Written Answers Nos. 34-53
34. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will bring his security of energy supply recommendations to Government; and if he will report on the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. [55380/22]
View answerMy department is undertaking a review of the security of supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. The review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies, and a range of measures, including the need for additional capacity of indigenous renewable energy but also to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases (such as hydrogen). Detailed research has been carried out to inform this review.
As part of our review my Department carried out a consultation seeking views from interested parties on policy measures that could be implemented to support Ireland’s security of supply framework. The consultation closed on Friday 28 October and over 400 responses have been received.
The completion of the review is a key priority. I will bring my security of energy supply recommendations to Government once the review process has been completed.
36. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to deal with the waiting list for the better energy warmer homes scheme; and the expected increase in demand following the increase in income limits for the fuel allowance for those over 70 years of age who benefit from the scheme. [55201/22]
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. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list is a top priority for me. In order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a doubling of monthly average completions to 400 this year, the following actions have already been taken:
- The budget for this year, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn of €38 million and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that, for homes completed in 2022, the longest time waiting for a survey was 9 months, and the average cycle time from application to completion was 27.5 months. Cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues which take time to wash through. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works, which take longer to complete but provide much more significant works. The average cost per upgrade has increased from €2,300 to €18,753 between 2017 to 2022 reflecting the deeper upgrades now being provided.
Progress is being made and the latest data on completions per month show that the average number of completions between June and September this year is just over the 400 homes per month target.
It is important to note that at the end of 2021, there were just over 7,000 homes on the Better Energy Warmer Homes waiting list. While the number has risen to over 9,700 at the end of September, the majority of these applications were received in the current year. I want to see even higher output and reduced waiting times and I have asked the SEAI to redouble its efforts on this key Scheme and am providing every support I can to that end.
With regard to the expected increase in demand following the increase in income limits for the fuel allowance for those over 70 years of age who benefit from the scheme, there are a number of eligibility criteria besides being entitled to certain welfare payments, for example, home ownership, year of construction etc. In addition my Department, in conjunction with SEAI, is prioritising work on those homes with the lowest Building Energy Ratings.
37. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on broadband roll-out in Dublin south-west with particular reference to the rural mountains and valleys. [55275/22]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. There are 61,887 premises in the Dublin South-West constituency of which 819 premises are in the AMBER area and 61,068 premises are within the BLUE area and will be provided with high speed fibre broadband under the NBP.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 28 October 2022, over 97,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 87,700 premises passed across 25 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 1,858 premises in County Dublin are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The architecture of the network design is specifically based on the design of the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs). It is based on an engineering design that allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible working within the confines of how fibre networks are built. Villages/Townlands/Counties can be covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
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.
38. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that retailers with unsold smoky coal and other prohibited fuels are now expected to take with their leftover stock, for which they have already paid; if he will consider ways to assist these retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55229/22]
View answerThe Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 introduce minimum quality standards that apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This will ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and will assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives.
New regulations on the use of solid fuels for domestic heating are necessary as each year some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland from illnesses which are caused or exacerbated by air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is further estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I remain committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge.
There is no period of grace for any solid fuel producer or retailer after the effective date of the regulations. In September 2021, I announced that the regulations would come into effect for the 2022/2023 heating season. I made the announcement at that time in order to allow retailers a sufficient period to run down existing stocks and plan accordingly for the introduction of the new regulatory framework. Over the past year, officials from my Department have also been working with retailer representative bodies to support the transition to the new regulations and have been running an awareness campaign for the past number of months to inform retailers and producers of their responsibilities.
39. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the redistribution of energy profits, especially those of the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55408/22]
View answer59. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated amount that the State will receive from the European Union windfall tax on energy companies; if he supports this measure being extended; if he supports a higher rate of taxation than the rate that is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46195/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 59 together.
