Tuesday, 8 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 54-72

National Broadband Plan

Questions (54)

Holly Cairns

Question:

54. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in Cork South West. [55046/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

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. with some areas exceeding expectations.

NBI has advised that over 15,289 premises in County Cork are passed with a high speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork including the Deployment Areas located in South West Cork 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, [e-mail], 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 at 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. As of 28 October 2022 778, BCP sites have been installed by NBI 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 Cork there are 24 BCPs installed. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/

81 schools have been connected for educational access by NBI in County Cork. 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/.

Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 46.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (56)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

56. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts that are being made to improve broadband in areas in which it is particularly bad, such as an area (details supplied) and areas that have not been included in any improvement works to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55185/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

The premises referred to in the Question are 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. I understand that commercial broadband providers indicate that they are in a position to offer a high speed broadband service to each of the premises identified.

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.

Energy Conservation

Questions (57)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are being taken to address the continuing delays in works commencing for applications under the free energy upgrades, warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55392/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The 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 I am providing every support I can to that end.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (58)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

58. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the national broadband plan roll-out in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

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 projections or exceeding expectations. Further details are available on specific areas within County Meath 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, [e-mail], 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. The NBI website shows that 18 of the 227 Deployment Areas under the NBP, will include premises in County Meath, with build works underway in four Deployment Areas covering more than 4,000 premises in Meath, where almost 2,000 of those premises should be in a position to order a connection to the NBP network by the end of January next.

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 778 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 Meath 15 BCPs have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/

In County Meath 19 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/

Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 39.

Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 28.

Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 28.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 28.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (63)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

63. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagements and meetings that he has held with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, relating to the increased staffing requirements in Ireland’s planning agencies to reduce the delays facing offshore wind and other renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55348/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My officials engage on an ongoing basis with officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on all aspects of the planning system as it relates to the transition to renewable energy, at both a policy level, and on various legislative provisions.

I have established a cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce in order to drive delivery and capture the wider and longer-term economic and business opportunities associated with the development of offshore renewables in Ireland. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is an active member of the Taskforce, and is engaging with my Department on a variety of issues under the Taskforce’s remit. A key goal of the Taskforce is to identify how we can accelerate the roll-out of offshore wind – this includes in relation to the planning and consenting processes.

While the staffing of Planning Authorities is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, officials from my Department have engaged with his Department in respect of the staffing requirements in all agencies responsible for the roll out of renewable energy projects and both Departments are working closely together on ensuring that our ambitions in respect of the transition to renewable electricity is fully supported, as expressed in Response 25 of the National Energy Security Framework. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I have also engaged directly on this issue and are aligned when it comes to ensuring that adequate resources are provided in the planning system to ensure certainty of timeframes in the relevant regulatory processes and support the achievement of Ireland’s renewable energy targets.

Our Departments will continue to engage collaboratively on these issues in order to enable Ireland to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Act 2021.

Energy Prices

Questions (64)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to increase the arrears limit on pre-pay electricity and gas meters to ensure that these households are given the same protection from disconnection as bill-pay households during the moratorium on disconnections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55349/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. Under its legal mandate, the CRU is responsible for implementing energy specific customer protection measures including in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy.

As part of the strengthened customer protection measures CRU introduced reduced debt burdens on Pay-as-You-Go customers. The new measures mean that the debt repayment levels will reduce to 10% from a previous 25% on pay-as-you-go customers top-up payments. On a €20 top-up for example, only €2 will go towards debt repayment (if it exists), rather than €5 previously. From 1 December suppliers will be required to ensure that all customers with a financial hardship meter are automatically placed on the most economic tariff. Furthermore, the CRU has decided to suspend the €200 gas meter exchange siteworks charge associated with a customer moving from a PAYG gas meter to a billpay meter, for all domestic customers. There is no charge to move from an electricity PAYG meter to a billpay meter.

Budget 2023 put in place €2.5 billion in once off cost of living supports including a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion. The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, 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).

