Written Answers Nos. 40-61
40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on progress regarding policing reform and community safety, as identified in the strategy statement 2021-23 for his Department. [23214/23]
View answer41. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the circumstances (details supplied); if he is satisfied that all the proper protocols and legislation were followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25210/23]
View answer44. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the circumstances (details supplied); if he is satisfied that all proper protocols and legislation were followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25211/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 44 together.
I am aware of an incident that took place in March 2023, during which a US officer was transported from Shannon airport to University Hospital Limerick, for urgent medical treatment. Permission was subsequently granted by the Department of Foreign Affairs for a medical evacuation flight for the patient concerned, from Ireland to the United States.
I understand that this is likely to be the incident that is referred to by the Deputy in his question and the associated details as provided.
If this is the case in question, I am satisfied that the correct procedures in terms of overflight and landings of military aircraft were followed in full.
42. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide information regarding a passport application (details supplied) needing further clarification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25058/23]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Section 7(1)(a) states that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit a complete application form with supporting documents positively confirming to the satisfaction of the Minister, among other things, that the person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport.
The application in question, which raises a number of complex issues relating to citizenship, is presently under active consideration within the Passport Service. The Passport Service will be in contact with the applicant’s parents in due course.
43. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to bring forward the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 to Third Stage in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25137/23]
View answerThe Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward.
We have, however, supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods produced in settlements.
Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed illegal settlements, and this Government will continue to do so.
45. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide cén dáta faoina bhfuil sé i gceist aige go mbeidh gach logainm nó sráidainm ar Éirchód ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; cé na háiseanna a theastódh chun a chinntiú go bhfuil gach logainm ar Éirchód ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, cá dteastódh na háiseanna sin, agus cén costas a bhainfeadh leis na háiseanna sin. [24696/23]
View answerNíl ról é a bhfuil feidhm dhíreach agamsa mar Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide ann faisnéis maidir le seoltaí a aistriú.
Is feidhm é sin de chuid na Roinne Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta agus na Roinne Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán.
Dáileann Capita Business Support Services Ireland, ag trádáil mar Eircode, Eircóid ar sheoltaí réadmhaoine nua trí úsáid a bhaint as seoladh poist bailí agus geoshuímh deimhnithe. Bailíonn An Post faisnéis ar gach foirgneamh nua agus gach foirgneamh atá ann cheana féin, chomh maith le hathruithe ar sheoltaí atá ann cheana féin agus soláthraíonn Tailte Éireann na geo-shuíomhanna do na foirgnimh seo.
Eisíonn An Post GeoDirectory (APG), fochuideachta de chuid An Post agus Thailte Éireann, eisiúint nua de chomhad bhunachar sonraí GeoDirectory chuig Eircode de réir a gcomhaontú ceadúnais.
Chuir APG in iúl do m’oifigigh go gcuireann An Coiste Logainmneacha comhad de logainmneacha Gaeilge, atá mar chuid den seoladh, a rinneadh athrú nó nuashonrú orthu, ar fáil do APG. Chuir APG in iúl do m’oifigigh freisin go bhfuil sonraí oifigiúla logainmneacha arna soláthar ag an gCoiste Logainmneacha sa bhunachar sonraí GeoDirectory agus go ndeánann sé uasdhátú ar na sonraí go rialta le faisnéis atá á soláthar ag an gCoiste.
Tá na socruithe riachtanacha curtha i bhfeidhm ag mo Roinn chun a chinntiú go mbeidh an córas Eircode ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Mar sin féin, ní chruthaíonn Eircode seoltaí poist atá ann cheana féin ná ní athraíonn sé iad. Cuirtear Eircóid go díreach leis an seoladh a úsáidtear don réadmhaoin de ghnáth. Is féidir gurb é an seoladh seo an seoladh is coitianta a úsáidtear, an seoladh poist agus/nó an seoladh geografach.
46. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what is required from a contractor to be added to the list of approved contractors for work in energy efficiency, with specific reference to installation of heat pumps. [25038/23]
View answer47. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the mechanism for removal of a contractor from the list of approved contractors for work in energy efficiency, with specific reference to installation of heat pumps. [25039/23]
View answer48. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the checks in place to ensure that contractors who are on the list of approved contractors for work in energy efficiency, with specific reference to installation of heat pumps, are in compliance with high standards, and that their work is satisfactory and efficient; and if there are reviews, inspections or audits of work, or what quality control is in place. [25040/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 47 and 48 together.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Registration of Contractors operating under these schemes is an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function in relation to the registration process and/or the Quality Assurance of individual Registered Contractors.
Contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:
· NSAI S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings
· Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents
· The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines
· Irish Agrément certificates
· Irish, British or European Standards Guides
In addition, contractors are required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance programme. The Quality Assurance programme has been designed by SEAI to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money. Regular inspections, which can take place at pre-payment or post-payment stage, of works are undertaken on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the homeowner.
A Declaration of Works must be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor certifying completion of works. Post-works Building Energy Ratings are also carried out by independent BER assessors.
Under the provisions of the SEAI Quality Assurance Programme, should a Contractor fail to reach the required standard when following direction on corrective action, then, in accordance with warnings issued, disciplinary action will follow, up to and including deregistration from the SEAI Contractor register.
Heat pump systems must be installed by suitably qualified personnel. Personnel nominated to supervise and inspect the works, and to sign off the Declaration of Works must be competent in the different aspects of the works. This includes design, sizing and installation of the whole heat pump system. The minimum qualification and training requirements that must be met by personnel nominated to sign off the Declaration of Works for grant purposes are:
- Fetac/QQI Level 6 Advanced Craft in Plumbing, including a module on minor electrical works, or equivalent
- Certificate of competence from the specific manufacturer of the heat pumps installed, based on an adequate training programme
- Fetac/QQI Level 6 Heat Pump Systems (Course Code C30263) and supplemental Domestic Heat Pump Installation (Code 700606) or equivalent
A Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) is required to supervise and sign off the electrical installation of a heat pump system, in accordance with the definition of “Controlled Works and Restricted Works” by the CRU.
An F-Gas engineer is required to carry out and certify heat pump system installations involving refrigerant pipework and charging as per the F-Gas Regulation.
Heat pumps supported through SEAI grant programmes are required to meet minimum heat pump product performance standards, be designed and sized correctly to meet the heat loads for that specific home, that the home meets minimum energy performance. In order to determine if a dwelling is suitable for a heat pump to be installed, a pre-works Technical Assessment is carried out by an SEAI registered Technical Assessor. This assessment includes a pre-works BER assessment and a study of the dwelling’s heat loss elements in order to determine whether that particular dwelling is “heat pump ready”.
To avail of a grant, heat pumps must meet the requirements specified in SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications which include:
• Meeting national requirements for domestic heating and building services and wiring regulations
• Fully comply with the EU Energy Label and Eco-design regulations
• Provide the data required for the Domestic BER assessment based on EN14825 and EN16147 testing standards
• Be CE marked and have the EC declaration of conformity
• Be listed on the SEAI Triple E register
• Satisfy the minimum Seasonal Performance Factor (Main Space Heating Efficiency) calculated according to the dwelling energy assessment procedure methodology.
SEAI has published a set of guidelines for Contractors on Quality Assurance and Disciplinary Procedures which are available at: www.seai.ie/publications/Better-Energy-Homes-QADP.pdf
49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and total value of solar photovoltaic grants provided in 2022; the average grant provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25059/23]
View answerThe Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar Photovoltaic installations, which are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,400.
In 2022, the SEAI received 16,819 applications to the Domestic Solar PV programme under this scheme, which resulted in grant support for 10,018 homes, at a cost of €24.4m and a total installed capacity of 46.5 MW. This indicates an average installation size of 4.6kW. This is a huge increase on the numbers from 2021 when 4,077 homes were supported, and 16.3 MW installed.
Prior to the MSS, the SEAI had been operating a pilot Solar PV grant scheme since 2018 and to date have received over 34,000 applications, supporting over 19,000 homes during this time.
