Fergus O'Dowd
Question:78. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach if he will ensure that a veteran sailor (details supplied) receives an invite to the National Day of Commemoration Ceremony as per previous years. [32512/22]
View answerCommemorative Events
Questions (78)
Written answers
The person referred to has been issued an invitation to attend the National Day of Commemoration taking place in the National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7, on Sunday, 10 July 2022.
Departmental Policies
Questions (79, 80)
Holly Cairns
Question:79. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that operate in direct contact with members of the public have policies in place for members of the public to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur on the property of his Department or public body and agency under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31753/22]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:80. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place for employees to report instances of sexual harassment or assault that occur involving other employees or members of the public or on the property of his Department or public body and agency that operate under his remit; if so, if these policies are publicly accessible on the relevant website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31754/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
The delivery of effective, quality customer service is a priority for my Department and forms an integral part of my Department's Strategy Statement, Corporate Governance Framework and the business plans of individual Divisions within the Department. While my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), the only body under the aegis of my Department, are primarily engaged in policy development and do not have the same level of direct contact with citizens as other Departments and Offices, our staff endeavour to treat all citizens with whom they interact with dignity and respect. The process for making a customer complaint is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/179e67-quality-customer-service/.My Department and NESDO are committed to safeguarding all children who might have direct contact with the Department and NESDO, in line with the Children First Act 2015. Further details of this including the Department's Children First Reporting Protocol are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/4ed9ba-children-first-act-2015/.
My Department is also committed to protecting dignity and respect of all its employees and to maintaining a positive working environment. As part of my Department’s induction process, all employees are asked to read ‘Dignity at Work - An anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service’. The key aims of this policy are to achieve a work environment where dignity and respect are to the forefront of our values and to maintain an environment where bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are not tolerated in any form. This Policy outlines the process for making a complaint of bullying, harassment or sexual harassment. It can be accessed on the gov.ie website at the following link: hr.old.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/here.pdf.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 79.
Energy Prices
Questions (81)
Brian Stanley
Question:81. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach the analyses that has been conducted on the cost of energy per household as a proportion of household income from 1992 to 2022,in tabular form. [31783/22]
View answerWritten answers
The exact information requested by the deputy is not available. The official source for household consumption tatistics is the Household Budget Survey (HBS). HBS surveys have been carried out periodically (usually every 5 years) in Ireland since 1951. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) commenced data collection for the 2020 round of the HBS in January 2020. In response to growing concerns related to community transmission of Covid-19, the CSO suspended all HBS fieldwork activities in March 2020. HBS data collection is scheduled to resume in July 2022. For this reason, the most recent result for average weekly household expenditure on Fuel and light as a percentage of average weekly household disposable income come from the 2015/2016 round of the HBS.
Average weekly household expenditure on Fuel and light as a percentage of average weekly household disposable income.
|
Year |
% |
|
2015/2016 |
4.2% |
|
2009/2010 |
4.0% |
|
2004/2005 |
3.6% |
|
1999/2000 |
3.9% |
|
1994/1995 |
5.5% |
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (82)
Pa Daly
Question:82. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 31 May 2022, the breakdown of the amounts paid to barristers by the Chief State Solicitor or Attorney General in actions where the Minister for Education is a named party, together with the amount received by each individual barrister for 2019, 2020, 2021 and year to date in 2022, in tabular form. [32260/22]
View answerWritten answers
The table below shows the amounts paid to counsel by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in actions where the Minister for Education is a named party for the years requested.
I am advised that a full breakdown of counsel paid by name cannot be given for GDPR reasons.
It should be noted that fees paid in a given year may relate to work carried out in earlier years.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2019 |
€268,703 |
|
2020 |
€275,186 |
|
2021 |
€1,153,036 |
|
2022 to date |
€357,742 |
Intellectual Property
Questions (83)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:83. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide details of any meetings have taken place between her Department and other Departments or with external stakeholders to discuss the protection of intellectual property rights and digital rights for the creative sector and to ensure the full implementation of the new European Union Copyright Directive; the stakeholders that she has engaged with on the matter; and the progress that has been made. [32165/22]
View answerWritten answers
On the 12 November 2021, the transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/790 was completed by way of S.I. No. 567/2021 - European Union (Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Single Market) Regulations 2021. These Regulations strengthen the rights and protections of copyright holders in order to reflect the impact of technological advances and increased digitalisation.
