Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 22 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 114-135

Environmental Schemes

Questions (114, 168)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the drawdown of the €100 million allocated to investment in residential and community energy efficiency further to the allocation of carbon tax expenditures provided in table 1 of the budget 2021 document, the Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2021; if any of these funds were surrendered back to the Exchequer at the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9134/22]

View answer

Alan Kelly

Question:

168. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding allocated for retrofitting schemes that was unspent in 2021; if the funding was carried over for schemes in 2022; if not, if it has been used for other purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10001/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos.114 and 168 together.

The capital allocation for the residential and community retrofit schemes in 2021 was €221.5m, details of which are set out in the table below.   This figure included €100m from the proceeds of the 2021 increase in carbon tax and €13m in continued carbon tax investment from 2020.

Scheme

€m

Better Energy - Homes

31.5

Better Energy - Warmer Homes

100.0

Better Energy - Warmth and Wellbeing

9.0

Deep Retrofit Pilot

3.4

Better Energy - Communities

30.0

Solar PV

8.0

Community Activation Fund

10.0

BER Supports

2.5

One Stop Shop

27.1

Expenditure in 2021 on the retrofit schemes was lower than allocations at €101.3m, mainly due to the impact of Covid-19. The €114.2m underspend was not surrendered but was retained by my Department and formed part of €160m transferred to the Energy Efficiency National Fund (EENF) in December 2021. 

Details of the €160m transfer to the EENF, which included €100 million to support energy efficiency improvements for households and €60 million for the proposed low interest rate loan scheme in 2022,  were set out at the Select Committee on the Environment and Climate Action at its consideration of a supplementary estimate for my Department on 1st December 2021.

A total of €267m, of which €202 million is from the investment of carbon tax receipts, is being allocated for residential and community retrofit schemes in 2022. As outlined in the recently published National Retrofit Plan*,  this investment will support almost 27,000 home energy upgrades, including over 8,600 homes to a BER of B2 and 4,800 free energy upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/5052a-national-retrofit-plan/

Environmental Schemes

Questions (115)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if institutional investors or vulture funds will be eligible for taxpayer fund grants under the new national retrofit scheme for houses they own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9165/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 equivalent), and to install 400,000 heat pumps to replace existing heating systems by 2030. The National Development Plan (NDP) has provided an unprecedented financial commitment to support achievement of the Government’s retrofit targets. A total of €8 billion of Exchequer funding (including €5 billion in carbon tax revenues) will be available to support residential upgrades to 2030.

The Government recently approved 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. Included in these measures was the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering 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%). Private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies whose properties meet the eligibility criteria can avail of the scheme.

Energy Prices

Questions (116)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

116. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will liaise with the appropriate authorities to ensure customers using pay-as-you-go electricity meters will receive a €200 top-up for their meters when the credit is added to their account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022 will establish a scheme to make a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account this year, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. This Bill is currently before the Oireachtas, with a view to the scheme becoming operational by the end of Quarter 1. This scheme is in addition to the Government’s ongoing measures to address energy poverty and protect vulnerable customers. It is also in addition to the measures introduced in the Budget.  

The scheme will apply to all domestic electricity accounts and will include pre-pay customers.

The scheme will be overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and operated by ESB Networks (ESBN) as the Distribution System Operator. The mechanism by which pay as you go customers will receive the credit is the subject of ongoing operational preparations underway between the CRU, ESBN and suppliers. The CRU has indicated that it is expected that this would happen by way of the credit being applied towards the account of the pay as you go customer, who would then receive the credit when they go to vend for credit. My Department is engaging closely with the CRU on this matter, and will continue to do so.The Deputy may also wish to note that regular information updates, including frequently asked questions, are being made available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.

