Written Answers Nos. 44-66
44. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding funding for an organisation (details supplied) for the provision of online training for persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42404/22]
View answerAs an initiative under Strand 2 of the previous National Digital Strategy for Ireland, my Department provided the “Digital Skills for Citizens” training scheme. In total 15 community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations were funded to deliver 10 hours of free informal basic digital skills classes to people who did not have the confidence or skills to use the internet and access online services. Since the training scheme commenced in 2017, €5.5 million has been invested in providing training to over 60,000 participants. Training modules included internet safety, how to send and receive emails, how to tax your car online and how to use social media. This training scheme was targeted at people over 45 years of age, farming communities, small business owners, the unemployed, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged groups.
As per the terms of their Grant Agreement the organisation in question received €398,027 in grant funding and have recently completed their training obligations under the Scheme.
45. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he proposes to expand retrofitting grants and subsidies to support the upgrading of older developments. [42984/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.
Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government has approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.
The key measures include:
- A new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard (up from 30%-35% grants currently).
- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a new, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- Increases in grant levels for certain measures under the Better Energy Home scheme and Community Energy Grant scheme in line with those in the new Scheme.
- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices. As these grants are already available to homeowners for upgrading of older developments, subject to certain criteria, there are no plans to expand the grants available.
46. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide data on the number of electricity outages in the Caragh and Sallins area in County Kildare over the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42018/22]
View answerMy Department does not retain data on the number of electricity outages in local areas. However, I have asked officials to forward your query onto ESB Networks who may be able to assist in answering your query in regard to electricity outages in the Caragh and Sallins areas in County Kildare.
47. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects to sign off the 2% increase for An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42036/22]
View answer51. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will examine an issue with a pension scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42088/22]
View answer54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when approval will issue to An Post pensioners for payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42185/22]
View answer63. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to pay the pension increase due to An Post pensioners; his views on whether it now needs to match the rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42357/22]
View answer74. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason he has not signed off on a 2% pensionable increase for An Post pensioners, which was effective from 1 January 2022; the timeline for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42633/22]
View answer106. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay since January 2022 in paying the 2% increase to An Post pensioners, which is causing financial hardship; when his Department plans to seek the approval of same from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43512/22]
View answer108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the pension increase and arrears due in January 2022 will be paid to An Post pensioners; if an organisation (details supplied) has assessed the matter and made any recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43538/22]
View answer109. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the approval for an increase in the pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme by 2% per annum; if he will provide an update on the timeline for the agreed pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43554/22]
View answer123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation to the proposed 2% rise to the An Post pension scheme; when he will sanction same; the likely timeframe for payment to retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43867/22]
View answer154. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to ensure the implementation of a pension agreement from a semi-State body (details supplied). [44309/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 51, 54, 63, 74, 106, 108, 109, 123 and 154 together.
I received a recommendation from my officials on 1 September and granted my consent on 2 September to the payment of an increase of 2% to An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2022. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 7 September. An Post has been made aware of this and has communicated with the Group of Unions.
An Post formally sought Ministerial approval on 4th May of this year, in accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), to increase pensions and deferred pensions (for members of the An Post superannuation scheme) by 2% per annum with effect from 1st January 2022 and up to a further 2% per annum with effect from 1st January 2023. In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA’s views on the proposal were sought. This is to inform the business case required under DPER Circular 16/2021 (setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for providing the increases). The process is required to ensure good governance. On 9 August NewERA provided a recommendation on the proposals and my Department is obliged to be satisfied that the business case is justified, before the relevant approvals are formally sought from DPER. NewERA and the Departments worked as quickly as possible to finalise their assessment, in accordance with the governance requirements. This is the same procedure that must be followed for any State body. In relation to the proposed increase for 2023, neither my Department nor DPER is legally permitted to grant pre-approval for a pension increase at this point. An Post has accordingly undertaken to submit that request in 2023 with the appropriate financial and actuarial reports required for further analysis. When this is received the same process will have to be followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials again being required for the 2023 proposed increase prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
48. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for interim solutions for householders in rural areas waiting on broadband that is some years away under the national broadband plan; if he will provide further details on the efforts to accelerate the roll-out of the national broadband plan in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42053/22]
View answer59. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a long-running broadband infrastructure problem (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42287/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 59 together.
