, my Department estimates that the current level of evasion is 14.6%. This equates to a loss of €40m per annum to public service broadcasting.
To address this issue, my Department has been working with An Post and RTÉ on an on-going basis to ensure that the TV licence collection system is working as effectively as possible. Measures such as marketing campaigns, more evening and weekend inspection and appointment of additional temporary inspectors are just some of the initiatives that have been utilised to enhance sales and improve compliance rates.
While these measures are important steps, I believe that the current system needs to be reformed. As the Deputy will be aware, I obtained Government approval last year to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendments for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection. The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment and I received their report on 8 March. My officials are considering the contents of this report and it is also being considered by Parliamentary Counsel in the drafting process.
1170. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he is taking to advance the development of solar energy here; the amount of solar power he anticipates will be generated here in each of the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15544/18]
View answerThe Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. It identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050. It does not set out targets for specific renewable technologies; rather it provides a framework to guide policy between now and 2030.
Increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives of my Department. Current financial supports for renewable electricity projects in Ireland are largely provided via the Renewable Electricity Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes, which support renewable electricity generated and exported onto the national grid. To date, onshore wind has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal which compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies including Solar PV at various scales to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply.
While at this point no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported, I welcome and have noted with interest the falling costs of renewable technologies, including solar PV and offshore wind over the past number of years, not only compared with other renewables but also with conventional forms of generation. Furthermore, a recent report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA 2017) forecasts that solar PV costs will continue to fall by a further 50% out to 2020.
Ireland's renewable energy portfolio post-2020 will have regard to our obligations and member state contributions that may be agreed as part of an EU-wide renewables target under the new Renewable Energy Directive, that is currently being negotiated under the Clean Energy Package.
As set out in the National Mitigation Plan, a very significant increase in effort is required to realise the potential of the residential sector to contribute to the low carbon transition. Already, solar PV is supported (for farms, businesses and homes) by my Department through the SEAI’s Better Energy Communities Scheme and the Deep Retrofit Pilot.
1171. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he is taking to advance the development of wave energy here; the amount of wave power he anticipates will be generated here in each of the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/18]
View answerOcean energy can play a critical role in helping Ireland meet its medium to long term energy targets.
The 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out the Government’s policy for the sustainable development of our abundant offshore renewable energy resources. Ireland has a sea area of 900,000 square kilometres, 10 times its landmass, and some of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world. The Strategic Environmental Assessment that underpinned the OREDP found that 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1,500 MW of wave and tidal generation could be sustainably developed in Irish waters in the period to 2030. An interim review of the OREDP was commenced in 2017 and will be published shortly on my Department’s website (www.dccae.gov.ie).
In contrast to offshore wind, wave energy is still at the R&D stage globally. Notwithstanding the development of promising experimental devices, much more research, development and trials are required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability.
Under the OREDP, Exchequer support for research, development and demonstration of ocean renewable energy (ORE) technology has been increased. Between 2014 and 2017 capital funding of €17.7 million was allocated by my Department for research and development of ORE technology. A further €4.5 million has been allocated by my Department in 2018.
This funding supports Ireland’s commitment to world class test facilities including the Lir National Ocean Test Facility in Cork, the quarter scale Galway Bay test site and the full-scale Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), off the coast of Mayo. It also supports the Prototype Development Fund, which is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and provides grant aid to support developers in bringing their ocean energy devices from prototype to full-scale commercial viability. Within the R & D funding allocation for ocean technologies provided by my Department since 2009, €14 million has been awarded through the Prototype Development Fund and over 100 projects have been supported.
1172. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated level of fines that Ireland will face by missing the 2020 renewable energy targets; the short-term and immediate actions he is taking to avoid or reduce these fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15546/18]
View answerThe EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. While good progress has been made to date, with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) advising that 9.5% of Ireland's overall energy requirements in 2016 were met from renewable sources, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. The SEAI's most recent assessment is that Ireland will achieve between 13.2% and 15.4% of its 16% renewable energy target by 2020, indicating that Ireland should be between 82% to 96% towards its target.