Up to the end of April this year, the SEAI have had 6,429 applications for the Domestic solar PV scheme and have already supported 5,443 homes with 26.86 MW installed.
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the funding for the sustainable energy communities programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25061/23]
View answerCommunities are currently supported by Government to develop plans for local energy projects through the Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme. The programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. There are currently over 752 SECs in the SEC Network with a target to grow this number to 1,500 by 2030.
The Programme supports the low carbon energy transition by developing skills and capacity, at a community level, in assessing how to use less energy, adopting lower carbon options for transport and heating, shifting energy use to off-peak times or investing in smart technologies.
In 2022, co-funding of €500,000 was made available by SEAI and 17 Local Authorities to support 32 communities to undertake energy master plans. These plans allow a community to assess and understand it’s current and future energy needs (in electricity, heat and transport) in order for the community to make informed decisions and prioritise actions. The plans help communities to identify opportunities so they can become more energy efficient, use renewable energy where possible, and use smart energy technology if appropriate.
SECs will continue to be supported by Government to expand their roles as ‘activators’ in their community. Earlier this year, a number of adjustments were made to the entry points of Energy Master Plan grants to offer a more compelling proposition to communities and the consultants that develop the Master Plans. These adjustments will be particularly beneficial for smaller communities. Based on feedback from the network of SECs, and in order to facilitate further local sustainable energy activation, my Department and the SEAI are also working to finalise the development of an approach to better integrate the needs of Sustainable Energy Communities into the design of the Community Energy Grant programmes due for launch later this year.
Funding of €5.33 million has been allocated to support the Sustainable Energy Communities and community activation in 2023.
51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of projects in respect of the national trust transition fund; the nature of such projects; the total value of the projects; and the number of full-time and indirect jobs created in these projects to date. [25062/23]
View answerMy Department, through the National Just Transition Fund, is providing funding to 56 projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the wider Midlands region, where the local economy has been most impacted by the necessary transition to a low-carbon economy.
Projects are being implemented across a range of activities, including business development; education, training and upskilling; the development of co-working and enterprise hubs; renewable energies and retrofitting; tourism, heritage and recreation; and community development and capacity building.
The total value of the projects is approximately €32 million, with €22.1 million awarded in grant contributions from the National Just Transition Fund. Projects have reported that this funding is expected to create an estimated 178 direct jobs and 999 indirect jobs. A full list of supported projects is available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/.
52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if retrofitting grants will be available to persons with solid fuel central heating systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/23]
View answerAs part of the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan, in February 2022 the Government announced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. While this includes homeowners reliant on solid fuel for heating, grant supports are not available to replace solid fuel central heating systems under the SEAI part-funded residential energy upgrade schemes unless upgrading to a heat pump. However, under the Warmer Homes scheme, which provides fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty new heating systems can be installed in certain circumstances.
As part of the new supports, new increased grant rates are available under SEAI administered schemes. The Better Energy Homes Scheme (Individual Grant Scheme) allows homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage the project, while the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme are aimed towards homeowners wishing to undertake a whole home energy upgrade to achieve a BER of at least B2.
Over the longer term, the Government has committed to significant funding of residential energy efficiency measures and investment in alternative fuels which will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lower the cost of heating our homes. Accordingly, as part of the measures introduced in 2022, the heat pump grant was significantly increased with grant support for an air to water heat pump increasing from €3,500 to up to €6,500. For homeowners undertaking a deep retrofit with a heat pump under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) or the Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme, additional grant support is available towards required heating system upgrades (emitters etc) as well as a bonus payment of €2,000 to eligible homeowners. This equates to a potential grant support of up to €10,500 available to homeowners upgrading to a heat pump as part of a deep retrofit project.
Furthermore, the construction rule for grant support for installation of heat pumps was changed to allow for homes built and occupied before 2021, making more homeowners eligible for the grant.
53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff working in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities; their cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/23]
View answerThe average number of staff working in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) at the end of 2021 was 109, at a cost of €8.436 million (payroll and non-payroll costs), funded by industry levy. These are the last published numbers and costs. Figures in respect of 2022 will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly.
