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Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 141-160

Sustainable Energy Communities

Questions (141)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the funding for the sustainable energy communities programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10257/22]

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Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.  The Programme supports the low carbon energy transition by developing skills and capacity, at a community level, in determining how to use less energy, adopting lower carbon options for transport and heating, shifting energy use to off-peak times or investing in smart technologies.

The SEC process consists of 3 core steps of "Learn" (the SEC Network), "Plan" (the Energy Master Plan Partnership) and "Do". Under this latter stage, the SECs access the various SEAI energy efficiency grants, notably the Community Energy Grant Scheme, to help them progress their identified projects.

The Community Energy Grant Scheme supports 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. Furthermore, the Scheme is designed to engage all members of the SEC network who wish to participate in delivery of energy efficiency works.

In 2020, there were a total of 490 SEC members in the network. This increased to 618 at the end of 2021. In 2020, funding of €1.21million was spent under the SEC Programme and this increased to €1.34million in 2021.

Under the Programme, a total of 181 Energy Master Plans have been submitted to the SEAI, of which 57 were submitted in 2021. There are a total of 62 SECs at the "Do" stage.

The National Retrofit Plan which was launched recently as part of the Climate Action Plan 2021, sets a target of 1,500 member communities in the SEC Network by 2030.  Under the Plan, SECs will be supported by Government to continue to expand their roles as ‘activators’ in their communities.

Funding of €8 million has been allocated to support the Sustainable Energy Communities and community activation in 2022.

Telecommunications Services

Questions (142)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

142. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the communications his Department has had to date with mobile telephone companies in relation to the investigation and reduction of scam calls via their networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10475/22]

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Written answers

Following engagement with telecommunication industry leaders late last year to address the ongoing problem of nuisance communications, an industry-led taskforce, facilitated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has been established to identify and recommend practical interventions that might be taken by operators in the short, medium and long-term to combat nuisance communications.

As with much fraudulent activity a multi-faceted approach is required.  This particular Taskforce is focussed on telecoms and will seek to address the matter of nuisance communications from a telecoms network operator/service provider perspective.  Details are available on ComReg’s website at www.comreg.ie (ComReg Information Note 21/129).

The investigation of fraudulent activity by criminals that might be carried out over telecoms networks is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the advice to the public remains focussed on the importance of being vigilant. 

Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 133.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (144)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

144. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the market model being used to develop the retrofitting sector; the way he will address affordability issues in relation to the national retrofitting scheme and in the context of inflation and the rise in cost of building materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9360/22]

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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. In line with commitments in the Retrofit Plan, the Government recently approved a package of significantly enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will provide increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard.   One Stop Shops will 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.

In addition, increased grants for attic and cavity wall insulation have also been made available, covering 80% of the cost to homeowners of these highly cost-effective upgrade measures. Free upgrades are available for households at risk of energy poverty. My Department is also developing a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme which will enable financial institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates for retrofit projects.

The revised grant rates were set following a comprehensive evaluation and consultative process led by SEAI and the Department, including leveraging learning and experience in SEAI, industry consultation, customer research and analysis of cost data. SEAI will monitor cost data on an ongoing basis to track and monitor changes in the market. The Department will also be working with SEAI to improve transparency in pricing among One Stop Shops. The grant rates will be kept under review taking account of the overarching need to build a much bigger home upgrade sector, evolving science, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.

Energy Policy

Questions (145)

Bríd Smith

Question:

145. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will support a legislative proposal to implement an outright ban on LNGs in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10273/22]

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Written answers

The Government Policy Statement on importing fracked gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems that is currently being carried out by the Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.  The Government policy statement on Security of Electricity Supply, published in November 2021, does not change what was set out in the Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas. While a project involving an LNG terminal may also include gas-fired generation, it is still an LNG terminal and so it would not be appropriate for the project to be permitted or proceeded with, pending the outcome of the review.

It is planned to complete the overall review later this year, following which it will be submitted to Government. At that point, the Government can assess whether any further legislative or policy amendments are appropriate.