The Renewable Energy Directive provides a comprehensive framework for Member States to work towards achieving individual and EU renewable energy targets, including mechanisms for countries to work together such as statistical transfers, which allow Member States to meet their targets by purchasing credits from Member States that overachieve on their renewable targets.
In the absence of an established market mechanism, estimates of the cost of using instruments such as statistical transfers are necessarily tentative. Work undertaken by the SEAI in 2016 indicated that the cost to Ireland of not meeting our overall renewable energy targets may be in the range of €65 million to €130 million for each percentage point Ireland falls short of the overall 16% renewable energy target. Present indications – based on trades agreed by Luxembourg late last year - are that the costs per percentage point for statistical transfers could be below the lower end of the range suggested by SEAI.
While the focus of my Department remains firmly on meeting our 2020 target and on implementation of renewable energy measures, including a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and a new Support Scheme for Renewal Heat (SSRH), contingency planning has commenced to explore the potential extent, mechanisms and cost of addressing our target within the framework of the Directive.
Any requirement for statistical transfers to meet compliance would be undertaken against a background of discussions by the Irish authorities with the EU Commission and relevant Member States. As any purchases arising would be made over a period, the costs to the Exchequer of acquiring statistical transfers to meet any potential shortfall would likely be spread over several years and the cumulative costs would not be known until 2021, the deadline for completion of all purchases.
1174. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address problems with broadband provision in the Dublin mountains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/18]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into office almost 400,000 additional premises have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of this year as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April.
Premises in the Dublin mountain area fall into all of these categories. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises are in an AMBER, BLUE or LIGHT BLUE area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages. When the procurement process reaches a satisfactory conclusion for Government, a contract will be awarded and the network rollout will commence and will include AMBER premises in the Dublin mountains.
In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir has committed to completing the rollout by the end of this year. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
Quarterly updates on eir's rural deployment are published on this website. eir has passed a total of 121,000 premises as of December 2017, including areas such as Blessington, Poulaphouca, Kilbride, Hempstown and Raheen, with other areas to follow.
Prior to the rollout of the State led intervention network, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
1175. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to update legislation that takes into account recyclable plastics as a usable product and not a waste product; and if he will issue orders on a case-by-case basis to acknowledge current market practices by companies seeking to reduce and adapt waste practices across the country. [15655/18]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency already exercises an independent statutory function in relation to 'end of waste' in accordance with Article 28 of the European Communities (Waste Directive) Regulations 2011, S.I 126 of 2011.
Where criteria have not been set at EU level as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 of the Waste Directive, the Agency may decide case by case whether certain waste, including plastic waste, has ceased to be waste in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 28(1) of S.I 126 of 2011, taking into account the applicable case law.
1176. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of households that have availed of the warmer homes scheme in each of the years of its existence. [15712/18]
View answer1177. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if perons who have already benefitted from the warmer homes scheme can apply again for the additional benefits further to his recent announcement regarding improvements under the scheme. [15713/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1176 and 1177 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria.
I recently announced that the standard measures available under the scheme are being expanded in 2018. This expansion relates to the types of wall insulation being offered, to include dry lining and external insulation where cavity wall insulation is not appropriate. This will increase the number of properties that can get their walls insulated under the scheme and reduce the number of people whose applications are cancelled because their walls are not suitable for cavity wall insulation.
Replacement windows may be offered in limited circumstances, most likely where external wall insulation is being carried out and the existing windows are very poor performing and need to be replaced to ensure the insulation performs effectively.
Heating measures will continue to be offered to high priority homes, for example homes with no central heating systems in place. As part of the measures offered, I have asked the SEAI to start introducing renewable heating options on a phased basis, where deemed suitable for the property and homeowner. This change is likely to be introduced from late 2018 at the earliest.
The changes will be introduced over the next two months and updates will be provided on SEAI’s website shortly; until then, current rules and eligibility criteria continue to apply.
