Michael Creed
Question:101. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will approve a work permit (details supplied). [60749/22]
View answerWork Permits
Questions (101, 102)
Michael Creed
Question:102. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will approve a work permit (details supplied). [60750/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that General Employment Permit applications in respect of both individuals (in the details supplied) were received on 17/11/2022. Separate requests for further information in relation to these applications issued from my Department on 29/11/2022. The applicant has been granted 28 days from this date to provide the information requested. As soon as a response to these requests is received a decision will be made regarding the applications.
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 101.
EU Directives
Questions (103)
Ged Nash
Question:103. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a policy issue raised by constituents regarding the new corporate sustainability due diligence directive (details supplied); if he will provide an update on his plans, if any, to seek a strengthening of this directive to ensure it applies to a wider range of companies and their overseas values chains; if issues regarding climate and justice are addressed; if obligations for companies in the financial sector are strengthened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60789/22]
View answerWritten answers
A proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) was published by the European Commission on 23rd February 2022. This is a ground-breaking proposal which addresses corporate behaviour and due diligence processes for the companies within its scope. The proposal focuses on establishing a system within company law and corporate governance to address adverse human rights and environmental impacts arising from companies' own operations, their subsidiaries' operations and their chain of activities.
Ireland has been supportive of the objective of the proposed Directive which will play a significant role in promoting responsible business conduct. An EU-wide framework is best placed to both support the functioning of the single market and to influence respect for human rights and the environment beyond the EU.
This is a complex proposal with far-reaching implications for companies and stakeholders. Discussions on the proposed directive have intensified in recent weeks with a range of issues under active consideration. These include those raised by the Deputy such as scope, human rights and environmental obligations, civil liability provisions relating to companies and the application of the proposal to the financial sector. Ireland has been seeking to ensure that the proposal has ambition while striking the right balance of providing effective protections for stakeholders and ensuring that the measures to be implemented by companies are clear, proportionate, and enforceable.
A General Approach on the proposal was agreed by Ministers at Competitiveness Council on 1st December 2022. I had greater ambition for the proposal in a number of areas and raised these at the Council meeting. However, these were not reflected in the agreed proposal. Trilogue negotiations will now commence between Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament. I am hopeful for future progress during these negotiations.
Work Permits
Questions (104)
Bríd Smith
Question:104. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 160, 161, 163, 164 and 166 of 1 December 2022, the position of the person, who having secured full-time employment while on a G1 graduate visa, has now been informed they must fulfil the labour market needs test to secure a work permit which was not originally required when they applied for and secured the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61037/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Employment Permit Acts, in order to work in the State all non-EEA nationals require a valid Employment Permit or relevant immigration permission from the Minister for Justice which allows them to reside and work in the State without the requirement for an Employment Permit.
The Irish State’s general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of the European Union and other EEA states. However, where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA, an employment permit may be sought in respect of a non-EEA national who possess those skills.
All Employment Permit applications are processed in line with the Employment Permits Act 2006, as amended.
The Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that if an individual is seeking an Employment Permit for the role concerned as in this instance, the Employment Permits Legislation states that a Labour Market Needs Test is required. As this is a legislative requirement, no discretion can be allowed.
Information is provided on the Department’s website in respect of all employment permits including information regarding to each permit type, Checklist documents for a General Employment Permits and an FAQ document which answers the majority of the most common questions, including in relation to the requirements of the Labour Market Means Test, are available on the Department's website – enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/
Immigration permissions, including Stamp 1G permission, are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and any such queries should be directed to that Department.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (105)
Cathal Crowe
Question:105. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of broadband connection points installed in each county; and the total number installed in schools by NBI in each county in tabular form. [60264/22]
View answerWritten answers
Transferred from Rural and Community Development
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 25 November 2022 some 793 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high-speed broadband service will be connected 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. 284 BCP sites will be connected by NBI under the NBP contract. There are an additional 16 BCP sites that Vodafone will deliver for the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Remote Work BCP contract. In total the public BCP network will consist of 300 sites in some of the most remote and isolated areas, including a number of off-shore islands. As of 11 November 2022, NBI reports that of their 284 locations, 279 sites have been installed. An additional 14 Remote Work BCPs are live and the remaining sites are due to be installed by the end of this year. The attached table gives further details.
Government and NBI have agreed to accelerate the rollout of high-speed broadband to 679 schools across the State. This will ensure that by the middle of next year all schools across the State will have the necessary infrastructure to carry out their critical day to day educational activities unimpeded by poor broadband. A number of schools will be passed by the new fibre build programme and they will be connected early in 2023.To date 514 schools have been installed by NBI for educational access. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
The Department of Rural and Community Development have advised that in the coming months, in consultation with Public BCP stakeholders, officials will draft a development strategy for the Public BCP Network. This strategy will set out a number of ambitions and opportunities and will guide decisions on future supports, partnerships and the scope to improve and broaden services. Among the items for consideration will be the issue of inviting additional premises, that have access to high-speed broadband, into the Public BCP network.
