Written Answers Nos. 81-96
81. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date that the new micro-generation support scheme will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21782/22]
View answerThe phased introduction of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) has already begun with the commencement of the MSS solar PV grant on 16 February last for domestic applicants who can apply for a capital grant up to a maximum of €2,400 from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) without any minimum BER requirement and homes built up to 2021 are now eligible. The SEAI plan to introduce a grant in July for installations up to 6.0kW for non-domestic applicants, e.g. businesses, farms, schools, community and sports organisations etc., at the same grant amounts as domestic customers. Larger non-domestic applicants will be able to apply for a Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff for installations greater than 6kW up to 50kW. The CEP will be offered at a fixed rate for 15 years, and eligible volumes will be capped at 80% of generation capacity to encourage self-consumption.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 (CEG) tariff to become available for eligible 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. I am aware that some suppliers have published their CEG tariff.ESB Networks has confirmed that over 21,000 micro-generators have met the eligibility criteria, are accruing the benefit of their supplier's CEG rate for electricity they export to the grid and can expect an initial payment or credit from their suppliers from 1 July depending on their billing cycle.
82. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a lease application by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21831/22]
View answerThe application referred to in the question is under consideration by my Department. All applications for petroleum authorisations are assessed against a number of criteria in accordance with Section 9A(1) of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 and Section 3 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production. This includes the technical competence of the applicant and the financial resources available to it in order to undertake the work programme and any other commitments pursuant to the relevant petroleum authorisation.
My Department does not publish information on individual applications for authorisations whilst they are under consideration.
83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 31 November 2021, when the review will be carried out to assess the performance and impact of the EXEED Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21872/22]
View answerThe Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) programme was reviewed and relaunched in early 2021, with significant enhancement in both supporting deeper emissions reductions and more efficient processing and approvals cycles. Since its relaunch it has attracted significant interest, and a strong pipeline of projects has developed.
A key element of the 2021 review was the requirement for SEAI to conduct an interim review by the end of Q2 2022, and this has been commenced. The review will seek to highlight possible enhancements to the scheme, both through lessons learned since its reintroduction in 2021, and through further consideration being given to the need to maximise the potential grant funding available to industry to improve energy efficiency in the sector.
84. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is concerned with the time delay in preparation of detailed annual GHG inventories by the Environmental Protection Agency; if he will request the agency to provide simplified quarterly emission updates to allow the Government and the Houses of the Oireachtas to respond to emission trends on a more timely basis in view of the quarterly reporting of national emissions by Eurostat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21882/22]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated to produce annual national greenhouse gas inventories and projections to meet reporting obligations to the European Commission and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This evidence informs climate policy development by tracking progress against targets, highlighting national sectoral trends, and the main sources of emissions. Ireland’s legal reporting obligations require that the EPA submit final data to the EU and UNFCC by prescribed dates during the 13 -16 month period after the year end (data for the period 1990-2021 will be submitted in January, March and April 2023). However, to assist national users, the EPA publishes a provisional inventory within a shorter timeframe. These figures are based on the SEAI’s final energy balances released in September 2021 and are estimated using methodologies employed in the inventory in accordance with UNFCCC reporting guidelines, and the latest available input data. The report can be found online at the following link: www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/irelands-provisional-greenhouse-gas-emissions-1990-2020.php
National emissions inventory data is not compiled in real-time due to the complexities of availability, gathering and validating the information. National emission inventories must take account of national statistical information such as GDP growth and livestock numbers. Therefore, there is no time delay in the preparation of detailed annual inventories by the EPA and they are produced in line with the agreed EU and UN timelines. All reporting deadlines are met annually. Greenhouse gas inventories are reviewed annually by the UNFCCC and by the European Commission under the European Effort Sharing Regulation.To respond and support significant policy, climate governance and legislative advancements in 2021, grounded in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, publication of EPA greenhouse gas inventory and projections reports will be adjusted to meet new national climate governance timeframes. This will see publication of EPA greenhouse gas reports published several months earlier than has been the case in the past. The earlier publication will facilitate the monitoring and reporting processes associated with carbon budgets, annual review of the Climate Action Plan, a greater level of sectoral reporting, and more in-depth assessment and reporting of policies and measures.Eurostat’s Estimates of Quarterly Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounts are not an inventory compiled in the same way as annual national greenhouse gas inventories. They are estimates produced using available (monthly or quarterly) indicator data. Some of the indicators that are used include sectoral gross value added data, fuel sales data and temperature data. The methodology used by Eurostat is described in the following document: ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/1798247/6191529/Methodological-note-on-quarterly-GHG-estimates.pdf/6bd54bde-4dd7-ebac-6326-f08c73eb9187?t=1644394935594
85. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the mechanism by which full-time residents in mobile home parks who pay for electricity calculated by individual non-ESBN meters through their mobile home park operator will receive the electricity rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21885/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 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. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts from April and includes prepay meters.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 and those set out in the recently published National Energy Security Framework. The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.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, without any additional means testing. The payment will only be applied to domestic electricity accounts, and will be made to the account rather than an individual.The type of coin operated meters the Deputy is referring to are not installed by ESBN and are not regulated by the CRU. Such meters are usually installed behind the meter, and are contractual matters between residents and the operators of such parks.In cases where residents of mobile homes hold a tenancy agreement, disputes relating to terms of the tenancy can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for resolution. Section 78 of the Residential Tenancies Acts prescribes a non-exhaustive list of matters or complaints that can be referred for RTB 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/.