SEAI currently operate a ‘one home one visit’ rule in order to ensure that as many eligible homes as possible receive an upgrade. This still stands for 2018. However, revisits will be possible later in 2019. This will mean that people who only had their attic insulated previously could become eligible for wall insulation.
Since 2000, 134,883 homes have been upgraded under the scheme. A full breakdown of homes upgraded each year is provided in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of homes |
|
2000 |
1,430 |
|
2001 |
1,500 |
|
2002 |
1,600 |
|
2003 |
1,768 |
|
2004 |
1,947 |
|
2005 |
1,813 |
|
2006 |
2,102 |
|
2007 |
3,378 |
|
2008 |
5,343 |
|
2009 |
16,240 |
|
2010 |
24,291 |
|
2011 |
20,388 |
|
2012 |
12,175 |
|
2013 |
9,803 |
|
2014 |
9,056 |
|
2015 |
6,867 |
|
2016 |
6,743 |
|
2017 |
6,555 |
|
2018 |
1,833* |
* At end March 2018
Further information can be found on the SEAI's website: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/warmer-homes-scheme/.
1178. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of energy being produced each day from renewable sources; his targets for wind and solar generated power by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15756/18]
View answerThe Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. It identifies the long-term strategic importance of diversifying Ireland's energy generation portfolio and largely decarbonising the energy sector by 2050. It does not set out targets for specific renewable technologies; rather it provides a framework to guide policy between now and 2030.
Increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives of my Department. Current financial supports for renewable electricity projects in Ireland are largely provided via the Renewable Electricity Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes, which support renewable electricity generated and exported onto the national grid. To date, onshore wind has been the largest driver of growth in renewable energy electricity. My Department is currently developing a proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. While at this point no final decisions have been made as regards which technologies will be supported, I welcome and have noted with interest the falling costs of renewable technologies over the past year, such as offshore wind and solar PV.
In addition, Ireland's renewable energy portfolio post-2020 will have regard to our obligations and member state contribution that may be agreed as part of an EU-wide renewables target under the new Renewable Energy Directive, that is currently being negotiated under the Clean Energy Package.
Details in relation to electricity system demand and fuel mix are publicly available on the EirGrid website at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/.
The following table provides a breakdown of 2016 generation for all technologies on a percentage basis.
|
Generation Technology |
Proportions of electricity generated (%) (2016) |
|
Oil |
1.0% |
|
Peat |
7.7% |
|
Coal |
15.6% |
|
Natural Gas |
50.6% |
|
Wind (normalised) |
20.4% (22.3%) |
|
Hydro (normalised) |
2.3% (2.5%) |
|
Other Renewables & Wastes |
2.5% |
|
Total |
100% |
1179. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cé na céimeanna atá glactha aige lena chinntiú go mbeidh Raidió Rí-Rá ar fáil d’aos óg iomlán na tíre ar a chuid tonnta féin chomh maith le bheith ar fáil ar an idirlíon chun go gcomhlíonfar an gealltanas sa Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge maidir le stáisiún raidió Gaeilge dá gcuid féin a bheith ag aos óg na tíre [15795/18]
View answerIn 2017, bhuail mé leis an lucht bainistíochta sa stáisiún Raidió Rí-Rá agus sheol mé an aip nua don stáisiún, uirlis a thugann deis do dhaoine ar fud an domhain éisteacht lena gcuid clár. Bhí deis againn ag an am sin plé a dhéanamh ar obair an stáisiúin go dtí seo, agus ar na pleananna atá acu don am atá le teacht.
Faoin Acht Craolacháin, 2009, déantar foráil do chreat reachtúil le haghaidh seirbhísí craolacháin agus ilphléacs a cheadúnú agus a rialáil. Bunaíodh an tÚdarás Craolacháin na hÉireann (ÚCÉ) leis an Acht sin mar chomhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách chun ábhair i ngach seirbhís chraolacháin in Éirinn a rialáil.