The current focus of the Public BCP project is to complete the rollout of the sites which are already within the project plan. It is expected that all Public BCPs will be completed and live in Quarter 1 of 2023. When completed, the Public BCP network will have a presence in every county in the State and in some of our most rural and isolated communities, including many off-shore islands. As the site connection rate grows, the Department of Rural and Community Development will work with local authorities and the committees that manage the Public BCPs to improve services and drive demand for the use of these sites.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (106)
Alan Dillon
Question:106. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when reliable broadband connectivity will be installed in east Mayo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60502/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 25 November 2022, construction is complete or underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. Over 107,400 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed fibre broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 95,700 premises passed across 25 counties and available for immediate connection. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections with some areas exceeding expectations. The premises referred to in the question are included in the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. NBI has advised that as of 25 November, 3,795 premises in Co Mayo are passed with a highspeed 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 and counties may be covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
Further details are available on specific areas throughout the country 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 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/reps.
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 793 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 Mayo 15 BCP’s have been installed by NBI to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/. In County Mayo 42 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/.
Energy Conservation
Questions (107)
Thomas Pringle
Question:107. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the SEAI are currently advertising on e-tenders for contractors to carry out works under the better energy warmer homes scheme, due to the present 27-month delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60682/22]
View answerWritten answers
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) and over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme since it became operational in 2000. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing wait times on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI. SEAI engages with the supply chain on an ongoing basis and has provided regular and significantly bigger works allocations to the supply chain to support increased delivery under the scheme.
Progress is being made and the latest data on completions per month show that, since June, home completions are meeting the 400 homes per month target, an increase from 177 last 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.
Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that, for homes completed in 2022, the average cycle time from application to completion was 27 months. Cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues which take time to wash through. In addition, deeper measures have been provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works and take longer to complete but provide much more significant upgrades for homeowners. This is evident from the average cost per upgrade which has increased from €2,300 in 2017 to €18,750 in 2022.
The SEAI advise that the Warmer Homes Scheme Contractor panel, appointed in November 2020 for a period of 1 year with an option to extend for 3 additional years, have recently received a second contract extension for 2023. SEAI will review future requirements throughout 2023 including consideration of a future tender.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (108)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:108. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the specific additional actions in addition to those included in the Climate Action Plan 2021, that he is planning in order to achieve the newly announced target of 5GW of installed solar power capacity by 2025 (details supplied); the amount of this new capacity that will be delivered by homes, businesses, community buildings, farm buildings and commercial solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60182/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Climate Action Plan 2021 Ireland has set an ambitious target to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80% by 2030. Solar PV will have a key role to play given its speed of delivery and the need for a diverse portfolio of generation technologies to facilitate the energy transition. Work is now underway on the next Climate Action Plan which will include measures to deliver on these increased targets and is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Energy Policy
Questions (109, 118)
Pauline Tully
Question:109. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the incentives that are in place to encourage persons to transfer to more sustainable sources of home heating such as biofuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60202/22]
View answer
David Stanton
Question:118. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered supports to encourage the switching from oil to gas for heating purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60363/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 118 together.
The SEAI National Heat Study is a comprehensive analysis of the options for reaching net zero emissions from the heating sector by 2050 and is informing policy to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050. It considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwelling and business types, including the use of liquid biofuels, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies, such as heat pumps and district heating networks. The recommendation of the Study is that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for domestic heating systems, with district heating also being a competitive option that can be widely deployed
The Study finds that bioliquids are not a cost-effective option for heat in any sector in any of the scenarios that were considered. Liquid renewable fuels may be best used in transport systems that are more difficult to decarbonise and their use should be incentivised in the transport energy market.
The Government, earlier this year, introduced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with heat pump. Homes that take a step-by-step approach can avail of grants of up to €6,500 for the replacement of fossil fuelled boilers with heat pumps. Heat pumps are extremely efficient and very economical to run offering lower energy costs to homeowners as well as reduced carbon emissions. Full details on the range of SEAI supports available can be found at www.seai.ie.
A District Heating Steering Group has also been established to examine the issues around the structures necessary for the development of the sector and the Group is developing recommendations on the steps necessary to support a structured, nationally consistent approach to the development of district heating.
Energy Policy
Questions (110)
Seán Sherlock
Question:110. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if enabling legislation will be required to implement the provisions of Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 including the temporary solidarity contribution on fossil fuel production and refining; if any analysis has been carried out on the impact of such a levy on strategically important facilities for Ireland’s energy security such as a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60213/22]
View answerWritten answers
Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices came into force in October 2022. This Regulation seeks to address windfall gains in the energy sector through measures, including a temporary solidarity contribution based on increases in taxable profits in the fossil fuel production and oil refining sector.
