Written Answers Nos. 245-264
245. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the SEAI one-stop-shop complete home energy upgrade service (details supplied) will be available given that the announcement on the provision of this service was made over three months ago with an initial commencement date of March 2022; the way that this will be communicated to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19476/22]
View answerThe National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance. The Scheme offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from circa 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump.
Following Government approval, the SEAI registration portal opened for companies to apply to be a One-Stop-Shop, building on the preparatory work already undertaken. SEAI are focused on engaging organisations capable of professionally managing all aspects of a One Stop Shop service. Therefore the registration process, for this new service, must be robust.
The SEAI advise that five One Stop Shops have now been registered and this number is growing rapidly as SEAI is actively working with applicant organisations to support them through this registration process.
Details of the registered One Stop Shops, including their contact numbers, are available on the SEAI website. A guide to advise homeowners through the various steps to completing a whole house upgrade under the One Stop Shop Service is also available on the SEAI website.
The other schemes operated by SEAI are also available for applications.
246. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider placing a price cap on standing charges from utility companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19518/22]
View answer258. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will take steps to remove the low usage standing charge for electricity customers who are following advice to reduce their electricity usage and are being penalised for doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19673/22]
View answer260. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has plans to engage with electricity providers regarding their low usage charge considering his own recommendations on low usage within the context the cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19700/22]
View answer281. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on electricity supply companies penalising households for under use of electricity by using a higher standing charge in which low use occurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20164/22]
View answer321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20952/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 258, 260, 281 and 321 together. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity sector is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is an independent regulator. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999. The CRU is an independent statutory body and solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. As Minister, I therefore have no function in this matter.In line with long standing policy on deregulating price setting, CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014. Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers as entirely commercial and operational matters by them. Each such company has its own different approach to pricing decisions over time, in accordance with factors such as their overall company strategic direction and developments in their cost base. Additionally, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise day to day questions on regulatory matters directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
247. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is in a position to provide clarity on the timing and intention of Government regarding publishing a plan on additional services at post offices including the greater use of post offices for offline Government services, which was carried out in 2022 but to date remains unpublished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19536/22]
View answer248. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is in a position to provide clarity on the timing and intention of Government regarding publishing a plan on additional services at post offices, including the greater use of post offices for offline Government services which was carried out in 2021 but to date remains unpublished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19537/22]
View answer249. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to calls from an organisation (details supplied) on the need for clarity on Government plans to ensure support for postmasters given the current commercial challenges facing An Post and that these will not be unfairly passed on to postmasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/22]
View answer259. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the inter-Departmental group which was established to examine the feasibility of additional Government services being provided through An Post and the post office network will be finalised and brought to Government for a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19682/22]
View answer277. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Post Office Network is due to report; his views on expanding the role of the post office network for example to enable postmasters to witness signatures for passport forms or other official documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20121/22]
View answer283. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the planned report from the interdepartmental group on potential increased use of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20209/22]
View answer292. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the interdepartmental report on services run by An Post will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/22]
View answer293. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when clarification will be given to postmasters regarding services to be run through An Post offices in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20388/22]
View answer331. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will explore the introduction of a five-year plan for the Post Office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21251/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 248, 249, 259, 277, 283, 292, 293 and 331 together.
An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially and it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the taxpayer. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. In addition, Irish post offices are typically independent businesses that are run by postmasters. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and management of the company. The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The company fully understands the Government position and a sustainable, viable and customer-focused post office network is a key strategic priority for the company.
The transformation programme that was agreed with the Irish Postmasters Union in 2018, was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. An Post introduced the pandemic recovery fund in 2021, which was worth €8.5 million over an 18-month period. This commenced on 1 July 2021 and will continue until the end of this year. The Government recognises the importance of the high value and high quality post office network to our citizens right across the country, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. An Post, including through the post office network provides important services to its customers and it is contracted to provide key Government services to citizens.
The work of the interdepartmental group, which was established to consider the feasibility of the new Government services, is being considered at present and the report of the Group will be brought to Government when all options have been considered. While decisions relating to the network are matters for the board and the management of the company, they continue to engage with the IPU on operational matters. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Post continues to play a vital role.