The Regulations also address the legal uncertainty that existed when copyright-protected material was circulated online by way of social media and online platforms. Authorisation is now required from copyright holders so that the online platforms can continue to circulate copyright-protected works such as music, videos, or other works, online. This authorisation is usually obtained by way of a license from the relevant copyright-holders’ representative, i.e., from a collective management organisation.
The Regulations also provide for wider access and use of copyright protected works for the benefit of a broad range of stakeholders, including the creative sectors, press publishers, researchers, educators, cultural heritage institutions, and citizens.
Following the publication of the Directive in 2019, my Department conducted a series of public consultations seeking the views of all stakeholders on the various provisions in the Directive to help to inform how the provisions should be applied in the context of Irish copyright legislation. A large number of submissions were received and carefully considered, with cognisance taken of the diversity of the views expressed. In its approach, my Department was guided by the overarching objective of providing a copyright legislative framework fit for the digital age and which represents a balanced consideration of the interests of all stakeholders. This analysis also included detailed consideration on how best to transpose the Directive into the existing national copyright law framework.
In concluding its analysis of the Directive, and considering the breadth of views expressed by stakeholders, my Department decided to transpose the mandatory provisions by way of Regulations contained in secondary legislation, i.e., by Statutory Instrument. This was required only for provisions that did not already reside in existing copyright legislation. In addition, and in order to keep stakeholders informed of progress in relation to the transposition of the Directive, my Department, in May 2021, published an information note which set out the actions taken to date and the decision to proceed with the transposition of the mandatory provisions by way of secondary legislation.
My officials continue to actively engage with the European Commission and other Member States on the status of EU-wide implementation of the Directive.
Employment Rights
Questions (84)
Paul Murphy
Question:84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the call by the European Union Commission for Ireland to ensure the effective enforcement of workers' rights under the Directive on European Works Councils; the action that he intends to take to address the shortcomings identified by the Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32251/22]
View answerWritten answers
A European Works Council (a “EWC”) is a body that facilitates information and consultation with European employees on transnational issues. EWCs are subject to the law of the Member State in which they are located. They derive from Directive 1994/45/EC (the “EWC Directive”) as transposed into Irish law by the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996. A recast by Directive 2009/38/EC was given effect by European Communities (Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act 1996) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 380 of 2011).
The purpose of the recast Directive is to improve the right to information and to consultation of employees in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings. The general provisions of the Irish Regulation follow the provisions of Directive 2009/38/EC faithfully, including providing mechanisms for dispute resolution.
The European Commission wrote to the Irish Government with a letter of formal notice on the 19 May 2022. My department is engaging with the European Commission and is currently seeking legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the issue in the context of this engagement.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (85, 86)
Brian Stanley
Question:85. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources in each year since 2012 to date in 2022 as a proportion of overall demand. [31784/22]
View answerBrian Stanley
Question:86. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of electricity from on demand renewable energy sources in each year from 2012 to date in 2022. [31785/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together. 85 and 86 together.
The below tables shows the actual share of gross electricity consumption from renewable sources from 2012 to 2020 including estimates for 2021 and 2022 year to date as calculated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Gross electricity consumption is defined as electricity generation plus net imports across the interconnectors. the SEIA data for 2021 is provisional and will be finalised later this year while the 2022 figures are based on monthly data provided by Eirgrid from January to April and does not include renewable electricity generation for autoproducers.
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 Jan to Apr |
|
|
Renewables % of Gross Electricity |
19.1% |
20.2% |
22.9% |
27.3% |
25.5% |
29.6% |
33.1% |
37.6% |
42.1% |
35% |
42% |
In calculating the contribution of hydro and wind energy for the purpose of the target for renewable energy under the Renewable Energy Directive, the effects of climatic variation are smoothed through use of normalisation rules. This includes the natural variation in wind speeds and rainfall from year to year and also adjustments for the effect of large increases in installed capacity midway through a year. The below sets out the normalised share of gross electricity consumption from renewable sources from 2012 to 2020.
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
Renewables % of Gross Electricity normalised |
19.8% |
21.0% |
23.3% |
25.7% |
27.1% |
30.3% |
33.3% |
36.5% |
39.1% |
Further information from SEAI can be found at the following links:
www.seai.ie/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2021_Final.pdf.
www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-publications/national-energy-balance/.
www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/monthly-energy-data/electricity/.
