Written Answers Nos. 81-100
84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 26 July 2022, the status of his Department’s consideration of the report by the Low Pay Commission on Universal Basic Income, which was submitted to him in July 2022; the timeline for the publication of this report and the accompanying research report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45185/22]
View answerAs I advised Deputy Connolly in July, last year I requested the Low Pay Commission to report on the Programme for Government commitment to “examine Universal Basic Income, informed by a review of previous international pilots and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government.” To inform its considerations, the Low Pay Commission asked the ESRI to conduct background technical research on a universal basic income under the terms of the Low Pay Commission – ESRI Research Partnership Agreement.
The Low Pay Commission received the ESRI’s report on Universal Basic Income earlier this year. The Low Pay Commission submitted its report and recommendations on Universal Basic to me in July 2022. I, along with my officials, am considering the Commission’s report and recommendations and next steps required. The timeline for the publication of the Commission’s report on universal basic income and its accompanying research report is also being considered.
85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 26 19 May 2022, if he will provide an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the development of a second National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45186/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Ireland's first National Plan on Business and Human Rights was launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs towards the end of 2017. The implementation of this whole-of-Government plan was overseen by a multi-stakeholder implementation group comprised of representatives of Government, civil society and business, including from my own Department.
Both the plan itself and the Programme for Government committed to a review of implementation of the Plan, and this was undertaken by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2021. As part of that process, the draft report was considered at a special session of the implementation group. The Government noted the finalised review at its meeting on 3 December 2021, and it is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website.
Discussions have commenced about how to bring forward a new plan, but a date has yet to be set for its completion and publication. Officials in my Department will continue to engage proactively with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide necessary input into a new plan.
86. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if those from the Traveller community living on sites were able to avail of the Government’s €200 credit for energy bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44383/22]
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, including 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 was 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. Officials from my Department are in contact with their colleagues in the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on the matter raised by the Deputy.
87. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to an issue concerning the accessibility to fibre broadband for a remote working hub (details supplied); if the matter will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44394/22]
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 these 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 first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further.
88. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if stone built or stone fronted houses qualify for remediation via the warmer homes scheme; if not, the reason; if he will outline any other kinds of materials that are excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44396/22]
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. In line with the Scheme guidelines and technical guidance, the Warmer Homes Scheme does not support insulation works on homes older than 1940, traditional or older buildings, specifically stone, random rubble and single-leaf brick walls.
Older stone-build buildings (generally those built up until around the 1940s) usually fall into the category of traditionally built buildings. Such stone-built structures were designed to be vapour permeable. It is important that the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings are suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapor permeable construction where applicable. For example, a stone wall with lime-based mortar will need a lime-based plaster render to remain vapour permeable. Otherwise vapour becomes trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants.
SEAI support the insulation of buildings using materials and products which are appropriate and have been determined fit for use in the Irish climate by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). SEAI has no role in the certification of products used in Ireland but is aware that very old homes which are constructed using stone and lime-based mortar are more complicated to insulate for the reasons outlined above.
To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation with a view to publishing it this year. Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when full access to high-speed, fibre broadband will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44405/22]
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 am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 2 September 2022, over 88,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 75,500 premises passed across 23 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with or exceeding projections. NBI has advised that over 1250 premises in County Kildare are passed with a high-speed 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 708 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 public BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Kildare 8 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/.
90. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the multidisciplinary district heating steering group to address the situation experienced by residents of apartment complexes availing of local heating systems fuelled by natural gas paying commercial rates and consequently four times the higher end of the rates available to residential customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44418/22]
View answerIn cases where apartment blocks or groups of buildings are supplied with heat, rather than fuel, it is the heat supplier that is the purchaser of the gas and, therefore due to the scale of the gas purchase, a commercial tariff is applied. Gas and electricity retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. However, I am acutely aware of the impact that current, internationally influenced, energy price increases are having on people and families and, for that reason, Government has put in place a series of measures with funding of €2.4 billion to help alleviate the impact, particularly on lower income households. Further measures are being considered in the context of Budget 2023.
In line with the commitment in the Climate Action Plan 2021, a District Heating Steering Group was established earlier this year. The Steering Group has met seven times so far and oversees a number of Working Groups that are conducting in-depth, solutions-based analysis of the key areas that must be addressed in order to support district heating. The Steering Group is working on recommendations to ensure that a robust governance and regulatory framework is put in place to support expansion of district heating, along with any legislation that may be required. This will help ensure consumer protection and considerations in this regard encompass legacy district heating schemes that are already in operation in Ireland. The Steering Group is expected to bring its report to Government later this year.
91. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will extend the eligibility of the warmer homes scheme to homes that commenced the construction phase in 2006 but were not occupied until 2007 particularly in cases in which the BER assessment indicates a poor energy rating of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44514/22]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners that are most at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and since 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported.
The budget allocation of €109 million for the scheme this year has led to a doubling of the number of free retrofits for fuel poor homes provided each month.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme includes requirements that:
- Applicants must own and live in their own home;
- Must be in receipt of certain Department of Social Welfare payments;
- The home must be built and occupied before 2006.
The year of build requirement is in place because homes constructed since 2006 are generally more energy efficient than those built before then due to energy performance requirements of the 2003 Building Regulations. There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.
92. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a licence extension (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44545/22]
View answerThe application referred to in the Question is under consideration by my Department. Any applications for follow-on petroleum authorisations require Ministerial consent and are assessed against a number of criteria in accordance with Section 9A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 and Section 3 of the 2007 Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production. This includes the technical competence of the applicant and the financial resources available to it in order to undertake the work programme and any other commitments pursuant to the relevant petroleum authorisation. My Department does not publish information on individual applications for authorisations whilst they are under consideration.
93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is considering changing the administration in relation the 80% grant for certain retrofit measures as suggested by the Climate Action Council; if he is considering an extension towards other actions delivering swift energy savings; and if solar panels with battery storage, heat controls or other measures warrant similar levels of support. [44552/22]
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 in Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, earlier this year, the Government approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The key measures included:
- 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.
These changes have resulted in a very high level of demand with over 32,000 applications received to date versus a total of 20,000 applications for the full year 2021. This high level of demand has also translated into strong delivery with SEAI data showing that 13,406 upgrades have been completed across the residential and community energy schemes to end-August. The full year output under the schemes last year was approximately 15,500 home upgrades.
The grant rates were set following a comprehensive evaluation and consultative process led by SEAI and the Department, including leveraging learning and experience in SEAI, industry consultation, customer research and analysis of cost data. SEAI will monitor cost data on an ongoing basis to track and monitor changes in the market. The grant rates will be kept under review taking account of: the overarching need to build a much bigger home upgrade sector; evolving science; innovation; evolving technology and other relevant factors.
The SEAI has also worked to streamline and improve the application process for grants. Online applications for cavity wall and attic insulation under the Better Energy Homes Scheme receive immediate confirmation of the grant offer.
94. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons employed in his Department that have a formal agreement to work from home one day per week, two days per week and five days per week; his Department’s policy in respect of facilitating requests by persons to work from home; and the number of persons that have made requests to work from home in 2021 and to date in 2022, that have been declined. [44578/22]
View answerUnder Ag Obair Le Chéile – a comprehensive action plan for 2022 arising from my Department's Statement of Strategy Le Chéile 23 – DECC is committed to developing its' organisational capacity and investing in staff to ensure they are equipped to meet future challenges. Embracing and implementing a Blended Working policy is part of my Department's key strategic actions and represents an opportunity to transform how the Department works and delivers results. It is envisaged that blended working will facilitate and drive the Department and staff to deliver on the Department's vision as set out in our Statement of Strategy for a climate neutral, sustainable, and digitally connected Ireland.
Following engagement with staff, my Department began new working arrangements to facilitate a transition to Blended Working in March 2022. The Department’s formal blended working policy was developed in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working and sets out blended working arrangements at minimum. The formal policy was launched in July 2022, and the application process commenced 1st September 2022. All staff can apply, however, the Department has assessed the suitability for blended working of all roles in our organisation and identified a small number of roles where blended working is not feasible and staff will be required to work fully on site.
In general, fully remote working is not available unless under medical or reasonable accommodation needs, in line with medical guidance. To ensure the health and safety of all staff when working from home and in the office, a process has been put in place for all staff applying for blended working to ensure their remote workstation meets the health and safety requirements set out in our Department’s policy. Blended working arrangements are also supported by comprehensive training, guidance, and communications.
95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the potential to support battery storage alone in residences, separate from solar generation; if he has received advice on the potential for residential scale wind generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44645/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2021 included a commitment to introduce a Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS). The phased introduction of the MSS has begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The design of the MSS is technology neutral and, in that regard, the SEAI are tasked under the Climate Action Plan with assessing the potential to extend the grant to other technologies including micro-wind. This work is currently underway. Regarding residential battery storage, there are currently no supports in place for this technology in Ireland. However, under the Climate Action Plan 2021, my Department is in the process of developing an electricity storage framework due by 2023. My Department will soon publish a public consultation on the electricity storage framework and the final policy framework, and actions arising, will be informed by this process.
96. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of plans to introduce a bin waiver scheme as announced in 2017; the reason for the delay; if the scheme will be introduced soon in view of the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44744/22]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No 60 of 9 September 2021.The position is unchanged.
97. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his Department's policy on supporting the development of anaerobic digestion plans for electricity production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44793/22]
View answerMy Department has developed a number of schemes to support production of renewable electricity in Ireland. These schemes include the grid scale, auction based Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), for installations up to 50 kW in size (30kWe for micro-renewable Combined Heat and Power). The RESS and MSS schemes both include anaerobic digestion (AD) for electricity generation under the category 'Biogas with High Efficiency Combined Heat and Power' as an eligible technology . However, no AD projects have come through the RESS auctions to date.
The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators (SSG) above 50kW, i.e. larger than MSS but smaller than RESS scale. This is expected to come into effect in 2023. My Department launched a public consultation on proposed elements of the SSG scheme which is open until the 29th September: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/353f2-consultation-on-a-small-scale-generation-support-scheme-ssg-in-ireland/.
The range of renewables to be supported under the SSG will be determined in the design phase, after taking on board views in the public consultation.
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. Anaerobic digestion for renewable heat is supported through the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH). The SSRH is a Government funded initiative designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources in the heat sector whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users and is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SSRH provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems and an installation grant for renewable heating systems using heat pumps.
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.
98. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the renewable energy grants or funding sources that are available to owners of newly built homes considering current Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland guidelines for renewable energy grants refer only to homes built before 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44798/22]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their existing properties. The schemes offer grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy upgrades for people at risk of energy poverty. Improving these homes has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light.
Near Zero Energy Building requirements for new dwellings were introduced into the Building Regulations in April 2019 by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The NZEB requirements make it more attractive for builders and homeowners to further incorporate renewable technologies and move away from fossil fuels for heating. There are options for meeting compliance including heat pumps and/or solar PV.
The Building Regulations have been progressively updated over the last decade in order to improve the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance of all new dwellings. Many of the techniques required to achieve NZEB, such as improved fabric and renewables, have been introduced on a gradual basis into Part L of the Building Regulations since 2007. These incremental improvements have effectively eased the transition and minimised the additional effort and costs required to achieve the NZEB performance for dwellings.
A modelling and cost study was carried out by an external cost economic consultant for the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for NZEB. The average uplift in cost across all dwelling types modelled was 1.9%.
Grant funding to improve energy performance is available for existing homes because these homes were not required to meet the most up to date NZEB Building Regulations. It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer. Grants are not targeted at meeting compliance requirements when building a new home.
Full detail of the grants and grant amounts are available on SEAI’s website.
99. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will make a grant available to householders who wish to purchase a solar SV battery storage system in order to store electricity which has been sourced by solar, wind or by night-rate electricity at off-peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44801/22]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) who administer Solar PV grants under the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), undertook an assessment of continuing the previous battery grants under the MSS and found that with the current high cost of batteries, coupled with their low storage capabilities of only a few hours and their relatively short lifetime (currently in the region of 10 years); that a stand-alone battery grant did not represent efficient use of limited Exchequer funds.
The Government offers supports to deliver on the target of 1 million Electric Vehicles (EV) to be deployed by 2030. The battery in EVs is of a higher capacity than a typical domestic battery storage solution for micro-generation. In the future, it may be possible for EV batteries to be used to store excess micro-generated electricity during the day and provide electricity after daylight, and this could represent a better investment for the householder.
It should be noted that micro-generation installations including battery storage systems are still eligible for grant support but there is now no need to install a battery to avail of the maximum grant and, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment.
Further to the CEG I am aware that most suppliers have now published their CEG tariffs, which range from €13.5c/kWh up to €20c/kWh. While maximising the consumption of self-generated renewable electricity by matching electricity use against the peak generating times of your Solar PV system will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs; the range of CEG tariffs allows customers to shop around and switch suppliers to obtain the best overall value.
100. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the disparities in the assessment processes and eligibility for dormer homes under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland warmer homes scheme; if he will advise on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44848/22]
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.As Minister I have no function with regard to individual applications to the grant schemes administered by SEAI on behalf of my Department. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
