Written Answers Nos. 205-219
205. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a broadband connection in the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if the appropriate official within his Department will contact the person to advise on the situation. [7116/22]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
The person referred to has been engaging with the NBP Customer Service team in relation to this matter. The matter is being examined by my Department and my Department will revert to the person as soon as information is available.
206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department intends on expanding the criteria for applying for the better energy warmer homes scheme to include all low-income households and not just those households or persons in receipt of certain social welfare benefits; if not, the supports that will be made available for these low-income households in terms of assisting them in coping with rising fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7183/22]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Eligibility for the Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments. Since 2000, over 146,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.
A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for the scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times.
In line with commitments in the National Retrofit Plan, I recently announced a number of changes to the scheme so that it better targets those most in need:
- The scheme will target the worst performing properties, by prioritising homes that were built and occupied before 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G. Existing applications will not be affected by this change.
- For the first time, applications will be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the scheme, but who could still benefit from deeper measures.
- The scheme eligibility criteria will also be extended to include those in receipt of the Disability Allowance for over 6 months and have a child under 7 years.
Outside of the Warmer Homes Scheme, as part of the Government’s response to the current exceptionally high energy prices, householders will be supported though the introduction of an emergency measure which will provide a €100 credit to all domestic electricity accounts. In addition, significantly enhanced grants for home insulation have been introduced. This includes very generous grants for cavity wall and attic insulation that now cover 80% of the typical cost. These are highly cost-effective upgrade measures that can be deployed rapidly and at scale this year which can make homes warmer and reduce energy costs.
These measures are in addition to the range of welfare supports provided by the Minister for Social Protection and the €85m allocated to local authority housing retrofit under the programme provided by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
207. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an extension will be provided to farmers to burn bushes as the derogation was delayed and permits were stopped. [7210/22]
View answerUnder the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009, the burning of household, garden, commercial or industrial waste is not permitted.
Previously, an exemption under the legislation had been provided for the burning of green waste generated by agricultural purposes. The burning of green waste is a matter of concern and leads to localised air pollution. More broadly, health problems associated with air pollution are widely known and acknowledged.
The sunset clause in the Regulations, whereby the granting of exemptions would come to a definite end at a specified time, has been extended on four different occasions in the past. It was not envisaged that the exemption would continue indefinitely. The most recent exemption, under the legislation, expired on the 1st January, 2022.
Regulations to extend the exemption until 1st January 2023 will be published in the coming days. I anticipate this will be the final extension. Discussions between officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will commence – to examine alternative options to the practice of burning of this waste.
208. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a grant available to replace windows and doors to ensure energy efficiency; if not, if such a grant is being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7213/22]
View answerThe new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, which I launched yesterday, offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the current level of 30-35%).
The new scheme introduces a new way to undertake home energy upgrades with One-Stop-Shops providing an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying the home; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors to deliver the work; and quality assuring the work.
Homes, built and occupied pre-2011, and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible for the scheme. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for people all over Ireland to upgrade to a warmer, healthier and more comfortable home, with lower energy bills.
Window and door replacements are available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme as well as under the Community Energy Grant scheme as part of a whole house upgrade solution, because in these instances they tend to be required to achieve an energy efficient home to B2.
Window and door replacement are also available in some circumstances under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme which delivers free upgrades to eligible homeowners in low income households vulnerable to energy poverty.
Window and door replacements are not supported as individual measures and as such are not available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.
Following yesterday’s launch of the National Home Energy Grant Scheme, I expect that the first One Stop Shops will be registered within 2 weeks. Homeowners can then make applications for upgrades.
209. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of Departmental civil servants and State agency employees under his remit, respectively working in County Wexford and their respective Departmental section in tabular form. [7233/22]
View answerThe information that the Deputy has requested with respect to my Department is set out below.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. As the Environmental Protection Agency is the agency with the largest staffing complement in Wexford, the numbers for that agency have also been included below.
The Department will request all other relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
|
Wexford Departmental Sections as of 31/1/22 |
Head - count |
|
Natural Resources |
21 |
|
Communications |
1 |
|
Climate |
16 |
|
Energy |
1 |
|
Total |
39 |
|
Environmental Protection Agency Wexford as of 31/12/21 |
183 |
210. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if National Broadband Ireland’s revised target to have 60,000 premises connected to broadband by the end of 2021 was reached; the number of premises fully connected by National Broadband Ireland in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7261/22]
View answerThe target of 60,000 premises passed was not reached, Retail Service Providers are actively selling on the NBI Network with almost 34,500 homes passed and a total of 54,500 premises available for order and pre-order through local broadband service providers.