Climate Change Policy

Questions (65)

Bríd Smith

Question:

65. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has examined the recent UN report which found that globally, the world is nowhere near reaching targets of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees' Celsius, and is on course for warming of over 2 degrees' Celsius; his views on whether global failure is mirrored by Ireland’s ongoing failure to limit and reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55316/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I am very concerned by the latest findings of the UN Emissions Gap Report, which highlights the alarming and unequivocal message that the international community needs to drastically step-up collective climate ambition if we are to slow down and reverse the increase in the average global temperature. However, it is encouraging to note that the UNFCCC Synthesis report shows countries are bending the curve of global greenhouse gas emissions downward but more needs to be done to keep the 1.5 temperature goal within reach. Major economies need to intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ireland recognises that a reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and a low-carbon future. As a member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, we are committed to accelerating the shift away from fossil fuel dependence. Through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 Ireland has ceased issuing new licences for oil and gas exploration. The Act also requires the introduction of carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings that provide for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, relative to 2018 levels. These ceilings will be reflected in the next Climate Action Plan, which will be published in the coming weeks. This will build on the 2021 Plan and set out the policies, measures and actions to keep us within our carbon budgets and on the pathway to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, thereby contributing to the global effort to remain under the 1.5 degrees target.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (66)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

66. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a comprehensive update on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan. [47027/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) commenced connections to the new fibre network in January 2021.

Over 97,000 premises are available for order and pre-order through local broadband service providers across 25 counties. Premises are constructed or under construction across all counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale.

NBI has advised that, as of 28 October 2022 over 343,200 premises are design complete. Over 87,700 premises are passed and available for order and immediate connection. Over 22,800 premises are connected. Connections are in line with projections and in some areas are exceeding projections.

The total number of premises at build stage are:

- Over 232,800 premises with infrastructure preparation works commenced;

- Over 162,400 premises with infrastructure preparation works complete;

- Over 123,100 with main build works commenced;

- Over 103,400 with main build works complete.

- Over 87,700 premises are passed and available for order and immediate connection

Some 320 direct employees and 1,138 indirect employees working with build/design contractors are now employed on foot of the NBP investment, with this number rising weekly as the construction activity ramps up. As of 28 October NBI has advised that over 15,400km of cable and over 48,500 poles have been installed on the project.

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. As of 28 October 2022, 778 BCP sites have been installed by NBI 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.

NBI has advised that, as of 28 October 2022, 499 schools have been installed by NBI of which 154 have already been connected to Retail Service Providers (RSPs) by the Department of Education and are now live. The Department of Education ran a RSP tendering process for the next batch of 100 installed schools. This process is concluded, with connections anticipated in the coming weeks.

Energy Prices

Questions (67)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

67. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which individuals and families living in multi-resident accommodation where there are separate electricity meters but only one MPRN number, can receive the electricity credit, and in instances where there are two MPRN numbers on the one post-code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55405/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.

The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, 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). The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process. This mechanism allowed payments to be made automatically to 2,138,939 domestic electricity accounts, over 99.36% of eligible accounts, under the first scheme which operated between April and June of this year.

While the majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the credit directly, others could have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion could have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. Where tenants have a dispute relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution. As there is not data set identifying this cohort, increasing awareness of entitlements of existing social protection measures, which include provision for help with household bills, is an important way of supporting people in this situation.

Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including:

- €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients

- €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase

- €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment

- double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children

- €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November

- €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability paymentThe CRU has a dedicated email address for deputies to contact them [e-mail] for timely replies.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (68)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

68. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a report (details supplied) by an organisation. [55379/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Under the National Dialogue for Climate Action (NDCA), my Department held the Climate Conversations 2022, which invites people from all over the country to have their say on how we can all play our part in securing our sustainable future. The conversations form part of the process to inform and support the preparation of the Climate Action Plan 2023. As part of the conversations, a call for expert evidence was also undertaken by my Department seeking evidence-based submissions from experts, research organisations and other groups that work in areas relating to climate, environment and energy. Under the call for evidence, a submission was received from the organisation referred to in the Question, and a senior representative from this organisation was also interviewed as part of broader climate conversation process. This approach provided the opportunity for the organisation to submit a detailed overview of the measures they would like to see in the Climate Action Plan 2023. All feedback from the conversations has been analysed and presented to policy makers as part of the process to identify, inform and develop policies, measures and actions for the Climate Action Plan 2023.