A breakdown of the costs, extracted from the CRU Annual Report 2021, is set out in the following table:
|
|
€’000 |
|
Staff Salaries |
7,342 |
|
Employee PRSI |
741 |
|
SEM Committee Fees |
32 |
|
Recruitment and Training |
291 |
|
Staff Travel and Subsistence |
30 |
|
Total |
8,436 |
CRU estimates that its staff complement will have reached 150 at the end of 2023. It has sanction for 196 staff and restructuring has commenced to provide for delivery of objectives against its current workplan.
CRU’s latest strategic plan outlines the priorities and objectives to be delivered over the next couple of years, including a programme of actions to secure security of supply in our energy sectors, while continuing to meet the demands of our growing and de-carbonising economy to reach our 2030 targets.
54. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the offshore wind delivery taskforce is resourced to complete its objectives and mandate. [25071/23]
View answerI established the inter-Departmental, inter-agency Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce to accelerate delivery and capture the wider economic opportunities of offshore wind in Ireland. To do this, it brings together all the relevant Government Departments and agencies that are vital to the delivery of Ireland’s offshore wind ambitions.
With respect to resourcing, the Taskforce includes representatives at senior levels from its member organisations. My Department chairs the Taskforce, at Assistant Secretary level, and co-ordinates the work via a dedicated secretariat team.
Further information on the Taskforce is available here: www.gov.ie/ga/foilsiuchan/c8749-offshore-wind-delivery-taskforce/ , including Key Actions for 2023, approved by Government and published in March 2023, which sets the critical immediate actions across all the Taskforce workstreams. These workstreams are resourced by individual Taskforce member organisations.
55. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met with waste management companies regarding their recent price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25082/23]
View answerThe waste management market is serviced by private companies, where prices charged are matters between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. As Minister for the Environment, Climate & Communications I have no role in setting prices in a private market.
Since mid-2017, all permitted household waste collection companies, under the terms of their permits, have been required to charge fees which incentivise households to reduce and segregate their waste.
Within these rules, the structure of pricing plans is a commercial decision for the waste collection companies and as Minister I have no power to intervene in this. Given the the significant market reforms due to be delivered this year, including introduction of incentivised waste collection charging in the commercial sector, the introduction of a "recovery levy" and the nationwide expansion of kerbside bio-waste collections, I have however instructed my officials to reinstitute the Price Monitoring Group to monitor whether fair and transparent pricing is consistent in the market, in line with commitments given in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE).
56. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met with energy companies regarding the fall in wholesale energy prices; if these will be passed onto the customer; when this is likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25083/23]
View answerThe War in Ukraine has resulted in an unprecedented rise in Energy prices and is a major challenge for households and businesses throughout Ireland and across Europe.
The increases in costs for consumers has caused hardship for many people and this is most pronounced over the winter months when energy use is at it highest. That is why the Government has taken sustained action over the past year, to support households and businesses to meet the cost of living challenges. Direct measures to reduce energy bills include the €800, in total, of energy credits between April 2022 and April 2023, reductions in VAT and the Temporary Business Support Scheme (TBESS). In addition the Government has introduced a range of targeted supports to the most vulnerable households, once-off measures and enhancements to social protections schemes.
As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders across the energy sector, where affordability of electricity and gas is a priority issue. Officials from my Department have also met with electricity and gas suppliers to discuss a number of topics relevant to the retail electricity and gas markets including pricing, consumer impact and the services offered by suppliers.
Wholesale prices reached peak levels in August of last year, when wholesale gas prices were 706% higher than January 2021, while electricity prices increased by 463%. Although they have since fallen back from their peak, wholesale gas prices still remain higher than their January 2021 level.
The difference in the level and speed of fluctuation in the wholesale market versus that of retail prices demonstrates the supplier hedging strategies and the extent to which these strategies shield consumers against the full extent of this utterly unprecedented international energy market volatility.
Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices provides for Member States to introduce a cap on market revenues in the electricity sector and a temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable profits in the fossil-fuel production and refining sectors. Following Government approval of the measures, legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. The cap on market revenues will apply for the period December 2022 to June 2023 and the temporary solidarity contribution will apply to the years 2022 and 2023.Estimates of proceeds from the cap on market revenues and the temporary solidarity contribution range from circa €280 to €600 million. It should be noted that these estimates are highly sensitive to wholesale gas prices.
My Department is currently examining options for the use of such funds for possible future supports for consumers
57. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when it is expected that the just transition commission, as committed to in Climate Action Plan 2023, will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/23]
View answerThe Government has adopted, through the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), a framework for a just transition, comprising four principles:
An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements.
People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy.
The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated.
Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process.
As set out in CAP 2023, all relevant Ministers should consider this framework in the process of climate action policy formulation and implementation, so that policies are informed by the need to ensure a just transition. This includes creating sustainable employment opportunities, providing reskilling and retraining opportunities, and providing appropriate supports for those most vulnerable as part of Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy.
The Government has also committed, through CAP 2023, to establishing a statutory Just Transition Commission, whose purpose should be to provide strategic advice to Government, integrating its role with existing governance and engagement structures, on how Government policy can further a just transition. I am continuing to progress the development of proposals in relation to the establishment of the Commission. This work has included engagement with relevant stakeholders to inform my approach to the mandate of the Commission, including through the National Climate Stakeholder Forum, the most recent meeting of which took place on 10 May last.
58. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline in detail, according to the relevant sections of the climate Act, and by month, the annual climate action planning and reporting cycle and mechanisms for reporting on the implementation of the plan, as described in chapter 6 of the Climate Action Plan 2023. [25097/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) Action GV/23/3 requires that an annual climate action planning and reporting cycle be finalised by Q2 2023. My Department is currently undertaking work to further develop and refine the cycle and expects to have the annual cycle finalised within the delivery timeline.
Section 4 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 provides for annual updates of the Climate Action Plan and sets out the requirements for what the updates must contain in order to ensure compliance with the carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings.
Section 14A of the Act sets out the climate reporting requirements for the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Government Ministers. Following the publication of the EPA's emissions' reports and the Climate Change Advisory Council's Annual Report, the relevant Ministers shall, at the written request of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, attend before the Committee to give an account on:
(a) sector specific progress under the most recent approved climate action plan, including the policies and measures that have been adopted and any significant failure to implement such policies and measures, or to achieve sector specific targets;
(b) whether there has been a reduction or increase in greenhouse gas emissions based on the Agency’s reports;
(c) compliance with the sectoral emissions ceiling and any measures envisaged to address any failure to so comply;
(d) the implementation of adaptation policy measures and any adaptation policy measures envisaged, where a sectoral adaptation plan has been prepared.
The Joint Committee may then prepare a report with recommendations on the matters addressed by the Ministers.
59. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the energy review report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25133/23]
View answerMy Department is working on an Energy Security Package which seeks to address the energy security challenges facing Ireland with a range of new and existing actions. This Package is made up of five pillars including the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems, the McCarthy Report (an independent review of the security of electricity supply), the next steps for the National Energy Security Framework, oil security of supply and the Climate Action Plan. I will bring recommendations arising from the review to Government in the near future for their consideration.
60. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications If he has received the 2021 annual report from Inland Fisheries Ireland; if so, when same will be published. [25259/23]
View answerThe completed Annual Report of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and accompanying Financial Statements, audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, have recently been received by my Department.
Arrangements are currently underway to submit to Government for noting, prior to laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as required. Once these processes are completed, the report and accounts will be published on the IFI website: www.fisheriesireland.ie
61. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when works will be carried out for an elderly person (details supplied), given that the applicant has been waiting for over two years since the works were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25265/23]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.
However, individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for SEAI and as the Minister I have no function in relation to individual applications. Applications are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works.
The applicant can contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone to 1800 250 204. Oireachtas members can make queries on behalf of applicants by contacting the dedicated email address oireachtas@seai.ie .
