Written Answers Nos. 1-21
1. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times he has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15178/22]
View answerGiven that the Deputy is seeking data that spans in excess of eleven years and encompasses the Department and its Offices, it is not yet possible to provide the information to the Deputy in the timeframe available.
The information being sought is being collated from across the Department and our Offices, which include the Companies Registrations Office, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission.
The Department will provide the details to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity over the coming days.
2. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of full-time IT security managers employed by IDA Ireland in 2020, 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form. [15220/22]
View answerIDA acknowledges the Cyber Security Manager is a critically important role to the organisation from a number of perspectives. In June 2020 IDA recruited a Cyber Security Manager to the IDA IT Team.
The post has been vacant since January 2022. My Department and the IDA are fully focused on filling this vacancy as a matter of priority.
The table below shows the number of full-time IT Security Managers employed by IDA Ireland from 2020 to 2022.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 to date |
|
1 x Cyber Security Manager - Commenced June 2020 |
1 x Cyber Security Manager |
1 x Cyber Security Manager post which is vacant since January 2022 – to be filled as a matter of priority |
3. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department has taken with a company (details supplied) to support employees and subcontractors impacted by a receivership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15231/22]
View answerI extend my sympathies to all employees of Roadbridge whom have been affected by this decision by the Company to go into receivership and I know that this news will be very concerning for all the workers involved and their families.
My officials have been monitoring the situation carefully and have been working closely with the Department of Social Protection in order to assist affected employees during this difficult time.
The Government is committed to re-building a strong economy that provides stability for workers and helping those who have lost their jobs to secure alternative employment and we will continue to be as responsive as we can to the issues as they unfold.
During this period of uncertainty, I am glad to report that employees have received assurances from the Receiver regarding their redundancy entitlements and access to income supports.
Following joint engagement late last week with my Department and the Department of Social Protection, the Receiver has confirmed to employees that there is no statutory restriction on them taking up additional employment during a statutory redundancy consultation period, in circumstances where they are not expected to attend the workplace. Provided that they do not resign from their current employment, there should be no obstacle to retaining their statutory redundancy entitlements.
Officials of the Department of Social Protection have already met with both the Receiver and employee representatives to provide information and assurances regarding measures taken to accept online applications for income support as quickly as possible. My Government colleague, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Social Protection, has already gone on record to encourage individuals now seeking jobseekers payments to apply on line so that her Department can process their claims as quickly as possible.
The Department of Social Protection will provide all relevant supports through the local Intreo Offices and will proactively help employees to access opportunities available for employment or appropriate training and development.
Enterprise Ireland has been in regular contact with the company and Officials have had discussions with the Acting CEO to investigate whether any Roadbridge contracts can be fulfilled by other operators in the market. This, however, will be challenging given the current inflationary pressures.
The Receiver has given an undertaking to continue discussions with Enterprise Ireland on the ground in the coming days to further discuss how Enterprise Ireland can further support employees, sub-contractors and sub-suppliers impacted by the receivership.
My Department will continue to liaise with all stakeholders in order to fully determine the scale of the potential adverse impacts on sub-suppliers and sub-contractors and the progress of the infrastructural projects concerned with a view to considering what options are available in terms of how these projects might be sustained.
4. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are currently available for bus and coach operators given the increase in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15397/22]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Eamon Ryan TD., Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.
Licensed bus and coach operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system particularly in areas which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. In recognition of this, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government have provided temporary financial supports for certain licensed commercial services with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis.
The temporary support was initially introduced for a period of 6-months in June 2020, however owing to the continued impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers and the associated drop in fare revenue, these supports have been extended a number of times. I understand that a further extension of these supports for a period of 3 months, up to the 30 June 2022 has recently been approved by my colleague Minister Eamon Ryan TD.
Additionally, to ensure the continued continuation of public transport services in rural parts of Ireland, the NTA have provided an additional level of subvention to support Local Link operators in the delivery of these services. These are provided to Local Link operators who are on fixed rate contracts and therefore are receiving no further increases to their base contracted rates. Currently, the funding has been provided to cover the costs for Quarter 1 2022. This is a once off payment initially, and the situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
5. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are currently available to the haulage sector given the increase in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15398/22]
View answerThe current spike in energy prices arises from the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with current international tensions and supply constraint issues. The causes of these price pressures are not within our control. This is being witnessed across the European Union as well as many other regions. The recent crisis in Ukraine has had a further dramatic impact on fuel prices.
