Written Answers Nos. 136-155
136. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of foreign work permit applications applied for and granted in 2022 for workers in various companies in Limerick city and county, in tabular form. [10689/23]
View answerThe table below gives details of the total number of Employment Permit applications that issued, the number that were refused and the number that were withdrawn, in respect of Non-EEA nationals for employment in companies in Limerick city and county in 2022.
|
Year 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Limerick |
Issued |
Refused |
Withdrawn |
Total |
|
|
1,525 |
190 |
105 |
1,820 |
137. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeframe for the roll-out of at least 30 mb broadband speeds to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the national broadband plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage shall be prioritised during the roll-out phase as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10603/23]
View answerStrategic Connection Points (SCPs) are a key element of the National Broadband Plan providing high-speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 17 February 2023, 864 SCP sites (282 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 582 schools) have been installed 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 Donegal all 12 publicly accessible BCPs have been installed. Further details can be found at: nbi.ie/bcp-map/
In County Donegal 38 schools have been installed to date for educational access. NBI advise that the necessary infrastructure for high-speed broadband has been installed at the school in question and the Department of Education advise that the high-speed broadband connection to this school is scheduled to be provided by mid April 2023.
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/
Further details are available on specific areas within County Donegal 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 have created 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: nbi.ie/reps
138. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10605/23]
View answerThe Question refers to a new build premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
All new build premises in the State Intervention Area are covered under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) Project Agreement.
NBI identify new premises via Geo-directory Updates which are added to the NBP Intervention Area on a quarterly basis. NBI then undertake an assessment of the new premises and determine what is required for them to be connected to the NBI network in the area. Depending on the outcome of that assessment process the premises may be part of a future planned build programme, or there may be additional work required to connect the property to the network if the network build has already begun. The assessment will determine the date for final connection.
Further details are available 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 have created 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: nbi.ie/reps
139. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/23]
View answerThe High-Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas 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. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website, www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention so the premises is included in the NBP. I can confirm that the neighbours premises referred to in the question is also in the AMBER area. Commercial operators such as eir, Vodafone or SIRO are also serving homes in the area. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot obtain a connection to that network. The NBP will ensure that over one million homes, which previously could not access high-speed broadband will be able to do so.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 17 February 2023, over 129,400 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 118,600 premises passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. NBI has advised that 2,506 premises in County Kildare are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection. As of 31st January 847 premises are now connected in County Kildare.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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.
Each DA creates a ‘fibre ring’ which is essential to ensure reliability, robustness and resilience. Critical to the success of the network, NBI’s fibre rings are built with back-ups, ensuring that in the event of one fibre cable being disrupted, the whole network continues to perform, protecting customer experience. Each fibre ring that NBI deploys is designed in a way that is non-discriminatory, meaning that as the rollout progresses, it may pass relatively urban areas at the same time as passing some of the most remote premises within the intervention area. The design utilises existing infrastructure to a very significant degree.
The NBP network build that started in 2020 is scheduled to be completed by 2026. NBI advise that the premises referred to in this question is at a status of ‘Pending Survey’.
Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local condition. Further steps are then required prior to fibre build and connections including:
- Survey results fed back to NBI’s design teams who then develop detailed designs for each of the 227 Deployment Areas for submission to the Department for “Approval to Proceed” with fibre build;
- Repair/activities (“Make Ready”) carried out to ensure existing infrastructure is sufficiently prepared to pass the premises with fibre;
- Installation of and connection to electronic equipment in each Local Exchange building;
- Laying of the physical fibre along the poles and ducts;
- Fibre build quality checks, network testing and handover within NBI;
- Upload of specific fibre build details by premises to computer systems within NBI, enabling retail service providers to make connection orders visible on their respective systems which in turn allows premises’ owners to place orders.
- On completion of network build works customers can then place an order and request a connection to be scheduled with the retail service provider of choice.
NBI have created a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: nbi.ie/reps
140. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason local authorities can no longer install CCTV cameras in the vicinity of bottle banks and other waste collection locations; the measures he proposes to allow such monitoring to recommence; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10613/23]
View answerIn 2020 the Data Protection Commission (DPC) contacted my Department to outline their concerns over the legal basis for the use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras by local authorities in the enforcement of both waste and litter legislation and in particular the data processing element of such usage.
