Tuesday, 18 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 167-186

Energy Conservation

Questions (167)

Bríd Smith

Question:

167. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of homes that had retrofit work undertaken supported by SEAI grants under the various schemes operated, in each of the years 2015 to 2022, and to date in 2023; the number of homes that as result of SEAI support reached a B2 BER in this period, in relation to recent figures which show over 27,000 homes retrofitted in 2022; and the energy rating achieved in those homes which did not reach the B2 rating, in tabular form. [16082/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.

The Plan is designed to address barriers to retrofit across four key areas: driving demand and activity; financing and funding; supply chain, skills and standards; and governance. In line with commitments in the Plan, last year, the Government approved a package of significantly enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, which included:

• A new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard.

• Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.

• A significant increase in the number of free energy upgrades provided to those at risk of energy poverty alongside changes to the operation of the Warmer Homes Scheme. This includes ensuring the Scheme prioritises those in the worst performing homes first and opening the Scheme for homeowner ‘revisits’ thereby allowing them apply for deeper energy upgrade measures now available under the scheme.

• A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation introduced for all households.

In the period from 2015 to the end of March 2023, the SEAI supported over 182,000 home energy upgrades, of which almost 24,400 were to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light. It is important to note that homes that do not achieve a BER of B2 will still help Ireland to meet its emissions reductions targets for the residential sector. That is why the target is the equivalent (in carbon terms) of 500,000 homes to a BER B2.

The figures show year-on-year increases of homeowners upgrading their homes to a BER B2 or better, including, more recently, through the services provided by the One Stop Shops under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme. However, Government recognise that many households are also carrying out energy upgrades on their homes in a stepwise approach which is bringing them through a pathway towards a B2 home. For this reason, the grants available for relevant measures under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme have been aligned to the rates available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.

My Department is working with SEAI to build the required capacity to deliver, on average, approximately 75,000 B2-equivalent home upgrades per year from 2026 to 2030 to achieve the overall target of 500,000 by 2030. A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community schemes for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 energy upgrades this year.

A detailed overview of the SEAI 2022 performance against annual targets on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes can be found in their recently published report, which can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/news-and-media/home-energy-upgrades-2022/.

The data available to, and provided by, SEAI, in relation to the information sought by the Deputy is provided in the attached table.

SEAI

Broadband Infrastructure

Questions (168)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

168. Deputy Mairéad Farrell 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 County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16096/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 and which came into effect in January 2020, 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 NBI that, as of 31st March, 119,231 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 33,354 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has advised that over 13,900 premises in County Galway are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 4,094 premises connected.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Galway can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide 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. NBI has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 31st March, 882 SCP sites 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 Galway all 21 BCPs have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.

In County Galway 52 schools have been installed 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 (169)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

169. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the financial support available for community organisations, such as charities and community centres, to get an energy audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department funds a broad range of energy supports administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) that are widely available to support businesses and organisations across the private and public sectors to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions.

The Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA), administered by SEAI, provides support to carry out energy audits thereby encouraging organisations to implement the energy saving measures identified. It is open to all public and private sector organisations that have an annual energy expenditure of €10,000 or more and which are not already required to carry out an energy audit under the Energy Efficiency Directive.

The budget for the scheme in 2022 was originally €600,000 however, in response to significant demand, additional funding was made available and €1.75m was paid out in 2022. While the budget for 2023 has increased to €2m. The budget will be kept under active review.

In addition, SEAI administers a Community Energy Grant Scheme, which provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings and facilities, including the installation of insulation, heat pump systems, replacement windows/doors, solar Photo-Voltaic technology, as well as other energy upgrades. The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.

A number of other SEAI grant schemes may also be of interest to community organisations:

• The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) provides financial support in the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users.

• The EXEED Certified grant scheme supports organisations with the costs of embedding energy efficient design in their assets, to reduce life cycle impact with lower energy use and carbon emissions.

• Energy Academy is an online learning platform for business to help them reduce their energy costs.

• Accelerated Capital Allowance is a tax incentive encouraging investment in energy saving products.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (170)

Patrick Costello

Question:

170. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the report by the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Agriculture and the Solar Industry has made a recommendation that the planned consultation on direct lines is released as a matter of priority; if the consultation paper will be released by the end of Q4 2023, as promised in Climate Action Plan 2023; the reason it will not be delivered by Q1 of 2023 as originally promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16347/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I note the recent report of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Solar Energy and the Agriculture Industry, and its recommendations as they relate to Direct Lines. As the Deputy will be aware Direct Lines are currently allowed for in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended.