On 30 September the Council of Energy Ministers agreed a Council Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. The Regulation includes provisions that deal with windfall gains in the energy sector through a temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable profits for fossil fuel production and oil refining, and by introducing a cap on market revenues of for specific technologies in the electricity sector. It is not possible to estimate with certainty the proceeds that could be collected from the implementation of the Regulation. This is because the proceeds are dependent on the wholesale gas price which is highly volatile. The proceeds collected as a result of implementing the Regulation must be distributed in line with the provisions of the Regulation which focuses on supporting energy consumers. The cap on market revenues applies until June 2023 with a review due by the end of April 2023 and the temporary solidarity contribution applies to the end of 2023 with a review by mid-October 2023. Any potential extension of the Regulation would be informed by these reviews. My Department is currently working with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to implement the Regulation.
40. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department measures progress in reducing energy poverty; if closer alignment with the system of energy upgrades could be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50625/22]
View answerEnergy poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home and the cost of the energy they use. 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’ or ‘expenditure method’ measurement of energy poverty.
A research network on fuel poverty chaired by the Economic and Social Research Institute has been established to improve the measurement and monitoring of energy poverty in Ireland and provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households. Further detail will be set out in the forthcoming Action Plan to Combat Energy Poverty.
Government also monitors progress on policies and measures being implemented to alleviate energy poverty. A review of the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in August this year. The Review showed strong delivery with many of the original actions exceeded. Headline achievements include:
- A fivefold increase in retrofit budgets for lower income and local authority households;
- Significant increased average retrofit value per home under the Warmer Homes Scheme, from ~€2,500 to ~€18,750;
- Expanded eligibility for free energy upgrades to four additional at risk groups;
- Increases in level, distribution and frequency of Fuel Allowance payments as well as other social protection payments;
- Continued and improved consumer protections, including disconnection policies.
The review and the public consultation which accompanied it helped to inform the €2.5 billion package of once-off measures which was set out in Budget 2023. including:
-a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme which will credit each domestic electricity account;
- an extensive range of social protection measures to support people with the increased cost of living.
Budget 2023 also provided for:
- €337 million for home energy upgrade schemes next year including free upgrades for 6,000 homeowners at risk of energy poverty;
- Continuation of a special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation;
- An additional €87 million to continue the Energy Efficiency Programme for social housing.
The new Action Plan to Combat Energy Poverty will set out the range of measures being implemented this winter, as well as key longer-term measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected. It is intended that the new plan will be published in the coming weeks.
41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has had any communication with the Port of Cork authorities in relation to their support for an LNG facility; if the authority is bound by Government policy in relation to the development of LNGs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55314/22]
View answerAt the request of the Port of Cork, my officials had a video call with them on 11 May 2022 at which they provided a brief overview of their project.
The Government's position on LNG is set out in the Policy Statement on importing fracked gas which was published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a security of supply review, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.
As set out in the National Energy Security Framework, which was published in April 2022, a review of the energy security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems is being carried out by my Department, following which the results will be submitted to Government.
This review is focussed on the period to 2030 and will examine the risks to security of supply and a range of potential mitigating options. The review process includes a technical analysis to help inform the public consultation. The technical analysis includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The public consultation closed for comment on 28 October 2022 and my Department is now reviewing the responses.
42. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the ways in which his Department supports measures to reduce the amount of litter on rural roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55269/22]
View answerUnder the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
My Department provides support to local authority efforts to tackle litter on several fronts. €750,000 has been provided under the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme for 2022. Under this scheme local authorities are responsible for selecting suitable projects and locations for funding and grant allocations.
My Department also oversees the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI), introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding of over €12m has been provided by my Department under the Initiative, which has supported the delivery of over 1,250 projects nationwide. A further €3 million was allocated in support of this Initiative in 2022.
Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter.
The recently enacted Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act also advances several legislative provisions which will further enhance efforts in this area, including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for litter enforcement purposes and an increase in the level of the on-the-spot fine for littering.
Details of specific actions undertaken in individual local authority areas should be sought from the relevant local authorities.
43. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department’s position on the National Broadband Plan has changed or whether it remains the same (details supplied); his views on the failure of the National Broadband Plan to meet its targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48206/22]
View answerI am advised by NBI that, as of 28 October 2022, over 97,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection, with over 87,700 premises passed 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.
My Department worked with NBI to agree an Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) which recalibrated the targets for 2022 to take account of the knock on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and other delays to the programme. The revised target is 102,000 premises to be passed by the end of January 2023, with between 180,000 to 185,000 premises passed by the end of 2023.