Energy Production

Questions (117)

Michael McNamara

Question:

117. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government will consider extending the operation of Moneypoint Power Station beyond its scheduled closure date of 2025 in view of Ireland's ongoing energy security challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9193/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Climate Action Plan 2021, published in November states that we will continue to decarbonise the electricity sector by taking advantage of our significant renewable energy resources. The Plan also includes a target to complete the phase-out of coal and peat-fired electricity generation in Ireland. In doing this we must ensure a continued secure supply of energy, which is vital for the proper functioning of society and the economy.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) has statutory responsibility to monitor and take measures necessary to ensure the security of electricity supply. It is assisted in this role by EirGrid, Ireland’s electricity Transmission System Operator.

Operational decisions pertaining to the power station referred to by the Deputy are a matter for the ESB and I have no function in the matter.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (118)

Michael McNamara

Question:

118. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of the national broadband plan; the number of properties connected; the number of properties surveyed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9194/22]

View answer

Written answers

The 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 which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 11 February, over 300,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 157,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that over 34,000 premises are passed with high speed fibre broadband and nearly 7,000 are connected in 16 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties.  To date the level of connections on the NBI network are in line with, or exceeding projections.

Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website, www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 11 February 2022, 486 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.

My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website, at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

Electricity Grid

Questions (119)

Peter Burke

Question:

119. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when persons will be able to sell electricity back to the grid. [9246/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 at a competitive market rate.The Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive were signed into Irish law on 15 February 2022 which give effect to the above-mentioned articles and allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators by their suppliers.

Following a public consultation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG on 1 December 2021 which outlines the interim arrangements, including eligibility criteria and the remuneration methodology. The CRU has decided upon a competitive market-based approach to the setting of this tariff, as well as a number of provisions to ensure that its implementation aligns with the National Smart Metering Programme. It is envisaged that initial payments or credits from suppliers will be available after June of this year and the CRU has requested that suppliers communicate their decision on when initial CEG payments will be made to customers at the earliest opportunity. The supplier may offer back-payments in the form of a credit to an account, if this approach is considered to be the most appropriate. The CRU also expects back-payments to be communicated clearly to customers of each supplier. Furthermore, a tax disregard of €200 was introduced in Budget 2021 in respect of personal income received by households who sell residual renewable electricity, which they generate, back to the grid.

Broadband Infrastructure

Questions (120)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

120. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding broadband connections in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9319/22]

View answer

Written answers

The 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. 

Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations. 

North-South Interconnector

Questions (121)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish the findings of his review into the north-south interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9321/22]

View answer

Written answers

The North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also facilitate the achievement of the goal to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.

The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently, the key finding from the International Expert Commission's report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this critical electricity infrastructure.

Notwithstanding this, I decided to commission a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remains valid. Formal procurement of international experts in electricity grid infrastructure was completed last September. Whilst my Department had hoped to receive their report before now, the experts have informed my officials that they plan to submit it to the Department by next month. I plan to publish it shortly after I have received and considered it.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (122)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

122. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the eligibility criteria for the warmer homes retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9322/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low income households who are most at risk of energy poverty.  It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.  In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,100., reflecting the increased scope of works carried out. A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this 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 and clear Covid impacted backlogs.

In changes recently agreed by Government, for the first time, applications can now be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the Scheme, but who could still benefit from even 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. The Scheme will also 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.

The key eligibility criteria are outlined below:

1. Must own and live in your own home

2. Home must have been built and occupied before 2006

3. Must be receipt of one of the following welfare payments:

- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme;

- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age;

- Working Family Payment;

- One-Parent Family Payment;

- Domiciliary Care Allowance;

- Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for, or

- Disability Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age

Further details with respect to the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme are available at www.seai.ie.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (123)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

123. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of successful applicants to the Climate Action Fund in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9337/22]

View answer

Written answers

At least €500 million will be available from the Climate Action Fund over the period to 2027 to support projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets and goals. In addition, the Government will make major investments through substantial other funding, set out in the National Development Plan.