On 22 November, the Government decided that the temporary solidarity contribution will apply for 2022 and 2023, taxable profits which are more than 20% above the baseline period from 2018 to 2021 will be subject to a rate of 75%, and losses from previous years will not be taken into account in the calculation of the taxable profits.
Legislation will be required to implement the temporary solidarity contribution of this Regulation. My Department is currently working with other Government Departments, agencies and relevant stakeholders on the development of this legislation. This work includes consideration of any potential impact on Ireland's energy security.
National Oil Reserves Agency
Questions (111)
Seán Sherlock
Question:111. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the National Oil Reserve Agency requires any conditionality on workers’ rights, terms and conditions when awarding contracts for the storage of oil; if it requires a permanent staffing presence at storage sites with sufficient maintenance and safety skills; if he is concerned at proposals to make permanent staff at Whiddy Island redundant; if he has met with an organisation (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60214/22]
View answerWritten answers
The subject matter of this question would appear to be an operational matter for the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) and not one on which I, as the Minister for Environment, Climate, & Communications, should be commenting. Accordingly I have referred the query to NORA for directly reply.
Electricity Supply Board
Questions (112)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:112. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in view of action 22.5 in the Housing for All Updated Action Plan published in November 2022 the action that he will take to address the ongoing ESB utilities delays for new builds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60245/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 the 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. The management of connection of domestic new builds to the electricity grid is a matter for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). ESB Networks are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions.The CRU and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in the question. In this instance, my Department has forwarded the query raised in the question to the ESB for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Environmental Policy
Questions (113)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:113. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether a ban on advertising and sponsorships by fossil fuel companies would be a good policy decision; and if not, the reason for same. [60275/22]
View answerWritten answers
While the new regulations on solid fuels for domestic heating purposes include restrictions on the sale of certain non-approved solid fuels, my remit does not extend to regulating the advertising of fossil fuels which can be legally placed on the Irish market such as petroleum products and natural gas.
Our reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and a low-carbon future and I support measures that reinforce and advance our transition away from reliance on fossil fuels, however I have no function regarding restricting advertising for fossil fuels in general.
Fuel Poverty
Questions (114)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:114. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is considering further support payments to households in order to assist in meeting increased fuel costs. [60322/22]
View answerWritten answers
Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increase in global energy prices is having on households. That is why through 2022 Government introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account, including Pay As You Go accounts, 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. This Scheme uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN), to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account are made without means testing. The estimated cost of this measure is €1.211 billion. Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including:· €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients, bringing the total Fuel Allowance payment over winter 2022/3 to €1324· €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 paymentUnder its legal mandate, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for implementing customer protection measures for electricity and gas customers. The CRU has required suppliers to operate strengthened protection measures this winter will provide, which include extended moratoriums on disconnections, extended repayment periods for customers in debt and reduced debt burdens on Pay-as-You-Go customers.The new Energy Poverty Action Plan, which is currently being finalised, will set out the range of measures being implemented this winter, as well as longer-term measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected. The development and implementation of the new Action Plan is being overseen by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
The impact of this package of income support, social protection and consumer protection measures, now being implemented, will be closely monitored to inform ongoing policy action to support people to meet their energy costs.
Fuel Poverty
Questions (115, 120)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:115. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to allowing households transfer the €200 electricity credit payment onto their fuel accounts in order to assist in meeting fuel costs. [60323/22]
View answer
Colm Burke
Question:120. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to allowing the €200 electricity credits to be used towards a person's gas bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60477/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 120 together.
Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increase in global energy prices is having on households. That is why throughout 2022 Government introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This 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.
This scheme is operated by ESB Networks (the electricity Distribution System Operator) and electricity suppliers and uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN). It is this use of the electricity billing infrastructure that ensures payments to each domestic electricity account are made automatically and without any means testing. The payment is not being applied to domestic gas accounts on the basis that it is intended to be a universal support to help everyone meet the cost of energy. Not all consumers use gas but electricity is supplied to all households. Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also included a package of cost of living measures including:· €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients bringing the Allowance for winter 2022/23 to €1,324· €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
Energy Conservation
Questions (116)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:116. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a person (details supplied) was ruled ineligible for the warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60330/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department funds a number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications under SEAI schemes is an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. 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.
Energy Conservation
Questions (117)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:117. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that a person (details supplied) can take in respect of works carried out under the better energy warmer schemes that negatively affected the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60331/22]
View answerWritten answers
The administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI and I as Minister, have no function with regard to individual grant applications. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries such as this from Oireachtas members so that important queries such as this can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. I would urge the Deputy to pursue this matter directly with SEAI through following dedicated email address - oireachtas@seai.ie. My officials have also made contact with SEAI to alert it to this case.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 109.
