Written Answers Nos. 80-102
80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 24 February 2022, the breakdown of the €8 million that has been allocated to support the Sustainable Energy Communities and community activation in 2022; the amount of funding that has been allocated for the Sustainable Energy Communities in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27531/22]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Programme supports the low carbon energy transition by developing skills and capacity, at a community level, in determining how to use less energy, adopting lower carbon options for transport and heating, shifting energy use to off-peak times or investing in smart technologies. SECs will continue to be supported by Government to expand their roles as ‘activators’ in their community. At the end of April there were a total of 650 SECs in the Network with a target to grow this number to 1,500 by 2030.
Funding of €8 million has been allocated to support the Sustainable Energy Communities and community activation in 2022 which will be used to provide members of the SEC Network with a range of supports including:
- the provision of free mentoring services, and
- 100% financial support to SECs to develop their community Energy Master Plans.
In line with the actions under the National Retrofit Plan, and as part of the €8 million funding allocation to the Sustainable Energy Communities and community activation, the Department and SEAI are working toward the introduction of a targeted and more streamlined strand of the Communities Grant scheme focused on smaller projects for retrofitting homes, to be introduced later this year.
81. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a grant scheme to incentivise farmers to install solar panels on the roofs of sheds and farm buildings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27581/22]
View answerSolar panels are supported under the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine’s Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme, as well as the Young Farmer’s Capital Investment and Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage schemes, as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants for non-domestic applicants such as farms for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW primarily for self-consumption, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. This will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and will become available in the near future. Businesses, including farms, that use a large amount of electricity will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. The financial business case for micro-generation for these high electricity users is already strong. On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. In Quarter 3 of this year the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff, a guaranteed export tariff support for new installations which is fixed for 15 years for non-domestic applicants for installations greater than 6.0kW up to 50kW in size. The Climate Action Plan 2021 also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generation (above 50kW). This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms, public buildings and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition. The design of the scheme is being progressed in 2022 and it will become available next year.
82. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff employed in his Department by gender and by civil service salary scale in tabular form. [27595/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below:
|
@ 27.05.2022 |
|||
|
Grade (inc equivalents) |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Secretary General/ Deputy Secretary |
2 |
|
2 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
6 |
|
6 |
|
Principal Officer |
32 |
18 |
50 |
|
Assistant Principal |
85 |
68 |
153 |
|
Administrative Officer |
33 |
29 |
62 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
35 |
40 |
75 |
|
Executive Officer |
41 |
42 |
83 |
|
Clerical Officer |
16 |
32 |
48 |
|
Service Officer |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Total |
254 |
230 |
484 |
The current Salary Scales are available in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 4/2022.
83. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits that were completed to B2 standard in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022 under each scheme; and the average costs in tabular form. [27725/22]
View answer84. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that did not have new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27726/22]
View answer85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that had new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27727/22]
View answer86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that had fossil fuel boilers installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27728/22]
View answer87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a B2 standard that had heat pumps installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27729/22]
View answer88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits that were completed to a lower than B2 standard in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022 under each scheme; and the average costs in tabular form. [27730/22]
View answer89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that did not have any new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27731/22]
View answer90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that had new heating systems installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27732/22]
View answer91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that had fossil fuel boilers installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27733/22]
View answer92. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses retrofitted to a lower than B2 standard that had heat pumps installed under each scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the average costs in tabular form. [27734/22]
View answer93. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy homes scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [27735/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 and 93 together. 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 and 93 together,
The information sought is not readily available but is being compiled by the SEAI and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
94. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of PET plastic that was exported from Ireland for recycling in each year 2016 to 2021 inclusive and, to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27741/22]
View answer95. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount in subsidies that was provided in respect of PET plastic that was subsequently exported from Ireland for recycling in each year 2016 to 2021 inclusive and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27742/22]
View answer96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of PET plastic that was imported into Ireland for recycling in each year 2016 to 2021 inclusive and to date in 202, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 95 and 96 together. 94, 95 and 96 together.
The data requested by the Deputy is not compiled by my Department. Data in respect of imported and exported waste plastic is available on the National Transfrontier Shipment Office's (NTFSO) website at the following link, however it is not possible to separately identify data for PET plastic.
The EPA's published Packaging Statistics for 2019, includes figures for plastic packaging exported broken down into EU/non-EU exports.