Question No. 86 answered with Question No. 85.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (87)
Brian Stanley
Question:87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policies his Department are considering to support the development of biomethane in the State. [31786/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland's Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP 21) commits to the production of 1.6 TWh by 2030 of indigenously produced biomethane using waste materials and agricultural based feedstock, and the National Energy Security Framework (NESF), published in April 2022, highlights that alternatives to natural gas, such as biomethane, provide additional diversification for Ireland’s energy mix. The NESF sets out that the introduction of supports for biomethane, as a replacement for natural gas in the context of the changed outlook for natural gas supply and prices, will be appraised by Q3 2022. Under CAP 21, a public consultation the potential introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector was carried out in Q4 2021 and my Department is working through the responses, various technical queries arising as a result of the consultation and relevant findings of the recently published National Heat Study. The National Heat Study, which was prepared at my Department’s request, contains detailed analysis which is being used to facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050.
I expect to be in a position to bring a recommendation to Government in the coming months in relation to the introduction of a renewable energy obligation in the heat sector.
As that work progresses, existing supports for biomass/biogas in the heat sector under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) are also being reviewed. The SSRH provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems and an installation grant for renewable heating systems using heat pumps.
Energy Conservation
Questions (88)
Carol Nolan
Question:88. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when persons will be able to avail of the SEAI retrofit grants that were announced in February 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31816/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Government approved a package of supports in February which make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades and achieve lower energy bills and lower emissions. As part of these new supports, new increased grant rates are available under the home energy upgrade schemes which are open for applications to the SEAI.
There are a number of ways to plan and manage home energy upgrades and grant applications and homeowners/contractors are advised to refer to the SEAI website for more information on these: www.seai.ie/home-energy/home-upgrades/.
Energy Conservation
Questions (89)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:89. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the retrofit projections for Ireland as referenced by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31927/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings by the end of 2030. These targets represent a very significant increase in both the volume and depth of retrofit activity in Ireland. The Housing for All plan commits to the retrofitting of 36,500 local authority homes by 2030 as part of the achievement of these targets. The Retrofit Plan estimates that, between 2019 and 2025, almost 185,000 home energy upgrades will be delivered with over 83,000 to a B2/cost optimal level. When the emissions savings from the non-B2 upgrades are included, this is the equivalent of 120,000 B2 upgrades over the period. As a result, there will a need to deliver, on average, approximately 75,000 B2-equivalent home upgrades per year from 2026 to 2030 to achieve the overall target of 500,000 by 2030. The National Development Plan and National Retrofit Plan have ring-fenced €8 billion to support the achievement of this objective. This will be supplemented by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage budget for retrofitting local authority homes.
Electricity Generation
Questions (90)
Brendan Griffin
Question:90. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is grant aid available to businesses who want to install climate friendly electricity generating measures to reduce energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31945/22]
View answerWritten answers
Businesses that use a large amount of electricity will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. Residual electricity is eligible for a market-based export tariff. The financial business case for micro-generation for these high electricity users is already strong, with short payback periods based on self-consumption and export payments alone.
With regard to grant aid, there are a wide range of capital supports funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which can or will support businesses to invest in the micro-generation of renewable electricity.
These include the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS), which will be available to businesses in the coming months and will offer a capital grant to a maximum of €2,400 for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW.
Additionally, Solar PV is one of a range of measures supported under the Community Energy Grant scheme, which makes grant funding available to community partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications.
The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is available from suppliers to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.
In Q3 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) for implementation in 2023.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (91)
Richard Bruton
Question:91. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm that all of the retail electricity suppliers are participating in the schemes whereby surplus renewable energy is purchased from customers with small scale generation of their own. [32032/22]
View answerWritten answers
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. It is a function of the CRU to regulate the electricity market, including the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question. Therefore the Minister has no statutory function in this matter.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.
Energy Conservation
Questions (92)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:92. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the allowances that can be made for families who, due to the delay in finalising their Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland grant application, no longer fall into the warmer homes energy upgrade categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32044/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 145,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level.Applications under SEAI schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. Households who are in receipt of the following Department of Social Protection payments are eligible to apply: - 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.The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected as they represented those areas where the limited resources available to the scheme could have the greatest impact. They are kept under 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. All grant 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.In February, the Government 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. Included in these measures is the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up form the current level of 30-5%).
As part of the supports announced, Government is clear that it is important that households that want to undertake a deep retrofit but do not have the financial means to carry out the upgrade in a single project, should be supported at the enhanced grant levels. For that reason, many of the new grant rates available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme are also now available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme allowing homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage their project.Furthermore, it is crucial that homeowners that do not have the financial means to carry out a deep retrofit but are not eligible for free upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme are also supported. This is particularly important at the present time of exceptionally high energy prices facing consumers. Therefore, to support homeowners, grant rates for cavity wall and ceiling insulation have been increased significantly to cover approximately 80% of the typical cost of these measures and will be available to all homeowners whose houses were built before 2011. There are no income eligibility criteria for these grants. Further information is available on SEAI's website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/insulation-grants/.
