Written Answers Nos. 161-183
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the multi-lateral overseas aid programme continues to interact directly with communities most seriously affected by conditions such as war, hunger and drought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/23]
View answer162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to offer support and sustenance to those affected by war or famine globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20152/23]
View answer168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community has made commitments and kept them in respect of various disaster areas throughout the globe; the actions in place to ensure an active and positive response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20158/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 162 and 168 together.
Conflict, climate change and the continuing impact of the pandemic have combined to increase the need for humanitarian assistance in crises across the globe. The international response increased to a record €26.85 billion in 2022. This support meant that over 216 million people across 69 countries received food, medicine and other life-saving assistance.
The commitments and contributions of the international community are guided by the United Nations Global Humanitarian Overview, a summary of the most pressing crises across the globe. It is updated regularly to ensure that the humanitarian response is focused on the most severe crises and reaches the most vulnerable populations, particularly women, girls and people living with disabilities.
Ireland is playing our part in the global response, ranking among the top 20 humanitarian donors. In 2022 Ireland provided over €280 million in humanitarian assistance. Our assistance was focused on countries affected by war, famine and drought, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, the Sahel and Venezuela. Ireland also responds quickly to natural disasters, such as the volcanic eruption in Tonga, flooding in Pakistan, and recently the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria.
More than one third of Ireland's Official Development Assistance is provided to multilateral partners, notably the European Union, the World Bank and UN Agencies. These partnerships enable Ireland to reach conflict affected communities across the globe. The EU is the largest humanitarian donor and the World Bank is increasingly focused on the most fragile countries affected by conflict. UN agencies such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, the UN Refugee Agency and UNICEF coordinate and deliver life saving assistance to millions of people suffering from drought and hunger.
Significant elements of Ireland’s ODA are delivered through other Government Departments. For example the the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides support to the UN World Food Programme and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. These UN agencies also provide vital emergency assistance to vulnerable communities across the globe.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which this country is adequately equipped to meet emergencies from time to time, both within and outside Europe with particular reference to emergencies emerging in the Sudan/Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20153/23]
View answerThe safety and welfare of Irish citizens overseas is among the most important priorities of my Department. We give advice and assistance to citizens overseas through our network of Embassies, Consulates General and Honorary Consuls, supported by the Department's Consular Directorate in Dublin.
Structures and systems for crisis planning are in place in my Department to ensure that we are prepared to respond and to assist citizens wherever crises occur. Important features of that include the ongoing training of staff, the readiness of our ICT and technology systems, and contingency planning with our Missions in crisis hotspots around the world.
Linked to that, each of our Embassies - including those in the Horn of Africa region - have their own crisis planning and preparedness structures, setting out how they will respond in the case of a consular emergency.
In response to the current crisis in Sudan, my Department's officials in Dublin and in the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya are leading the evacuation effort and continuing to support citizens and their families. In addition, the Government has approved the deployment of an Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT) mission, led by my Department and supported by Defence Forces personnel.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the European Union is alert to the threats to the security of the Union and possible future members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20154/23]
View answerRussia’s appalling military aggression against Ukraine has resulted in a fundamental change in Europe’s security landscape and has highlighted more than ever the importance of European unity and solidarity in responding to the challenges that we face.
In this context, efforts have been underway at European Union level to further strengthen the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The Strategic Compass, adopted in March of last year, outlines the way forward for the European Union in the field of security and defence including in relation to cybersecurity and hybrid threats, maritime security and emerging and developing technologies. The Strategic Compass is designed to address this major shift in the European Union’s strategic environment, and ensure that it remains a relevant, strong and coherent political actor, upholding the values and principles that underpin our democracies.
The European Union has also committed, in the context of the Strategic Compass, to strengthen security and defence cooperation with its partners, with a view to enhancing their resilience, including against hybrid attacks and cyber threats.