Question No. 146 answered with Question No. 101.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (147)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the analysis that has been carried out into accelerating the roll-out of the national broadband plan in 2022 in order to catch up with the recently missed revised target of 60,000 homes by end-January 2022; the analysis that has been carried out by his Department into the impact of the missing of this revised target on the overall timeline for the roll-out of the plan; the number of homes that have been passed to date in Galway city and county; if the January 2022 target was reached in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10256/22]

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Written answers

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).  In County Galway surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Gurteen, Kilkerrin, Duniry and Lettermore, pre-works are underway in the Deployment Areas of Gort, Athenry, Loughrea and Inverin and network build is complete in the Deployment Areas of Ballinasloe and Galway. To date in County Galway over 21,000 premises have been surveyed, over 8,300 premises are under construction and almost 7,000 premises are now available for order or pre-order.

In line with a remedial plan to address Covid-19 related delays which was agreed with my Department in April 2021, following detailed engagement, NBI had expected to have almost 60,000 premises passed and available for immediate connection by the end of January 2022. As would be expected with a large scale infrastructure build of this nature, challenges were encountered with the build process and also as a result of Covid-19 impacts. NBI continues to work with its network and build partners to address all issues as they arise. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond, with targets for 2022 to be agreed in the coming weeks. 

The 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. The primary focus, however, 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.

Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 103.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (149)

Bríd Smith

Question:

149. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the annual projected expenditure in funding by the State on the national broadband plan for the years 2021 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10274/22]

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Written answers

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract signed in 2019 provides that a future proofed high speed broadband network will be deployed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to people living and working in the intervention area. It is expected that over 600,000 premises will be served by the fibre network, including new builds. The maximum possible cost to the State will be €2.7 Billion over 25 years. The majority of this subsidy will be used  over the years 2022 to 2030 as NBI achieve deployment milestones and connects premises. The total cost also includes €480m in conditional subsidy that may be triggered in a limited number of specific circumstances. Exchequer spend on the NBP in 2021 was €144.8 million. The funding available for the NBP for 2022 is €225 million. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond, with targets for 2022 to be agreed in the coming weeks. This work will inform the budgetary and expenditure profile for 2022 and beyond.

Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 101.

Energy Production

Questions (151)

Michael Creed

Question:

151. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way he has incentivised micro-energy providers; the way he has encouraged domestic, commercial and agricultural consumers of energy to move from off-peak consumption; if the national grid will facilitate community energy groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6051/22]

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Written answers

The final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government in December 2021 and will be published shortly.  

On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations allow the Clean Export Guarantee 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 phased introduction of supports has already begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to €2,400, the removal of the minimum BER requirement and increasing eligibility for homes built before 2021.

Non-domestic applicants, e.g. businesses, farms, schools, community buildings etc., will be able to apply for a grant for installations up to 6.0kWe, at the same grant amounts as domestic customers.  

Larger Non-domestic applicants with installations between 6.1kW and 50kW will be able to apply for a Clean Export Guarantee tariff for electricity exported to the grid. These supports are expected to be in place later in the year.

Community enterprises including sports clubs and community halls will be eligible to participate, either as individual micro-generators or as community projects within the MSS.

The Commissioner for Utility Regulation (CRU) is currently working on the regulatory framework to facilitate renewable energy communities following a recent public consultation.

Finally, the Smart Meter Programme is well advanced across the country with over 600,000 smart meters installed in domestic homes. These maters allow consumers to have better information about their consumption, make bills more accurate and allow consumers to avail of new "Smart" tariffs and services from Energy companies including smart off-peak rates

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (152, 167)

Neale Richmond

Question:

152. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the work of the National Cyber Security Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9454/22]

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Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

167. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of his engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre, particularly since the cyberattack on the HSE in 2021; the safeguards that are in place to prevent another similar attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10154/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 167 together.  