Energy Conservation
Questions (93)
Cormac Devlin
Question:93. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has long been experiencing issues with their Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland application and who has since been taken off the list; if he will request his officials to review the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32093/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Applications under the SEAI grant schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications.
SEAI provides a dedicated enquiry service to Oireachtas members at the following email oireachtas@seai.ie.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (94)
James Lawless
Question:94. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the provision of broadband services in the areas of Eadestown and Kilteel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32156/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to areas 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 am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 10 June 2022, construction is complete or underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 67,800 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 60,400 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections with some areas exceeding expectations. In County Kildare, NBI has advised that 1,214 premises are available to order or pre-order and 796 premises are passed with a highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare 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.
The areas of Eadestown and Kilteel are located in the Blessington Deployment Area (DA) and NBI has advised my Department that network build works are still ongoing in the area and are forecast to be ready for connection in Quarter 3 of 2022. Individuals who register with NBI will receive regular updates on progress regarding the delivery of the network in the area.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie.
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. Some 620 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date 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 Kildare 3 BCP’s have been installed by NBI to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Kildare 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/.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (95, 96)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:95. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total cost of the €200 electricity rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/22]
View answerPaul McAuliffe
Question:96. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that received the €200 electricity rebate. [32290/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together. I propose to take Question Nos 95 and 96 together.
The 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 through April, May and June, and includes prepay meters.
As of 27 May 2022, 2,129,832 domestic electricity customers have been credited, with 1,845,142 of these customers having been notified via a line item on their bill or prepayment vend receipt. This means 99% of all eligible customers have now had the credit applied to their account.
Per section 4(1)(b) of the Act, ESB Networks submitted an estimate to the Minister as to the number of domestic electricity accounts for the purposes of the scheme.
As per section 2(3)(c) of the Act, the Minister estimated the amount to be allocated under paragraph 2(3)(a) of the Act, based on an estimated 2.25 domestic electricity accounts. Per section 2(3)(b) this amount was not to exceed €400 million.
Based on an estimated 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts, the estimated cost of the scheme was €379,347,208.02. This was transferred to ESB Networks, in accordance with section 3(1) of the Act. Per section 4(1)(f) ESB Networks transferred monies to each electricity supplier to be used by the suppliers in accordance with section 5(1)(b) of the Act. Per section 5(1)(d) of the Act, suppliers are to repay to the distribution system operator any monies received by it in accordance with paragraph 5(1)(a) that have not been used for the purpose of making electricity costs emergency benefit payments and keep records of any such repayments.
Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 95.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (97)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:97. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the application made by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32490/22]
View answerWritten answers
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.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 as part of the National Fuel Scheme;
- 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.
The 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.
Further information on the Warmer Homes Scheme is available at www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/free-upgrades-for-eligible-homes or by contacting SEAI directly at 01-8082004.
Electricity Grid
Questions (98)
Michael Creed
Question:98. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who have had smart electricity metres installed are having their standing charge and their night time electricity rates significantly increased; the rationale behind this approach which seems to be contrary to the sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32499/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and ESB Networks is delivering the electricity smart meter rollout. To date over 750,000 smart meters have been installed and 1.1 million are due to be installed by the end of this year. The National Smart Metering Programme will roll out and install 2.3 million meters by 2025.In February 2021, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) made it an obligation on electricity suppliers to provide Time of Use tariffs to their customers.
Response 22 of the National Energy Security Framework, published in April, identifies the need to drive customer demand for these smart tariffs. Therefore, building on the existing supplier obligation, work is underway to put in place a smart meter data access code (due Quarter 4 2022), which will allow consumers to access much more detailed data on their historical energy usage, empowering them to engage with suppliers to find the smart tariff offering most suitable for them. The National Energy Security Framework response also tasks the CRU with examining the charges within its remit to ensure that the differential between peak and off-peak tariffs provides the opportunity for electricity customers to save money if they can move some consumption to off-peak times.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.
