Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019

Electric Vehicles

Questions (400, 401, 402, 403, 404)

John Lahart

Question:

400. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of electric vehicle charging points he anticipates will be in place in Dublin by the end of 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38749/19]

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John Lahart

Question:

401. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of electric vehicle charging points he anticipates will be in place nationwide by the end of 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38750/19]

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Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

402. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the electric public charging point in Newbridge railway station will be fixed; his plans to increase the number of public charging points in Newbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/19]

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Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

403. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of public electric charging points in County Kildare; his plans for increased charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38854/19]

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Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

404. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of public electric charging points in County Laois; his plans for increased charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38855/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 to 404, inclusive, together.

There are currently over 650 standard public charge points and 90 fast chargers (the majority of which are operated by the ESB) in Ireland. A real-time map showing the ESB charge point locations, including the status and availability of these charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. The ESB has provided a breakdown by county of those chargers that it operates, and is set out in the following table:

-	Standard Charge Points	Fast Chargers
Donegal	30	3
Sligo	12	1
Leitrim	4	0
Mayo	20	2
Westmeath	18	3
Roscommon	18	2
Galway	28	3
Monaghan	10	1
Cavan	10	0
Longford	10	1
Meath	22	4
Louth	24	2
Dublin	150	14
Kildare	28	2
Offaly	14	0
Laois	12	2
Wicklow	26	3
Carlow	14	1
Wexford	26	4
Kilkenny	14	2
Tipperary	16	4
Waterford	26	1
Clare	16	2
Limerick	26	3
Cork	56	7
Kerry	28	1

The operation and maintenance of these charge points is a matter for ESB eCars and therefore not in my remit. However, my Department has contacted ESB regarding the charge point at Newbridge and was advised that the charge point is to be replaced later this year when eCars takes delivery of new replacement chargers. In addition to these chargers operated by ESB ecars, there are public chargers provided by motor dealerships, local authorities, retail outlets and private companies.

I am in the process of increasing the level of investment in charging infrastructure. Under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund, funding of up to €10 million will support ESB eCars to develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network. This project includes the installation of 90 high-power chargers each of which will be capable of charging two vehicles simultaneously, upgrading 50 existing standard chargers to fast chargers and replacing over 250 existing standard chargers with next generation high reliability models. This is a multi-annual project and is expected to be fully completed by 2022. The locations of the chargers that will be installed as part of this project have not been finalised. However, a provisional map of the planned network, showing indicative locations, was developed by ESB eCars and has been published on my Department’s website.

Last month, I announced funding to support the rollout by Local Authorities of up to 1,000 on-street public charge points for electric vehicles over the next 5 years. This will cater mainly for electric vehicle owners who rely on on-street parking as their primary means of parking near their homes. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will administer a scheme where Local Authorities can apply for funding to develop on-street charging infrastructure. The detailed terms and conditions for the scheme are currently being developed and I expect the scheme to open for applications shortly.

In addition, we will introduce new regulations to require non-domestic buildings with over 20 car parking spaces to install charging facilities.

Home charging is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. Charging at home at night is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly way to charge an electric vehicle. Given the high proportion of homes with driveways and dedicated parking spaces, Ireland has greater capacity for home charging than many other countries. A Government grant of up to €600 is available, via the SEAI, to the purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles to support the installation of home chargers.

Living Wage

Questions (405)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

405. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of workers employed by his Department and in each office or agency under the aegis of his Department that earn less than the living wage of €12.30 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38243/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department currently has 25 staff members who earn less than €12.30 gross per hour. The additional cost to my Department of implementing a wage of €12.30 per hour would be approximately €85,303 per annum inclusive of employers pay related social insurance (PRSI).

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (406)

Noel Grealish

Question:

406. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount allocated to each local authority in each of the years 2017 to 2019 under the enforcement measures grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38264/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department has introduced a number of measures to target illegal dumping and to strengthen efforts to improve waste enforcement generally. These include:

- The provision of an annual waste enforcement grant of €7.4 million to support the recruitment and retention of 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel across the country;

- The establishment of Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) to support and co-ordinate local authority action;

- The establishment of a National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee, which facilitates the deployment of co-ordinated multi agency responses to illegal waste activity across the regions.