Following discussions with the sector, on 11 March 2022 my colleague, Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D., and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., announced an emergency support measure for licensed hauliers to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices. This targeted, temporary grant scheme will provide a fixed payment of €100 per week for each heavy goods vehicle (over 3.5 tonnes) as listed on a road haulage operator’s licence. The scheme will operate for a period of 8 weeks and will be reviewed thereafter. The estimated cost to the State for the temporary measure is €18 million. Details on how to avail of the scheme will be communicated to hauliers.
In addition to the scheme, you will also be aware that the Government on 9 March 2022 reduced Excise duty by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel and 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil in order to reduce the cost of fuels.
Further, the Diesel Rebate Scheme offers a partial excise refund to qualifying operators when the price of diesel is high. In Budget 2020, in light of the challenges arising from Brexit uncertainty facing the industry, the marginal rate of compensation at prices over €1.32 (VAT inclusive) was doubled up to the maximum repayment rate of 7.5 cents per litre. In recognition of the vital role that the haulage sector plays in the economy, this increase has been maintained since.
In addition, businesses that are registered for VAT may deduct the VAT charged to them on the purchase of business inputs, such as road diesel and other motoring costs.
There are also supports available for operators to switch to alternatively fuelled vehicles. These include a purchase grant and reduced tolls for vehicles powered by a number of alternative fuels including hydrogen, electric, and gas. In addition, Budget 2022 announced an expansion of the Accelerated Capital Allowance (‘ACA’) scheme for Gas Vehicles and Refuelling Equipment. This ACA scheme provides an accelerated wear and tear allowance for capital expenditure incurred on qualifying vehicles and refuelling equipment.
The past two years have presented many challenges for the sector – the measures outlined above reflect Government’s understanding of that pressure and recognition of the important role that the haulage industry plays in keeping the country going. The issue will continue to be monitored as it evolves.
6. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of contracts that his Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15405/22]
View answerMy Department does not have any contracts with the company in question.
7. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that second-level students have an input into the just transition process and in particular in an organisation (details supplied). [15430/22]
View answerThe 2021 Climate Action Plan sets out a framework for promoting a just transition in Ireland centred on the following four principles:
- An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements
- People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy
- The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated
- Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process
Social dialogue is core to developing a vision for how to secure a just transition across all impacted sectors of the economy. The National Dialogue on Climate Action will be a key mechanism for facilitating this social dialogue and will include processes of awareness-raising, communications, and activation, and ensure community engagement and participation, using a model co-designed with stakeholder participation and informed by broad public participation and social and behavioural research. The Climate Action Plan also anticipates that individual sectors will play a key role in facilitating inclusive social dialogue to design and implement their respective climate policies in a way which promotes a just transition. Young people are essential voices in these processes, particularly given the importance of the inter-generational impacts of climate change.
In respect of ongoing work in the Midlands region, a public consultation on a draft of Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan for the EU Just Transition Fund took place between 20 December 2021 and 14 February 2022. Feedback was gathered through an online survey and three participative online public workshops. One of these workshops specifically sought the views of young people aged 16 to 24 living, working, or studying in the wider Midlands region. Representatives of the National Youth Council and the Irish Second-level Students' Union were invited and participated in this workshop. These views were captured and will be reflected in the consultation report, which summarises themes emerging in the responses received. This report will be published on gov.ie in the coming weeks and public consultation outputs will now be used to further develop and finalise the draft Territorial Just Transition Plan, before it is sent to Government for agreement.On approval by Government, the plan, together with the associated EU Just Transition Fund programme, will be submitted to the European Commission for approval during the course of 2022.
8. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to tackle fuel poverty given the severe financial difficulties caused by recent price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15493/22]
View answerEnergy poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home and the cost of the energy they use. The Government has put a range of policies and measures in place to alleviate fuel and energy poverty. These measures supplement lower income households through the Fuel Allowance and other payments, as well as providing free energy efficiency upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland schemes and the Social Housing retrofitting programme. Examples of key recent developments include:
- Budget 2022 incorporated a range of measures to support citizens with the rising cost of living. These measures included increases to weekly social welfare payments, targeted measures with increases in the living alone allowance and the qualified child increase and a €5 increase in the weekly rate of fuel allowance, with that increase implemented immediately in October. The weekly income threshold for Fuel Allowance was also increased by €20 which enables more people to qualify for this support.