On foot of these concerns, I provided for amendments to the Litter Pollution and Waste Management Acts, through the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022. Sections 22 & 33 of the 2022 Act require that the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) prepare and submit to me in my role as Minister for approval, draft codes of practice for the purpose of setting standards for the operation of CCTV and other mobile recording devices in order to deter environmental pollution and to facilitate the prevention, detection, and prosecution of littering (Section 33) and illegal dumping (Section 22) offences.
Codes of Practice will be submitted by the LGMA for approval by me as soon as practicable. Once approved, local authorities will be enabled to put in place both litter and waste enforcement measures involving the GDPR-compliant use of technologies such as CCTV.
141. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 29 November 2022, if he is aware that the Residential Tenancies Board has advised that disputes relating to electricity credit payments fall outside the remit of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10623/23]
View answerThe Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has 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) is being 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 is applied to domestic electricity accounts 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). This includes accounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application.
ESB networks, the electricity distribution system operator operates the scheme by virtue of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESBN makes payments to the individual energy suppliers, who then credit individual domestic electricity accounts. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is charged with oversight of the scheme.
While I am advised by the Department of Housing, Heritage & Local Government that the majority of residential tenants have their own MPRNs, and therefore receive the payment 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. With the establishment of the first Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, my Department worked with the Department of Housing, Heritage & Local Government and the Residential Tenancies Board to make people aware of the RTB mediation services available to tenants in the event landlords did not pass on the payment to tenants in these situations. The RTB has reported that contacts with them on this matter have been extremely low.
142. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his Department's engagement with National Broadband Ireland on identifying and including in the national roll-out new-build premises that have been constructed in, or adjacent to, areas where the NBI network has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10630/23]
View answerAll new build premises in the State Intervention Area are covered under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) Project Agreement.
NBI identify new premises via Geo-directory Updates which are added to the NBP Intervention Area on a quarterly basis. NBI then undertake an assessment of the new premises and determine what is required for them to be connected to the NBI network in the area. Depending on the outcome of that assessment process the premises may be part of a future planned build programme, or there may be additional work required to connect the property to the network if the network build has already begun. The assessment will determine the date for final connection.
Further details are available 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 have created 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: nbi.ie/reps
143. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has assessed the impact on 2023 GHG emissions, and climate measures uptake, of the ongoing delay in publication to date of the Annex of Actions for the Climate Action Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10642/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), which was published on 21 December 2022, sets out the policies, measures and actions needed to keep Ireland within our economy-wide carbon budgets and on the pathway to a carbon neutral economy by no later than 2050. CAP23 contains specific actions that are to be undertaken in support of achieving our climate action goals and emissions reduction targets.
The Annex of Actions is a supplementary document to CAP23 and was prepared via cross-Department engagement. All high-level actions to be undertaken in 2023 are already included in CAP23 which has been approved by Government and is publicly available. Therefore, while the Annex supports the reporting and implementation of the actions in CAP23, the uptake of the actions is not directly affected by its date of publication.
The Annex provides additional detail relating to the delivery and implementation of the actions set out in CAP23, including steps required for delivery, the corresponding outputs, lead Departments and Agencies, as well as the timelines for delivery.
It is expected that the Annex will be brought to Government for approval in early March.
144. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his intention to launch a public consultation on direct lines and private wires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10714/23]
View answerPublishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of private wires is a priority for my Department. Work on this policy area is ongoing within my Department with my officials engaging directly in recent months with interested stakeholders as part of the consultation formulation process.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 includes a commitment to hold a public consultation and to develop a policy on ‘private wires’. It is intended that the consultation paper on 'private wires' be published in Q1 of this year.
145. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to publish Ireland's National Hydrogen Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10715/23]
View answer151. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to the zoning of land for electrolyser facilities in the context of renewable hydrogen production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10721/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 151 together.
Hydrogen provides us with an incredible opportunity in Ireland. It provides the potential for long duration energy storage, dispatchable renewable electricity, the opportunity to decarbonise some parts of high temperature processing and a potential export market opportunity, given Ireland's offshore renewable potential. Last year, the Government agreed the Sectoral Emission Ceilings. As part of this, we agreed an additional 2GW offshore wind to be allocated for the production of green hydrogen. Hydrogen and decarbonised gases should be a critical component of Ireland’s energy ecosystem and decarbonisation pathway.
A hydrogen strategy for Ireland is being developed, with an anticipated completion timeline of Q2 2023. This strategy will set out the need for a robust safety and regulatory framework to be in place, as well as the need to ensure licensing and permitting procedures are in place to enable sustainable indigenously produced green hydrogen supply chains to develop.
146. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding streams that are available to developers who wish to construct renewable energy infrastructure in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10716/23]
View answer150. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline Government policy in respect of onshore wind; if an onshore wind strategy exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10720/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 150 together.
In Climate Action Plan 2023, Government set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help Ireland meet that target.
The first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 1) was held in 2020 and as a result of that pathway being provided for renewable developers, 2022 was a record year for the connection of renewable electricity capacity to the grid. More RESS 1 projects are expected to connect to the grid throughout 2023.
The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held in 2022, with the successful projects in that auction representing a nearly 20% increase on current renewable electricity generation capacity. Projects from RESS 2 will start to connect to the grid between the end of this year and 2025.
Officials in my Department are currently working on progressing the next two RESS auctions, RESS 3 for onshore renewables, and ORESS 1 (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) for offshore wind, with both expected to be held later this year.
147. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of RePowerEU funding availed of by Ireland since its inception in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10717/23]
View answerThe REPowerEU plan, which was published by the European Commission in May 2022, sets out a range of actions that can be taken at EU and Member State level.
In order to support the delivery of the REPowerEU plan, additional funding is to be provided via the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. The level of funding that will be provided to Ireland is expected to be circa €90m. There was no opportunity in 2022 for Ireland avail of this funding as the relevant EU legislation had not been enacted. Ireland will be able to avail of EU funding for REPowerEU through the addition of a new chapter to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The preparation of this chapter is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with input from my Department and other relevant departments.
148. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to report on the review of Ireland's security of supply of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10718/23]
View answerThe consultation on the review of the security of energy supply for Ireland electricity and gas systems was published on 19 September 2022 and the deadline for responses was 28 October. My Department received over 450 consultation responses from a broad range of stakeholders and these responses are providing valuable insights into the views of stakeholders which will assist in informing the energy security of supply review. The completion of the review is a priority and once complete, I will bring my recommendations to Government for consideration.
149. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his personal views on wave power in Ireland; if a policy around this type of renewable energy exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10719/23]
View answerThe Government is delivering on our climate and energy ambitions for offshore renewable energy through a number of phased developments. The draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II (OREDP II) is Ireland’s new national spatial strategy for our offshore renewable energy future. Public consultation opened on the draft plan on Friday 24 February and will run until 20 April 2023. The OREDP II is one of the key building blocks for delivering on the long-term enduring regime for offshore renewable energy, which encompasses the Government ambition to develop 2GW floating energy for green hydrogen and at least 30GW floating energy beyond 2030. The enduring regime is the long-term vision for how the State will develop on our significant renewable energy potential to deliver benefits for all.
The OREDP II sets out what we know about our maritime space at a national level and proposes an approach to identifying the best locations for renewable energy technologies. It has updated the assessment of the potential we have for wind, wave and tidal technologies and it has assessed other factors important in determining optimal locations for offshore renewable energy.
Wave energy technologies are currently at the pre-commercial and demonstration phase. There is yet to be consolidation in wave energy conversion technologies, with many different solutions being pursued in the market. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is commencing work on behalf of my Department on Technology Roadmap Assessments which will inform future updates to the OREDP and development of policy for wave technology.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers a number of supports to the wave and tidal energy industries, including a joint SEAI-UCC industry access programme that provides fully-funded access to the UCC MaREI Lir National Ocean Test Facility, in addition to running calls for Research Development and Demonstration Funding.
152. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether new battery storage projects are required to participate in and apply to the renewable electricity support scheme to ensure community participation in energy projects with a mandatory community benefit fund to be used for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10738/23]
View answerElectricity storage plays a critical role in providing flexibility to the Irish electricity system and helping to increase the volume of renewable energy on the grid. The second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 2) recognised the important role of electricity storage in delivering renewable targets and introduced, for the first time, the option for developers to couple renewable electricity generation with storage facilities on their project site. Supported technologies within RESS 2 included onshore wind, solar and hybrids (co-located wind and storage, or co-located solar and storage). A number of such hybrid projects were successful in the RESS 2 auction and Government will continue to support hybrid projects in this manner. All projects contracted in the RESS are required to make contributions of €2/MWh to a community benefit fund. However, standalone storage projects, such as batteries, are not eligible for support under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) if they are not part of a hybrid project. As such, they are not required to participate in RESS.
153. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10743/23]
View answerIn order to reduce the carbon footprint of domestic heating, the National Heat Study, published in February 2022, found that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for domestic heating systems, with district heating also identified as a competitive option that can be widely deployed. These approaches are being actively prioritised by Government.
To facilitate the use of these technologies in the decarbonisation and overall energy use needs of our building stock, the Government has established a Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce and will publish a new National Policy Statement on Heat to guide the Government’s overall response to the National Heat Study across all sectors.
While, as Minister, I have no function in the setting of retail prices for wood pellets, we will continue to examine the need for policies to increase the use of wood and wood products in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The Government’s vision for the bioeconomy is to grow Ireland’s ambition to be a global leader through a coordinated approach that harnesses Ireland’s natural resources and competitive advantage, and that fully develops the opportunities available, while monitoring and avoiding unintended consequences. A Bioeconomy Action Plan is currently under development and will be published in the coming months, representing a key step in achieving the vision outlined in the National Policy Statement on the Bioeconomy. Our Climate Action Plan has acknowledged the need for the solid biomass resource capacity to double in the next decade, along with the need to support the mobilisation of timber for utilisation in, among other areas, the biomass sector.
154. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether it is the view of the Government and his Department that the obligations created by section 6A(5) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 have been fully discharged (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10760/23]
View answerIreland's first carbon budget programme came into effect on 6 April 2022 following a consultation and review process provided for under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 - 2021. This included a review by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Climate Action, and a public consultation undertaken by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications also consulted with his Ministerial colleagues, seeking their observations on the Climate Change Advisory Council’s first proposed carbon budget programme. The carbon budget programme was then agreed by Government and approved by each House of the Oireachtas.
Section 6A(5) of the Act provides: “The first two carbon budgets proposed by the Advisory Council shall provide for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions such that the total amount of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the year ending on 31 December 2030 is 51 per cent less than the annual greenhouse gas emissions reported for the year ending on 31 December 2018, as set out in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Agency.”
The obligations under Section 6A(5) are fully met and the first two carbon budgets proposed by the Advisory Council provided for the reduction of 51% by the end of 2030 from the annual greenhouse as emissions reported for the year ending 31 December 2018.
155. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of supports for businesses and enterprise under his Department; the funding breakdown for same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/23]
View answerMy Department, supports a number of schemes which provide various supports to business and enterprises, which can assist the sectors (including SMEs) in increasing their energy efficiency and lowering their carbon emissions.
A summary of the existing support schemes is set out in the table below.
There are a broader range of enterprise supports (funded from a variety of sources) available to assist businesses. Further information on the broader supports can be found on the “Climate Toolkit for Business” website: www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/
|
Scheme/Grant |
Description |
Cost |
|
Community Energy Grant |
Grant support for cross-sectoral energy projects, including homes and non-domestic applicants. Typically 60% of funding is for the non-domestic sector. |
€68,000,000 |
|
National Just Transition Fund |
Support for communities in the Midlands transitioning to a low carbon economy. The focus is on retraining workers and generating sustainable employment in green enterprise across the region. |
€418,000 |
|
Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) |
Supports SMEs (€2,000 voucher) to carry out professional energy audits, thus encouraging implementation of energy saving measures identified. |
€2,180,000 |
|
Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) |
SEAI assists the companies on energy improvements. Best practice guidance is shared among LIEN members on how to manage energy performance. |
€717,000 |
|
Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) |
A certified program for a systematic energy efficient approach to design, construction, and commissioning new investments and upgrades at the earliest stages of the business lifecycle. |
€7,500,000 |
|
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) |
A grant (of up to 30%) to support investment in renewable heating systems using heat pumps.An operational support tariff over 15 years for new installations or installations that currently use a fossil fuel heating system and convert to using biomass or anaerobic digestion heating systems. |
€3,940,000 |
|
Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme |
Provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to a maximum of €2,400 for installations of up to 6kWp. |
€2,200,000 |
|
Energy Academy |
Online resource -access to high quality energy training |
€100,000 |
|
Energy Contracting Support Scheme (ECSS) |
The scheme provides financial assistance to help businesses and public sector organisations to deliver energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects through Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), Local Energy Supply Contracts (LESCs) and Energy Performance Guarantees (EPGs). |
€300,000 |
|
The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) |
The purpose of this grants scheme is to provide support to projects which work in the Circular Economy space, with the aim of advancing the Circular Economy in Ireland and raising awareness of the need to transition to a Circular Economy. |
€650,000 |