Tá an ÚCÉ freagrach as seirbhísí neamhspleách um chraoladh raidió a cheadúnú, agus leagtar amach i gCuid 6 den Acht Craolacháin, 2009 an sásra trína gcuirfear an próiseas ceadúnaithe ar fáil mar a bhaineann sé le seirbhísí raidió tráchtála, pobail, sealadacha agus insitiúideacha. Níl feidhm agam maidir le seirbhísí craolacháin a cheadúnú.
Tá athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ag an ÚCÉ ar a Straitéis um Sheirbhísí Craolacháin faoi láthair. Mar chuid den phróiseas seo, tá aighneachtaí á lorg acu ó pháirtithe leasmhara maidir le seirbhísí craoltóireachta fuaime breise a chur ar fáil, agus beidh an deis ag Raidió Rí-Rá páirt a ghlacadh sa phróiseas seo.
1180. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if detailed information on the deep retrofit grant scheme will be provided; the way in which households qualify for this scheme; the level of grant funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15802/18]
View answerThe Deep Retrofit Pilot scheme is funded by my Department and administered by SEAI. It commenced operation in 2017 with initial funding of €5 million, and is set to operate up to 2019. The scheme aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities that are in place for the deep retrofit of Ireland’s housing stock. Learnings from the pilot scheme will inform how we can support large scale deep retrofit going forward.
Grant funding will be provided for deep retrofit projects that include groups of 5 or more households. Applications are currently accepted from organisations such as local authorities, energy agencies and other community groups. The scheme will cover up to 50% of total capital and project management costs for retrofit projects which meet SEAI’s project evaluation criteria. Funding of up to 95% of total capital and project management costs will be provided for projects involving voluntary housing association homes and homes that are in energy poverty. Successful projects must deliver a minimum Building Energy Rating of A3 and must incorporate renewable heating solutions. Detailed information on grant support, evaluation criteria and the application process is publicly available on SEAI’s website: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/deep-retrofit-programme/
The pilot is designed to inform a model by which we can deliver high quality retrofit to individual households across Ireland. SEAI are not currently accepting applications from individual homeowners. Homeowners who are interested in applying should contact their local authority, energy agency or community group to enquire as to whether they can apply through them.
The SEAI operates a number of other scheme for homeowners. Details are provided below and further information is available on SEAI's website, https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/.
The Better Energy Homes (BEH) scheme provides grant aid to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER).
The Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH) scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The measures available typically include draught proofing, attic insulation, lagging jackets for hot water tanks, low energy light bulbs, cavity wall insulation and roof and wall ventilation. I recently announced the expansion of the scheme to include internal and external wall insulation in order to increase the number of people that can receive upgrades.
The Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot Scheme commenced in 2016. It is funded by my Department as a joint policy initiative with the Department of Health, and is operated by SEAI and the HSE. The aim of the pilot is to provide deep energy efficiency interventions to people living with chronic respiratory conditions who are in or at risk of energy poverty. By making their homes warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run, it is hoped that this will improve their health and wellbeing. The pilot scheme is currently operating in Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 and 24.
1182. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the capital allocation for his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2023; the areas in which this funding will be spent in each of these years; and the particular projects and areas of investment in this regard. [15936/18]
View answerMy Department will oversee significant capital investment amounting to €1.27 billion over period 2019 to 2022. Annual capital ceilings in respect of this four year period were published in the National Development Plan, and are set out in the following table. The 2023 capital ceiling for my Department will be agreed and published later this year as part of the Estimates process for Budget 2019.
|
Year |
Capital Ceiling |
|
2019 |
€256m |
|
2020 |
€297m |
|
2021 |
€317m |
|
2022 |
€400m |
Detailed programme allocations for each of the years 2019 to 2023 will be agreed as part of the annual Estimates process and published in the Revised Estimates Volume subsequent to each Budget Day.