86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person receiving an invalidity pension is entitled to apply for a free home energy upgrade; and if not, the reason for same. [21928/22]
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.Free upgrades available under the Warmer Homes scheme are available to households who are in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments such as: - Fuel Allowance;
- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);
- Working Family Payment; One-Parent Family Payment;
- Disability Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);
- Domiciliary Care Allowance; Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.Further information can be found on SEAIs website www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/free-upgrades-for-eligible-homesI understand that the Invalidity Pension is a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance, which is a means tested payment. Households can contact the Department of Social Protection to check whether they meet the relevant means test.The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected as they represented my Department’s view on those areas where the limited resources available to the scheme could have the greatest impact. They are kept under ongoing review with the Department of Social Protection to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department .
87. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the €200 electricity credit payment will be paid to residential business properties; if not, if self-employed sole traders are to be excluded from this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21961/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 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. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts from April and includes prepay meters.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 and those set out in the recently published National Energy Security Framework. The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.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, without any additional means testing. As such, it is being applied automatically to all domestic electricity accounts which were held with suppliers on 29 March. The payment is being applied to domestic electricity accounts i.e. those which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2), as set out in section 1 of the Act. The Deputy may also wish to note that updates on the electricity credit, including frequently asked questions, are available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/
88. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if residential tenants living in an apartment complex in which there are also separate commercial units are entitled to receive the €200 electricity credit payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21962/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 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. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts from April and includes prepay meters.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, as well as more recent measures announced by Government to deal with rising energy costs as set out in the National Energy Security Framework.
The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.The payment is being applied to domestic electricity accounts as identified by their Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN). While the majority of residential 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.Where tenants have a disputes relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution.Section 78 of the Residential Tenancies Acts prescribes a non-exhaustive list of matters or complaints that can be referred for RTB dispute resolution. I encourage tenants to examine their tenancy agreements and if appropriate, to refer a dispute to the RTB for resolution .
89. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that a reasonable proportion of the community benefit funds paid by offshore wind energy companies to meet their responsibilities under the renewable electricity support scheme is ring fenced for the benefit of fishing communities and fishing organisations nearest to those wind energy sites. [22011/22]
View answerAll projects supported under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, onshore and offshore, are required to make mandatory contributions to Community Benefit Funds for the local communities at a rate of €2 for every MWh of energy generated. Owing to the larger scale of offshore wind developments, these contributions are expected to be significantly larger than those of onshore wind projects.
My Department published draft Terms and Conditions for the first offshore auction under the scheme, ORESS 1, in October of last year. Following review of the submissions received in response to this consultation, my Department is developing final Terms and Conditions which will include provisions for the proper regulation and management of Community Benefit Funds associated with offshore wind projects, where the local community can participate in fund decision-making inclusively and equitably, including local fishing and seafood stakeholders. All applications for funding under the Community Benefit Fund received will be assessed in a fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory and transparent manner and all funding from the Community Benefit Fund shall be used for the sustainable environmental, economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the local community, including the fishing community.
A formal response to the ORESS 1 consultation will issue in May, and final Terms and Conditions are expected to be published this summer, following Government approval. The ORESS 1 auction is planned to launch by end-year.
90. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to rewarding SEAI retrofitting grants where works have already commenced but meet the SEAI grant criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/22]
View answerMy 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 existing 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.
These schemes have terms and conditions in place to ensure the transparent administration of public funds. These terms and conditions must be adhered to consistently by SEAI to ensure fairness as well as value for money for the Exchequer.
Grant assistance for residential retrofitting measures provided by Government through these schemes is intended to incentivise future behaviour. Therefore, homeowners who have not applied and been approved for grant support through the SEAI prior to commencing works on their properties will not be entitled to retrospective awarding of grants.
91. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the situation in relation to the €200 energy grant for a person (details supplied) in rented accommodation who prepays their electricity in an apartment complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22065/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 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. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) is being applied to all domestic electricity accounts from April and includes prepay meters.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 and those set out in the recently published National Energy Security Framework.The scheme applies to all domestic accounts and includes pre-pay customers. The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.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. Therefore, it will apply automatically to all domestic electricity accounts, on basis of there being one domestic electricity account per Meter Point Registration number. Only one credit can be allocated per MPRN.While the majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, 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. Where tenants have a disputes relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution.
92. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for the warmer home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22078/22]
View answer93. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for the warmer home scheme; the average per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/22]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 92 and 93 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 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. Furthermore, access to properties during restricted periods, in line with Government guidelines, was often challenging. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in Quarter 1 2022, 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.
Reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes scheme waiting list 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.
I understand the number of completions under the scheme in April 2022 rose to 376 which represents real progress. SEAI confirm that data in relation to average wait time by county is not routinely collected presently but will be monitored going forward.
94. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when an SEAI surveyor will be appointed to assess the home of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22119/22]
View answerThe administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart electricity meters installed; the geographic distribution of the smart meters installed; and the amount of funding that has been spent on the installation of smart meters. [22225/22]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999.The National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and ESB Networks is delivering the electricity meter rollout. To date over 750,000 smart meters have been installed and 1.1 million due to be reached by the end of this year ESB Networks publishes on their website details of the number of smart meters installed and their geographic distribution www.esbnetworks.ie/existing-connections/meters-and-readings/smart-meter-upgrade.CRU estimates that the total cost of the programme will be €1.2 billion. Details of the expenditure costs are included in CRU’s annual review of the network tariffs the most recent of which is available at www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/CRU20084-The-Electricity-Distribution-Network-Allowed-Revenues-for-2021-and-the-DUoS-Tariffs-DLAFs-for-2020-21-1.pdf The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
96. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of secondments from his Department to the university third level sector over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22249/22]
View answerMy Department has not seconded any employees to the university third level sector over the past two years. 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 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.