NBI are implementing a number of measures to help lessen the impact that delays have had on the rollout. Such measures include:
- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month
- Bringing in additional NBI resources
- Earlier procurement of materials used in the build stages
- Bringing in additional subcontractors.
The focus will continue to be on ensuring that the NBI build programme is gaining momentum month on month.
44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 7 April 2022, the details of the RESS 1 community projects which have reached commercial operation to date; the estimated timeline for each of these community projects to be commercially operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55008/22]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the flagship Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS supports communities in a variety of ways including through a separate category for community projects and a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme. The projects under development within the RESS, both developer and community, will contribute significantly towards Ireland's renewable energy targets and carbon budget commitments.
Seven community projects, comprising five solar and two wind projects, were successful in first RESS auction (RESS 1),six of which remain in RESS. The first successful energisation of a RESS-1 Community Project took place at the beginning of November 2022. This was a Community Solar Farm in Davidstown, County Wexford, which will be capable of generating up to 5 MW of clean electricity when it is fully operational.
The remaining projects are progressing through the RESS 1 delivery milestones, and are anticipated to reach commercial operation before the end of 2023 at the latest.
The auction category for community projects was retained in the second RESS auction (RESS 2). This category has been developed specifically to allow communities and citizens to participate in and benefit from RESS. There were ten successful projects in the community Category in the RESS 2 auction. RESS 2 projects are expected to achieve commercial operation by the end of 2025 at the latest.
Empowering communities to generate their own electricity will help support the acceleration towards renewable energy and tackle climate change.
45. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government’s plans with regard to supporting a loss-and-damage finance facility at COP27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55198/22]
View answerThis year’s catastrophic drought in the Horn of Africa and devastating flooding in Pakistan remind us of the urgency of addressing climate impacts. The issue of loss and damage is a key priority for Ireland’s work on climate change. Ireland is keen to see the scaling up of finance for loss and damage in ways that meet the challenges facing communities in countries most vulnerable to climate change. We are contributing to this scaling up as evidenced by our recently launched International Climate Finance Roadmap which charts the path towards more than doubling our international climate finance to provide €225 million by 2025. Ireland also pledged €5 million to the Santiago Network at COP26 which is being established to provide technical assistance to support developing countries experiencing climate related loss and damage.
At COP27, Ireland will support measures which further operationalise the network in accordance with the process set out in Glasgow. I welcome the launch of the Glasgow Dialogue, to improve the current landscape of funding for activities to avert, minimise and address losses and damages by identifying the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps of this ecosystem. Ireland recognises that the increasing number and severity of climate impacts, means we must act in advance of disasters to protect people in the most exposed communities and, in that context, supports an agenda item at COP27 on finance for loss and damage, to enable Parties to discuss the best way forward to scale up support for vulnerable countries.
46. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 20 September 2022, the status of the promised statutory guidelines for local authority climate action plans, which will include the guidelines for the implementation of local authority decarbonising zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55009/22]
View answer49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement his Department has had with the national local authority climate action steering group in 2022; the number of meetings, and dates of same, attended by his Departmental officials in 2022; if minutes are taken and published in respect of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55011/22]
View answer55. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the progress of the local authorities’ climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55420/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 49 and 55 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority (LA) to prepare a Climate Action Plan (CAP), within 12 months from when I formally issue a request to the sector to begin the preparation of such plans. This will be made not later than 18 months after the commencement of the Act. LA CAPs will have to be consistent with national climate plans and will include both mitigation and adaptation measures to be updated every five years. My Department is currently finalising a set of statutory guidelines detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of LA CAPs.
The guidelines and technical annexes define the method for the development and implementation of specific, action-focused, time-bound and measurable actions and include the following:
- Local Authority Climate Action Plan Guidelines
- Technical Annex A: Developing and Implementing the Local Authority Climate Action Plan
- Technical Annex B: Climate Change Risk Assessment.
- Technical Annex C: Climate Mitigation Assessment.
- Technical Annex D: Decarbonisation Zones.
