Written Answers Nos. 43-62
43. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to allow for part insulation grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to cater for persons that may have previously insulated part of their homes and wish to insulate the whole property. [49495/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. A new National Retrofit Plan will be published in quarter 4 of this year. The plan is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and governance. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is a critical climate priority and a major focus of the funding provided in the NDP Review. €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency and will underpin the forthcoming National Retrofit Plan.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light. The position in relation to home previously upgraded under SEAI schemes is set out below:
- Under the Community Energy Grant Scheme and the National Home Retrofit (One Stop Shop Development) Scheme, grants may be claimed for additional measures to increase the energy efficiency of a home as part of an overall project to achieve a specified target. For example, external wall insulation can be supported in homes that previously received cavity wall insulation where it is determined that it is an appropriate intervention as part of an overall upgrade project to attain B2 or cost optimal and meet the minimum BER uplift.
- The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to lower income homeowners vulnerable to energy poverty. There are currently over 7,000 homeowners on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. Revisits under this scheme are currently not available. This enables the work programme to prioritise eligible homes that have not previously received free upgrades under the scheme. Recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme to better target those most in need will be finalised and published shortly.
- The Better Energy Homes scheme aims to improve energy efficiency by providing grant support for energy efficiency upgrades to homeowners whose homes were built and occupied prior to 2006 for insulation and heating control systems and 2011 for heat pump and solar thermal grants. Under the scheme a home cannot receive grant funding twice for the same energy efficiency measure.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer. The grant schemes provided by SEAI are however reviewed on a regular basis.
44. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the strategy to address the sale of domestic solid fuels that do not meet the pollution and emission standards that will be introduced across the State by the 2022 heating season as announced earlier in 2021 in particular in cases in which suppliers outside the State are advertising the sale and delivery of such goods to Irish residents on buy and sell internet sites and well regarded magazines and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49511/21]
View answerLocal Authorities will be responsible for enforcing the provisions of the new enhanced solid fuel regulations within their functional areas, and will have significant powers available to enable them do so effectively. The Programme for Government also includes a commitment to develop a regional approach to air quality enforcement and an increase in multi-agency operations in order to clamp down on the sale of non-compliant solid fuels imported from other jurisdictions, with Local Authorities and the Revenue Commissioners involved. Given the links between burning of solid fuels and the health effects of air pollution, as well as the potential for market distortion for businesses properly adhering to the regulations, increased multi-agency enforcement and inspections of cross-border fuel movements will be required.
The same enforcement procedures will apply to all solid fuels regardless of how they have been placed on the market in Ireland, including through online sales or other forms of advertising. It is worth noting, however, that the main marketplace websites in Ireland have policies which prohibit the advertising of illegal goods.
Discussions with the Local Authority sector have commenced with the intention of establishing dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to support consistent enforcement of the new regulations across the country. My Department is fully committed to supporting Local Authorities in this regard, including through the provision of additional supports for the most effective model of enforcement.
45. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish the Interdepartmental Group for the Delivery of Offline Services report; if he has received a submission from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49530/21]
View answerI would like to advise the Deputy that the work of the interdepartmental group is at an advanced stage and the report will be submitted to Government in the near future. The organisation referred to by the Deputy has made a submission to the group which will help inform its work.
46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an applicant is required to submit any other material (details supplied) when applying to the Environmental Protection Agency for an industrial emissions licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49548/21]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for the Environmental Protection Agency as part of its environmental licensing functions under the EPA Act 1992. They are not matters in which I, as Minister, have a function.
47. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of women on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. [49558/21]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is available at www.stateboards.ie Further information is also available on the Department’s website at gov.ie - State Board Membership (www.gov.ie) .
48. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish his Department’s new national implementation plan for the United Nations sustainable development goals. [49573/21]
View answerThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. The first National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, published in 2018, was developed to oversee and facilitate coherent implementation of the SDGs across Government, and to promote awareness of the SDGs. A renewed focus is currently being given to progress Ireland’s commitment to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Substantial progress has been achieved in recent months in respect of reviewing Ireland’s implementation of Agenda 2030 and identifying key priorities and actions for inclusion in the next National Implementation Plan. It is intended that the draft Plan will be made available shortly and form the basis of discussion at the next SDG National Stakeholder Forum. This will allow for a final round of input from stakeholders prior to finalisation and publication.
