Written Answers Nos. 129-150
129. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the identification required for an individual (details supplied) in order to get broadband installed in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41062/22]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, my Department is not permitted to displace commercial investment by intervening in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of the State aid rules. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the area in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to ensure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department is undertaking an ongoing investigation regarding the premises referred to in the Question and is maintaining ongoing communication with the premises owner in the matter and updating them with any developments as they arise.
130. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the new scheme for the installation of photovoltaic for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons; if the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has finalised the scheme details; when the scheme will be accessible to vulnerable customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41063/22]
View answer168. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the new scheme for the installation of photovoltaic for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41774/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 168 together.
The National Energy Security Framework (NESF), published in April 2022, is a response to the challenges of ensuring the ongoing and long-term security of affordable energy supply. The Framework provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability. Included in measures to address consumers under the NESF, under Response 8, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will introduce a targeted scheme for the installation of solar PV panels for vulnerable customers/households. SEAI has indicated that it is currently finalising the scheme following consultation with key stakeholders including the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), ESB Networks (ESBN), the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), and publication of the final details will follow this process.
131. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41116/22]
View answerI have not received any gifts from visiting dignitaries.
132. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41134/22]
View answerI did not receive any gifts while travelling abroad.
133. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41152/22]
View answerI have not given any gifts to visiting dignitaries.
134. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that connection to broadband for a property (details supplied) has been delayed by a year with the complete date going from April 2023 to June 2023 to July 2024 to December 2024; the reason for this delay and if this delay time can be shortened [41232/22]
View answer144. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been brought to a case (details supplied); the reason for the delays in connecting this premises under a partnership; the details of any engagement that he or his Department has had with National Broadband Ireland in 2021 and 2022 with regard to addressing delays in the roll-out of the plan and bringing forward solutions for affected premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41400/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 144 together.
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.
My Department has contacted NBI regarding the queries raised in the Questions. NBI has advised that the premises at Eircode H53H299 is within the Gurteen Deployment Area which covers 4,399 premises. NBI has advised that 67% of the Engineering Surveys for this Deployment Area are complete, including for Eircode H53H29, and now proceed to the design phase of the project. Following the detailed survey and design work undertaken to date, NBI has advised that they now have a greater understanding of the infrastructure upgrade work that will be required to serve the premises with high speed fibre broadband under the terms of the contract. This work will be progressed by their infrastructure build partners over the coming year, and NBI anticipate customers in the Deployment Area will be able to place orders for connection to the new fibre network between July 2024 to December 2024.
NBI has advised that the premises at Eircode H91X2CR is within the Inverin Deployment Area which covers 1,027 premises and the status of this Deployment Area is ‘Network Build in Progress’. NBI has advised that the current anticipated date where an order for fibre broadband connection can be placed for the Deployment Area is between April 2023 and June 2023. This updated information formed part of the revised build schedule agreed as part of the Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) with my Department and NBI for the current build year. NBI has advised that they have recently been communicating the detail in respect of the UIRP with end users who have registered for updates as part of their external communications and also made this information available on their website.
NBI appreciate the frustration that revised delivery dates can have for end users. NBI has added significant additional capacity and resources to their build team over recent months to recover from the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on their deployment schedule. This will continue in the months ahead.
In respect of NBI’s fibre broadband build under the National Broadband Plan in County Galway, NBI has advised that, over 8,000 premises are currently able to place orders for connection, over 6,100 are in the network build phase of the project, while a further 6,800 have had Engineering Surveys completed to determine the nature of the build works required to service them. More information is available for the public on www.nbi.ie and members of the public can register for direct communications in respect of their Eircode at www.nbi.ie/eoi.
135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will give urgent consideration to the issues outlined by a company (details supplied) concerning the circular economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41298/22]
View answerMy Department has been engaged with this company for some time and I will be meeting their representatives later this week.Irish recyclers are competing for materials, including PET plastic, in an open market. At present, to meet the demand for competitive recycling services, some materials are exported for processing.Repak, the national packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, promotes the proximity principle and maximises funding available to operators who collect, separate and reprocess PET plastics in Ireland:
- For household collections, an additional reprocessing subsidy was introduced in 2020 and is available to plastic re-processors in Ireland. In 2022 this subsidy increased from €35/tonne to €50/tonne.
- For commercial collections, the highest subsidy is payable where material is recycled in Ireland, mid-range funding where material is recycled in EU/UK, and a reduced subsidy for material sent outside Europe.
The Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans will be launched later this year and this will increase the quantity and quality of materials collected for recycling. Open tendering processes will be used to source operators for the recycling of this material and DRS will adopt green procurement principles to ensure services are provided with minimal impact on the environment.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025 also 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 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 .
136. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heating systems upgrades installed broken down by heat source including but not limited to oil, gas, electric heat pump and so on for the warmer homes scheme for the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [41304/22]
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.
The table below sets out the combined number of oil and gas boilers installed under both the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth & Well-being Scheme for the years 2019 – 2022 (to end of June).
|
Year |
Warmth & Well-being Scheme |
Warmer Homes Scheme |
|
2019 |
246 |
279 |
|
2020 |
69 |
403 |
|
2021 |
92 |
574 |
|
2022 |
62 |
487 |
|
Grand Total |
469 |
1,743 |
SEAI does not record the type of replacement boiler in its database.
In order to move the scheme away from the installation of fossil fuel boilers, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022 and will gather evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach – to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under this scheme. To the end of June 15 heat pumps were installed under the Warmer Homes Scheme and 1 heat pump under the Warmth and Well-being Scheme.
The table below sets out the number of retrofits completed per month, in 2022, under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
|
Warmer Homes Scheme Month |
No. of Homes Completed |
|
January |
193 |
|
February |
244 |
|
March |
320 |
|
April |
376 |
|
May |
320 |
|
June |
436 |
|
Total |
1,889 |
137. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heating systems upgrades installed broken down by heat source including but not limited to oil, gas, electric heat pump and so on for the warmth and wellbeing scheme in each of the years 2019 to date in 2022, in tabular form. [41305/22]
View answer138. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per month under the warmer homes scheme in 2022, in tabular form. [41306/22]
View answer139. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 11 May 2022, when the implementation report on the 2016-2019 Energy Poverty Strategy will be available; and the status of the new energy poverty strategy. [41307/22]
View answerEnergy poverty, or fuel poverty, is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home, and the cost of the energy they use in their home. The ESRI recently published analysis which indicates that following the recent sharp increases in energy prices, the share of households that could be at risk of energy poverty has risen to 29.4%. This was estimated using the 10% of income spent on energy measurement of energy poverty.
The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty is focused on the areas influencing energy poverty (household incomes, energy performance of homes and the cost of energy) and includes support aimed at alleviating the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society.
This includes a range of policies and measures supplementing lower-income households through the Fuel Allowance, the Household Benefits Package and other payments, as well as providing free energy efficiency upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland schemes and the Social Housing retrofitting programme. In addition, the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme benefited over 2 million households at a cost of almost €380 million.
Recognising the unprecedented rise in energy prices facing people the Government put in place a number of measures earlier this year for households and businesses to help them with their energy costs including as part of the National Energy Security Framework published in April.
My Department will shortly be publishing a progress review of the actions set out in the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016. At the same time a public consultation will be published. The progress review and responses to that consultation will help to inform the development of a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan will set out the actions the Government will take to alleviate energy poverty over the coming years, including short, medium and longer-term measures.
In the meantime, more immediate measures will also continue to be developed for the coming winter through the National Energy Security Framework and the Estimates process .
140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that existing legislation and regulations are adequate to eliminate the widespread postering throughout the country of political messages by some groups, outside of the legal timeframe associated with elections and referenda for such postering and information regarding public meetings, as in many instances such material is contributing to roadside littering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/22]
View answerThe Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended, provides the statutory framework to combat the litter challenge. Under the Act, the primary management and enforcement response to littering falls under the remit of the local authorities. The Act also prescribes periods for which public meeting and election posters may be displayed.
A public consultation process on the control of postering for elections and referenda was undertaken by this Department in September 2008, to balance the need of providing information to the public with the management of the erection of posters. As a result of this public consultation Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 was amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2009, which introduced a 30-day time limit prior to an election, referendum or public meeting taking place, during which posters can be displayed. Posters erected to advertise public meetings are permissible until the advertisement has been in position for 7 days or longer after the day specified in the advertisement for the meeting. Failure to comply with this legislation is an offence.
I am satisfied that the above measures provide the safeguards to mitigate against the potential creation of litter from these sources.
141. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 90, 105, 106, 107 and 110 of 24 May and 77 of 31 May 2022, the status of the replies. [41319/22]
View answerA substantive reply to 90 of the 24 May is currently with our Legal Team and will be sent to you as soon as possible.
A substantive reply to 95 of 24 May was sent to you on the 29 June but due to an oversight it was not made clear that this was a composite answer to 105, 106, 107 and 110 also of the 24 May.
A substantive reply to 77 of 31 May was emailed to you on the 25 July.
142. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41368/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing an inclusive work environment for all colleagues. Our Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan and is committed to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination. A key action for 2022 arising from this is Ag Obair Le Chéile. This is a comprehensive action plan to develop the Department's people, culture and organisation to deliver, improve and transform the Department, and as part of Ag Obair le Chéile, my Department will develop and deliver a People Strategy in 2022 and adopt a new blended working policy.
My Department’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group was established last year with the aim to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace. This Group is a cross representative group and will play an integral role in driving forward the Department’s vision for inclusion, diversity and equality to create a fairer and more inclusive workspace. My Department, in its dealings with staff, stakeholders and citizens, is committed to the public service ethos of independence, integrity, impartiality, fairness and respect and to ensure that staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, they undertake mandatory Diversity and Inclusion training on an annual basis.
Senior Management in my Department is committed to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and human rights of our staff and citizens we serve. Work is currently progressing in my Department to comply with section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, to allow my Department to address any issues identified and set out policies, plans and actions. An action plan will be published on the Department’s website to accompany our Statement of Strategy “Le Chéile 23”. Progress and achievements in relation to addressing human rights and equality issues will be reported annually in a manner accessible to the public.
143. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies; the total number of members of each board; the numbers on each board broken down according to gender; and the number of persons with a declared disability on each board in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41386/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of State Boards under the remit of the Department and the number of members of each State Board is available at www.stateboards.ie.
Further information is also available on the Department’s website at gov.ie - State Board Membership (www.gov.ie).
Under Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 there is a requirement for public bodies to report on the percentage of people with a disability employed within the organisation. This report is collated annually by the National Disability Authority. As Board members are not generally considered employees of the State Body, there is no requirement for the State Bodies to collate information in relation to their disability status.
145. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 2 June 2022, the status of the development of the statutory guidelines for local authority climate action plans, which will include the guidelines for the implementation of local authority decarbonising zones; the timeline for the publication of the statutory guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 was commenced on the 23 July 2021. Section 16 of the Act requires each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority.
Local Authorities will have 12 months to complete their individual plans once requested by the Minister, with the request to be made within 18 months of the coming into operation of the Act.
My Department is currently working closely with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) and Local Authorities to finalise and approve a set of statutory guidelines and accompanying technical annexes detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of these Local Authority Climate Action Plans. These guidelines are due to be published in Q4 2022.
146. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the full review of a matter (details supplied) will be completed; the reasons for the delay; the way that the applications for maritime area consents by the relevant projects can be processed in the absence of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41402/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to achieving at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030. The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) will be established in early 2023. In the interim, the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides the legal authority for the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Communications to assess Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of pre-qualified projects. These applications are currently being assessed in key areas, including financial and technical competency. This will ensure that only the most viable offshore projects can apply for planning permission. The first MACs are expected to be issued in Q3 2022. Pre-qualified projects obtaining a MAC must then apply for development permission to An Bord Pleanála. The first Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out the Government’s policy for sustainable development of offshore renewable energy in the period to 2030 and relevant projects must be consistent with the OREDP.
The Programme for Government commits to developing a longer-term plan for the estimated potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in our Atlantic waters. Work is in progress on updating the first Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan. It will provide an evidence base for identifying the most suitable areas for the sustainable development of offshore renewable energy beyond 2030, while also considering other maritime activities and marine biodiversity. The updated plan will be an important planning tool as Ireland transitions to the enduring plan-led regime for offshore renewable energy beyond 2030. Key stakeholders from the economic, environmental, and social pillars are engaging in the updating of the plan. The OREDP II will involve a number of environmental assessments to evaluate potential impacts and inform its direction. The draft plan will be the subject of public consultation later this year, before being finalised early in 2023.
147. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) which previously had some work done by a previous occupant is now barred from receiving support under the better energy scheme for additional work if the work entails similar measures such as wall insulation, even if the current BER rating of the home is a D1 while the proposed work would result in an improvement to a BER rating of B1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41422/22]
View answerEarlier this year, the Government approved a package of supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions.
The supports included a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme which offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the current level of 30-35%). Under the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes, the general principle applies whereby grant funding can only be issued once per measure per property.
However, under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, a homeowner may be permitted to avail of a second grant for a measure where it is recommended in the One Stop Shop Home Energy Assessment to achieve the B2 and heat pump target. In cases where the OSS determines through the Home Energy Assessment and Heat Loss Indicator assessment that a second wall insulation is required to meet the heat pump requirement, then grant support for a second measure is permitted as follows:
- Internal Wall Insulation is eligible where cavity has previously been funded.
- External wall insulation is eligible where either cavity or internal wall insulation has been funded.