Fuel Poverty
Questions (119)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:119. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in order to expedite a grant for a person (details supplied) considering the difficult circumstances that they find themselves in without heating and no boiler; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60417/22]
View answerWritten answers
The administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI and I as Minister, have no function with regard to individual grant applications. The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries such as this from Oireachtas members so that important queries such as this can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. I would urge the Deputy to pursue this matter directly with SEAI through following dedicated email address is oireachtas@seai.ie. My Department will also alert SEAI to this matter.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 115.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (121)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:121. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress or otherwise in the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60485/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Cyber Security Strategy, published in 2019, is a five-year whole of government strategy aimed at enhancing the security and resilience of Government systems and critical national infrastructure. The Strategy sets out a range of collaborative measures to enhance the cyber security and resilience of public bodies, providers of essential services, businesses, and households, to support the continued development of the cyber security industry and research community, and to ensure Ireland plays an active role in the international discussions on the security and stability of a free and open cyberspace.
I can report that good progress has been made in meeting the objectives of the strategy and in the completion of key actions to date. Of particular note is progress in the areas of: the Sensor Programme, a network across the systems of public bodies and other relevant constituents that has increased the ability of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to actively detect and defeat cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure and critical networks; the Cyber Security Baseline Standards for Public Sector Bodies, published by the NCSC, which provides organisation’s a practical tool to gauge their cyber security preparedness; the Pilot Junior Cycle Cyber Security Education Short Course, which has been recognised by participating schools as a helpful tool to promote awareness of cyber risks among pupils; and the participation in the annual European Cyber Security Month campaign, the joint efforts of the NCSC and the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau has delivered successful public awareness campaigns as part of the European Cyber Security Month in October of this year.
At its publication in 2019, the Government indicated its intention to review the Strategy at its mid-point to assess progress and consider new initiatives to ensure delivery across all the measures outlined therein. In 2021, a Capacity Review of the NCSC conducted by external consultants also recommended that the Strategy be reviewed in recognition of the changed global cyber threat landscape and evolution of the EU legislative framework.
This Mid-Term Review (MTR) is currently underway. The MTR consultation paper will be published shortly, inviting feedback and submissions from stakeholders and members of the public. This will be followed by several facilitated consultative webinars with relevant stakeholder groups. The MTR consultation paper provides a brief account of progress to date in delivering the measures under the 2019 Strategy and possible future measures for the remaining years of the Strategy.
A draft review will be submitted to Government at the conclusion of the Mid-Term Review consultative process.
Recycling Policy
Questions (122)
Emer Higgins
Question:122. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the exclusion of glass bottles in the recently announced deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60562/22]
View answerWritten answers
The separate collection and recycling of glass bottles is a model well established in Ireland with recycling rates already above EU targets. The regulations that underpin our Deposit and Return Scheme provide that other materials, such as glass, may be considered for inclusion in the DRS, if necessary, when the scheme is fully established.
Energy Usage
Questions (123)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:123. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new smart meters that have had to be replaced due to being faulty since the beginning of the programme; the number of customers that have been charged €400 for requesting a meter check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60563/22]
View answerWritten answers
The National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) who also have responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets, as set out under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act. The CRU is an independent Regulator accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas and not me as Minister.
ESB Networks (ESBN), the electricity Distribution System Operator, is delivering the electricity meter rollout under the oversight of the CRU. This involves the installation of over 2.4 million smart meters by end of 2024. However, my Department has been in contact with ESBN and has been informed that as of 30 November, ESB Networks has installed 1,063,817 smart meters across the country. Moreover, to date 1,222 smart meters have been replaced due to fault reasons. This amounts to approximately 0.1% of the total number of smart meters installed. The reason for their replacement includes physical damage, internal electronic failures or mains electrical faults. One smart meter customer has been charged with regard to a meter check where a charge of €241 was made.
The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters directly with CRU and to seek ongoing operational updates on issues, such as the one raised here, at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
Energy Conservation
Questions (124)
Emer Higgins
Question:124. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if extenuating priority consideration can be given to applicants for the one stop shop full grant house BER improvement scheme in cases in which a person is terminally ill and requires their home to be made warmer and more comfortable for health reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60588/22]
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My Department funds a number of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme aims to provide free upgrades to homeowners on lower incomes who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. The administration and management of applications under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes is an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications.
Applications for the scheme that meet the eligibility criteria are dealt with in the order in which they are received but targets the worst performing homes by prioritising homes that were built and occupied before 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G. Health status is not part of the eligibility criteria under the scheme.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that there are other grants and schemes available from Government that could assist homeowners if there is an urgent need. These include the Department of Social Protection (DSP) Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices and the grants funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support housing adaptation and upgrade for older persons and people with a disability.
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.