Climate Action Plan 2023 includes a commitment to carry out a public consultation on Private Wires and a deadline for publication of Q4 2023 has been set. Private wires are an issue that is of interest and importance to many stakeholders, and I note the engagement of the Committee with stakeholders on this matter. The consultation on Private Wires is broader than Direct Lines and as such detailed consideration must go into formulating the consultation in order to ensure that all aspects of the policy area are considered.

Publishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of Private Wires is a priority for me. 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.

My officials look forward to their continued engagement with interested stakeholders as they continue to develop this important policy area.

Broadband Infrastructure

Questions (171)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how it is possible for him to lay down, as a condition of providing broadband services, under the EU regulatory regime wherein telecommunication services are commercial, liberalised and competitive, that a uniform charge is charged for broadband services by each company across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16407/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.

The pricing levels set by telecommunication services providers, including for mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for those relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.

Issues of concern to a consumer should be raised directly with the service provider and following that, may be raised with ComReg who may be contacted via www.comreg.ie or their consumer care hotline at: [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Departmental Schemes

Questions (172, 173)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

172. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has plans to apply the energy credit to gas customers where the full credit amount is not used for electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16452/23]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

173. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has plans to retrospectively apply the energy credit to customers which use gas primarily for heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16453/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

The Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme is a central element of Government support for households in response to the unprecedented increase in energy costs. The payment is not being applied to domestic gas accounts on the basis that it is a universal support to help everyone meet the cost of energy. Not all consumers use gas, but electricity is supplied to all households.

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices has had on households and has prioritised action across Government to support people to stay warm and well through this winter. 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 included an 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). The first two payments have already been made to accounts and the third is currently being credited by suppliers to accounts for the March/April billing cycle. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.

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. On this basis each payment has reached over 2.1 million accounts, representing well over 90% of eligible accounts.

Any customer that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, including customers on a Pay As You Go meter who have a need for financial assistance to facilitate their continued energy supply. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses.

On the 13th of December, Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan, which provides for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023, including people on PAYG meters. The fund will provide a further safeguard in addition to the supports from suppliers and the Additional Needs Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is also available to provide budgeting advice and advocacy support.

On the 21st of February Government announced a further €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients from April to July and an extension to the reduced VAT rate on electricity and gas bills until October.

Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 172.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (174)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

174. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the recently released 2023 report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which calls for emissions to be reduced by half by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16455/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I welcome the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC’s) Sixth Assessment (AR6) Synthesis Report on Climate Change which brings together the latest climate science with a clear overarching message that we must do more and we must do it now.

The report confirms that, with global warming having already reached 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, climate change is causing widespread and increasingly irreversible losses and damages. However the IPCC have demonstrated that there are options for all sectors to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and the increased use of renewable energy, improved energy efficiency and fuel switching has reduced global carbon dioxide emissions.

The report underlines the importance of the Government’s commitment to rapidly scaling up Ireland’s efforts to decarbonise. Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out our response as a country to the climate crisis with the objective of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050.

However, effective international cooperation remains critical to reduce overall emissions and to restrict global warming. Ireland has committed to more than double our climate finance contribution to developing countries to €225 million a year by 2025 and has provided almost €100 million in 2021, the highest amount of climate finance provided by Ireland to date.

I look forward to working with our international partners, including at the next annual UN climate conference (COP28) in Dubai later this year. COP28 offers the opportunity to present concrete actions and solutions informed by the latest science from the IPCC to raise ambition and drive implementation by overcoming barriers to societal support and action.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (175)

Robert Troy

Question:

175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to stop the decline of trout and other fish stock in the River Inny, which has been hurt by recreational fishing and slowed the fishing tourism business along the river. [16458/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The River Inny is within the Shannon catchment and, therefore, is in the ownership of ESB. I refer the Deputy to the response to Question No 187 of 21 March last.

I am advised that the Inny is a renowned coarse fish river and that there are also significant brown trout fishing opportunities on the river.

Response to PQ No 187 of 21 March

Fisheries on the Shannon are in the ownership of ESB and details of their engagement in stocking of fish into the river and other measures is available directly from ESB.

There are significant brown trout and coarse fishing opportunities on the River Shannon, and its lakes and tributaries, for anglers to avail of.

I recently enacted the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Regulations for 2023 which set out inter alia, the status of each of Ireland‘s more than 140 salmon rivers including both the Upper and Lower Shannon. These regulations are based on the annual management advice of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) supported by independent annual scientific assessments by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) on the basis that each river has a genetically unique salmon stock.