In addition, as part of the package of supports approved by Government, reforms have also been made to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme whereby applications may now be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the Scheme, but who could still benefit from deeper upgrade measures (revisits). This means that homeowners of properties built and occupied before January 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G will not be precluded from applying for a second time for qualifying works not previously carried out on their properties.
Further information on the grants available from SEAI can be found on their website: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/insulation-grants/
148. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated full-year cost of increasing investment in public renewable energy production by 50%, 100% and 150%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41452/22]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein such markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. State owned enterprises and private sector companies operate within this competitive framework to deliver the overall lowest cost to consumers over the lifetime of the investment. This includes competitions for support for investment in the generation of renewable energy such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).
The RESS is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The first projects from RESS 1 started commercial operation by the end of 2021. I recently announced the provisional results of the second RESS auction (RESS 2) which is expected to deliver an increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation.
Design of the RESS 3 onshore auction is also currently under development to further contribute to the up to 80% target and my Department is also finalising the terms and conditions on the first of three planned auctions this decade for the offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS). A roadmap of future auctions which sets out the indicative timelines and volumes for onshore and offshore auctions over the coming decade was published in December 2021.
Supports under the RESS are paid from the PSO and the two-way floating feed in premium arrangement means that when market prices are above the bid price, the generator pays any additional revenue above their bid price back into the PSO Levy. The latest CRU Proposed Decision on the PSO Levy for the period October 2022 to September 2023 period is available at: www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Proposed-PSO-22-23-Decision-Paper.pdf
149. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current amount of investment from his Department in renewable energy production; the persons or bodies who are the recipients of such public investment; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount that each company receives; the projected expenditures in this investment for each of the years 2023 to 2026 `; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41453/22]
View answerThe government does not directly invest in renewable energy projects, however it supports the development of the industry in a number of ways. Grid-scale commercial renewable electricity generators can currently receive support under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The RESS is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS is an auction-based support scheme which invites projects to compete to receive support at a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. Supports under the RESS are paid from the PSO and the two-way floating feed in premium arrangement means that when market prices are above the bid price, the generator pays any additional revenue above their bid price back into the PSO Levy. The latest CRU Proposed Decision on the PSO Levy for the period October 2022 to September 2023 period is available at: www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Proposed-PSO-22-23-Decision-Paper.pdf
A cornerstone of the RESS is the provision of pathways for increased community ownership, participation in, and benefit from, renewable electricity projects. To facilitate delivery of this objective, an Enabling Framework for Community Participation has been developed. This includes a package of enabling supports including technical, financial, and legal services to assist communities in navigating the challenging terrain of electricity generation. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is leading in implementing and facilitating these components of the framework. In 2022, €2 million in capital funding has been allocated to support the development of Community projects, which allowed the SEAI to roll out a trusted advisory service and enabling grants service in April 2022. These vital supports will enable the growth of the community renewable electricity generation sector. Future allocations to the Community Enabling Framework will be determined in the estimates process. The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generation (>50kW) to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV in cohorts that are not as suited to other support measures. This will enable farmers, SME's, communities and others to maximise their participation in the energy transition. I will shortly be launching a consultation on proposed design elements of this scheme. The scheme is expected to become available in 2023. An assessment of scheme costs will be carried out as part of the Government approval process.
150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the investment by his Department in research and development in renewable energy; the persons or bodies who are the recipients of such public investment; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount that each company receives; the projected expenditures in this investment for each of the years 2023 to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41454/22]
View answerMy Department, through the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Programme, funds innovative energy RD&D Projects. The 2022 RD&D Call closed for applications on 16 May 2022; applications are currently under evaluation.
Applicants are invited from public and public sector organisations based in Ireland, including companies, 3rd level educational organisations, public sector and semi-state bodies. Collaboration is strongly encouraged, recognising that Ireland will require multi-faceted solutions to tackle complex challenges and also to foster two-way learning from academia to practise.
Projects can be led by any type of organisation, and typically have up to 4 partners. Approximately 50 research grants were awarded from the prior 3 RD&D Calls, with practically a 50/50 split between private and public project leadership, and of these in excess of 80% are collaborative projects. This results in about 150 grant recipients from each Call, largely in collaborative mix public/private consortiums.
SEAI invests in innovative energy RD&D projects which contribute to Ireland's transition to a clean and secure energy future, of which renewable energy is an important element. Since the programme was revised in 2018, approximately €40m has been invested in such projects. From this cohort, 30 renewable energy focused projects were awarded €10.8m in 2021, which will be drawn down reflecting individual spend over the projects’ varying duration up to 2025.
For details of projects previously funded under the SEAI RD&D are available on the National Energy Research Database www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-research/research-database/. The Database provides details on funding recipients and values.