A tangible example of this support, is the decision by the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 24 April to establish a CSDP Partnership Mission in the Republic of Moldova (EUPM Moldova). The objective of this civilian mission will be to enhance the resilience of the security sector in the areas of crisis management and hybrid threats, including cybersecurity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference.
The changed geopolitical context and wider threat environment in Europe also calls for consideration of the State’s approach to international security policy issues. Against this backdrop, a Consultative Forum on International Security Policy will be convened in June 2023, with a view to initiating an open and evidence-based discussion on the State’s foreign and security policy.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the international community continues to monitor the activities and development of Al Shabaab and Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20155/23]
View answerIreland strongly condemns the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. We support international efforts to reduce their influence and assist populations affected by their actions.
Ireland is playing its part in helping tackle the impact and the causes of the armed conflict and forced displacement. Since 2015, we have provided over €36 million in bilateral assistance for the Lake Chad region, including North-East Nigeria. In Somalia, Ireland has provided €58 million in direct humanitarian assistance since 2015. This includes a further €9 million made available at the end of 2022 as part of a package of emergency assistance of €30 million in response to the humanitarian crisis across the Horn of Africa.
Ireland is also contributing directly to peace and security efforts. Through the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the UN is working to stabilise the Lake Chad region. During Ireland's term on the Security Council we were co-penholder with Niger and subsequently Ghana on the UNOWAS file. Ireland is also a member of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin, and has observer status at the Sahel Alliance. In addition, Ireland is supporting stabilisation efforts in the Sahel through the deployment of 8 Defence Forces personnel participating in the EU training mission in Mali. Between 2019 and 2022 Defence Forces personnel were also deployed in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Ireland engaged regularly on the security situation in Somalia during our term on the UN Security Council, including as Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee. Ireland played an important role in the drafting and introduction of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) mandate and remains engaged through the EU, which is its primary source of funding. ATMIS is fulfilling a critical role in combatting the threat from Al-Shabaab and creating the space for a transfer of security responsibility to the Somali authorities. In addition, Ireland deploys personnel to EUCAP Somalia, one of the three EU Common Security and Defence Policy Missions in the Horn of Africa.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish embassies abroad, diplomatic missions or other representatives continue to promote Irish trade throughout the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20156/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world.
This network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development of trade, investment and tourism. Team Ireland works to build education, science, technology and innovation partnerships; and to promote our culture and creative industries. In addition to sustaining strong bilateral relationships and working to maintain and protect the rules based international order - both critical for the realisation of our trade and investment objectives - embassies and consulates support the State Agencies in their delivery of strategic objectives.
Officers within the mission network engage in economic and public diplomacy to advance Ireland’s prosperity, as part of overall duties to promote Ireland's interests and support our citizens. They also support the delivery of Ministerial visits and trade missions, in partnership with Team Ireland. Missions also work more specifically on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phyto-sanitary issues, and double taxation agreements. The role of the network in promoting and protecting Irish trade interests is particularly important in markets with limited or no State Agency presence.
The Department is guided in all of this work by the Government's Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World. This Strategy, led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, sets out seven priority actions and the Department of Foreign Affairs, both at home and abroad, is strongly supporting implementation.
The Government's Global Ireland strategy is also key; a strategy which aims to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Working together as Team Ireland overseas is at the heart of the strategy. Ongoing implementation is enhancing Ireland’s international visibility, facilitating market diversification and intensification, and deepening bilateral relations in support of our economic and political objectives.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to indicate, notwithstanding the tragic experiences in the western Balkans, the extent to which safe havens or other security enclaves can be provided for refugees from various locations of war and conflict; if the vulnerability of such refugees can receive humanitarian reception/treatment regardless of their location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20157/23]
View answerIn recent years, there have been repeated calls for the establishment of a variety of arrangements to provide refugees and internally displaced peoples with increased protection in countries affected by armed conflict and in neighbouring states. The Government believes it is essential that the international community continue to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to displaced people.