To date, over €140 million has been committed from the Climate Action Fund for a range of projects, including in relation to district heating, EV infrastructure, creative climate action, co-financing for EU LIFE projects, and a Community Climate Action Programme. Through the Community Climate Action Programme, announced in November 2021, €60 million will be invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over the next three years.  Under this Programme, an open call was launched by Pobal in November 2021. A total of 72 applications were received in response to this call and are currently being assessed.

During 2021, 14 projects were approved for funding under Creative Climate Action, a collaboration supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme. A further eight projects received approval-in-principal in 2021 to co-financing from the Climate Action Fund  for EU LIFE projects. Final approval for this co-financing is conditional on these projects successfully securing EU LIFE funding. 

As a next step, an open call will be developed for launch in 2022 aimed at  providing funding for further projects aligned with the priorities of the Government's Climate Action Plan 2021. Work on the development of this call will commence shortly. Details on the scope of the call and eligibility criteria  will be available on my Department's website in due course.

National Parks

Questions (124)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

124. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Environment Fund has supported the development of new parks and wildlife centres; the number and location of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9338/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Environment Fund has not been used to develop new parks and wildlife centres and there are no requests for such funding on hand.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (125)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

125. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the feasibility study into the establishment of a green energy hub or renewable energy hub in the midlands using the existing infrastructure in this region. [9339/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Just Transition Commissioner recommended in his first progress report, published in May 2020, that a study be undertaken in relation to the future potential of the ESB power stations at both Lanesborough (Lough Ree Power) and Shannonbridge (West Offaly Power) for the establishment of a dedicated Energy Hub in the Midlands. This was subsequently included as a commitment in the Programme for Government. The ESB has been participating in a number of working groups established under the Just Transition programme which looked at the future of the Midlands area following the closure of the ESB Midlands stations and the ending of the harvesting of peat by Bord na Móna. 

One of these groups, which included the Just Transition Commissioner and Offaly and Longford County Councils,  looked specifically at how the existing infrastructure on the ESB station sites might form a part of a future renewable energy hub. ESB announced the outcome of this process on 18 June 2021, confirming that:

- having considered commercial opportunities within the electricity market as well as national energy and climate action policies, no viable solution was found to repurpose the existing plants;

- the company will, therefore, demolish the existing plants in line with the planning obligations for the stations;

- the company is exploring how other buildings on the sites could be handed over for use by community groups;

- ESB is currently developing planning applications for both station sites as renewable energy centres, in anticipation of future competitive tenders to be held by EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities  (CRU). The proposed technology includes synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities at both  locations. Detailed environmental assessments will be carried out in support of those applications; and

- should these applications be successful, the ESB’s plans would then enable the company to successfully develop these sites within the appropriate regulatory, environmental and planning timelines.

It should be noted that he management of ESB-owned facilities is an operational matter for the Board and management of the ESB.

Waste Management

Questions (126)

Colm Burke

Question:

126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department is undertaking in order to eliminate the use of materials which can neither be recycled or reused in keeping with the Circular Economy Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9375/22]

View answer

Written answers

 The Circular Economy Bill 2022 aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy; the Circular Economy Programme; the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap; and the Circular Economy Fund.

As Minister of State for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I will have the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use items, including single-use cups, containers and packaging, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available. These measures will be introduced by means of secondary legislation. The Bill will also provide for the inclusion of targets related to reuse and repair in Waste Management Plans, with the aim of saving resources, reducing emissions and preventing waste.

Waste Management

Questions (127)

Colm Burke

Question:

127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the support provided under the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9376/22]

View answer

Written answers

The purpose of the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) is to provide support to projects which work in the Circular Economy space, with the aim of advancing the Circular Economy in Ireland and raising awareness of the need to transition to a Circular Economy The successful projects allocated funding under the 2021 funding round of the CEIGS are set out in the table below.

All funding awarded is governed by grant agreements between my Department and the relevant applicants. These grant agreements set out the deliverables for each project.

