Written Answers Nos. 171-185
171. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of Staff allocated to the warmer homes scheme on an annual basis for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41778/22]
View answerIt is worth noting at the outset that the backlog that relates to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is largely a function of the disruption caused by the pandemic over the course of 2020 and 2021 where it was not possible to gain access to properties to carry out surveys and works for extended periods. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has informed my Department that it expects the situation to improve significantly during this year with close to 400 homes targeted for completion per month, compared to 171 in 2021. This will be aided by the recent expansion of the contractor panel.
The mix of homes upgraded has changed over the years. Where in the past, a high volume of shallow upgrades was performed, at present a lower volume of deeper energy upgrades with multiple measures is undertaken. Energy upgrades to these homes cost more, take longer and are more technically complex as the interfaces between energy upgrade measures needs to be right. The competence of resource to service the Scheme has adapted accordingly. The resources assigned to the WHS have grown over the past few years, particularly to address delivering energy upgrades since the lifting of COVID restrictions. The staff assigned to WHS consist of staff working directly with SEAI, the administration and business process centre and it's surveyors and quality team. These together work with contractors to deliver the energy upgrades.
The number of SEAI staff allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme for the past five years is set out in the Table below.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
SEAI Staff |
4 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
7* |
|
Customer & Administration |
4.5 |
4.5 |
4 |
4.5 |
6 |
|
Surveying, BER, Inspection, Processes |
41 |
43 |
50 |
60 |
92 |
|
49.5 |
51.5 |
59 |
71.5 |
105 |
*SEAI expects another direct role to be filled shortly.
172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of tyres that are recycled on an annual basis since 2018 by Bord na Móna Recycling; the purposes for which the final recycled product is used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41780/22]
View answer173. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the products that are used by Bord na Móna Recycling for the purposes of residual derived fuel; the criteria that must be met for a product to be defined as waste and sent for refuse derived fuel; the countries to which this waste product is sent; if there are any environmental standards that a country must meet prior to waste being sent there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41781/22]
View answer174. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the capital cost of establishing Bord na Móna Recycling for the purpose of tyre recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41782/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together.
Decisions in relation to capital investment or end-use of products by Bord na Móna Recycling are operational matters for the company and I have no function in respect of these matters. However, to be of assistance I have forwarded the Deputy’s questions to the company for direct response.
In terms of the regulatory framework for waste shipments, I am informed by the Irish competent authority (Dublin City Council) that in 2021, shipments of refuse derived fuel (RDF) from Ireland were sent to Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Sweden. All such consignments were sent in accordance with the provisions of the European Waste Shipment Regulation’s ‘amber-list procedure’. This means that the competent authorities for the export and destination countries are required to assess and approve an application to ship. The National Transfrontier Shipment Office (NTFSO) is Ireland's competent authority. Shipments can only commence once this approval is given. All European countries operate environmental licensing programmes ensuring that any facility that accepts RDF for incineration must have an environmental licence in place. The environmental licence is assessed as part of the waste shipment application to the NTFSO.
177. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of primary and post-primary schools that have applied for a solar panel grant; the number that have successfully received a grant for solar panels under the community energy grant scheme and the public sector schools pathfinder programme on an annual basis since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41792/22]
View answerThe figures related to the public sector school's pathfinder program requested are set out in the following table(s) and I have asked the SEAI to provide the remaining information directly to the deputy.
Pathfinder figures:
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Schools Retrofitted |
10 |
6 |
16 |
6 |
9 |
6 |
|
Solar PV Installed |
1 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
9 (Proposed) |
6 (Proposed) |
|
Solar Thermal Installed |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*For the 2021 projects, 7 of these were phased over the summer of 2021/2022 and are still on site.
178. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of primary and post-primary schools that have applied for a retrofitting grant; the number that have successfully received a grant for retrofitting under the community energy grant scheme and the public sector schools pathfinder programme on an annual basis since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41793/22]
View answerResponsibility for primary and post primary schools is a matter for the Department of Education.
However, my Department funds a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy supports to public bodies, including schools, to educate and enable them to improve their energy efficiency and decarbonise their activities.