The TEGOS assessment for 2023 indicates the River Shannon Upper (above Parteen) is below its Conservation Limit and is therefore closed for harvesting whereas the Lower Shannon is open for Catch and Release angling.

IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is [e-mail].

Energy Policy

Questions (176)

Robert Troy

Question:

176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the competition that is present in the electricity market in Ireland; the components the ESB still has full control over; and his views on whether the current set-up of the electricity provision system is the best suited to encouraging robust competition in the market. [16540/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Departmental Staff

Questions (177)

Denis Naughten

Question:

177. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16558/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

There are currently 5 staff from the Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels.

Four of these are on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs and are serving in attaché posts with responsibility for a specific area in the Permanent Representation to the European Union. The attaché posts are as follows: Telecommunications, Energy, Environment and Climate.

In addition, one employee is on secondment to the European Commission as a Seconded National Expert for Environment.

On the 23 June 2016 the Department had two staff based in Brussels on secondment to the Permanent Representation to the European Union as attachés. These attaché posts were for Communications and Energy.

There are no current posts and responsibilities associated with working with the European Union in Brussels on behalf of my Department which are vacant. However, an additional post is to be created later in 2023 in relation to Cybersecurity, for which a candidate has been selected.

Waste Management

Questions (178)

Gerald Nash

Question:

178. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide clarity and a timeframe with respect to when the issue of stabilised residual waste fines, which are going to landfill levy-free, will be dealt with; when the working group which has been tasked with examining the impact of the landfill levy exemption for stabilised waste will report on their findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16590/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) sets out a commitment to analyse the impact of the landfill levy exemption for bio-waste and whether it should be removed. A working group is currently examining this commitment and a full review of all landfill levy exemptions, including stabilised waste fines, is currently under way.

It is anticipated the group will report on their findings later in 2023.

Fuel Quality

Questions (179, 180, 181)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

179. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action being taken to curtail the importation and distribution of coal that does not meet the State’s environmental standards, from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16598/23]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

180. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the importation and distribution of coal that does not meet the State’s environmental standards, from Northern Ireland, is being monitored by his Department; if he is aware of the impact said importation and distribution is having on the business of legitimate fuel distributors in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16599/23]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

181. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s plans to provide local authorities with additional and improved supports/facilities with regards their enforcement of the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16600/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 181, inclusive, together.

Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the solid fuel regulations, identifying unauthorised fuels placed on the market and taking measures to counteract any illegal trade. They are also responsible for the allocation of appropriate resources to ensure that they can fulfil their air quality enforcement obligations. It is at the discretion of each Local Authority to decide its own priorities and to allocate staff and resources accordingly. Funding of such services would generally be met from the Exchequer and Local Authority own resources.

The enforcement responsibilities of Local Authorities include monitoring and taking appropriate enforcement action against imports of unapproved solid fuels from other jurisdictions. I am conscious of the impact any such imports have on legitimate solid fuel suppliers within the State.

To address this and other enforcement matters, my Department and the Local Government Management Agency are continuing to work together to establish an enhanced enforcement support structure. This structure will support the provision of improved co-ordination, expertise, and advice to support consistent implementation of air quality legislation across the country. It will also facilitate co-ordinated, intelligence-led enforcement activities with other authorities such as An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners.

In the interim, my Department is also continuing to engage with enforcement personnel on the ground, developing guidance and training, and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities.

I also made grant funding available in 2022 to support Local Authorities through a pilot solid fuels enforcement scheme to support innovation and enhanced enforcement of the new solid fuel regulations. The Local Authorities involved have reported on the outcomes of their pilot enforcement schemes.

Given the success of this initiative I am making a further €500,000 available to Local Authorities for further enforcement projects to be undertaken this year. My Department will continue to work with the sector into the future to provide further co-ordination and support as appropriate.

Additional funding will also be made available to support the establishment of the new enforcement structure following its approval by the local authority sector.

Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 179.

Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 179.

Departmental Regulations

Questions (182)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

182. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of breaches of the new solid fuel regulations that have been identified since its commencement last year, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16601/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department does not compile or maintain statistics in relation to the levels of enforcement actions by Local Authorities under the Solid Fuels Regulations. Local Authorities report this information as part of their enforcement activities under environmental legislation to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an annual basis.

Details of Local Authority environmental enforcement are available from the series of Local Authority Environmental Performance Assessment reports compiled by the EPA. These reports can be accessed at www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/support-and-supervision-of-local-councils/la-performance/.