Fuel Poverty

Questions (69)

Denis Naughten

Question:

69. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to address fuel poverty in homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47188/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Energy poverty, or fuel poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home, and the cost of the energy they use in their home.

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion was included in Budget 2023. This included:

- a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account

- €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients

- €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase

- €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment

-double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children

- €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November

- €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment

A total budget of €337 million was announced as part of Budget 2023 for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes next year including 6,000 free upgrades for homeowners at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes scheme. This budget allocation will also mean that the special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation will continue to be available to homeowners next year. In addition, €87 million has been allocated by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to upgrade the energy performance of 2,400 local authority social homes.

A cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department is currently developing the new Action Plan to Combat Energy Poverty. The Plan will set out the measures being implemented this winter, as well as key longer-term measures. The Group will also work with the ESRI as a research network to improve the measurement and monitoring of energy poverty in Ireland and provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households.

Air Quality

Questions (70)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

70. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of air quality monitoring stations that are being monitored by his Department in County Cork; the specific locations of these monitoring stations; if he will elaborate on what the most recent data has indicated; if there are plans to increase the number of monitoring stations in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55189/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is operated, maintained, and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rather than by my Department. However, my Department has provided funding for a significant upgrade to the network in recent years, such that the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 103 today.

All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. Details of the locations of all monitoring stations currently in operation, along with real-time and historic data from each station, including all those in County Cork, can be accessed at www.airquality.ie.

The final expansion of the network will be completed this year and will increase the number of official stations to 116. I have no function in determining the location of new monitoring stations. The EPA decide upon the most appropriate locations based on best practice and EU requirements, and questions in relation to proposed sites may be addressed to them directly. Similarly, the EPA is also responsible for monitoring data from each station, and questions in this regard may also be addressed to them directly.

Departmental Funding

Questions (71)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

71. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of successful applicants to the Climate Action Fund in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47028/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I announced the 18 successful projects from around the country on 26 October under Strand 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) that is funded from the Climate Action Fund (CAF). The CCAP will see €60 million from the CAF invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over two 18 month phases.

Applications for funding under Strand 2 were made through an open call worth €5 million for education, capacity building and learning by doing projects, that is being run by Pobal on behalf of my Department. There were 72 applications to this open call.

The projects selected represent a range of approaches under the five themes of the programme, which are: home and energy; food and waste; shopping and recycling; transport; local climate and environment. Details of the successful projects are set out in the table below.