The SEAI's Public Sector Schools Pathfinder Programme, co-funded with the Department of Education, has provided capital supports to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise school buildings. The general principles and approach to school selection for the Programme include schools meeting Energy Monitoring and Reporting requirements and demonstrating a strong and holistic commitment to energy management practices through participation in the Energy in Education Programme. The selection of schools is not done on application basis and selection is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
The number of schools supported under the Pathfinder Retrofit Programme is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
No. of Schools |
|
2017 |
10 |
|
2018 |
6 |
|
2019 |
16 |
|
2020 |
7 |
|
2021 |
9 |
|
2022 |
6 |
The Communities Energy Grant is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage. The Grant supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings. The SEAI has advised that given the nature of the Scheme the specific data sought regarding the number of primary and post-primary schools that have applied for a retrofitting grant under the Scheme is not held in a format that can be routinely recalled.
Further information on all the SEAI programmes and schemes can be accessed at www.seai.ie or by emailing oireachtas@seai.ie.
179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the cross-Departmental Offshore Renewable Energy Team; the members of this team; the dates on which the team has met to date in 2022; if he will list the topics that the team is currently examining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/22]
View answerThe work of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce is framed by the goal of deploying at least 5GW of offshore wind energy by 2030, as part of the Government’s objective of up to 80% of Ireland's electricity being met from renewable sources by 2030. The goal of the Taskforce is to accelerate and drive delivery by public bodies of offshore wind. To achieve this, the Taskforce will develop a system wide programme plan and is working to identify all aspects of work on the critical path, including gaps, risks and opportunities. One of the key objectives of the Taskforce is to ensure that potential economic and societal opportunities associated with the development of the sector are captured. The Taskforce is chaired by my Department and its membership comprises senior officials from Government Departments and agencies with offshore wind related actions under the Climate Action Plan. The member organisations are:
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage;
- Department of Transport;
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
- Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science;
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;
- Department of Rural and Community Development,
- Enterprise Ireland;
- Commission for Regulation of Utilities; and
- EirGrid. The Taskforce has met three times since its establishment, on 28 April, 5 May and 18 July, with the fourth meeting expected to be scheduled for early September. The second National Climate Stakeholder Forum, a central pillar of our National Dialogue on Climate Action, will be held on July 27th and will take the form of a one-day workshop comprising a series of parallel breakout sessions focusing on the six Delivery Taskforces, including Offshore Wind. The Taskforce will commence engagement with external stakeholders, as appropriate in September.
180. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to tackle global warming given the record temperatures experienced in recent weeks. [41833/22]
View answerClimate observations show that Ireland’s climate is changing. Average temperatures have increased in Ireland by 0.9°C since 1900 and climate change impacts are projected to increase in the coming decades. The temperatures we have experienced in Ireland this July illustrate the potential damage we all face in terms of our health, environment and infrastructure.
Climate change is a global challenge which requires a global response. To achieve the goal set by the Paris Agreement, to limit global warming to 1.5° to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, countries must reduce emissions to net zero as soon as possible. Ireland is committed to realising the goals of the Agreement, championing progressive action, and ensuring the most vulnerable are at the heart of all our engagement.
To reverse the current trajectory of emissions, meet our targets and contribute to global action, a significant shift is required in the speed at which we roll-out and ramp-up up the measures and actions that will decarbonise our economy.
Ireland’s strengthened climate governance framework, established through the 2021 Climate Act, provides the foundations to address this challenge. The Act provides for annual Climate Action Plans which set out our response to the climate crisis; providing details of what we must do to meet this challenge and our national climate objectives. The recently approved carbon budgets, as well as the soon to be published sectoral emissions ceilings, will also provide a strong framework to support achievement of our emissions reduction goals.
The intensity of the rising temperature impacts will be directly linked to the success of global efforts to reduce emissions. However, a level of climate change impact is already locked in. This must be planned for, regardless of progress in reducing emissions. Ireland’s strategy for climate adaptation is contained in the National Adaptation Framework (NAF), first published in 2018 with the strategic vision to develop a ‘climate resilient Ireland.
The key objectives of the NAF are implemented through activities – at sectoral, regional and local level. Under the NAF, nine sectoral adaptation plans have been developed across Government. Local adaptation strategies were also developed and adopted by all 31 Local Authorities.
The NAF is currently being reviewed in line with the requirements of the 2021 Climate Act and Climate Action Plan. A report in relation to the NAF review will be submitted to me later this year to help guide national adaptation priorities over the coming years.
181. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the contingency plans that are in place for extreme weather events caused by global warming. [41834/22]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is designated as the Lead Government Department for coordinating the response to severe weather emergencies. This role is led by that Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) within that Department.