Officials in my Department have ongoing engagement with the company, with other Departments and with key stakeholders to explore all options, in line with this commitment.
250. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity in tabular form following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19547/22]
View answer263. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19867/22]
View answer276. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons currently employed in his Department who have been seconded in from the public sector; the number of Departmental officials seconded where the monies are recouped from the body the person is seconded to or where the Department pays for the person with no recoupment from the other organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20060/22]
View answer307. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff within his Department who availed of a secondment from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to their position within the Department. [20640/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 263, 276 and 307 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below:
|
As of 25/4/22 |
On Payroll |
Gross Salary Cost to the Dept |
Not on Payroll |
|
Seconded In |
6 |
€514,000 |
12 |
|
Seconded Out |
5 |
€203,236.80 |
12 |
|
As of 25/4/22 |
Civil Service |
Public Service |
|
Seconded In |
6 |
12 |
|
Seconded Out |
11 |
6 |
My Department does not provide individual identifiable data such as staff names which are considered to be personal data.
Secondments in my Department are managed in line with the DPER Secondment Policy for the Civil Service 2021 and guideline’s and procedures governing secondments between civil and public service organisations and are reviewed on a regular basis. No secondment agreements are open ended or with the intention of the staff member not returning to their position within the Department. A secondment is a temporary arrangement which facilitates the release and movement of staff members for a specified period of time in a way which does not affect their employment status. Secondments provide staff members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive or equivalent position at the end of the secondment. It also provides an opportunity for the Department to fill a temporary position, and the Department benefits from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience. My Department does not have any staff on secondment to or from the Private Sector.
251. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his proposals to reduce the unacceptable waiting time for works to be carried out under the better energy warmer homes scheme given that these delays are causing difficulties especially for elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19561/22]
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 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,620.Activity under the scheme, and the associated expenditure, were significantly impacted in both 2020 and 2021 by the COVID pandemic, when construction activity was paused for approximately 12 months in total, and access to properties during restricted periods, in line with Government guidelines, was challenging. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2021, the average cycle time from application to completion was approximately 27 months. While this delay was largely driven by COVID related issues, the deeper measures being provided under the scheme since 2018, also involve more substantive works.This is a top priority for my Department and SEAI and in order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken: - The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn (€38 million) and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to Increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.Any necessary further measures identified as required by SEAI to increase output under this key Scheme will also be taken.
252. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit run apprenticeship programmes or are directly engaged in the training of apprentices; if so, the number of apprentices involved; the specialities in which they are being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19583/22]
View answerMy Department does not currently run any apprentice programmes or are currently engaged in the training of apprentices. An Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was recently launched by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education. Part of this plan requires public sector employers to increase the level of apprentice recruitment to the public sector to reach 750 new apprentice registrations per annum by 2025. My Department will be a part of the Working Group set up to deliver on this recruitment plan. The information requested regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
253. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons employed by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department with a rate of pay below the living wage of €12.30; the role that those persons occupy within his Department or relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19627/22]
View answerMy Department currently has 18 Clerical Officer’s who earn less than €12.30 gross per hour. This is in line with the current Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Civil Service pay scales. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
255. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and total value of solar photovoltaic grants provided in 2021; the average grant provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19666/22]
View answerOver the course of 2021 the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provided €9,435,125 of grant support towards 4,089 Solar PV installations, with the average grant being €2,307. The average size of an installed system was 2.8kW. An installed capacity of domestic Solar PV of 16.5 MW has been achieved and this will avoid 4,339 tonnes of lifetime CO2 emissions. There were 41% more grants provided in 2021 than in 2020 and we expect the number of domestic grants to grow throughout 2022 to over 6,600. In July 2022 grant supports will be extended to the non-domestic sector, including school, community and sporting organisations. I have provided a budget of €16 million to the SEAI for support of Solar PV in 2022. Under the National Energy Security Framework, this will now be augmented by a targeted scheme to install solar PV in the homes of people considered vulnerable (i.e. who rely on electrical medical equipment in their homes) with funding of €20 million being set aside for this.
256. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that the 2021 estimates for the energy transformation programme outlined in the estimates under the Budget 2022 expenditure report were adjusted in the 2022 revised estimates; the reason that the 2022 estimates for the energy transformation programme outlined in the estimates under the Budget 2022 were adjusted in the 2022 Revised Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19667/22]
View answerThe 2021 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) originally had a capital allocation of €270.033m for the Energy programme. This was increased by €28.001m via the Technical Supplementary Estimate (TSE) that was voted through the Dáil in December 2021. The 2022 Budget was first released in October 2021 prior to the TSE vote. The extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity between January and mid-April had a significant impact on activity for the National Broadband Plan and Sustainable Energy Programmes. The TSE allowed my Department to re-allocate the underspend of €52.5m from Subhead A.3 – Information and Communications Technology Programme, which holds the National Broadband Plan, to subheads B.4, E.4, E.5, E.10 and E.11. The €28.001m transferred to B.4 was combined with the €132m underspend and facilitated a transfer of €160m to the Energy Efficiency National Fund. Details of all the transfers are in the below table:
|
REV 2021 |
Capital Underspend €000's |
TSE 2021 |
Transferred €000's |
|
A.3 |
52,500 |
B.4 |
28,001 |
|
|
|
E.4 |
1,500 |
|
|
|
E.5 |
10,000 |
|
|
|
E.10 |
5,000 |
|
|
|
E.11 |
8,000 |
The 2022 Budget Estimate Volume (BEV) was prepared using the 2021 Subhead Structure. Prior to the release of the 2022 REV the Subhead Structure had changed. Three new subheads were introduced and two new subheads replaced B.4 – Sustainable Energy Programmes. The details of the new subheads and the funding allocated are detailed below:
|
REV 2022 |
Current €000's |
Capital€000's |
|
|
B.4 |
Residential/Community Retrofit programmes |
8,710 |
254,868 |
|
B.5 |
Other Energy Efficiency programmes |
6,065 |
40,000 |
|
B.6 |
Other Energy programmes (National and International) |
1,050 |
|
|
B.10 |
Single Scheme Pension Payments to CRU |
6 |
|
|
B.11 |
Electricity Credit |
|
1 |
|
|
15,831 |
294,869 |
The 2022 Subheads B.4 and B.5 replaced the 2021 subhead B.4 – Sustainable Energy Programmes. The 2022 BEV had allocated €14.975m in Current and €280.369m in Capital funding to B.4, this was decreased by €0.2m in Current and increased by €14.499m in Capital for REV 2022 and spread across the new subheads B.4 and B.5.
Subheads B.6, B.10 and B.11 are new subheads, the allocations were not included in BEV 2022, their combined total amounted to an increase of €1.056m in Current and €0.001m in Capital for Programme B: Energy transformation.
Other subheads within the Energy programme were adjusted prior to the release of REV 2022, the details of all changes are in the table below:
|
REV 2022 |
Current €000's |
Capital€000's |
Change from BEV€000's |
|
B.1 |
9,872 |
|
-353 |
|
B.2 |
2,268 |
355 |
+ 400 |
|
B.3 |
21,475 |
|
+ 2 |
|
B.4 |
8,710 |
254,868 |
|
|
B.5 |
6,065 |
40,000 |
+ 14299 |
|
B.6 |
1,050 |
|
+ 1,050 |
|
B.7 |
1,010 |
24,000 |
-1,650 |
|
B.8 |
45 |
|
- |
|
B.9 |
|
10,300 |
-1,700 |
|
B.10 |
6 |
|
+ 6 |
|
B.11 |
|
1 |
+ 1 |
|
B.12 |
290 |
|
- |
|
Total Difference from BEV to REV |
12,055 |
The pre-Budget Estimates are published as part of the Pre-Budget Outlook in October; the Budget Estimates are published at Budget time and it is these Estimates – as subsequently updated in the Revised Estimates Volume – that are voted on by the Dáil. It is common for the figures published on Budget day to be adjusted prior to publication of the REV.
257. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target output for the number of homes upgraded to a building energy rating of B2 or above outlined in the 2022 Revised Estimates remains at 8,640; if it has since been adjusted; the projected cost of meeting the output target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19668/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 (or cost optimal equivalent), and to install 400,000 heat pumps to replace existing heating systems by 2030. The review of the National Development Plan (NDP) resulted in an unprecedented financial commitment to support achievement of the Government’s retrofit targets. A total of €8 billion of Exchequer funding (including €5 billion in carbon tax revenues) will be available to support residential upgrades to 2030. This year, total funding of €267 million has been allocated to the SEAI for residential and community retrofit schemes and the Solar PV scheme, of which, €202 million is carbon tax receipts. This funding allocation will be used to support 27,000 home energy upgrades across all schemes including 8,640 homes to a post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2. The individual SEAI schemes will contribute to meeting this B2 target.
Achieving B2 status for homeowners is central to the recently launched National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops will provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance. The Scheme offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from around 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump.
261. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the salaries and expenses paid to advisers, Ministers and or Ministers of State in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [19744/22]
View answerThe Information requested by in the Question is outlined in the tables below:
|
Minister Richard Bruton |
Minister’s Officeholder Allowance Gross Pay |
Expenses Paid |
|
2020 |
€40,053.25 |
€0 |
|
No. Special Advisers |
Total Salary paid |
Expenses Paid |
|
2 |
€100,419.46 |
€20.60 |
|
|
||
|
MoS Sean Canney |
Minister’s Officeholder Allowance Gross Pay |
Expenses Paid |
|
2020 |
€0 (allowance was paid by DRCD) |
€0 |
|
No. Special Advisers |
Total Salary paid |
Expenses Paid |
|
1 |
€48,355.65 |
€0 |
|
|
||
|
Minister Eamon Ryan |
Minister’s Officeholder Allowance Gross Pay |
Expenses Paid |
|
2020 (27/6/20- 31/12/20) |
€39,7720 |
€0 |
|
No. Special Advisers |
Total Salary paid (8/7/20- 31/12/20) |
Expenses Paid |
|
3 |
€125,588.56 |
€0 |
|
|
||
|
Minister Eamonn Ryan |
Minister’s Officeholder Allowance Gross Pay |
Expenses Paid |
|
2021 |
€81,066.75 |
€1,847.99 |
|
No. Special Advisers |
Total Salary Paid |
Expenses Paid |
|
3 |
€286,656.49 |
€0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Minister Eamonn Ryan |
Minister’s Officeholder Allowance Gross Pay |
Expenses Paid |
|
2022 to date |
€25,280.16 |
€3,461.18 |
|
No. Special Advisers |
Total Salary Paid |
Expenses Paid |
|
3 |
€77,577.27 |
€2,773.57 |
The 3 advisors referenced above for 2020, 2021 and 2022 work across the portfolio of both this Department as well as that of the Department of Transport. As the payment is through the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, all are included in this response.
All payments are made in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Ministerial Appointments and expenses circular and guidelines.
262. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to implementing a programme similar to the Shared Rural Network as was recently rolled out in the United Kingdom to provide essential mobile coverage to those areas in rural Ireland which currently experience little to no coverage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19807/22]
View answerMobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by the independent regulator, ComReg, to mobile operators. ComReg advises that the current minimum coverage obligations in those licences are being considerably exceeded by all operators. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years was in the order of €3.3 billion for both fixed and mobile services. This has significantly enhanced the availability of services, both voice and data, throughout Ireland, including in rural areas. ComReg is currently in the process of running another Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four spectrum bands. The award comprises 470 MHz of spectrum and represents a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland. This will significantly enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. The proposals include significant coverage obligations for prospective winning bidders.
To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available at this link ). This map provides consumers with very clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage.
The Shared Rural Network programme which sees the UK Government working in partnership with the four UK mobile network operators was developed to improve digital infrastructure and increase connectivity. This is similar to the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce ('the Taskforce') which has been in operation since 2016 and has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. It has completed over 70 targeted actions to alleviate connectivity barriers and continues to tackle issues impeding the rollout of mobile and fixed connectivity. The Taskforce is co-managed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).
Relevant links associated with the work of the Taskforce can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/db7f83-mobile-phone-and-broadband-taskforce/.
264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 3 March 2022, if he will contact An Post given that the issue has not been resolved to date; if the matter will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19881/22]
View answerFollowing the Deputy’s most recent PQ No 173 on 24 March 2022, this matter was again referred to An Post and I understand that the Public Affairs Manager in An Post has been in contact with the Deputy’s office directly to explain the background to this matter.