Climate Change Policy
Questions (99)
Dara Calleary
Question:99. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when Climate Action Fund for Community Climate Action projects will be announced for County Mayo (details supplied). [32525/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Climate Action Fund Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) was launched in November of last year. Under this programme €60 million from the Climate Action Fund will be invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over the next three years. The overall aim of this programme is to support and empower communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets. CCAP Phase 1 involves the allocation of an initial €30 million over an 18-month period for two strands of the programme. Under strand 1, €24 million is being provided to all local authorities to support communities to build low carbon communities in a considered and structured way. This strand is currently being finalised with the local authorities and further information will be available on the websites of the local authorities and my Department shortly.
Under strand 2 of the CCAP, a total of €6 million is being provided to build community capacity in relation to climate action. €1 million of this has been allocated to the Creative Climate Action Programme being run by Creative Ireland. The remaining €5 million has been allocated for an open call for projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and learning by doing, which is being run by Pobal on behalf of the Department. A total of 72 applications were received and have been assessed. My Department is currently finalising the Ministerial submission requesting approval to fund a selection of projects. I expect that the successful projects will be announced shortly.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (100)
Colm Burke
Question:100. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the number of properties connected to 31 May 2022; the number of properties connected in Cork county, and the number of properties pending surveyed in Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32541/22]
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The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in almost 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 June 2022, over 330,400 premises have been surveyed across the country. Over 67,800 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 60,400 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection and over 12,600 premises connected. Construction is complete or underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections with some areas exceeding expectations. NBI has advised that in County Cork over 8,800 premises are passed with a highspeed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection and 1,642 premises are connected, as of the end of May 2022.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork 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.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie.
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. Some 620 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date 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 Cork 24 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Cork 50 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/.
Departmental Data
Questions (101)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:101. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the dedicated email addresses for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to contact his Department and bodies under its aegis as outlined in circular 25/2016. [32555/22]
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When Circular 25/2016 was issued it was brought to the attention of all bodies under the aegis of my Department. State Bodies were requested to provide and maintain a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, and notify/publicise this to Oireachtas members. My officials have also written to all relevant Bodies in the interim to remind them of their obligation in this regard. In relation to Oireachtas members contacting my Department, the email address is customer.service@decc.gov.ie.
Departmental Meetings
Questions (102)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:102. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current makeup of the renewable energy advisory group; the number of times it has met since establishment; when it is due to meet next; if he will publish all of the minutes for each meeting that has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32568/22]
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The Renewable Energy Ireland - Electricity Forum is an informal stakeholder forum to discuss progress on and support the delivery of electricity sector actions for renewable energy set out in the Climate Action Plan. The forum includes energy sector representatives from Renewable Energy Ireland, which was established in January 2019 as a partnership of sustainable energy associations working to support the energy transition in Ireland. Further information including membership of Renewable Energy Ireland can be found on the Renewable Energy Ireland website RenewableEnergyIreland.ie
The forum also includes representatives from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, EirGrid and ESB Networks. The forum operates as an informal exchange of views and meets on a quarterly basis. The next meeting is due to take place in June/July 2022.
Research Funding
Questions (103)
Denis Naughten
Question:103. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 14 June 2022, if he will publish the interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32667/22]
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The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and was jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016, almost 1,500 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) were engaged to carry out, in collaboration with the HSE, an independent analysis of the health impacts of improved energy efficiency among the participants in the research element of this scheme. The LSHTM has been working closely with the research committee for the project, which consists of officials from my Department, the HSE, the Department of Health and the SEAI since then. An interim report including preliminary results was submitted to my Department in December 2021 and the final results and draft final report are due in the coming weeks. The interim report has indicated that the upgrades are delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants. The interim report was subject to review and feedback by the research team and HSE public health lead and will form part of the final report, which I will be publishing when it is finalised.
Electricity Generation
Questions (104)
Michael Collins
Question:104. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the refund from electrical suppliers to micro-generating customers will start; the amounts that will be refunded; and the reason for the delay. [32684/22]
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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. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available here: www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CRU21131-Interim-Clean-Export-Guarantee-Decision-Paper.pdf. Micro-generators who wish to become eligible should register for an export grid connection from ESB Networks (Micro-Generators (esbnetworks.ie)) and have a smart meter where applicable (Smart Meter Upgrade FAQs (esbnetworks.ie)). Over 29,000 micro- and small-scale generators have successfully registered for export and 20,000 of this cohort have smart meters which means they are already accruing the value of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for their exported electricity, and payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022, whichever is the latest. The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Once eligible, customers can expect an initial payment or credit from their suppliers from 1 July depending on billing cycle. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. The CRU encourages customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.