Written Answers Nos. 50-71
50. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if a budget has been provided for the proposed citizens’ assembly on biodiversity and directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin. [9092/22]
View answerAn allocation of €502,000 has been provided in respect of both Citizens’ Assemblies for 2022. Additional funding requirements, if necessary, will be provided from within existing resources allocated to the Department of the Taoiseach’s Vote 2022.
51. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach if the planned memorial for persons who passed away during the pandemic will include everyone who passed away during the two-year period or if it will be just for persons who passed away from Covid-19 specifically. [9215/22]
View answerSunday 20th March 2022 will be a National Day of Remembrance and Reflection when we will take time to remember all those who have lost their lives during the last two years, and pay tribute to those who have contributed to how we have faced and are facing the challenges together.
52. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Taoiseach the amount that his Department has paid for advertising, features and so on in a magazine (details supplied). [9583/22]
View answerMy Department has no records of any payment to the publication in question.
53. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Taoiseach if his Department has won any award from a publication (details supplied); and if so, when this award was won. [9843/22]
View answerMy Department has no record of ever having won any award from the publication in question.
54. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach if he uses an application on his official Government phone; and if so, if he has the disappearing messages setting activated on the application on his phone. [9946/22]
View answerMy Department provides mobile phones for official use. I do not use the messaging service to which the Deputy refers on my official mobile phone.
Question No. 55 answered orally.
56. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the environmental aid scheme is funded exclusively by the Exchequer or the European Union funding programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10345/22]
View answerMy Department’s Agencies, as part of their funding offers, support investment in energy efficiency and environmental projects in their client companies, in compliance with the conditions of the Environmental State Aid Scheme agreed for Ireland 2014-2020 and recently extended to 2023. The legal basis for the Scheme is the enabling legislation of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. These projects are funded through the annual vote of my Department.
57. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if SMEs with a significant energy use that are not clients of Enterprise Ireland or the IDA are eligible to apply for the environmental aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10346/22]
View answerMy Department’s Agencies, as part of their funding offers, support investment in energy efficiency and environmental projects in their client companies, in compliance with the conditions of the Environmental State Aid Scheme agreed for Ireland 2014-2020 and recently extended to 2023. The legal basis for the Scheme is the enabling legislation of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. These projects are funded through the annual vote of my Department.
My Department has recently been awarded funding under the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Fund to grant aid projects to accelerate decarbonisation of the enterprise sector. The details of the fund and how it will operate are currently being finalised and it is expected to launch mid-year.
This initiative will have two components:
1. The Climate Enterprise Action Fund which will provide incentives for the early stages of the carbon transition pathway for microenterprises and SMEs. It will include assistance to undertake feasibility studies and to develop detailed decarbonisation plans.
2. The Carbon Reduction Fund which is for investment in carbon measurement and abatement technologies for manufacturing enterprises (indigenous- and foreign-owned). The programme will also assist with capital investment and promote capacity building with a focus on abating their high CO2 emissions.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) also have funding available to assist businesses and SME’s in their energy efficiency and environmental projects. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland also run programmes to assist enterprises in their energy efficiency journey, including the EXEED grant and the SSRH schemes.
58. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grant aid schemes available for SMEs with a significant energy use that are not clients of Enterprise Ireland or the IDA to allow them to pursue cogeneration and district heating projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10347/22]
View answerMy Department’s Agencies, as part of their funding offers, support investment in energy efficiency and environmental projects in their client companies, in compliance with the conditions of the Environmental State Aid Scheme agreed for Ireland 2014-2020 and recently extended to 2023. The legal basis for the Scheme is the enabling legislation of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. These projects are funded through the annual vote of my Department.
My Department has recently been awarded funding under the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Fund to grant aid projects to accelerate decarbonisation of the enterprise sector. The details of the fund and how it will operate are currently being finalised and it is expected to launch mid-year.
This initiative will have two components:
1. The Climate Enterprise Action Fund which will provide incentives for the early stages of the carbon transition pathway for microenterprises and SMEs. It will include assistance to undertake feasibility studies and to develop detailed decarbonisation plans.
2. The Carbon Reduction Fund which is for investment in carbon measurement and abatement technologies for manufacturing enterprises (indigenous- and foreign-owned). The programme will also assist with capital investment and promote capacity building with a focus on abating their high CO2 emissions.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) also have funding available to assist businesses and SME’s in their energy efficiency and environmental projects. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland also run programmes to assist enterprises in their energy efficiency journey, including the EXEED grant and the SSRH schemes.
59. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that the electricity credit will be paid to persons with prepay meters. [10243/22]
View answerThe aim of the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022 is to establish a scheme to make a once off payment, in 2022, of an Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. An increase in the benefit to €200 including VAT was included in the suite of measures announced by Government on 10th February designed to further support households. I
The scheme will apply to all domestic accounts, including pay as you go / prepay customers. The mechanism by which pay as you go customers will receive the credit is the subject of ongoing operational preparations between the CRU, which will oversee the Scheme, ESB Networks and suppliers.
The CRU has indicated 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.
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/.
60. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address concerns that costs and inefficiencies are creating a reduced ability among owners of agricultural land to progress the installation of solar panels that have the potential to reduce emissions and increasing the supply of green energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10174/22]
View answerOn 15 February, I signed the Regulations transposing Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive, which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations allow the CEG tariff to become available for micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale electricity generators in Ireland, including solar PV. The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS), approved by Government on 21 December 2021, will provide capital grants for new domestic and small non-domestic installations, including for farmers. Businesses, including farms, who install new larger installations can avail of a Clean Export Premium tariff which will provide a fixed tariff for 15 years for electricity exported to the grid. The scheme design will be published shortly and supports will be introduced on a phased basis this year.The Climate Action Plan 2021 also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators, i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
For grid-scale installations, including solar PV, supports are available under the RESS, which provides a guaranteed fixed price, determined through a competitive auction, for a period of up to 16.5 years. The second RESS auction which is due to take place in 2022 includes Evaluation Correction Factors which provide for a slight competitive advantage for solar PV projects on taking into account system costs of technologies.
Other financial supports available for solar energy projects include tax based incentives for the development of renewable technologies such as the Accelerated Capital Allowances Scheme and the Employment and Investment Incentive as well as improvements for farm enterprises supported by the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
Planning requirements for solar PV installations on agricultural land are primarily a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That Minister is expected to bring forward revised Regulations this year to reduce barriers to solar PV adoption. In addition, ESB Networks (ESBN) recently began trialling an updated and simplified grid connection process for micro-generators in the 12-50kW range. Under the Climate Action Plan 2021, ESBN will commence a similar trial for connections in the 51-200kW range later this year, further reducing barriers to solar PV adoption.
61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the eligibility criteria for the free energy upgrade scheme have changed from houses built before 2006 to houses built before 1993; if so, the number of houses this measure will exclude from this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/22]
View answerThe 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. 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 to deal with the Covid impacted backlog.
In changes recently announced by Government, for the first time, applications will 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 first, 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 in focus and owners of homes built after 1993 and with a higher BER rating may still apply as per the full eligibility criteria below.
1. Must own and live in your own home;
2. Home was built and occupied before 2006;
3. Must receive 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.
62. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the quality control measures that are in place regarding the BER system for rating the energy efficiency of homes; if the BER system is reviewed periodically; if so, when the system was reviewed; the results of that review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10221/22]
View answerThe legal basis for the Building Energy Rating (BER) system including quality assurance is set out in S.I. 243 of 2012. The BER system is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in compliance with that legislation. SEAI operate a Quality Assurance System which is used to continuously monitor the quality of BER assessments published by BER Assessors and to ensure widespread operational compliance with the BER Assessor's Code of Practice.
The process includes the following methods to maintain the quality assurance of the BER:
- Entry requirements for assessors such as pre-qualification requirements, mandatory training, with induction and mentoring for new entrants
- Validation rules for published assessments;
- Feedback measures including auditing, training and mentoring as set out in SEAI’s Quality Assurance System and Disciplinary Procedure.
All BER assessors are subject to audits which are carried out by independent SEAI BER auditors appointed by Ministerial warrant. The technical performance and professional conduct of assessors are audited. The outcome of the audit also provides feedback and learning to BER assessors. SEAI may also carry out routine follow-up audits to check if findings from previous audits have been adequately resolved. The selection for audit is done on a random or targeted basis and a BER may be targeted for audit based on a specific risk.
The BER quality assurance mechanisms were reviewed by external consultants in 2020 and the review recommended the replacement of the registration renewal exam with Continuous Professional Development and a focus on mentoring and learning supports for assessors. The recommendations are being applied incrementally over the course of 2021 and 2022.
63. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a women's safety and accessibility audit of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is required to be considered under funding agreements with ESB Networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10232/22]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. As part of that commitment, support is currently being provided from the Climate Action Fund for the ESB ecars project. The funding agreement between my Department and the ESB for this project is confidential and commercially sensitive. However, I am satisfied that adequate provisions are contained therein to enable my Department to appropriately manage this project.
Furthermore, a national EV charging infrastructure strategy is being developed by the Department of Transport. Safety and accessibility considerations will be considered as part of this process. My Department will take account of all relevant matters contained in the finalised strategy in the context of ongoing, and any future, EV projects funded by my Department.
64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the McKinsey reports have been used to inform the development of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and 2021; the way that this compares to the advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10239/22]
View answerIreland’s 2019 and 2021 Climate Action Plan are underpinned by modelling inputs from the broad spectrum of expertise available to the Government, as well as contracted technical input from a range of bodies and organisations. It was also informed by a public consultation, inputs from the relevant Ministers and their Departments, and a call for expert evidence. The 2019 Plan was based on a marginal abatement cost curve and relied largely on known and well understood technologies and measures to reduce emissions. The 2021 Plan built on this analysis in order to deliver the greater ambition committed to in the Programme for Government. For the 2021 Plan, outputs from the modelling have assisted in developing target emissions reduction ranges for each sector of the economy by 2030 to achieve a 51% reduction, and set Ireland on a pathway to achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050. The Plan also sets out policies, measures and actions needed to deliver these targets. The target emissions reduction ranges will be replaced by specific, legally-binding, sectoral emissions ceilings in the 2022 Climate Action Plan, following their adoption by Government once the economy-wide carbon budgets are approved by the Oireachtas.