- Further measures were recently announced to help mitigate the effects of rising energy costs. As part of these measures an additional lump sum payment of €125 was paid to all households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance payment. This lump sum payment, in addition to the Budget increase, will mean low-income households will see an increase of 41% this fuel allowance season when compared to last season.
- This year, 58% (€203 million) of the total Government retrofit budget of €352 million will be spent on dedicated energy poverty retrofit supports and local authority retrofits. These supports are available nationwide and are linked to a household’s individual circumstances.
- A payment of €200 (inclusive of VAT) will also be paid to all domestic electricity accounts as part of the Government’s package of measures to provide further support to households in the context of increased living costs.
In addition to the measures outlined above, the CRU has in place a suite of protections against disconnection that are set out in the Supplier Handbook. In brief, priority customers cannot be disconnected, while vulnerable customers are protected over winter months from 1 November to 31 March each year. Additionally, under the supplier led voluntary Energy Engage Code, suppliers will not disconnect a customer who is engaging with them at any time. Accordingly any customers who are experiencing difficulties with their Bills should engage with their supplier to discuss the various options and assistance available.
9. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration is being given to introduce tax and or other incentives for the delivery of renewable energy projects to assist in the acceleration of our transition from fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15124/22]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship policy to deliver on the Governments target of up to 80% renewable electricity by the end of the decade. The first RESS auction for onshore wind and solar projects was held in 2020 and the second RESS auction process has begun with the qualification application window having closed in January and the auction is scheduled to take place in May. Design of the RESS 3 onshore auction is also currently under development and my Department is also finalising the terms and conditions on the first of three planned auctions this decade for the offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).
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. 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 however the phased introduction of supports commenced in February with the transition of the domestic solar PV grant scheme. In addition to this, a tax disregard of €200 was introduced in Budget 2021 in respect of personal income received by households who sell residual renewable electricity they generate back to the grid.
My Department is also developing a support scheme for small-scale generators, i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the 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.
Other financial supports available for renewable 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). All of the above schemes help incentivise the delivery of renewable energy projects in order to meet our up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030 target.
10. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an area (details supplied) will be able to avail of efibre broadband. [15173/22]
View answerThe Question refers to 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 obtain a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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 March 2022, almost 311,000 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 almost 60,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 22 counties. In County Westmeath pre-works are underway in the Deployment Areas of Athlone and Delvin and main works are underway in the Deployment Area of Mullingar, with almost 6,000 premises under construction and over 1,000 premises now available to pre-order. I am advised by NBI that it expects the premises referred to in the Question to be passed and available for connection in H1, 2022.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Westmeath 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.
Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
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 March 2022, 523 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 Westmeath 6 BCPs have been installed to date including Clonkill Hurling Club, which is approximately 5.5km from the premises referred to. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Westmeath 4 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/.
11. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times he has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15179/22]
View answerMy Department has engaged the services of the company referred to by the Deputy for the provision of translation and interpretation services during the period 2011 to 2022. The details of all translation services awarded to company are set out below:
|
Year: |
Number of Engagements: |
Services Used: |
Total Amount: |
|
2012 |
1 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€1,201.30 |
|
2013 |
1 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€3,116.62 |
|
2018 |
5 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€8,998.23 |
|
2019 |
11 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€9,494.42 |
|
2020 |
11 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€17,544.55 |
|
2021 |
31 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€19,013.82 |
|
2022 (to date) |
3 |
Translation and Interpretation Services |
€2,747.02 |
|
2011 - 2022 (to date) |
63 |
Total cost of all engagements with this company: |
€62,115.96 |
The OGP doesn't currently have a centralised Framework for Translation Services. The Department, therefore, completes a competitive procurement process on a case by case basis in relation to its translation service requirements.
12. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 160, 161 and 162 of 2 November 2021, if he will request the SEAI to provide the information sought by this Deputy in 2021 given the SEAI has not provided a response. [15191/22]
View answerI would like to apologise to the Deputy for the delay in sending on the requested data from previous questions submitted, which was due to an oversight by my Department.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Since 2000, over 465,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.