The National Cyber Security Centre, which is located within my Department, has 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, other public bodies and operators of critical infrastructure to improve the resilience and security of their IT systems to better protect services that our people rely upon, and their data.  The NCSC, in collaboration with a cross departmental group drawn from across the public service, recently published the baseline cyber security standard to be applied by all Government Departments and Agencies. In addition, the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) based within in the NCSC, has developed and deployed technology on the infrastructure of Government Departments, to detect and warn of certain types of threat.  

I am in regular contact with the Director of the NCSC who advises me that the Centre is currently operating at a heightened state of preparedness as a result of recent cyber incidents and ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. The Centre has contingency plans in place in case of an increase in tensions, and is engaging bilaterally with key infrastructure operators across Government and the private sector. The NCSC has also issued a number of guidance and support documents recently, including a ‘Cyber Vitals’ Check list on 1 February, and a detailed Advisory Note on 17 February. This Advisory detailed a cyber risk assessment and appropriate advice regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine.  

The Government has committed to the further development of the NCSC including through the provision of a new permanent facility at my Department's redeveloped headquarters in Beggars Bush, capital funding to support a five-year technology strategy, and the drafting of primary legislation to provide a clear mandate and authority for the NCSC. This is in addition to the expansion in staffing at the NCSC which will see staff numbers increase by 20 before the end of this year, and to over 70 in the next five years. The Government will provide all necessary support to the NCSC to ensure it can fulfil its important role in the years to come.

Question No. 153 answered with Question No. 103.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (154)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of the increased threat of floods in coastal areas due to the climate crisis. [9443/22]

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Written answers

The National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group was established in 2020 and is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  The Group is tasked with considering the development of an integrated, whole-of-Government, coastal change strategy.  My Department is represented on the Group and provides appropriate support to its work.

My Department is responsible for National Adaptation Policy and the National Adaptation Framework published in January 2018, which is being reviewed this year. In addition, the sectoral plans in relation to communication and energy are under my remit. Adaptation planning for water, biodiversity, and the built  and archaeological heritage sectors fall under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.  Coastal erosion can significantly impact Local Authority infrastructure, including roads and leisure facilities. In addition, vital infrastructure located in Local Authority functional areas, but under the ownership of other bodies, may be particularly open to the effects of coastal erosion, including water (treatment and supply), communications and energy infrastructures. 

Through the National Adaptation Steering Committee, my Department works with all sectors and the Local Authorities to co-ordinate implementation of adaptation policy nationally. My Department also supports the work of the Local Authorities in implementing Local Adaptation Strategies through the Climate Action Regional Offices. 

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, including both mitigation and adaptation measures.. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans.

I would like to see a clear policy on mapping and monitoring of the coastline emerge from the National Coastal Change Management Strategy  Working Group.  This would incorporate best available data and techniques to consider the likely impacts of climate change in a consistent manner (including those currently developed at Geological Survey Ireland), and would greatly facilitate the work of Local Authorities,  Irish Water, and relevant communications and energy agencies and companies.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (155)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

155. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports available to local authorities to combat littering and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10449/22]

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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.

Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 109.

Energy Prices

Questions (157)

Bríd Smith

Question:

157. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons in private rented accommodation who pay an energy bill separate to others in the same building must have a bill in their own name to be included in the proposed energy grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10277/22]

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Written answers

The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022, currently before the Oireachtas, will establish a scheme to make a once off payment, in 2022, to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices.The scheme will be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks), and electricity suppliers and will be overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This is an exceptional measure which uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number, to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account as early as possible in 2022. The payment will be applied to the domestic electricity account rather than an individual. The scheme will also include pre-pay customers. I understand that the majority of the 300,000 tenancies registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) would hold their own domestic electricity accounts. In those instances the payment will be directly applied to these accounts. Others would have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each electricity bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion would have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. With the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, my Department is working closely with the RTB on a public information campaign to ensure that all tenants are aware of the scheme. Disputes relating to tenancies including terms relating to electricity payments can be brought to the RTB for dispute resolution. 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/.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (158)

Richard Bruton

Question:

158. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way he is approaching the framing of sectoral carbon budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9460/22]

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Written answers

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. As part of an enhanced governance framework to reach this target, the Act also sets out the processes and timelines for settling the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings. Once the economy-wide carbon budget programme has been approved by the Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas, I will prepare proposed sectoral emissions ceilings for Government consideration and approval.