10 projects were initially selected for funding under the 2021 round, with a total funding commitment of some €490,000. Subsequently one project, ‘Reuse Revolution for 3rd Level Institutions’, was withdrawn by the applicant as the project was no longer proceeding. The relevant grant agreement was terminated by mutual consent, with the Department having incurred no expenditure in relation to the project.

PROJECTS

AM Acoustic Materials

Certifying AM Ecoboard

Cork Environmental Forum - Cork Urban Soil Project

The Cork Urban Soil Project

Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI)

ReMark Readiness

Everlend Ltd.

Reuse Revolution for 3rd Level Institutions*

Grow it Yourself - GIY Ireland

Wasted - food waste reduction in commercial food settings

Irish Green Building Council

Construction Materials Exchange (CMEx)

Novelplast Teoranta

Ocean Revive

PACE Organisation

The Composting Collective -

Thriftify Technologies Ltd

Thriftify

Marine Applications Ltd T/A Verifact

Net 360

Illegal Dumping

Questions (128)

Colm Burke

Question:

128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail the level of funding support that has been allocated to local authorities to combat dumping in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9377/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) was introduced  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 I anticipate that a further €3m 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.

Energy Prices

Questions (129)

Colm Burke

Question:

129. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement that has taken place with energy providers in respect of the cost of energy for households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9378/22]

View answer

Written answers

The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. The CRU, as the Deputy will appreciate, is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions, including more generally on the matter raised in this question, to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. In this regard, I understand that the CRU appeared before Committee on Environment and Climate Action as recently as the 15th February to answer its questions on these and other matters.More broadly, and in view of the current pressures faced by households following the exceptional recent rise in international energy prices, I introduced The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022, that will provide for a credit payment, on a once off basis in 2022, to each domestic electricity account amounting to €200 (including VAT). This payment is part of a suite of policy measures announced by Government designed to give additional support households at this time, in addition to those already introduced. The payment is facilitated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers who are working with CRU on its operation.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (130)

Colm Burke

Question:

130. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to address delays to the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9379/22]

View answer

Written answers

The 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 which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. The NBP roll out is currently a 7 year plan under the contract and deployment is due to be complete by the end of 2026.

Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by NBI that, as of 11 February 2022, over 300,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 157,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 16 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties. 

Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website, www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.  This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.

NBI has implemented a number of measures to help lessen the impact that these challenges have had on the rollout including:-

- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month;

- Bringing in additional NBI resources;

- Earlier procurement of material used in the build stages; and

- Bringing in additional subcontractors

It remains the ambition of the Government to rollout the National Broadband Plan as quickly as possible. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the National Broadband Ireland build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (131)

Colm Burke

Question:

131. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of upgrades completed under the warmth and well-being scheme, by county, in each of the years 2016 to 31 December 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9380/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and is jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016, over 1,400 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades, where needed.

One of the qualifying criteria for the scheme was that applicants must reside within the area designated for the pilot scheme, namely Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 and 24.  The number of upgrades completed in these areas under the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme in each of the years 2016 to 31 December 2021 are as follows.

YEAR

NO. OF HOMES COMPLETED

2016

72

2017

360

2018

455

2019

340

2020

91

2021

146

TOTAL

1,464

Following the successful pilot works a Report is being prepared by the London School of Hygiene and tropical Medicine, expected in Q2 this year. Given that the research element reached a sufficient number of applicants and based on the Steering Group feedback, the Scheme is now closed to new applicants with associated funding transferring to the broader Warmer Homes Scheme from 2023.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (132)

Colm Burke

Question:

132. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the way the warmth and well-being scheme will be incorporated into new schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9381/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and is jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016, almost 1,500 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed. Given that the research element of the scheme has now closed to participants having reached a sufficient number, new applications for the scheme will cease on 28 February. Existing applications will receive their upgrades in line with the existing terms and conditions.