The SEAI has a number of schemes in place to support homeowners to upgrade their properties including the fully funded Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and a number of part-funded schemes such as the Community Energy Grant Scheme, the Solar PV Scheme and the recently announced National Home Energy Upgrade (Retrofit) Scheme. The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the previous grant level of 30-35%).
In addition to the schemes funded by my Department and operated by the SEAI, it should be noted that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage also support the retrofitting of local authority homes. In 2021, they provided funding of €65 million for energy upgrades of Local Authority homes.
The number of private, public and local authority homes upgraded through SEAI Grant Schemes from 2017 to 2020 is set out in Table 1 below. While Local Authority homes were funded under the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme, and over the 2017-2019 period under the Community scheme, a breakdown for Local Authority homes completed under these schemes would be available from each local authority but is not separately collated by SEAI. Activity under the Schemes, and the associated expenditure, were significantly impacted in both 2020 and 2021 by the COVID pandemic. Works under the Schemes recommenced in line with activity in the residential construction sector and activity ramped up again towards the end of last year.
Table 1 - Breakdown of Dwellings upgraded via the SEAI Grant Schemes
|
Type of Dwellings |
|||
|
Total of All Schemes |
Private |
Public (AHB) |
Local Authorities |
|
2017 |
21,537 |
12 |
2 |
|
2018 |
21,303 |
63 |
37 |
|
2019 |
24,552 |
- |
18 |
|
2020 |
21,557 |
- |
16 |
The information the Deputy requested regarding the average cost of home energy retrofits for each of the SEAI Schemes is detailed in Table 2 below. SEAI will forward separately the data for the Deep Retrofit Scheme directly to the Deputy.
Table 2 - Average Grant per Scheme* 2017 – 2020.
|
2020 |
Average € value of grant awarded |
|
BEH |
€1,639 |
|
BEWH |
€14,820 |
|
W&W |
€21,506 |
|
BEC |
€13,157 |
|
BEF |
€0 |
|
Solar PV |
€2,521 |
|
2019 |
|
|
BEH |
€1,278 |
|
BEWH |
€12,671 |
|
W&W |
€24,600 |
|
BEC |
€14,182 |
|
BEF |
€6,154 |
|
Solar PV |
€2,345 |
|
2018 |
|
|
BEH |
€1,342 |
|
BEWH |
€6,758 |
|
W&W |
€26,960 |
|
BEC |
€9,377 |
|
BEF |
€4,842 |
|
Solar PV |
€1,765 |
|
2017 |
|
|
BEH |
€1,159 |
|
BEWH |
€3,451 |
|
W&W |
€18,186 |
|
BEC |
€7,150 |
|
BEF |
€2,903 |
*Better Energy Homes (BEH), Better Energy Warmer Homes (BEWH), Warmth & Wellbeing (W&W), Better Energy Communities (BEC), Better Energy Finance (BEF) and Solar PV schemes.
13. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of full-time petroleum exploration specialists working in his Department as of 14 March 2022. [15228/22]
View answerMy Department does not currently employ any officers specifically as Petroleum Exploration Specialists. There are, however a number of Geologists employed in the Geoscience Regulation Office within my Department with significant experience in the petroleum sector.
14. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the electricity credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15258/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 has established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. This scheme is in addition to the Government’s ongoing measures to address energy poverty and the protection of vulnerable customers, and is in addition to the measures introduced in the Budget.
The type of coin operated devices referred to by the Deputy are not installed by ESBN and are not regulated by the CRU. I understand that such devices are usually installed behind the electricity meter, and their use for payment of electricity is a contractual matter between residents and their landlords. While the majority of tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the payments directly, others would have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each 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. In the specific instance referred to in the correspondence, if the landlord holds a domestic electricity account, the credit will be paid to that account. With the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, my Department is working closely with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) on a public information campaign to ensure that all tenants are aware of the scheme. Disputes relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (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/.
15. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he plans to take to secure Ireland's energy supply in view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the necessity of Europe no longer relying on Russian gas and oil. [15283/22]
View answer16. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he plans to take to reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of the year in accordance with the European Commission’s plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030 announced on 8 March 2022. [15284/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
The RePowerEU Plan launched by the European Commission on 8 March 2022 sets out an outline plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030 in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This communication sets out new actions to ramp up the production of green energy, diversify supplies and reduce demand, focusing primarily on gas, which significantly influences the electricity market and where the global market is less liquid. Ireland will work closely with the European Commission and Member States to deliver upon this ambition.