In addition, my Department launched the National Anti-Dumping Initiative in 2017, to encourage local authorities, in partnership with community organisations, to identify high risk or problem areas, conduct necessary clean-up operations and develop appropriate enforcement responses to incidences of illegal dumping. In March of this year, I announced funding of €3 million for the 2019 Anti-Dumping Initiative, an increase of 50% on 2018. This funding will support some 280 projects nationwide. Full details of this year’s allocations and the projects funded by this initiative in 2017 and 2018 can be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link:

https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/waste/enforcement/anti-dumping-initiative/Pages/AntiDumpingInitiative.aspx

The allocations made to each local authority under the Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme are detailed in the following table. It should be noted that these allocations are currently being reviewed in conjunction with the Local Government Management Agency to ensure that resources continue to be placed where they are needed most.

Local Authority	Allocation €
Local Authority Enforcement Measures Scheme
Carlow County Council	165,000
Cavan County Council	278,000
Clare County Council	403,000
Cork City Council	180,700
Cork County Council	455,000
Dublin City Council	982,000
Donegal County Council	202,000
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council	480,000
Fingal County Council	220,000
Galway County Council	72,000
Galway City Council	50,000
Kerry County Council	68,000
Kildare County Council	121,000
Kilkenny County Council	153,000
Laois County Council	164,000
Leitrim County Council	74,000
Limerick City & County Council	377,000
Longford County Council	200,000
Louth County Council	130,000
Mayo County Council	156,000
Meath County Council	259,000
Monaghan County Council	219,000
Offaly County Council	295,000
Roscommon County Council	136,373
Sligo County Council	176,000
South Dublin County Council	130,000
Tipperary County Council	211,000
Waterford County Council	303,000
Westmeath County Council	175,000
Wexford County Council	236,885
Wicklow County Council	360,000
Total Enforcement Grant:	7,431,958

Waste Management

Questions (407)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

407. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if it is compulsory for a household to use a separate brown biodegradable waste bin provided by their waste collection company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38331/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Under the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households in designated brown bin areas. In accordance with the Regulatory Impact Assessment prepared for these Regulations,the roll-out of the brown bin has been phased in on a progressive basis, commencing on 1st July 2013. The timetable for when the regulations take effect is as follows:

- 1st July 2013 for population centres greater than 25,000 persons;

- 31st December 2013 for population centres greater than 20,000 persons;

- 1st July 2014 for population centres greater than 10,000 persons;

- 1st July 2015 for population centres greater than 1,500 persons, and

- 1st July 2016 for population centres greater than 500 persons.

Households in these areas are required by the Regulations to ensure that food waste is source segregated and collected by an authorised waste collector. Alternatively, it can be recovered by home composting or delivered by the householder to an authorised facility.

The provision of a brown bin collection service, where it is technically and environmentally practical to do so, continues to be monitored by my Department.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (408)

John Lahart

Question:

408. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to assess the reduction in general carbon emissions of an electric car, the power for which is derived exclusively from fossil fuels versus an electric car powered exclusively from clean power such as wind. [38463/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The analysis undertaken for the Climate Action Plan shows the need to switch from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles in tandem with decarbonising our electricity system in order to achieve our 2030 emissions reduction target. For this reason the Climate Action Plan includes a target of 936,000 electric vehicles on the road in Ireland by 2030 in addition to a target of increasing our electricity generated from renewable sources to 70% by 2030.

Currently a typical new battery electric vehicle emits circa 1.25 tonnes of carbon per annum compared to a fossil fuel powered car which emits circa 3 tonnes per annum. As the emissions intensity of electricity decreases, due to increased levels of renewable energy and the end of peat and coal use for electricity generation, the emissions of the battery electric vehicle are expected to fall to circa 0.5 tonnes per annum by 2030, so in 2030 an electric vehicle will produce one sixth of the emissions that a internal combustion engine does today.

Waste Disposal Charges

Questions (409)

David Cullinane

Question:

409. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated full year cost of providing a €100 bin charge waiver annually to those provided with incontinence supplies by the HSE. [38613/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and public bodies, in an effort to see how best to provide a financial support to persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. One of the difficulties associated with efforts to deliver a support to date has been trying to accurately estimate the number of persons in need of the support. Stakeholders, including the HSE, agree that it is not possible at present to determine a precise figure.

While there are many different complex issues at play in this area, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question, my Department is continuing to examine options to address this issue.