The Questions refer to a premises 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.
The NBP network that is being built by National Broadband Ireland will ensure that all of those living and working within the NBP intervention area will have access to a future proofed high-speed broadband network. Deployment of the network is now ongoing in every county in Ireland with the build programme reaching scale. In the period while the network is being built, connectivity will continue to be available from a variety of operators already in the market who offer fixed and wireless options for people to access broadband.
Mobile operators also provide connectivity options and to assist consumers, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available at this link) to provide consumers with clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage. Mobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by ComReg who advises that all operators are exceeding the current minimum coverage obligations. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years came to €3.3 billion for both fixed and mobile services enhancing the availability of services, both voice and data, throughout Ireland, including in rural areas.
ComReg is currently in the process of running another Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four spectrum bands. The award comprises 470 MHz of spectrum and represents a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland. This will enable the operators to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. The proposals include significant coverage obligations for prospective winning bidders.
In Ireland, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force since 2016 for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide with over 70 targeted actions completed to alleviate connectivity barriers. It tackles issues impeding the rollout of mobile and fixed connectivity. It is co-managed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Broadband Connection Points (BCP) provide wireless connectivity, to support remote working and connected communities with public access to free high-speed broadband. 268 live BCP sites are in regular use, with a monthly average of 1,010 new and 6,415 returning guests across the network.
Further details are available on specific areas through the NBI website. The website 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 twenty-six 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 and connected 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.
Correspondence from the person concerned regarding the matters raised in the Questions was received in my Department recently via email through the NBP Broadband Inbox. My Department has replied to the person advising them that the matters raised are the responsibility of NBI. The query is currently with NBI, and my Department has requested that NBI communicate directly with the individual.
49. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that a person (details supplied) did not receive the €200 electricity allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42058/22]
View answerThe Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) has been applied to all domestic electricity accounts through April, May and June, and includes prepay meters. The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
This has been an exceptional measure which used the single eligibility criterion of an electricity meter point registration number (MPRN), to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account as early as possible this year, without any additional means testing. The payment has been applied to domestic electricity accounts i.e. those which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2), as set out in section 1 of the Act.
Each supplier was allocated a credit for each MPRN to which they were supplying electricity on 29 March 2022. As such, customers should contact their supplier on this date in the first instance. Frequently Asked Questions are available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.
50. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any initiatives are being considered to encourage waste management companies to provide brown bins that collect organic and food waste in areas that do not currently have this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42071/22]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a number of specific measures to support the expansion of the brown bin service to all households in the State including making the provision of an organic waste bin mandatory as part of a waste collection service for all households. My Department has engaged with the key stakeholders, including the waste collection industry, to implement this measure in as short a time frame as possible while ensuring that the national rollout of organic bins is consistent with other measures in the Plan.
EPA Figures from 2020 show that 64% (882,000) of households with a kerbside waste collection service had been provided with a brown bin - up by 64,000 households on the previous year.
52. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if carbon credits from the on-farm production of biogas goes to the farmer and place of production and not to the transport or energy sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42106/22]
View answerLast July the Government, as required by the Climate Act 2021, approved a number of Sectoral Emissions Ceilings (SEC). The SEC for the Agriculture Sector will see a 25% reduction of emissions over the 2018 baseline by 2030. There are numerous actions required over the decade to achieve this reduction, one of which is an increase in our ambition for biomethane production from 1.6 TWh up to 5.7 TWh by the end of the decade. The production of bioenergy, either biogas or biomethane, has co-benefits for both the agriculture sector and the energy sector. The emissions savings for the agriculture sector at that scale of biomethane production come from the removal of methane associated with manure, which is used as a feedstock, and the displacement of fertiliser which can be sourced from the digestate from an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant. Producing biomethane in this way abates carbon emissions in the agriculture sector while displacing emissions in the energy sector, all the while providing alternative income streams for family farms.