In the immediate tern, Ireland is continuing to monitor international energy (gas and oil) markets and to consult with its EU and international partners on appropriate measures, if necessary, to ensure energy security in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission is engaging with other countries to ensure sufficient and timely supply of natural gas to the EU from diverse sources across the globe to avoid supply shocks, including those that could result from disruptions.
This crisis in Ukraine has brought into sharp focus the EU and Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuel imports. We must continue to accelerate the clean energy transition, focussing on energy efficiency and renewable energies. The best way to secure our energy needs is to continue to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Climate Action Plan 2021 sets us on a pathway to reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels dramatically by 2030.
My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. This review is being carried out for the period to 2030, in the context of net zero emissions by no later than 2050. This includes examining potential risks and potential mitigating options for such risks.
17. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he plans to take in the short-term to increase Ireland’s renewable energy supply. [15285/22]
View answerThe EU Commission on 8 March published REPowerEU: Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy which sets out a clear plan to make Europe independent from Russian gas including through a faster paced transition to renewable energy sources.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 and annex of actions sets out a roadmap to deliver on Ireland's target of a 51% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by the 2030 including a suite of measures and actions to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80%. Over the coming months, my Department will take measures to increase the supply of renewable energy sources in line with these targets and the overriding public need to accelerate the delivery of renewable energy projects in the context of energy price increases and energy market volatility resulting from Russia's war on Ukraine.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship policy to deliver on the Government’s target of up to 80% renewable electricity by the end of the decade. The first RESS auction for onshore wind and solar projects was held in 2020 and the first RESS 1 projects have now reached commercial operation with further projects to reach commercial operation throughout 2022.
The second RESS auction process has begun with the qualification application window having closed in January and the auction is scheduled to take place in May. Design of the RESS 3 onshore auction is also currently under development and my Department is also finalising the terms and conditions on the first of three planned auctions this decade for the offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).
The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 was developed last year to provide the legal underpinning to an entirely new marine planning system, which will balance harnessing our huge offshore wind potential with protecting our rich and unique marine environment. In Q1 2022, my Department opened a consultation on the proposed assessment criteria for the first batch of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of seven qualified ORE projects. Consultation is also currently open on how the second batch of projects (Phase 2) will be selected to enter the new consenting system.
I have recently signed Regulations, which provide for the Clean Export Guarantee tariff, into Irish law allowing for micro-and small-scale generators to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid. In addition, my Department is working with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on a policy design for a small-scale generation support scheme. This will be progressed in 2022 and will become available in 2023.
As regards renewable heat and cooling, the SEAI published the National Heat Study on 22 February 2022. The Study, which was prepared at my Department’s request, contains detailed analysis which will now facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050 and will be a key input into the delivery of a number of actions contained in the Climate Action Plan 2022.
18. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of licences for gas exploration in or in the vicinity of the Corrib gas field that still subsist and when those licences were granted. [15286/22]
View answer19. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will grant extensions to those licences for gas exploration in or in the vicinity of the Corrib gas field that still subsist in order to improve Ireland’s chances of securing a domestic gas supply as a transition fuel in view of gas being a transition fuel until Ireland is fully reliant on renewables. [15287/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
Section 57 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 requires that I lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas every six months a report detailing all exploration activities, including petroleum exploration authorisations granted during the period of the report. The last such report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2021. In addition, both a report on the status of all petroleum authorisations, and a map showing where they are located offshore, are published on a quarterly basis on gov.ie (www.gov.ie/en/publication/10d43-acreage-reports-and-concession-maps/). The most recent such report and map were published in respect of the three month period ending 31 December 2021.
There are no current applications for licence extensions in the area referred to by the Deputy.
20. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of contracts that his Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15406/22]
View answerMy Department has not awarded any contracts to the company specified by the Deputy.
21. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if matters raised in correspondence by a local authority (details supplied) will be reviewed; if these concerns will be addressed; if a response will issue to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15423/22]
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.
The project has gone through the full planning process in Ireland and Northern Ireland and as part of that process, the health impact of various alternative options was considered.