A fundamental feature of the 2030 Agenda is the inclusive and active voice stakeholders had in both the negotiation and adoption of the Agenda. Achieving sustainable development, and particularly the targets and commitments set out in the 17 SDGs, will require not only action by government but all individuals across society. In this regard, I recently launched a public consultation to review the performance of the previous Plan. Launched on the 16 July, the consultation was open for an 8-week period, seeking views from members of the public, industry and interested stakeholders. Submissions are currently being reviewed and will directly inform the design and structure of the next iteration of the Implementation Plan.
49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will reopen the better energy home deep retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49574/21]
View answerThe Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme was launched in 2017 as a time bound pilot to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit in Ireland. The scheme was closed for new applications in July 2019 in line with the published Application Guidelines. Approved projects that were not completed in 2019 or 2020 will be funded this year.
A range of other grants for energy efficiency upgrades continue to be available from the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. It is also intended to launch a new National Retrofit Scheme focused on achieving deeper, B2 retrofits later this year.
Since 2000, over 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light. Further information on SEAI grants is available at www.seai.ie or by contacting SEAI directly at 1850 927 000.
The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. A new National Retrofit Plan will be published in quarter 4 of this year. The plan is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and governance.
Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is a critical climate priority and a major focus of the funding provided in the NDP Review. €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency and will underpin the forthcoming National Retrofit Plan.
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected yearly percentage decrease in the use of fossil fuel products by category as a result of the increasing carbon tax out to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49633/21]
View answerThe carbon tax is one of many policies in place that are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Oireachtas has legislated, through the 2020 Finance Act, to progressively increase the rate of carbon tax each year so that it will reach a rate of €100 per tonne of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. The increase in 2022 will be €7.50 bringing the overall rate to €41 per tonne. The increase will apply from 13 October 2021 for diesel and petrol and from 1 May 2022 for all other fuels to allow for the winter heating season. A predictable schedule of carbon tax increases, in conjunction with other measures such as investment in active mobility and energy efficiency measures, and a progressive replacement of the private car fleet to electric vehicles, will allow households and businesses to plan for increases in carbon tax and, over time, this will change consumption and investment decisions.
Research commissioned by my Department and published by the ESRI in 2019 has analysed the effects of increasing carbon taxes on the use of fossil fuels. The report, "The economic and distributional impacts of an increased carbon tax with different revenue recycling schemes,” published on 8 October 2019, found that an incremental increase in the carbon tax reaching €80 per tonne in 2030, would help reduce economy-wide emissions by approximately 15% in 2030, compared to no increase in the carbon tax.
As set out in the National Development Plan 2021-2030, over the period 2021 – 2030 the planned carbon tax increases may allow for €9.5 billion in additional revenue. €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency, including underpinning the forthcoming National Retrofit Plan which will be an integral part of the Climate Action Plan that will be published in the coming weeks.
€1.5 billion of additional current funding will be made available over 2021 – 2030 for new schemes that will assist farmers in the decarbonisation of the agricultural sector and this will be detailed in the Government’s implementation programme for the new Common Agricultural Policy 2023 – 2027, which will be published later this year and will take effect from 2023 onwards.
The remaining €3 billion in funding will be explicitly used to ensure that increases in the carbon tax are progressive by tackling fuel poverty and providing for a just transition, with ESRI research, published in advance of Budget 2021, demonstrating that recycling just one third of the revenue raised from the carbon tax increases leaves the lowest income fifth of households on average better off, and reduces poverty. Adjustments to relevant social welfare schemes in the context of Budget 2022 will be announced by the Minister for Social Protection.