Waste Disposal Charges

Pearse Doherty

Question:

427. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of adding the replacement of single glaze windows with double glaze under the warmer home scheme. [38636/19]

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Pearse Doherty

Question:

428. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of adding the replacement of single glaze windows and replacement doors under the warmer home scheme. [38637/19]

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 417, 418, 427 and 428 together.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme provides energy efficiency upgrades to the homes of people living in or at risk of energy poverty. The Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. These upgrades are provided free of charge to the homeowner. This year I initially allocated €24m to the scheme, and following a mid-year capital review additional funding was made available, bringing the total allocation up to €39.8m.

Prior to 2018, the Warmer Homes Scheme predominantly focussed on delivering shallow measures such as attic and cavity wall insulation. In 2018, a significant change was introduced to the scheme with the expansion of wall insulation measures available to include internal and external wall insulation as standard. This was a very positive step forward and opened the scheme up to many who would previously have been unable to get their walls insulated.

This change has meant that windows can also now be provided under the scheme. Window replacement can be recommended in limited circumstances following an SEAI technical survey. This recommendation is typically made in circumstances where only single glaze windows exist and where wall insulation is also being installed. Recommendations are made on a case by case basis.

Doors are not currently provided under the scheme.

The following table shows estimates of the approximate cost of providing replacement of single glazed windows and doors under the scheme. The projections are based on 2018 completion rates for homes under the scheme and a number of other assumptions as set out.

Measure

Cost

Assumptions

Replace single glazed windows

€3,760,000

Approx. 12% of homes are now recommended for window upgrades under the scheme.

Cost of windows package @ €6,000 per home.

2018 completion rates of 5,222 homes.

Doors

€2,585,000

Doors are not currently provided but this projection assumes that 45% of homes would need a replacement door (based on experience in the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme, but no certainty that this would apply if introduced under WHS).

Cost of door @€1,100 per home.

2018 completion rates of 5,222 homes.

The Government published the first Climate Action Plan on 17 June. The plan sets out, for the first time, the actions Ireland needs to take to reach our 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and also puts Ireland on the right trajectory towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Climate Action Plan commits to reviewing ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need. That work is underway.

Better Energy Homes Scheme Expenditure

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Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 419, 421, 422, 429, 431 and 432 together.

The residential energy efficiency schemes administered by the SEAI are funded by my Department. This year, I have allocated approximately €100 million to these schemes.

The Better Energy Homes grants are available to homeowners for insulation, heating controls, heat pumps, solar PV and solar thermal hot water heating systems. Grants typically cover 30% of the cost of carrying out these works in a home.

Since the introduction of these grants nearly 400,000 homes across the country have received an energy efficiency upgrade, representing nearly one home in four across the country.

The grants for air, water and ground source heat pumps were introduced in April 2018. Home heating is a significant investment for most households, especially if changing from familiar fuels and systems.

Increased demand for 2020 cannot be predicted with any certainty as there are a number of steps a homeowner must go through before deciding to carry out energy efficiency work on their home:

- familiarise themselves with the grants on offer and the grant levels

- Decide to carry out works

- Obtain quotes

- Submit an application

- Complete the works

- Return declaration of works.

The following table sets out the potential costs of increasing the grants by the amounts indicated in the Questions, for different levels of increased uptake over 2019 demand levels.

Grant change	Cost
increased demand over 2019 levels	100%	500%	1000%	5000%
Doubling solar thermal grant (€2,400)	€2,484,000	€7,452,000	€13,662,000	€63,342,000
Increasing heat pump grant by €1,000 (€4,500)	€3,658,500	€10,975,500	€20,121,750	€93,291,750
increasing air to air heat pump grant by €400 (€1,000)	€12,000	€36,000	€66,000	€306,000

The Government’s Climate Action Plan sets an ambitious target of 500,000 energy efficiency retrofits by 2030. Achievement of this target will be supported by the Project Ireland 2040 allocation of €3.7 billion as well as the range of measures identified in the Plan. This will involve a change to the current approach to retrofitting.

I recently announced the establishment of a Taskforce that will drive the achievement of this target. The Taskforce will drive the development of a new national delivery model, which will group homes together, create easy pay back mechanisms and find smart financing. Development of the new model will be informed by the experience from existing schemes in Ireland as well as best practice in other jurisdictions. The first meeting of the Taskforce will take place later this month.