Ireland strongly believes in the importance of protecting and assisting refugees fleeing from conflict and persecution, regardless of their nationality or location. We remain committed to playing our part in addressing the crisis of forced displacement. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimate that in 2023 over 117 million people will be forcibly displaced or stateless in 134 different countries. This is a global crisis requiring a global response. Through our core funding of UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGO partners we make a significant contribution to addressing the needs of vulnerable groups including displaced people.
Working through partners such as UNHCR, we support international action to protect people forced to flee conflict and persecution and those denied a nationality. Total funding from Ireland to UNHCR has risen from €9.8 million in 2015 to €25 million in 2022. We further support those affected by conflict and violence through our support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. In 2022, Ireland provided the ICRC with €19.5 million in funding.
Ireland is committed to providing support to those in need, and to working towards long term solutions for displaced people. We will continue to advocate for the protection of and provision of assistance to refugees, and will work with our partners in the international community to ensure that their rights are respected and their needs met.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department, through the EU and UN, continue to press for a serious investigation into the numerous human rights violations now taking place throughout the globe with particular reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine perpetrated by Russia; if Ireland's position on the UN Security Council can be used to press these issues in early date; if the international criminal courts in the Hague can be utilised in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20159/23]
View answerIreland has been consistent in its support for accountability for those committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and other international crimes during Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. During Ireland’s two-year term on the UN Security Council, which ended on 31 December 2022, the Council met more than 50 times to discuss the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s full scale invasion. Ireland consistently used its seat on the Council to push for Russia to be held accountable for its actions, that it end the war and withdraw from Ukrainian territory and that it stop its cynical use of the Council and other UN bodies to spread disinformation.
Ireland voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in March, which demanded that Russia immediately withdraw all of its military forces from Ukraine, and a resolution adopted in November, recommending that States establish an international register of damage, loss or injury arising from the internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine. Ireland also co-sponsored a resolution of the UN Human Rights Council establishing a Commission of Inquiry into alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in the context of the Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the International Criminal Court has a crucial role to play fighting impunity for atrocity crimes, such as war crimes, that have occurred, and are continuing, in Ukraine. It was for this reason that last March Ireland, along with 42 other countries, referred the situation in Ukraine to the ICC, enabling the ICC Prosecutor to immediately start an investigation.
The Deputy will be aware of the recent decision of the Court to issue arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Children’s Rights Commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, in respect of alleged war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia. Undoubtedly this development reflects the very grave and disturbing nature of the continuing policy of the Russian authorities to remove children from their homes and families in Ukraine. Those responsible for such a policy must indeed be held accountable for their actions.
The Government also supports efforts to ensure accountability of the Russian leadership responsible for the crime of aggression, a crime that is outside the jurisdiction of the ICC’s investigation in Ukraine. For this reason Ireland has joined the Core Group on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. The Group, which now consists of 33 states, is working through the complex legal and practical issues that arise in establishing a credible, legitimate and effective special tribunal to deal with this crime, and will meet again next month.
In addition, the Government has actively supported the EU initiative to establish the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine (ICPA) through Eurojust. The establishment of the ICPA will enable investigations into the crime of aggression to progress while discussions continue on the creation of a special tribunal.
The Government will continue to press for accountability for those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in and against Ukraine.
170. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a list of contracts his Department currently has with a company (details supplied); and the estimated value of those contracts. [20185/23]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs does not currently have any contracts with the company specified.
171. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been brought forward by his Department to increase the allocation frequency of eircodes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19756/23]
View answerSince the launch, Eircode use, as part of an address, continues to grow strongly among the public and businesses. In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes for new builds is desirable I requested An Post, Tailte Éireann, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita, supported by my officials, to increase the frequency of Eircode assignment for new builds from quarterly to a monthly basis.
Capita released the first monthly assignment of Eircodes in March and each new Eircode is published on the Eircode Finder app. In addition, a notification letter will be issued to the property occupant containing the new Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database file is provided to licensed business organisations for their use.
172. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the rollout of the National Broadband Plan in rural areas. [19248/23]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 which came into effect in January 2020. The contract provides for the roll out of 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 14 April 2023 over 147,600 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 135,500 premises passed and available for immediate connection. Over 37,300 premises are connected to the NBP Gigabit network.
Details are available on specific counties 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, reps@nbi.ie, 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 14 April 2023, 895 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 612 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
Eir is rolling out fibre to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO has passed more than 470,000 premises with gigabit services and has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 300,000 premises. Virgin Media plans to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises. The network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks.
173. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will indicate the benchmarks which he uses to assess the extent to which green criteria have impacted public procurement; and whether he can indicate how Ireland compares with other EU member states in this respect. [9534/23]
View answerMy Department is in the process of preparing a new Green Public Procurement (GPP) Strategy and Action Plan which will be published later in 2023. Development of this strategy is being informed by best practice undertaken in other EU countries including information provided by a GPP Advisory Group of the European Commission on the status of National Action Plans on GPP in EU Member States. There is currently no standardised mandatory reporting system to monitor the uptake of GPP at EU level. Such a system is being considered, following a commitment in the European Commission’s 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan regarding phasing in mandatory reporting on GPP.
The United Nations Environment Programme has recently published Factsheets on Sustainable Public Procurement in National Governments, which is a supplement to the 2022 Sustainable Public Procurement Global Review. It features 45 country factsheets that illustrate the current state of sustainable public procurement among national governments around the world (including Ireland). Further information is available at the following link:
www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/factsheets-sustainable-public-procurement-national-governments-1
174. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the national retrofit scheme. [11503/23]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan commit set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
The National Development Plan and National Retrofit Plan have ring-fenced €8 billion in capital funding to the end of the decade to support the achievement of these objectives.
My Department is working with SEAI to deliver what is one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide and a core element of the Government's plan to reduce emissions from the residential sector.
For the period 2019 – 2022, almost 85,000 home upgrades were supported of which over 18,500 were to a B2 level. SEAI advise that in the same period under the residential and community energy efficiency schemes there was a carbon emissions saving of 129.9 ktCO2.
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.
This annual ramping up of home completions is central to building 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.
To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, in February 2022, Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. Following the introduction of the new measures, demand across the SEAI grant supported schemes was exceptionally high in 2022 with:
• Over 50,000 applications processed (up 140% year on year)
• Capital expenditure of €188 million (up 90% year on year)
• 27,199 home energy upgrades (up 78% year on year)
• 8,481 BER B2 upgrades completed (up 95% year on year)
• 4,438 fully funded energy upgrades for low-income households (up 85% year on year)
• A further 437 Approved Housing Body homes were supported under the One-Stop-Shop Scheme and an additional 95 low-income houses were supported under the Community Energy Grants Scheme.
• 16,827 attic and cavity wall measures supported (up 107% year on year)
• 12 one-Stop-Shops registered with SEAI
• 40.27kt CO2 emissions savings (up 80% year on year)
A more 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/
175. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the interactions between the proposed Planning and Development Bill 2022 and the Aarhus Convention. [19788/23]
View answerEngagement between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in policy areas of mutual interest, including the interactions between planning policy and Ireland’s obligations under the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (The Aarhus Convention), occurs frequently and on an ongoing basis between officials, including at senior levels.
In September 2021, the Government approved a comprehensive review of planning legislation under the supervision of then Attorney General, Mr Paul Gallagher, SC. The Review Group represented extensive independent planning and legal expertise, while engagement with a wider range of stakeholder views was facilitated by a Planning Forum. Compliance with the Aarhus Convention was one of the base lines of the Planning Review. The Review Group completed their work by the end of 2022, and the text of the draft Planning and Development Bill was published in January 2023.
As part of the process of engagement between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as lead Department in planning policy and the Planning Review, an Interdepartmental Planning Working Group was established, and met regularly to exchange views on proposed text in areas of the Draft Planning and Development Bill of mutual interest. In addition, both Departments have engaged bilaterally on a range of policy matters of mutual interest during the development of the Planning Bill, and also jointly engaged with Irish Environmental Network (IEN) representatives to understand their views on the draft Bill. After two meetings, the IEN produced a report detailing their concerns. My officials are currently considering the contents of this report.
176. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any moves being made to stop good food being destroyed at a time when there are thousands of people who cannot afford food (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19947/23]
View answerMy Department published Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025 in November 2022. The Roadmap sets out a number of priority actions to bring the focus on food waste prevention, across key sectors in the food supply chain, together in a coherent manner. Food donation and redistribution plays an important role in preventing food waste and is a key focus of the Roadmap.
It should be noted that significant volumes of surplus food are already donated by retailers (to FoodCloud, for example) for onward distribution to charities.
Examples of actions in the Roadmap that are aimed at further preventing surplus food in the retail sector being wasted include:
• Investigate the potential impact of a prohibition on the destruction of edible food in advance of its ‘use-by’ date.
• Investigate the regulatory and legal barriers to ‘Good Samaritan’ acts of donation and whether mandatory donation of edible food from retail outlets would reduce food waste.
• Using the EPA’s Food Waste Charter, support a voluntary target with retailers and the processing industry for a percentage of edible food to be donated.
My Department will be progressing the implementation of such actions in accordance with the associated timelines set out in the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025.
177. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the high-level offshore wind phase 2 ORE designated areas will be determined; if he will outline the criteria for determining the phase two ORE designated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15993/23]
View answerThe deployment of offshore wind under Phase Two will accelerate the procurement of additional offshore wind capacity required to meet Government’s target of 5GW of offshore wind by 2030. A Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind was published by my department on 7 March and outlines how the second auction for offshore wind under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 2) will launch by the end of 2023, following a public consultation on draft auction terms and conditions in mid-2023.
ORESS 2 will exclusively procure a set volume of offshore wind capacity for development within individual Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Designated Areas, which will be designated according to the legislative provisions for Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) in the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act. The location of ORE Designated Areas for Phase Two will be geographically aligned with available onshore grid capacity, in addition to being informed by environmental considerations including European sites and Marine Protected Areas. The process of developing ORE Designated Areas will provide opportunities for public participation and consultation, as well as requiring statutory environmental assessments.
EirGrid has identified the current available onshore grid capacity for further connection of offshore renewables of approximately 900 MW in total off the South coast of Ireland. The additional offshore wind capacity is intended to be split into two connections of approximately 450 MW each at different locations along the South coast. Phase 2 participants will compete for supports to develop 450 MW offshore wind projects within each of these areas, or a 900 MW project within a single ORE Designated Area.
ORESS 2 projects will require a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) to be eligible to apply for planning permission, with all MACs to be issued by the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA). The sequencing of consents and market supports will be outlined in the coming weeks to coincide with the publication of proposed ORE Designated Areas (according to DMAP requirements) and following further discussion between DECC, MARA and relevant stakeholders. However, should it be determined that holding a MAC will not be necessary for participation in ORESS 2, auction entry will nevertheless likely necessitate the same financial and technical competency requirements.
178. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his communications with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of radon. [19990/23]
View answer179. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the implementation of the national radon control strategy; and if he will report on plans for financial supports for radon remediation works, in particular. [19991/23]
View answer180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to raise public awareness of the radon risk map which is available at www.radon.ie; the number of monthly visits to the website in each month since the radon risk map was published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19993/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 180, inclusive, together.
Radon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. The Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS), which is now in its second phase covering the period 2019 – 2024. Implementation of the strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency NRCS Group chaired by my Department. The NRCS Group met earlier this month. Individual Departments, including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Agencies have responsibility for progressing actions under the Strategy that fall within their remit. Implementation of the Strategy involves focussed discussions between officials outside of the Group on specific issues where appropriate.