While the agriculture sector currently does not have a carbon credit system, the Climate Action Plan 2021 has also committed to explore the development of a carbon farming model, with the potential for trading. This system would seek to rewards farmers for emissions reductions and removals, which is in line with EU policy direction. Such an approach will require the establishment of baseline data, auditing, the development of voluntary carbon codes, leveraging of private financing through public/private partnerships, and the putting in place of governance structures. It should be noted that agriculture policy formation, including for carbon farming, is the direct responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, my Department is engaging with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on these matters from an emissions perspective.
53. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when clarification will be provided on a public service obligation levy on biogas production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42107/22]
View answerI understand the Question relates to the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation. Ireland currently has 6.3% of its heat sector demand met by renewable energy. While progress is being made, significant action is needed to reduce emissions and increase the supply of renewable fuels across the heat sector.
In line with the recent agreement on Sectoral Emissions Ceilings to deliver up to 5.7 TWh of biomethane to further accelerate the reduction of overall economy-wide emissions, an obligation on the heat sector to include renewable heat will be introduced by 2024. The introduction of this Obligation will incentivise the use of renewable heat, while spreading the obligation across all non-renewable fuel types. A technical consultation will soon be undertaken, to directly inform the design of a Renewable Heat Obligation.
55. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the estimated percentage of the renewable electricity generation capacity that is in public indirect ownership through State or semi-State bodies. [42186/22]
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).
As such, while state-owned bodies may own and operate renewable energy developments, these bodies do so on a commercial basis. With regard to the commercial state companies under the aegis of my Department, ESB and Bord na Móna have a mixed portfolio of renewable electricity generation assets, which includes wind, hydro, landfill gas, and biomass which amounts to approximately 1,240MW or 27% of renewable energy generation capacity in Ireland.
This includes renewable electricity generation assets that are owned individually by either ESB or Bord na Móna; those owned jointly by ESB and/or Bord na Móna and other state owned companies and those owned by either ESB or Bord na Móna and a private commercial entity. In addition, state bodies not under the aegis of my Department may have their own portfolios of renewable electricity generation assets. The figure above refers only to renewable generation assets within the State and is expected to increase as assets under construction become fully operational.
56. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42253/22]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises 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 appreciate people's frustration when they are living close to a fibre network owned by commercial operator, but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 26 August 2022, construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 85,700 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 24 counties, with over 72,700 premises passed across 23 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 2,481 premises are available to order or pre-order and 1,196 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.
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 and connected 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 698 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 to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/
In County Kildare 6 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/
57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request electricity suppliers to declare their clean export guarantee rate (details supplied) as per the legislation giving effect to the guarantee, which was signed into law on 15 February 2022. [42266/22]
View answer62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the implementation of the clean export guarantee tariff to allow for the payment for electricity that is returned to the grid; if energy suppliers have agreed to the scheme; if not, the names of the companies that have not agreed to participate in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42351/22]
View answer76. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the legislation to allow for electricity suppliers to credit persons for excess electricity produced by means such as solar panels was signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42757/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 62 and 76 together.
The key benefit of micro-generation is the money saved on electricity by meeting some of a households power needs by consuming its own micro-generated power, especially as we see rising electricity bills. On 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on all 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 CRU published a Decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022 (the date the regulations were enacted), whichever is the latest. The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. I am aware that most suppliers have now advertised their rates. The CRU advises customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.
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.
58. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42286/22]
View answerThe Government in February approved a package of improved supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme. The measures announced include the establishment of the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, which offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from circa 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade (with a heat pump), with One-Stop-Shops providing an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance.The increased grant amounts announced in February and the rates that applied before then are set out in the table below, which may assist with matters raised in correspondence with the Deputy. When a homeowner is completing a whole home energy upgrade, the overall fabric of the building is assessed through the home energy survey and assessment. The assessment may recommend a range of upgrade measures to ensure that the home achieves a B2 rating or is suitable for installation of a heat pump. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a wider range of grant supports for measures compared to the current offerings under other SEAI Energy Upgrade Schemes. Further details on the grants can be found at National_Home_Energy_Upgrade_Scheme_-_Homeowner_Guide[1].pdf (seai.ie) GrantSupports
*Note: These grant rates are also available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme, for homeowners who wish to self-manage their home upgrades. In addition, grants of €50 for a Building Energy Rating and €200 for a Technical Assessment are also available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme.
60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the consideration that he has given to converting oil heating systems to hydrotreated vegetable oil biofuel instead of kerosene and other fossil fuels; if he agrees that this could play a role in the decarbonisation of domestic heating systems and could supplement the installation of heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42297/22]
View answerThe National Heat Study is a comprehensive analysis of the options for reaching net zero emissions from the heating sector by 2050 and contains detailed analysis which will now facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050.
The Study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwelling and business types. This included the use of liquid biofuels, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks. The Study finds that bioliquids are not a cost effective option for heat in any sector in any of the scenarios that were considered but that heat pumps play a significant role in decarbonising heat. The recommendation of the Study is that heat pumps are the correct decarbonisation path for domestic heating systems, with district heating also being a competitive option that can be widely deployed.
Liquid renewable fuels may be best used in transport systems that are more difficult to decarbonise and their use should be incentivised in the transport energy market.
61. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the final report of the urban transport-related air pollution group will be published soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42342/22]
View answerDrafting of the final report of the Urban Transport Related Air Pollution Working Group (UTRAP) is underway. It is expected to be completed by the end of September and published shortly thereafter. An interim report was published in 2021, which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f634-urban-transport-related-air-pollution-utrap-working-group/
The final report will be published in two parts, the first part will provide an update to the interim report, setting out the current state of play in relation to actions taken to reduce urban transport related air pollution. It will incorporate the most up to date data, research and policy developments and the progress made on the original recommendations. The second part will set out the final recommendations from the group, as well as the format and objectives for the future of UTRAP in line with the objectives of the Clean Air Strategy.
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to whom the Commissioner for Regulations of Utilities is accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42371/22]
View answerIn accordance with Schedules 9 and 26 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is independent in the performance of it’s functions.
From time to time, and whenever so requested, the Commission shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas and shall have regard to any recommendations of such Joint Committee relevant to its functions.
65. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Commission for Communications Regulation plan to, or is taking steps to, ensure elderly and vulnerable persons who are not users of modern technology are not penalised for still requiring paper bills from telecommunications providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43345/22]
View answerI have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is charged under statute with the promotion of the interest of users of electronic communications services, and in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(d) of the EU Framework Regulations with addressing the needs of specific social groups, including the elderly in particular.
On the issue of bills, ComReg recently published a consumer news alert on its website on the issue of paper vs paperless billing. Where a customer cannot reasonably access an alternative billing medium, they may request that they receive paper bills free of charge.
66. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the attention of his Department has been drawn to separate charges by waste collection companies for the collection of the green recycling bin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42400/22]
View answerThe waste management market in Ireland is serviced by private companies, where prices charged are a contract matter between those companies and their customers subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
My role as Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications is to ensure that the waste management market is operating in compliance with relevant environmental legislation. With regard to the charges applied for kerbside household waste collection, the charges applied should encourage householders to divert waste from the residual or general waste bin. For example, it would be expected that charges for the residual waste bin would be higher than the charges (if any) applied to the mixed dry recyclables or organic waste collection.