Further questions in this regard may be addressed directly to the EPA or to individual Local Authorities.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (183)

Thomas Gould

Question:

183. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are available for businesses to install solar or PV panels. [16645/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) extended grant support to the non-domestic section in September 2022, for installations up to and including 6KW. This includes small to medium-sized businesses, public organisations and community groups. Both grants are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and are up to a maximum of €2,400.

This new phase of the scheme provides an opportunity for a wide variety of businesses to reduce their electricity bills. Moreover, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises of these microgenerators is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment.

The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6KWp up to 50KWp. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff later in 2023.

The SEAI also administer the Community Energy Grant Scheme designed to encourage and support retrofit and energy efficiency upgrades in commercial, public (including schools), community and voluntary sector facilities. Renewable energy solutions including solar PV are also eligible, where included as part of a broader project. The CEG scheme is a key mechanism to bring together multiple partners (including service companies, obligated energy suppliers, Sustainable Energy Communities) to achieve national retrofit and energy efficiency objectives.

My department is also developing the Small-Scale Generation (SSG) scheme for generators above 50kW to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV in cohorts that are not as suited to other support measures, such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This scheme is expected to be launched in 2023.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (184)

Holly Cairns

Question:

184. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide his response to the recommended actions on cutting rates of pollution and reducing energy poverty contained in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16833/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

As part of the process to inform Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) a call for expert evidence was undertaken. The call sought evidence-based submissions from experts, research organisations and other groups that work in areas relating to climate, environment and energy. Under this call for evidence, a submission was received from the organisation referred to in the Question that was similar to the report cited. A senior representative from this organisation was also interviewed as part of broader 'Climate Conversation' process.

CAP23, which was published in December 2022, sets out a roadmap of actions for Ireland to achieve its climate and energy targets, while also meeting its legally binding emissions reduction commitments. CAP23 is supplemented by the Annex of Actions, which provides further detail on the actions.

With regard to energy poverty, the Energy Poverty Action Plan (EPAP) sets out the range of measures that have been implemented across Government to ensure that those most at risk of energy poverty are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes.

The implementation of the EPAP is being monitored by a cross-Departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.

Budget 2023 saw the highest ever allocation to support the achievement of our retrofit targets with the SEAI receiving over €500 million. In relation to SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV scheme, we are increasing Exchequer funding to €356 million, up from €255 million in 2022, with €291 million of this from carbon tax receipts. In addition, Government recently approved a zero rate of VAT for the supply and installation of solar panels for private dwellings from 1 May 2023.

15,500 retrofits were delivered in 2021, and over 27,000 were completed in 2022. This year the target is 37,000, which includes 6,000 free energy upgrades under the SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (185, 186, 187)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

185. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications plans to introduce a non-profit district heating scheme here; and his plans to transition existing schemes to a non-profit model. [16976/23]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

186. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department maintains regulations for the operation of district heating schemes; and, if not, his plans to introduce such regulations. [16977/23]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

187. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the programme of pilot feasibility studies in relation to the technical potential of moving communal heating schemes fuelled by natural gas to a renewable source. [16978/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together.

District heating schemes are large-scale systems that are supplied by one or several centralised or decentralised heat sources and serve multiple buildings and multiple customers. Group, or communal, heating schemes are smaller-scale systems that typically supply single buildings or complexes.

The Report of the District Heating Steering Group, established by my Department last year, will be brought to Government shortly. It will contain recommendations for the development of the district heating sector. My role as Minister is to ensure that an appropriate policy and regulatory environment underpins the sector. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has been assigned responsibility for regulation of district heating networks.

The statutory functions assigned to the CRU in relation to regulation of district heating are contained in SI 350 of 2022, and SI 630 of 2022, which amended SI 426 of 2014. Under SI 350 of 2022, which transposed Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EU, suppliers to district heat networks shall provide information on the energy performance and the share of renewable energy in district heating and cooling systems to final consumers in an easily accessible manner. SI 630 of 2022 contains regulatory provisions in relation to metering and billing for district heating and units of multi-apartment or multipurpose buildings where such units are supplied from a central source. The use of waste heat in district heating is provided for by SI 534 of 2022, under Regulations introduced by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

My Department is currently liaising with the CRU to ensure the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for district heating.

The study of the techno-economic feasibility of moving a gas-fuelled group heating scheme to a renewable energy source is currently being finalised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Results are expected in the coming weeks, while implementation of the results will be a matter for the managers of such schemes, which are in private ownership.

Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 185.