This work will take as its starting point the sectoral emissions reduction ranges agreed in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, and will involve intense engagement with all relevant sectoral Ministers and their Departments. It will be supported by rigorous analysis and evaluation, including in relation to total system cost; feasibility; socioeconomic impact; contribution to other sustainability goals; and the ability of to serve as s stepping stone to achieve our 2050 target.

I intend to take a proposal in relation to sectoral emissions ceilings to Government by the end of Q2 this year.

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (159)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

159. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the increases in funding that have been given to the National Cyber Security Centre over the past 12 months; his views on whether this has improved Ireland's defence to cyberattack on State infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10481/22]

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Written answers

The programme budget for cyber security in my Department's Vote for 2022 is €5.1 million, broken down between €2.5 million current and €2.6 million capital. While this is the same funding allocation as 2021, it represents a trebling of the budget when compared with 2020. In addition, provision has been made in the Department's Estimate for 2022 for a year-on-year increase in the payroll and administration for the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the sum of €2.5 million, for a total of €2.1 million in pay and €400,000 in non-pay administration overheads. The increased pay allocation is in recognition of the Government decision last July to expand the capacity of the NCSC with an additional 20 posts to be filled before the end of this year. Recruitment in respect of these posts is well underway, with three separate competitions launched and a fourth to begin this week.

The NCSC plays a leading role in implementing the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024. The Strategy includes a number of measures aimed at enhancing the security and resilience of Government networks and data, as well as critical national infrastructure. Significant progress has been made in implementing these measures since 2019. For instance, the NCSC's Sensor Programme has been deployed across all Government Departments, serving as an additional layer of boundary protection that alerts the NCSC when particular types of activity are observed transiting Government networks. In collaboration with a cross departmental group drawn from across the public service, the NCSC recently published the baseline cyber security standard to be applied by all Government Departments and Agencies. The NCSC has also completed a National Risk Assessment of critical infrastructure, to ensure that NCSC has a thorough understanding of Critical National Infrastructure and has contact channels with operators. Strengthening the NCSC is a key component of the Strategy, and last year we commissioned a capacity review to benchmark our NCSC against its counterparts in Europe and other States. The consultants noted the knowledge, expertise and motivation of the NCSC’s staff, which was apparent in their exemplary response to the HSE incident last May. The Government has accepted the recommendations in the capacity review and invested in increased capacity in a number of ways, including the appointment of a Director of the NCSC and a number of other new staff, new threat intelligence contracts, and a new contract with the UCD Centre for Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Investigations.

Energy Prices

Questions (160)

Paul Murphy

Question:

160. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the proposed energy grant will be reviewed in light of ongoing inflation in energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10280/22]

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Written answers

The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022, currently before the House, will establish a schme for an electricity costs emergency benefit payment to be credited, on a once off basis in 2022, to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. This is an exceptional measure designed to be delivered directly to all domestic electricity accounts using the existing electricity billing infrastructure and without application or further qualifying criteria, in order to allow payments to be made as efficiently and quickly as possible in light of the exceptional increases in electricity prices.

The scheme is to be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks), and electricity suppliers and overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Based on the number of domestic electricity accounts, ESBN will make payments to the individual energy suppliers who will then credit each domestic electricity account held with them. The scheme will also include pre-pay customers. The Government is acutely aware of the impact on households of increasing energy costs, which is why an increase in the benefit to €200, including VAT, was included in the suite of policy measures announced by Government on 10 February, and meant that the total funding to be allocated to the scheme increased to €400 million. It is important to note that this scheme is in addition to the Government’s ongoing measures to target support for people at risk of energy poverty and the protection of vulnerable customers, and is in addition to the measures introduced in the Budget. 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/.

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