Climate observations show that Ireland’s climate is changing – in terms of sea level rise; increases in average temperature; changes in precipitation patterns; and weather extremes. For example, average temperatures have increased in Ireland by 0.9°C since 1900. Climate change impacts here are projected to increase in the coming decades. These impacts could include:
- Increased likelihood and scale of river and coastal flooding
- Water shortages in summer
- Increased risk of new pests and diseases
- Adverse impacts on water quality and supply
- Changes in the distribution and phenology (the timing of lifecycle events) of plant and animal species – on land and in the oceans
My Department leads and coordinates national adaptation policy, primarily through implementation of the National Adaptation Framework (NAF).
The strategic vision for the NAF is to develop a ‘climate resilient Ireland’. The NAF sets out a high-level vision of the capacity of Ireland’s social, economic and environmental systems to cope with climate change. A primary objective of the NAF is to bring a clear and strong focus to transitioning to a climate resilient future. The key objectives of the NAF are implemented through activities – at sectoral, regional and local level. Sectoral Departments and Agencies are responsible for implementing adaptation measures in their own policy areas.
The NAF is currently being reviewed in line with the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and Climate Action Plan 2021. A report in relation to the NAF review will be submitted to me later this year which will help to guide national adaptation priorities over the coming years.
182. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that connection under the National Broadband Plan for homes in Lackagh Beg, County Kildare has been further delayed by a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41869/22]
View answerThe 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 query raised in the Question in respect of Lackagh Beg, County Kildare. NBI has advised that the area is in the Curragh Camp Deployment Area, which will serve 3,321 premises under NBI’s fibre rollout under the National Broadband Plan. NBI has advised that the Engineering Surveys for this Deployment Area are complete and will now proceed to the design phase of the project.
Following the detailed survey and design work undertaken to date, NBI now has a greater understanding of the infrastructure upgrade work that will be required to serve these premises with high-speed fibre broadband under the terms of the contract. This work will be progressed by NBI’s infrastructure build partners over the coming year, and NBI anticipate customers will be able to place order for connection to the new fibre network between January 2024 to June 2024.
NBI has advised that they 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 fibre broadband build under the National Broadband Plan in Kildare, NBI has advised that approximately 1,200 premises are currently able to place orders for connection, over 3,500 are currently in the network build phase of the project, while a further 7,200 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.
183. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that is being made on sectoral carbon emissions limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41901/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, relative to 2018 levels, and achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050. The Act also significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, including the establishment of a system of carbon budgeting, with sector-specific emissions ceilings operating within the five-year carbon budget periods.
Under Section 6C of the Act, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications must prepare, within the limits of the carbon budget, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted in different sectors of the economy during a budget period and, when preparing a sectoral emissions ceiling, consult with such Ministers of the Government as he or she considers appropriate.
The process to prepare the sectoral emissions ceilings for Government approval involved extensive and frequent engagement with the relevant Departments and Agencies. This engagement is currently ongoing and the ceilings have not yet been finally determined. It is intended that the ceilings will be submitted for Cabinet approval in the near future.
184. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement that has taken place with energy providers in respect of the cost of energy for householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/22]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), as the independent energy regulator was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation, has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations.
Suppliers have a critical role in the protection of financially vulnerable customers and customers in debt on their energy bills. In this regard, under Response 6 of the National Energy Security Framework, the CRU are tasked with implementing a package of additional protections for people in such situations ahead of the coming winter. The CRU is currently working very closely with suppliers to enhance existing protections by introducing additional measures to:
- Ensure more manageable payment/debt repayment plans by extending the time for repayment
- Ensure more manageable payment/debt repayment for customers on financial hardship prepayment meters
- Enhance protection for financial hardship prepayment meter customers
- Promote greater awareness and uptake of supplier procedures for dealing with customers in, or at risk of energy debt
- Ensure customers in debt are on a metering/payment plan that is suitable for them· Ensure suppliers proactively identify customers in debt who should not be on prepayment meters and help them find other options
- Enhance vulnerable customer protections
- Optimise the involvement of NGOs by ensuring all suppliers nominate specific contacts to support customers in debt Improving protection from disconnection for all domestic customers Government continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further action.
185. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by State bodies under his aegis; the list of all State bodies under his aegis that are or could be currently acting independently of the OPW to acquire their own property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42023/22]
View answerThe information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