Over 150,000 premises were constructed or under construction in 2021. NBI has advised that, as of 4 February 2022, over 298,000 premises in the Intervention Area across all counties have been surveyed, with over 154,500 premises under construction or completed demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties: Carlow, Clare, Cavan, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. Connections have been made in 16 counties: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow. To date the level of connections are in line with projections and in some areas are exceeding targets.
211. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made by his Department in respect of its targets and goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7277/22]
View answerIreland has adopted a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with each Minister having responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their functions. As Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have lead responsibility for targets related to Goal 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Goal 7 on Energy, and Goal 13 on Climate Action. Recent progress in relation to these Goals is out below:
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energyThe first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction for onshore wind and solar projects was held in 2020 with 63 projects currently progressing. The RESS 2 auction process has begun with the auction scheduled to take place in May 2022. It is anticipated that RESS 2 will deliver a major increase in renewable electricity generation by the end of 2024.
The Residential and Community Retrofit Programmes will support the retrofitting of the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. A recently approved package of supports will make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, including a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, a specially enhanced grant rate equivalent and Exchequer investment of €8 billion to enable the supply chain to scale up, creating thousands of high quality jobs and delivering on this critical national objective.
A framework of supports is being developed to enable homes, businesses, farms and communities to install renewable generation for their own self-consumption and receive a payment for residual electricity exported to the grid. Approved last December, the Micro-generation Support Scheme will target support for 380MW of installed micro-generation capacity, or circa 69,000 installations between 2022 and 2030. The Clean Export Guarantee tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive framework for micro-and small-scale generators to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy sets a roadmap for achieving sustainability through shifting the focus away from waste disposal to looking at how we can preserve resources. My Department published Ireland’s first Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy which provides a policy framework for Ireland’s ambition to become one of the leaders in Europe in relation to the circular economy. My Department is also currently finalising the draft Circular Economy Bill, which will provide a statutory basis for various actions discussed in the Waste Action Plan and the Circular Economy Strategy. Ireland’s annual financial contributions to the Global Environment Facility and to the UN Environment Programme provide support to sustainability projects globally.
Goal 13: Climate action
The Climate Action and Low Carbon (Amendment) Act 2021 sets Ireland on a legally binding path to net-zero emissions no later than 2050, and to a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade. The 2021 Climate Action Plan includes additional policies and measures in every sector to bring about the significant changes needed to transform our economy and society. It sets out actions that must be taken in every Government Department and Body to ensure we deliver on the statutory commitments in the Act
Ireland is fully committed to realising the goals of the Paris Agreement, championing progressive action, and ensuring that the most vulnerable are at the heart of all our engagement. Ireland’s international climate finance is targeted at helping the poorest to adapt to climate impacts. At COP26 Ireland committed to more than double its funding for developing countries to tackle climate change by 2025, rising from €93 million to €225 million over the next four years.
212. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the detail of his Department's role in coordinating the delivery of Ireland's Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development; the steps he is taking to support public engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7290/22]
View answerA renewed focus is currently being given to progress Ireland’s commitment to Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Substantial progress has been achieved in respect of reviewing Ireland’s implementation of Agenda 2030 and identifying key priorities and actions for inclusion in the next National Implementation Plan.
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 July 2021, I held a public consultation over a period of 8 weeks to seek views from members of the public, industry and interested stakeholders, and review the performance of the previous Plan. Submissions received have been reviewed, and feedback has directly informed the design and structure of 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 its finalisation and publication.
213. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional measures he is considering to address illegal dumping in the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7291/22]
View answerThe Waste Management Act provides the statutory framework to combat illegal dumping. Under the Act, the primary responsibility for waste management and enforcement lies with the Local Authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is a matter for each Local Authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle illegal dumping locally within the legislation provided.
My Department introduced the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, communities, and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding of over €12 million has been provided by my Department under the Initiative, which has supported the delivery of over 1,250 projects nationwide. Details of funding, broken down by local authority and individual project, for each of the years 2017-2021 are available on the gov.ie website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/e27ac-anti-dumping-initiative/
Allocations for 2022 have yet to be finalised, but it is likely that a further €3mn will be made available to support the Initiative in 2022.
My Department also continues to invest significantly in the local authority waste enforcement network under the Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. Over €7.7m was provided to local authorities under the scheme in 2021, while my Department also provides ongoing support (€1mn in 2021) to the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities, which were established to position the local authority sector to better respond to emerging and priority waste enforcement challenges.
It is also my intention under the Circular Economy Bill to facilitate the use of CCTV and other Audio Visual Recording (AVR) equipment in order to assist local authorities in their efforts to combat illegal dumping. I am satisfied that local authorities have the necessary resources in place to continue to effectively tackle illegal dumping.
214. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applicants for home energy grants administered by the SEAI in each of the years 2019 to 2021; the number of those applications that resulted in grant payments being made to the applicant as distinct from the applications being initially approved in each of the years 2019 to 2021; and the percentage of the overall budget allocated to the SEAI for administering home energy grants used in each of the years 2019 to 2021. [7317/22]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are collating the specific detailed data sought by the Deputy but it was not ready in the time available, it will be communicated as soon as it is available.
The following table sets out the overall level of applications and completions in respect of each of the last three years.
|
Years |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
No. of Applications for home energy grants |
36,624 |
20,494 |
21,392 |
|
No. of Completions |
24,742 |
17,616 |
15,457 |
|
Expenditure |
€104.1m |
€78.25m |
€101.3m |
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides the front-end customer service.
SEAI are enhancing their staffing levels this year consistent with the scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced recently. Up to 50 additional staff are likely to be employed by the agency by the end of the year bring staff levels close to 190.
215. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he supports the development of green hydrogen fuel as an alternative energy source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7348/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2021, published in November, identifies green hydrogen as having the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors and, in particular, as a source for high-temperature heat in industry and flexible generation in electricity. The Climate Action Plan 2021 includes a suite of actions relating to green hydrogen in the electricity, enterprise and transport sectors. It also sets out how green hydrogen could address some of the challenges faced by the energy sector, such as providing a back-up for intermittent renewables. A key target set out in the Climate Action Plan is to carry out a work programme to identify a route to deliver one to three terra-watt hours of zero emissions gas (including green hydrogen) by 2030.
In accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the Climate Action Plan is a living document and will be updated on an annual basis to reflect ongoing developments and targets achieved. My Department continues to work with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to carry out research and develop policies to support the uptake of green hydrogen. I expect a strategy focussing on the development of green hydrogen to be included in Climate Action Plan 2022.
216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff employed at the SEAI for processing home energy upgrades and grant applications; his plans to conduct a recruitment campaign within the SEAI to deal with the current backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7352/22]
View answerIt is worth noting at the outset that the backlog that relates to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is largely a function of the disruption caused by the pandemic over the course of 2020 and 2021 where it was not possible to gain access to properties to carry out surveys and works for extended periods. SEAI has informed the Department that it expects the situation to improve significantly during this year with close to 400 homes targeted for completion per month, compared to 171 in 2021. This will be aided by the recent expansion of the contractor panel.
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides front-end customer service.
SEAI are enhancing their staffing levels this year consistent with a scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced recently. Up to 50 additional staff are likely to be employed by the agency by the end of 2022 bringing staffing levels close to 190.
217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and or his officials have met and or engaged with a company or its representatives (details supplied) in the context of utilising masts as part of the National Broadband Plan; and if his Department plans to erect masts in conjunction with private entities as part of the roll-out of the plan. [7366/22]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area. I can confirm that neither I nor my officials who work on the National Broadband Plan have met and/or engaged with the company or its representatives (details supplied) in the context of utilising masts as part of the National Broadband Plan. The matter referred to is an operational matter for NBI. My Department has no direct role in relation to the matter referred to and any queries regarding same are a matter for NBI and should be directed to them. I have passed the query raised in the Question to NBI and have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy.
218. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will announce details of a new home retrofit programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7373/22]
View answerThe Government has recently announced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in pace and scale of delivery – to build toward achieving our ambitious target of 500,000 home energy upgrades, to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard, in this decade.
The changes represent an important step in delivery of the National Retrofit Plan, which identifies a range of measures aimed at driving demand for retrofit, expanding the size and capacity of the supply chain, as well as making retrofits more affordable.
The key measures include:
- a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently)
- One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades
- a significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty (400 per month – up from an average of 177 per month in 2021)
- a special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices
- an Exchequer investment of €8 billion to 2030 will enable the supply chain to scale up, creating thousands of high quality jobs and delivering on this critical national objective
The Schemes will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and all of the details are available on their website (seai.ie). The increased grant supports and the significant ramping up of free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty is supported by ring-fenced funds from the carbon tax.
In addition, as announced as part of Budget 2022, €85 million funding has been provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme.
219. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of electric vehicle charging points that are available for use by staff across all carparks provided for use by his Department throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7380/22]
View answerMy Department currently has 5 EV charging points in my Departments Dublin offices. Staff based in my Department’s office in Wexford which is a shared facility have access to the 2 EV charging points there. My Department is moving to a new HQ in 2023 which will be an exemplar energy efficient state building. Provision is in the plans for 10 EV charging points with the necessary infrastructure provided to allow for further expansion as demand dictates.