While each Local Authority may deploy their own approach to the style and structure of their climate action plans, all of them must demonstrate alignment with the key principles of the national Climate Action Plan to ensure that each LA CAP is ambitious, action-focused, evidence-based, participative and transparent.
I recognise that Local Authorities will need to be supported in the delivery of LA CAPs. This is why I have allocated €3.5million in 2022 to support the Local Authorities in securing resources to begin the process of developing these plans. I will continue to provide funding to the Sector over the coming years. In this regard, my Department issued a letter to the Chief Executive of each Local Authority on 26 October of this year confirming the provision of these resources.
Officials from my Department meet regularly with the Local Authority National Climate Action Steering Group (LANCASG). In 2022, meetings were held on 26 January, 27 April, 22 June, and 28 September and senior officials from my Department were in attendance at each of these meetings. The meetings fall under the auspices of the City and County Managers Association, are attended by key stakeholders, and chaired by Local Authority Chief Executive Officers. The agenda normally comprises progress updates on climate-related actions, including resources and training, LA CAP guidelines and the work of the Climate Action Regional Office (CAROs). Progress updates are made on ongoing Local Authority climate projects, including energy, fleet changes and roads. Minutes of the meetings are taken by the Local Authorities and circulated to attendees but are not published.
47. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the goals and objectives of the Government for COP27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55199/22]
View answerI will lead Ireland’s National Delegation and participate at the continuation of the high-level segment during the second week of COP27. Our Delegation includes representation across several Departments and Agencies. Officials are engaged across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to a number of priority areas for Ireland, including loss and damage, science, gender and climate finance. The focus of the negotiations is expected to be on adaptation, finance, implementation of targets, and loss and damage. Together with EU colleagues, I am committed to working with Parties to enhance collective ambition across these areas in line with the best available science. Scaling up climate finance for climate resilience and addressing climate-induced loss and damage will be two core issues. Loss and damage is a key priority for Ireland and I am keen to see finance scaled-up for loss and damage in ways that meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. I also support calls for improved accessibility, quality, and transparency of adaptation finance, particularly for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. I support measures to enable sustainable climate resilient development through use of clean and renewable energy sources and, as a member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, Ireland will promote and support measures at international level which avoid locking in further long-term fossil fuel consumption. Ireland looks forward to a comprehensive and balanced outcome from COP27, appreciating the value of having an ‘African COP’ to continue progress made at COP26.
48. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected number of premises that will be passed by 31 December 2022 by the NBI in its roll-out of high-speed broadband; the number that was projected for this date at the time of the signing of the broadband contract with NBI; the steps to be taken to make up lost ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55037/22]
View answerI am advised by NBI that, as of 28 October 2022, over 97,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 87,700 premises passed across 25 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.
My Department has worked with NBI to agree an Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) which recalibrates the targets for 2022 to take account of the knock-on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and other delays to the Programme. The revised target is 102,000 premises passed by the end of the contract year in January 2023, compared to the original contracted target of just over 200,000. The focus is to continue to build momentum in the programme, catching up on the delays experienced due to the Covid-19 pandemic and planning for acceleration. NBI intends to have over 200,000 premises with build commenced by the end of 2022.
NBI are implementing a number of measures to help lessen the impact that delays have had on the rollout. Such measures include:
- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month
- Bringing in additional NBI resources
- Earlier procurement of materials used in the build stages
- Bringing in additional subcontractors.
The focus will continue to be on ensuring that the NBI build programme is back on track and is gaining momentum month on month.
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
50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he continues to ensure a balance between meeting emission reduction targets and ensuring the future of the agri-food sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure the future of the agricultural production sector while meeting carbon reduction targets to the greatest possible extent; if he is satisfied that neither will progress at the expense of the other, that food security for the future is assured and that everything possible is being done to reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55377/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which will be determined later. There is target for a 25% emissions reduction for our agriculture sector by 2030. Climate Action Plan 2021 has outlined how emission reductions can be achieved in this sector in the coming years, which involves offering farmers the means to reduce carbon emissions at farm level by being more carbon efficient, while also diversifying toward less carbon intensive practices such as organic farming and the production of energy. These measures, and the extent to which progress is being made, will be reflected in the next Climate Action Plan, which is due to be published by the end of 2022. In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to develop policies for reducing carbon emissions in their sector, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of food production. The challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector while ensuring our food security, is also a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our family farms will fully exploit the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production.
51. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has examined bringing the Corrib gas field into public ownership on a temporary basis to control gas prices in Ireland, using powers vested in the Government by the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Acts of 1971 and 1982. [55381/22]
View answerMy Department is not considering bringing Corrib Gas Field into public ownership as a response to increasing gas prices. The Corrib Petroleum Lease, which is granted pursuant to Section 13 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Act, 1960 (as amended), demises the petroleum in the Leasehold Area to the lessees. All costs relating to the exploration, development and operation of the field have been and continue to be borne by the lessees and not the State.
The most important factor affecting electricity prices in Ireland is the continuing upward trend in international gas prices. In Europe, wholesale natural gas prices have risen and remained high since the second half of 2020. Gas prices are now unprecedentedly high, with UK wholesale gas prices recently reaching record levels. The increase in international wholesale gas prices, have continued to be driven to unprecedentedly high levels by the volatility in the international gas market caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
My Department is working on implementation of EU Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 which provides for a temporary solidarity contribution from fossil fuel sector, including the natural gas sector, in the years 2022 and/or 2023 to provide financial support to households and companies heavily affected by soaring energy prices.
In addition, in October 2022, the European Council asked the European Commission to propose measures on a number of key areas:
- The voluntary joint purchasing of gas;
- a new complementary gas price benchmark that more accurately reflects conditions on the gas market;
- a temporary dynamic price corridor on natural gas transactions on the main European gas exchange, the TTF;
- a temporary EU framework to cap the price of gas in electricity generation while preventing increases in gas consumption;
Ireland is now engaging with the other Member States on these topics on developing these measures.
52. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his proposals to reduce the amount of polyethylene terephthalate, PET, plastic exported from Ireland; if he has considered introducing a levy on the use of virgin plastics; and if his Department will collate data on the quantities of PET plastic that are recycled domestically and exported. [55411/22]
View answerAt present, the quantity of recyclable materials placed on the market exceeds domestic recycling capacity and the waste management industry relies, in part, on the export market to meet its processing needs.As Minister, I cannot direct waste to be kept within Ireland or that it be directed to a specific facility for recycling. However, through Repak, the national packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, Ireland aims to incentivise domestic recycling infrastructure ahead of recycling abroad by providing, for example:
- an additional reprocessing subsidy for household collection which was introduced in 2020 and is only available to plastic re-processors with operations in Ireland. In 2022 this subsidy increased from €35 per tonne to €50 per tonne.
- a stepped system in place for commercial collection with the highest subsidy 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 Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025 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, the national Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging 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.
Ireland is required to monitor and report on the achievement of separate collection for recycling targets under the Deposit Return Scheme, which includes PET plastic bottles. This data will be collected and reported to the Department once the scheme is live.
53. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of SEAI grants that have been granted in 2022; the average waiting time per application; the number of applications that remain on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55188/22]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grants of up to 50% are now available for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. Separately, grants of up to 80% are available for homeowners wishing to install attic and cavity wall insulation.Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that the total number of homes completed for all grant schemes to end of September is 16,207 and of these 5,259 reached a BER B2 or better.
Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the longest time waiting for a survey is 9 months, and the average cycle time from application to completion is 27.5 months. In recent years, cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works, and therefore take longer to complete. It is important to note that at the end of 2021, there were just over 7,000 homes on the Better Energy Warmer Homes waiting list. While the number has risen to over 9,700 at the end of September, the majority of these applications were received in the current year.
I want to see even higher output and reduced waiting times and I have asked the SEAI to redouble its efforts on this key Scheme and am providing every support I can to that end.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV Scheme are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval.
Latest figures from SEAI show that under the Better Energy Homes Scheme the average cycle time for applications that were received and completed in 2022 is 3.6 months and 6 months for applications completed in 2022. While for the Solar PV Scheme the figures are 4.2 months for applications received and completed in 2022 and 5.5 months for applications completed in 2022. Applications prior to this year were more likely to be impacted by COVID restrictions in 2021 with respect to their timeline to completion.
Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months.