Repak, the national packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, has provided the following information in respect of the funding for PET tonnes exported by recovery operators between 2016 and 2021. Data in respect of 2022 is not yet available.
Funding for tonnes exported
|
Year |
€ |
|
2016 |
€1,335,792 |
|
2017 |
€1,181,023 |
|
2018 |
€1,102,455 |
|
2019 |
€1,528,881 |
|
2020 |
€1,500,495 |
|
2021 |
€1,221,567 |
Changes in EU reporting obligations and calculation rules now require all EU Member States to collect more detailed information on final export destinations and recycling rates achieved at recycling facilities abroad. The requirements apply for reference year 2020 data due to be reported to the European Commission by 30th June 2022. There remains, however, no requirement to report separately on different plastic types e.g. PET.
97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to introduce a levy on the use of virgin plastic material as is the case in the United Kingdom and in a number of European Union states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27744/22]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025 commits to examining measures to support increased use of recycled materials in packaging including the possible introduction of a virgin plastic levy. Any intervention in the market must be carefully assessed and my officials are engaging with Repak, the national Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging and other stakeholders, to better understand current behaviour in the plastics recycling market. When further information is available, I will decide what, if any, action is appropriate.
98. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any direct grants available to SMEs for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels, and if he could outline the range of grants and supports currently available specifically to SMEs to improve energy efficiency and usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27762/22]
View answer99. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are business grants for solar panel installation; if not, when they will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27763/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together. I propose taking Question Nos 98 & 99 together There are a wide range of capital supports funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that support businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and improve their energy efficiency: The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) provides financial support in the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users.The EXEED Certified grant scheme supports organisations with the costs of embedding energy efficient design in their assets, to reduce lifecycle impact with lower energy use and carbon emissions.The Support Scheme for Energy Audits supports SMEs with a €2,000 voucher towards the costs of a professional energy audit.The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) capital grant for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW, also administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), will be available to businesses up to a maximum of €2,400 in the coming months. For full details on these, and other supports available, please see www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/ On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. In Quarter 3 of this year the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff, a guaranteed export tariff support for new installations which is fixed for 15 years for non-domestic applicants for installations greater than 6.0kW up to 50kW in size. The Climate Action Plan 2021 also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generation (above 50kW). The design of the scheme is being progressed in 2022 and will become available next year.
100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grants available to install a wood pellet stove; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27882/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to reach a legally binding target of net-zero emissions no later than 2050, and a cut of 51% by 2030 (compared to 2018 levels). The Climate Action Plan set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector from 7 Mt CO2 eq. in 2018 to between 3.5-4.5 Mt CO2 eq. in 2030.
The Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.
Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government has approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The key measures include:
- A new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% (up from 30%-35%) of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard.
- Significantly increasing the number of free energy upgrades for those at risk of energy poverty, up to 400 per month from an average of 177 per month in 2021.
- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.
To support the overarching policy objectives, the grant rates to homeowners are focused towards those measures which will be most effective in reducing energy use and reducing carbon emissions. Therefore, grant supports for wood pellet stoves will not be available under the SEAI residential energy upgrade schemes.
101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of missing Ireland’s target for the roll-out of high-speed rural broadband in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27936/22]
View answer102. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of rolling-out high-speed broadband across Ireland in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27937/22]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 101 and 102 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) contains a number of targets and milestones to be completed by NBI in order to deliver the rollout of high-speed broadband services to all premises in the Intervention Area by 2026. NBI is only entitled to claim the payment of relevant subsidy when the targets and milestones have been met. Subsidy payments are therefore not paid until NBI meets the milestones set out in the NBP contract.
NBI has informed me that the network rollout is progressing well this year and NBI is confident of achieving its targets for 2022. Under the Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) for 2022, that NBI recently concluded with my Department, a revised target was agreed of 102,000 premises passed by the end of Contract Year 3. If NBI does not achieve this target under the UIRP, this will have a financial impact for the company as they will not be able to draw down subsidy. While there will be less subsidy paid to NBI in 2022 if NBI does not meet its target; it will not impact the overall level of subsidy required for the NBP intervention. The maximum cost to the taxpayer for the completion of the NBP broadband network is capped at €2.7 billion over 25 years. This figure includes €480 million for contingency costs, which are only allowed under specific circumstances.
Payment of subsidy to NBI in 2023 will be linked to the achievement by NBI of milestones under the NBP contract. The 2023 allocation for the NBP will be determined as part of the 2023 Estimates process which has just commenced.