The Exchequer investment in this scheme has significantly improved the warmth and comfort of the homes involved. Initial reports have indicated that the upgrades are also delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants, including reports of needing fewer GP and hospital visits, fewer prescriptions for antibiotics as well as increased engagement with other support services in the community. An independent analysis of the scheme benefits is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive.

The details of how the scheme can inform Government’s approaches to retrofitting, especially with regard to those who are more vulnerable and at risk of energy poverty,  will be considered when the final findings of the analysis are available. From next year, the Warmth and Wellbeing budget will be transferred to the Warmer Homes Scheme.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (133)

Colm Burke

Question:

133. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given by his Department to engaging with other stakeholders on building capacity to achieve the key measures of the national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9382/22]

View answer

Written answers

The National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.

The Plan was informed by engagement, consultation and workshops with homeowners, the supply chain and financiers as well as collaborative working across relevant Government Departments and Agencies. The Government is committed to continuing to work in a collaborative way with stakeholders in relation to the implementation of the Plan. In addition, a cross-Departmental steering group will be established to oversee and monitor progress against our national targets, and develop new initiatives and policy responses as required.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (134)

Colm Burke

Question:

134. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to the grouping of homes together, for example neighbours, for the purposes of delivering significant energy upgrades under the national retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9383/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has approved a package of supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions.

These new measures include:

- The establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering 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%).

- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a new end-to-end project management service. This includes surveying the home; designing the upgrades; managing the grant processes; helping with access to finance; engaging the contractors to deliver the work and then quality-assuring that work.

It is expected that the One Stop Shops will be distributed across Ireland, with a considerable number capable of offering services nationwide, due to the network of contractors they are working with throughout the country. Other One Stop Shops are expected to work within geographic regions. This will ensure that every home can benefit from the One Stop Shop service on offer.

The capital funding available for the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme is €97 million, with a €40 million allocation in 2022 and €57 million in 2023. This is expected to deliver 2,000 deep energy retrofits to B2 level with a heat pump in 2022 and an additional 3,000 in 2023.

The new one stop shop model is suitable for bringing together groups of homes for aggregated projects thereby creating efficiencies in delivery and developing new innovation in processes and technologies.

Furthermore, the Community Energy Grant Scheme makes grant funding available for community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. The Scheme is designed to support cross-sectoral, partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings, with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.

The total budget for the Community Energy Grant scheme will be €43 million in 2022, of which approximately €15 million will relate to home retrofits. The new grant rates announced under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will also be available under the Community Energy Grant scheme for homeowners wishing to undertake their energy upgrades as part of a community project

Registration for companies wishing to apply to be a one stop shop is now open. I expect the first One Stop Shops to be registered within the coming weeks. Homeowners can then make applications for upgrades. The call for projects under the Community Energy Grant scheme will be launched shortly.

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (135)

Colm Burke

Question:

135. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff working at the National Cybersecurity Centre in each of the years 2011 to 31 December 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9384/22]

View answer

Written answers

The National Cyber Security Centre, which is located within my Department, was established in 2011 with a broad remit  across the cyber security of Government ICT and critical national infrastructure. The NCSC has three main roles: national incident response; information sharing; and Building Resilience. The NCSC supports Government Departments and other public bodies to improve the resilience and security of their IT systems to better protect services that our people rely upon, and their data. In July 2021 on foot of an capacity review commissioned from an international consultancy, the Government agreed to implement a number of capacity building measures for the National Cyber Security Centre. These measures include increasing the overall fulltime staffing complement of the NCSC to at least 70 over the next 5 years with 20 additional staff to be recruited by the end of 2022.

The current and annual levels of staffing are contained in the table below. It should be noted that prior to 2016 the National Cyber Security Centre had no full-time staff; all of the cyber security specialists were contractors.

Year

Number of Staff

2016

2

2017

12

2018

17

2019

22

2020

24

2021

29

Top
Share