Progress made in the last 12 months, and a key objective of the Strategy, includes the launch of updated Radon Risk Maps. The new maps update the radon risk assessment for the country and predict that approximately 170,000 homes nationally are at risk from high levels of radon gas. For more information, please go to www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/radon/sixteenth-national-radon-forum.php. The table below sets out the number of page views for the radon web page tabulated by month since the launch of the maps in May 2022.
|
Month |
Page Views |
|
May-22 |
383,678 |
|
Jun-22 |
44,746 |
|
Jul-22 |
11,274 |
|
Aug-22 |
10,045 |
|
Sep-22 |
9,781 |
|
Oct-22 |
10,663 |
|
Nov-22 |
12,174 |
|
Dec-22 |
6,992 |
|
Jan-23 |
11,204 |
|
Feb-23 |
8,386 |
|
Mar-23 |
9,352 |
|
Total |
518,295 |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a key Agency in the delivery of the NRCS. It hosts the www.radon.ie domain, which includes the radon map; it funds and coordinates research in the radon field, and it also carries out radon awareness campaigns, including around the revised radon map, through social media, local radio ads to mark International Radon Day, billboard ads such as those at bus stops, shopping centres, etc.
In 2022, the maps were also promoted through events, radon remediation training courses or specific briefings with key stakeholders, including Local Authorities, Health and Safety Authority Inspectors, HSE Estates, the Irish Building Control Institute and private contractors. Further events to highlight the maps are planned in 2023, including attendance at the National Ploughing Championship.
A Mid-Term Report to Government on Phase Two of the NRCS will be published shortly. This report sets out progress made towards delivering on the strategy and its actions between May 2019 and June 2022. Previous reports are available at www.epa.ie/publications/.
While there are currently no financial supports in place in respect of radon testing or remediation measures, work to develop such a scheme is one of the action points for the current phase of the NRCS, which will run until 2024. Further information in relation to radon can be found at www.radon.ie.
181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under all SEAI schemes; the total number per scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20012/23]
View answer182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the better energy warmer homes scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20013/23]
View answer183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of fully funded retrofits completed under the better energy warmer homes scheme and the better energy warmth and well-being scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20015/23]
View answer184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the better energy warmth and well-being scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20017/23]
View answer185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the better energy homes scheme; and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20018/23]
View answer187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the one-stop shop (National Homes retrofit); and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022 and in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [20020/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 and 187 together.
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.
To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, 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.
Following the introduction of the new measures, 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, which represents a 79% increase year-on year. Figures to end of March 2023 show 9,946 home energy upgrades have been delivered so far this year. A further breakdown of the home energy upgrades by Scheme shows:
• 4,438 homes were delivered across the fully funded schemes in 2022 which represents an increase of 85% year-on-year. Figures to the end of March 2023 show 946 home energy upgrades completed under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
• 8,481 homes were upgraded to a post works BER or B2 or better in 2022, representing a 95% increase year-on-year. Figures to the end of March 2023, show 3,304 homes have been upgraded to a post works BER of B2 or better.
• 643 home energy upgrades were completed under the NHEUS (National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme) in 2022. Figures to the end of March 2023 show 255 home energy upgrades completed.
• 11,806 home energy upgrades were completed under the Better Energy Homes scheme in 2022, representing a 54% increase year-on-year. Figures to the end of March 2023 show 4,730 home energy upgrades completed.
• 10,017 home energy upgrades were completed under the Solar PV scheme in 2022, representing a 145% increase year-on-year. Figures to the end of March 2023 show 3,985 home energy upgrades completed.
• 295 home energy upgrades were completed under the CEG (Community Energy Grants Scheme) in 2022. Figures to the end of March 2023 show 30 home energy upgrades completed.
My Department is working with SEAI to build on the strong performance of 2022. A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 retrofits this year.
A more 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 quarterly report, which can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/news-and-media/home-energy-upgrades-2022/. A quarterly report on Q1 2023 performance on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes will be published shortly by SEAI.
The BER data sought by the Deputy is not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department. I have directed SEAI to reply directly to the Deputy with the data requested, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