51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and value all procurement contracts that took place by way of negotiated procedure without prior publication in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the date, value and purpose of each negotiated procedure contract in tabular form. [49728/21]
View answerThe use of negotiated procedure without prior publication is permitted in specific circumstances where contracting authorities are unable to follow standard public procurement procedures and need to make direct awards to particular suppliers. In general, competitive tendering is used by my Department unless exceptional circumstances exist which justifies the use of an alternative approach. In accordance with Circular 40/2002, issued by the Department of Finance, my Department completes an annual return in respect of contracts above a €25,000 threshold which have been awarded without a competitive process. The Departments 40/02 report includes contracts awarded under the negotiated procedure without prior publication.
Details of contracts that took place by way of negotiated procedure without prior publication in 2020 and to date in 2021 are shown in the table below.
2020
|
Date |
Value (Ex VAT) |
Purpose of contract |
|
January 2020 |
€26,975 |
Software licences |
|
February 2020 |
€452,818 |
Software licences |
|
February 2020 |
€491,467 |
Legal services |
|
February 2020 |
€393,429 |
Legal services |
|
March 2020 |
€53,372 |
Software licences |
|
March 2020 |
€27,900 |
Software licences |
|
May 2020 |
€105,000 |
Specialist advisory services |
|
May 2020 |
€100,386 |
Specialist software / equipment for the National Cyber Security Centre |
|
May 2020 |
€47,520 |
|
|
October 2020 |
€432,000 |
|
|
|
€2,130,867 |
|
2021 to date
|
Date |
Value (Ex VAT) |
Purpose of contract |
|
June 2021 |
€48,000 |
Specialist software / equipment for the National Cyber Security Centre |
|
June 2021 |
€54,840 |
|
|
July 2021 |
€604,000 |
|
|
|
€706,840 |
|
52. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the regulatory measures that are being considered as part of an examination into the use of harvest peat sod; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49744/21]
View answerEach year 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to solid fuel burning. I am committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through enhanced regulation of all solid fuels. New emissions standards are being introduced to ensure that the most polluting fuels will no longer be available for sale on the Irish market. Introducing these standards will improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve. The contribution of peat to fine particulate matter levels can be considerable, particularly in areas such as the Midlands where peat extraction occurs. There is also increasing evidence which indicates that sod peat is being traded through the ‘grey market’, and is being used in more urbanised settings where it has an even greater impact on air quality than in rural areas.
In order to accommodate those with turbary rights to continue to cut and burn sod peat for their own domestic purposes, but which will lead to a reduction in the use of sod peat more generally, a distinct regulatory approach to this fuel is required. Measures under consideration include the introduction of standards, emission limits or restrictions on the marketing, sale or distribution of peat in urban areas. When determined, the required measures will form part of the new solid fuel regulatory system which I intend to introduce from September 2022.
53. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a decision has been made on an application for approval of a thermodynamic solar hot water system for the better energy homes grants scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49765/21]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light. Under the Better Energy Homes scheme, a grant of €1,200 is available for Solar Water Heating installation. The installation must meet the minimum annual solar renewable energy contribution based on the floor area of the dwelling. Full details of the technical criteria can be found in the Domestic Technical Standards and Specification (DTSS) publication available on the SEAI website.
All solar products installed must be included on the SEAI Solar Thermal Registered Product List. If a manufacturer or their designated agent wishes to register a product on the SEAI Solar Thermal Registered Product List, they must complete and return a Solar Thermal Product Registration form along with any supporting documentation. This form can be downloaded from the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/grants/supports-for-contractors/ . The product will be assessed by SEAI to ensure compliance with thermal performance and durability criteria and if successful, will be included on the registered product list. I have been advised that SEAI have no record of any recent applications made to their Solar Thermal Registered Product List. If the company referred to by the Deputy made an application to the SEAI they can contact them directly on 01 8082004 or 1850 927 000.
Should a homeowner wish to apply for the Solar Thermal Grant they can visit www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/solar-water-heating-grant/ for further details. Further information on SEAI grants is available at www.seai.ie .
54. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of concerned communities regarding the limitations of the consultation being carried out by his Department on the subject of mining; and if he will proactively engage and listen to the representative groups from those concerned communities in which mining licences are currently being considered. [49779/21]
View answerOn 30 July 2021 my Department published a Draft Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report and Appropriate Assessment Natura Impact Statement for public consultation. The deadline for making submissions is 15 October 2021. Notices to highlight the public consultation were placed online and where possible (if public contact details were available), direct emails or messages were sent to stakeholders, including community groups. A newspaper notice to highlight the consultation was also placed in every regional newspaper and a national newspaper in early September.
As part of the consultation process, and with consideration of the public health guidelines at the time, the Department organised a number of online information sessions for the week of 20 September 2021. Some community groups participated in these sessions.
An online stakeholder townhall event was organised for 6 October 2021 with the objective of giving different stakeholders an opportunity to express their view and have an open discussion on the draft policy statement and the Irish mineral exploration and mining sector. A number of presenters, including representatives from eNGOs and community groups, were invited by the Department to present at this townhall.
The above measures were taken to highlight the consultation and to assist people to make a submission. All stakeholders still have an opportunity to give their views on the draft Policy Statement by making a submission before 15 October 2021 and I would encourage people to do so.
55. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration support scheme will be introduced; if he envisages any delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49909/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to help people generate renewable electricity for their own use and sell excess electricity back to the grid.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid which reflects the market value of that electricity.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. I understand that the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
Further to a public consultation held earlier this year, my Department is developing a final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from the consultation and subsequent additional analysis. It is expected that a proposal on the supports to be offered to citizens, farms, schools and businesses under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year. It is intended that a final scheme design will be published in Q1 2022.
It is proposed that supports under the MSS will be introduced on a phased basis, taking account of the need to develop appropriate support mechanisms for relevant cohorts of micro-generators. Timelines for the steps necessary for the phased delivery of the MSS will be outlined in the new Climate Action Plan, to be published shortly.
56. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of smart meters across the country; the number of households that have had smart meters installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49912/21]
View answerThe installation of smart meters is a key enabler for the energy transition to a decarbonised system as outlined in both the National Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan. The move to upgraded digital meters will bring many benefits for energy customers by enhancing competition, making bills more accurate, providing customers with better information on their energy consumption and empowering them with new tools to make more informed choices about their energy needs. Accurate energy usage information across the day will enable consumers to be more efficient in their use of electricity and save money, for example by using appliances off peak. This will, in turn, reduce the need for less efficient and more costly generation at peak times.
The programme is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with ESB Networks responsible for rolling out smart-ready electricity meters. This rollout commenced in September 2019 and is due to conclude by end 2024 when some 2.25 million electricity meters will have been replaced in our homes and businesses nationwide. To date, almost 500,000 meters have been installed, in spite of the challenges caused by Covid-19 restrictions during 2020-2021.
57. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the funding from the Climate Action Fund will be made available in 2021 including for the community climate action programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49915/21]
View answerThe Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020. A key objective of the Fund is to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets; and that increase climate resilience and GHG removals in the State, including for projects and initiatives in regions of the State, and within sectors of the economy, impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy. Support may also be provided for certain nature-based projects that enhance biodiversity and which also contribute to climate action. I launched the Climate Action Fund - EU LIFE Programme 2021 Co-financing Grant Scheme on 27 September 2021. Under the scheme, I propose to make funding available to provide support, by way of co-financing, for Standard Action Projects, which are successful in securing funding under the EU LIFE Programme 2021, and which meet criteria for funding from the Climate Action Fund following a competitive evaluation process. Applications are invited until 15 October 2021. Further information is available on my Department’s website.
Earlier this year, I also allocated funding for Creative Climate Action, a competitive fund of up to €2 million supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme. From a total of 166 applications, 14 creative and cultural projects were selected for funding in July 2021. These projects aim to address a range of climate matters including in relation to the themes put forward in the recent climate conversations, sustainable farming, energy efficiency, GHG reduction and sustainable consumption. Further information is available at www.creativeireland.gov.ie .
The Community Climate Action Programme, which will support local authorities and communities to step up climate action in their areas, is currently being finalised for launch before the end of the year. The Programme will focus on both capacity building within communities to contribute to the climate challenge and the development of community climate action projects.
58. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to put in place a countrywide, sector-wide just transition commission on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49916/21]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 31 of 16 September 2021. The position remains unchanged.
The Government appointed Mr Kieran Mulvey as Just Transition Commissioner in November 2019 to facilitate discussions and engagement with stakeholders to develop, mobilise and deliver opportunities for the Midlands for both the workers directly affected and the wider community.
The Commissioner is undertaking his work with administrative support provided by my Department. The Commissioner is also being supported in his engagements with stakeholders in the Midlands, as required, by the Secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team.
The Commissioner, through his three progress reports, has made a number of recommendations to help achieve a just transition in the Midlands. These recommendations have been taken forward through a number of strands, including the Just Transition Fund, the Bord na Móna Enhanced Peatlands Rehabilitation Scheme, and the re-configuration of the Midlands Regional Transition Team.
It has been agreed that the Just Transition Commissioner’s work will reach its natural conclusion at the end of 2021 with the submission of a fourth progress report. By this time the Government’s just transition response in the Midlands will have been well advanced with the finalisation of the Territorial Just Transition Plan, the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2021, and the Just Transition Fund projects under implementation.
Although the Commissioner’s mandate expires at the end of 2021, this would not prevent me or indeed any other Minister of the Government from taking a similar approach in future should the circumstances warrant it in a given sector or region.
The forthcoming Climate Action Plan 2021 will set out specific commitments on the just transition, including elaborating key principles, which the design and implementation of our climate action policies should follow. This approach will seek to fully integrate a just transition approach into the overall architecture of our climate policy provided by the new Climate Act, rather than establishing a stand-alone statutory commission.
59. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport when the all-island strategic rail review will be launched. [49897/21]
View answerIn co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), my Department has appointed Arup consultants to undertake the Strategic Rail Review. Work has commenced on the Review and is expected to take 12 months in total.
It will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead. As part of the Review there will be a public consultation process and details of that process are under development.
60. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of the EV charger infrastructure across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49911/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030 that reflects the scale of the transformation needed to achieve its climate targets in the coming years. Under the National Development Plan €1bn has been allocated to specific carbon reduction measures, including vehicle electrification.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published early next year.
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging, and workplace charging.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department has committed to reviewing the Scheme in the coming months to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
My Department is also making €2 million available this year through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
61. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish all assessments and correspondence received by him or his Department from TII in relation to the N26 second phase as part of the NDP review; the reason he opposed its inclusion in the revised document; his views on the way he sees road connectivity to Ballina improving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49135/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
In the new NDP, launched on 4th October, approximately €5.1 billion is earmarked for new national road projects to 2030. This funding will enable improved connectivity across the country as well as compact growth, which are core components of the revised NDP. The funding will enable the development of numerous national road projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of many others.
In relation to the projects listed in the NDP that are not at or close to construction, they are subject to further approvals in advance of a decision to construct. When evaluating the progression of these projects and in order to deliver on strategic objectives, a prioritisation exercise will be undertaken which will be in line with the 2:1 Programme for Government commitment on new public transport and new roads, the "NIFTI" framework, the National Planning Framework and the requirements of the Climate Action Plan. It will also take account of available funding levels in any given year, as well as a focus, where appropriate, on town bypasses which facilitate compact growth.
The N26 project is not listed in the NDP, though of course the NDP is not an exhaustive list of all projects that may proceed. The latest information on the status of the N26 is available from TII. Noting this, I have referred your query to TII for a direct reply on the current project status. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. If you wish see further information thereafter, please feel free to contact my office directly.
62. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the carrying out and completion of the All-Island Rail Review; the provisions he has made for the completion of the review within that timeline in the context of elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the subsequent formation of an executive; and the way he plans to act on the findings of the review. [49137/21]
View answerIn co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), my Department has appointed Arup consultants to undertake the Strategic Rail Review. Work has commenced on the Review and it is expected to take 12 months in total.
I believe the Review will set out the strategic backdrop to future investment in our inter-urban and inter-regional rail network and I look forward to implementing its recommendations in the coming years.