Organisation	Project Title	Description of the Project to be funded
Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency CLG, trading as 3cea	Community Energy Hubs	To fund the development and delivery of online ‘Community Energy Hubs’ which will support community groups and individuals to turn their energy efficiency project ideas into reality. The project will develop practical learning tools to address the challenge of energy efficiency in homes and community buildings. This is a project in partnership with the Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford Library Services.
Energy Communities Tipperary Cooperative Company Limited by Guarantee	Energy Saving Champions	To fund the development of an 'Energy Saving Champions' project which will encourage greater energy savings and energy efficiency among families, households and communities. Facilitators will be trained to provide guidance to people on how best to reduce their domestic energy consumption and measures they can take to improve their energy efficiency. A competitive element is built into the programme so that families, households, and communities can compete against each other.
FoodCloud	Food waste to sustainable food communities: a capacity-building programme	To fund a project to engage a network of partners and citizens to take further action to reduce food waste and increase food security in their communities through the redistribution of surplus food. The project will develop and deliver training and capacity building materials for food sharing communities that will include: online educational courses on food waste minimisation and food redistribution, case studies of best practice in food sharing; and develop a toolkit for communities to activate a zero food waste community. This is a project in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, representatives from FoodClouds CVO redistribution partners, Institute of Technology Sligo, and The Rediscovery Centre.
Gaelic Athletic Association	GAA Green Club Programme - Organisational Capacity Building Project	To fund the further development of the ‘GAA Green Club Programme’ which involves developing a Community Engagement Toolkit that will support clubs to implement sustainability and climate actions across 5 themes: energy, waste, water, biodiversity and transport. This will include ensuring actions identified are relevant to the membership, wider community and the physical/social environment, and will provide training to GAA County Planning and Training officers to support the coordination of this process.
Institute of Technology Sligo	Power to Change	To fund the development of the 'Power to Change' project, which in partnership with the Sligo Public Participation Network, will create a toolkit, repository of case studies, virtual learning prototype and establish a nature initiative and regional network. The project will facilitate connection/reconnection with nature and build capacity to motivate community groups to lead on change.
Leave No Trace Ireland	Beaches and Dunes for Climate Adaptation: Training for Communities	To fund the development of a 'Beaches and Dunes for Climate Adaptation: Training for Communities' which will build the capacity of local communities to adapt to, and mitigate against, climate change. The project will develop a toolkit and educational workshops which will build the knowledge and skills of communities to take positive action on how best utilise beaches and dunes as coastal protection. This is a project in partnership with the Atlantic Seaboard North Climate Action Regional Office; The Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board; and the National University of Ireland, Galway.
National LGBT Federation Company Limited By Guarantee	HOMEWORKS	To fund the development of the ‘HOMEWORKS: Bringing Climate Action Home’ project which will, in partnership with Common Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Living, build the capacity and confidence of communities to take practical, climate-oriented action both in their homes and in community facilities. The project will focus on developing skills related to home, energy, food and waste and will produce a toolkit with a set of hands-on community action and skills workshops.
National University of Ireland (Galway)	A Toolkit to Drive Co-creation and Climate Action	To fund the development of a ‘Toolkit to drive co-creation and Climate Action’. This will include a range of tools, case studies and a sharing platform to support decarbonized communities tangibly reduce their carbon footprint by 2050. This project is in partnership with: a number of academics; five Decarbonising community groups, five environmental awareness officers and four volunteer Ireland branches, Energy Cooperatives Ireland and the Climate Action Regional office in Mayo.
National Women's Council of Ireland	Building a Feminist Community Work Approach to Climate Change	To fund the development of a capacity building programme and associated resources to support community development and women’s organisations to engage in climate policy and climate action from a feminist climate justice perspective with a particular focus on its impact on women and marginalised communities. This project will be developed in partnership with Community Work Ireland.
ROTHA	Pilot Initiative to deliver home energy upgrades community 'one stop shop'	To fund a pilot Initiative to develop the supports required to establish an advisory service for householders, addressing their needs at the initial stages of their home energy upgrade journey. This advisory service will represent the pilot phase of developing a fully-fledged One-Stop-Shop and will be developed and delivered with the rural communities of West Cork. This project will be developed in partnership with The Ludgate Hub.
Sonairte the National Ecology Centre Company Limited By Guarantee	Climate Action and Local Food - supports for community hubs (CALF)	To fund the development and delivery of the 'Climate Action and Local Food' (CALF) project which will establish a peer-to peer experiential network of regional food hubs from different counties in Ireland. It will build the capacity of emerging and established food hubs using Open Food Ireland's user-owned platform to connect local farmers and producers with their local community, and develop a set of resources for community groups, cooperatives, social enterprises, small farmers, and others to establish local food communities. This is a project in partnership with Open Food Ireland and Cloughjordan Community Farm.
Space Engagers Company Limited by Guarantee	New Energy Communities	To fund the design and delivery a ‘New Energy Communities’ Framework – a working plan which can be supported and deployed at a number of different neighbourhood and community levels in order to facilitate capacity building towards the energy transition. It will develop strategies for place-based local home and environmental action to empower citizens to actively participate in processes of change, and support communities to find new, relevant, and effective ways of addressing challenges that matter to them.
Sustainable Ireland Cooperative Society Ltd	Climate Coaches for a Just Transition and Resilient Communities	To fund the development of the ‘Climate Coaches for a Just Transition and Resilient Communities’ project, which will create a Community of Practice to co-develop a tailored training programme and toolkit to catalyse, scale and accelerate climate action and a just transition through sustainable community-led local development. This is a project in partnership with the North and South Tipperary Development Company, and Tipperary and Waterford Public Participation Networks.
Sustainable Projects Ireland CLG	Creating Centres of Excellence for Community Climate Action	To fund the delivery of the ‘Creating Centres of Excellence for Community Climate Action’ project which will seek to develop and support Sustainable Education and Demonstration Centres as focal points for community climate action and sustainability. This will be done by sharing best practice experience, developing common guidelines from a collaborative process and, documenting that learning for others to follow, create a Good Practice Guide and Toolkit. This is a project in partnership with: Burren College of Art, Green Skibbereen and Sonairte.
The Bohemian Football Club Company Limited by Guarantee	The Spark - Capacity building for community-led climate action	To fund the development of ‘The Spark’ project which will create a tangible curriculum, activities and good practice engagement methods for a broad range of stakeholders to enable the creation of a self-sustaining climate cooperative to reduce local emissions and build local adaptive capacity. This is a project in partnership with the Bohemian Foundation, Connecting Cabra, Cosybatter, Football Association Ireland, Grangegorman Development Agency, Mountjoy Prison, Neighbourhood Network, Phibsborough Village Climate Club, Rothar, Stoneybatter Pride of Place and Technological University Dublin.
The Irish Local Development Network Company Limited by Guarantee	Community Led Home Retrofit Awareness Raising and Training	To fund a the development of a ‘Community Led Home Retrofit Awareness Raising and Training’ project which will develop a community retrofit service, training curriculum and tools which will support homeowners overcome barriers to accessing grant schemes. The service combines Knowledge Transfer and Technical Support with dedicated Retrofit Champions and will work with community structures such as Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs). This is a project in partnership with Cavan and Leitrim Local Development Companies; Institute of Technology Sligo; Monaghan Integrated Development; Plan Energy; and Sligo Leader Partnership.
The Rediscovery Centre Company Limited by Guarantee	Building Circular Economic Opportunities in Communities (BCEOC)	To fund the development of the ‘Building Circular Economic Opportunities in Communities’ (BCEOC) project which is a tailor-made training and mentoring programme which will build capacity within communities to develop new Circular Economy (CE) projects or enterprises. This is a project in partnership with the Longford Employment Development and Information Centre, Roscommon Women’s Network and Tait House Community Enterprise.
Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment	Circular approaches to community level food and waste management	To fund the development of a 'Circular Approaches to Community Level Food and Waste Management' project which will develop and pilot a toolkit for community level organisations to engage with food waste from farm to fork through consultative and action-based approaches. This is a project in partnership with Transition Kerry.