65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the finalised terms and conditions for the first offshore wind-specific RESS auction, ORESS 1, will be published; when he expects his Department to complete its review of the submissions received in the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10283/22]
View answerMy Department recently hosted a public consultation on the draft terms and conditions for the first offshore wind-specific RESS auction, ORESS 1. This consultation received 156 submissions. These submissions are currently under review and my Department intends to issue a formal consultation response in the comings months prior to seeking Government approval to final terms and conditions by end Quarter 2 as set out in the 2021 Climate Action Plan.
66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 14 December 2021, the status of the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems; if the technical analysis has been completed and published to-date; the timeline for the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10284/22]
View answerMy Department is carrying out a review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems focussing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. The review includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation. The technical analysis includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. I expect the technical analysis will be published and the public consultation commenced by mid-2022. It is planned to complete the overall review following this consultation, at which point, it will be submitted to Government.
67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the seven renewable electricity community-led projects selected for support under RESS-1; the timeline for when all projects will be up and running; the locations of all seven projects; for details of the milestones which remain for each of the seven projects to meet in order for them to be eligible for support under RESS-1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10285/22]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main Government policy to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS supports communities in a variety of ways including through a separate category for community projects and a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme. The Climate Action Plan includes a target for at least 500MW of renewable electricity to be supplied by local community-based projects; to reach this target at least 100 community projects will be needed. In order to ensure such a pipeline of community projects I have allocated €2 million in capital funding in Budget 2022 to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
This funding will enable SEAI to deploy a range of capacity-building supports including toolkit guides to assist communities in developing renewable projects. The first four of these, covering grid connection, Solar PV, the planning process and onshore wind, are available on the SEAI website, with more to be developed in the coming months. A trusted intermediary service is also now in place, with an advisor service and financial grant supports to be delivered in Q2 2022.
Prior to the RESS there was only one community-led renewable electricity project in Ireland, the Templederry Community Wind farm in Tipperary. The first RESS auction (RESS-1) included a dedicated community category in which seven projects were selected for support, comprising five solar and two wind projects which are listed in the table below:
|
Project Name |
Location |
|
Ballytobin (Solar) |
Co. Kilkenny |
|
Barnderg (Solar) |
Co. Galway |
|
Clooncon (Wind) |
Co. Galway |
|
Davidstown (Solar) |
Co. Wexford |
|
Dooleeg (Wind) |
Co. Mayo |
|
Lisduff (Solar) |
Co. Mayo |
|
Lurrig (Solar) |
Co. Cork |
The projects are still progressing and a number of milestones remain for each community project to meet in order for them to be eligible for support under the RESS-1 Terms and Conditions. All projects must achieve commercial operation by 31st December 2023.
68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the local authorities to whom he has made a request to-date for the preparation of their local authority climate action plans pursuant to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10286/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 was commenced on the 23 July 2021. Section 16 of this Act requires each Local Authority to prepare a climate action plan, specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority. Local Authorities will have 12 months to complete their individual plans once requested by the Minister, with the request to be made within 18 months of the coming into operation of the Act.
My Department is currently working closely with the Climate Action Regional Offices, Local Authorities and the Environment Protection Agency to finalise a set of statutory guidelines detailing the approach for Local Authorities to take in the development and implementation of Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
69. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will reply to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10291/22]
View answerThe 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. Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. Planning conditions for particular projects are a matter for the relevant planning authority. The question relates to operational matters in which I have no role.
70. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the provision of broadband will be reviewed; the status of the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10311/22]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people’s frustration when they are living close to a fibre network, owned by a commercial operator, but cannot get a connection to that network. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 11 February, over 301,000 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 22 counties. In County Cavan surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Kilnaleck (which includes the premises referred to) and Cootehill and network build is complete in the Deployment Area of Cavan, with over 10,400 premises surveyed to date and over 3,700 premises now available to order.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan 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. In County Cavan 12 BCP’s have been installed to date, including Castlerahan Community Centre which is approximately 3km from the premises referred to. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Cavan 10 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. 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/.
71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 19 January 2022, if he will clarify the number of deep retrofits that were completed in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10350/22]
View answerData from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicates that the number of deep retrofits, i.e. those that achieved a post-works Building Energy Rating of B2 or higher, that were completed in 2021 was 4,606. The breakdown by SEAI scheme is set out in the table below.
|
SCHEME |
ACTUAL OUTPUT (Homes) |
OF WHICH BER B2/Higher |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
2,126 |
46 |
|
Warmth and Wellbeing |
146 |
6 |
|
Better Energy Homes |
7,928 |
1,579 |
|
Solar PV |
4,089 |
1,807 |
|
Better Energy Communities (Community Energy Grants/Sustainable Energy Communities) |
353 |
353 |
|
Deep Retrofit Pilot |
10 |
10 |
|
National Homes Retrofit |
805 |
805 |
|
Totals |
15,457 |
4,606 |