During the period, my Department and its agencies will play a lead role in the delivery of a number of the strategic investment priorities identified in the National Development Plan. An ambitious programme of climate action measures, including energy-related investments by commercial State companies, will position Ireland on a sustainable trajectory to achieve a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society. A significant expansion of investment in energy efficiency upgrades, including deep retrofitting of housing, commercial and public building stock, will accelerate the contribution of the built environment to the collective effort to reduce CO2 emissions. Other key energy measures include the rollout of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme which are aimed at promoting the electrification of heat and transport, along with increased investment in energy research.
Delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the National Broadband Plan will ensure that the opportunities presented by the digital transformation are available to every community in Ireland. Investments will also be focussed on supporting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy and protecting our environment, while ensuring the sustainable management of our natural resources.
1183. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding allocated to the delivery of the Celtic interconnector project with France in each of the years 2019 to 2023; the cost of delivering of this project; and the expected timeline for completion. [15937/18]
View answerThe Celtic Interconnector is an estimated €1 billion electricity interconnector jointly proposed by EirGrid and their French counterparts, the French transmission system operator, RTÉ (Reseau de Transporte d’Électricite). It is proposed as a 500km long (subsea), 700MW high voltage direct current line that would run from the north-west coast of France to Ireland’s south coast. At this scale it would be able to provide electricity for some 450,000 homes.
The Celtic Interconnector has the potential to provide a reliable high-capacity electricity link between Ireland and France that would have significant benefits for the people of Ireland. The project would provide access to the European electricity market, leading to expected increased competition and lower prices in Ireland. It would also improve security of electricity supply and facilitate increased capacity for renewable energy here via export access to the mainland European markets.
It is too early to provide the level of detail being sought by the Deputy at this time. The project is currently in the initial design and pre-consultation phase and there are a variety of approvals required, including regulatory and planning consents, before construction could commence. The current phase includes a wide variety of studies and engagements. Land studies are considering environmental, technical and planning constraints regarding potential landing and connection points. Marine studies are considering the potentail route of the interconnector, as well as specific nearshore analyses. EirGrid has also held public information events and consultations and has carried out a social impact assessment screening process that has led to a formal social impact assessment of the project.
In addition, as a formally-designated EU Project of Common Interest, the interconnector has successfully applied for Connecting Europe Facility funding to date (almost €8m for feasibility studies) and will also be in a position to apply for funding towards construction. The cost of the interconnector will not be borne by the exchequer - its cost will be included in the costs of distribution networks in the same way as all other electricity infrastructure investments are paid for. The interconnector is currently planned to be operational in 2025-26.
1184. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the introduction of a renewable heat incentive scheme in 2018; when he expects the scheme to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16019/18]
View answerThe Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was approved by Government in December 2017. The details of the scheme, including the tariffs that will apply, are published on my Department's website. My Department is engaging with the European Commission regarding the necessary State Aid approval for the scheme. The scheme is planned to commence operation later this year subject to State Aid approval.
An allocation of €7 million has been provided for the scheme in Budget 2018. In addition, the National Development Plan sets out an indicative resource allocation of €300 million for the rollout of the scheme for the period 2018-2027.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will administer the scheme and are currently developing the detailed Terms and Conditions.
1185. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the orchestral review; if cross-departmental responsibility will be taken for developing a national strategy for orchestras here involving his Department and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht along with RTÉ and the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16034/18]
View answerRTE has a statutory requirement under Section 114(1) of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 to ‘establish and maintain orchestras, choirs and other cultural performing groups’. RTÉ has acknowledged that that the orchestras are integral to RTÉ’s arts and cultural programming, and form a key part of RTÉ’s arts and culture strategy. The review of orchestral services currently underway has been commissioned by RTE with the aim of making recommendations regarding the best configuration of the orchestras and staff for RTÉ to deliver upon its objectives.
I understand that the review is nearing completion and that a final report will be delivered to RTÉ shortly. It is intended that the final report will be shared with both my Department and the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
In addition, officials from both Departments have met to discuss this matter and will meet again when the review is complete to discuss next steps.