Strand 1 of the CCAP will support communities, large and small, rural and urban, to build low carbon communities in a considered and structured way and will begin taking applications towards the end of 2022 into early next year. Further details will be available on the Gov.ie website and the websites of the local authorities in due course.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (72)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 20 September 2022, the status of the preparation of the finalised terms of reference for the offshore renewable energy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55007/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department is finalising the Terms and Conditions for ORESS 1, the first offshore wind auction under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. A public consultation on the draft Terms and Conditions for ORESS 1 was held between October 2021 and December 2021 and over 150 responses were received. My Department issued a formal response to consultation feedback on 31 May 2022. As per Question No. 150 of 20 September 2022 and the Provisional ORESS 1 Auction Timetable, published by EirGrid on 21 June 2022, the ORESS 1 auction is scheduled to launch in Q4 2022, subject to the availability of a sufficient quantity of eligible projects for a competitive auction. Key auction eligibility criteria will be for offshore wind projects to hold both a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) and a Grid Connection Assessment (GCA). MACs were established under the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act 2021 and are planned to be issued by me, as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, to the first batch of offshore wind projects in the coming weeks. GCAs are planned to issue to this batch of projects, from EirGrid, in a similar timeframe and in advance of the qualification stage of the ORESS 1 process in Q1 2023. ORESS 1 Terms and Conditions have been circulated to Government Departments and are scheduled to be submitted for Government approval and publication later this month.