Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Written Answers Nos. 148-167

Childcare Services

Questions (148)

Carol Nolan

Question:

148. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department assists with, or makes a financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of staff members of any grade or position; if so, the names of the providers; the costs incurred for the period 2020 to date in 2023; the number of staff who have availed of such assistance over this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25971/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department does not assist with, or make financial contribution to, the sourcing or provision of childcare or crèche facilities for the children of staff members of any grade or position.

Energy Prices

Questions (149)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

149. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications why the cost of domestic ESB is now higher than commercial, as this was never the case before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent energy regulator, which was assigned this responsibility through the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation. CRU ceased price setting within the retail electricity and gas markets in 2011 and 2014 respectively. As participants in liberalised, commercial markets, price setting is a decision for each supplier company based on individual business and strategic considerations.

The Government has taken a range of actions to support residential consumers, including the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit scheme, which saw three €200 (VAT inclusive) payments made to all domestic electricity accounts nationwide, and the €400 lump sum payment to recipients of Fuel Allowance. These steps were taken as part of the Government's broader efforts to support people with the cost of living, which included €2.5 billion of once-off measures introduced by Budget 2023 and a further €470 million package announced in February 2023.

Officials from my Department have ongoing engagement with CRU and the utility companies on pricing questions, customer protections and related matters. The CRU is accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU also has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members [e-mail].

Mining Industry

Questions (150)

Steven Matthews

Question:

150. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding any prospecting licences issued with respect to lithium extraction in an area (details supplied); if any mining licence applications have been submitted for this site to date; his views on the potential environmental impact of mining in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26117/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Prospecting Licences for the area concerned are held for a number of minerals, including lithium. I can advise that no mining licence applications have been submitted for this site. Before mining can take place if a commercial find has been identified and proven, three permissions must be obtained. Planning permission from the local authority, an industrial emissions or integrated pollution control licence from the Environmental Protection Agency and a State Mining Lease or Licence from the Geoscience Regulation Office, which must be accompanied by an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive and an Environmental Impact Assessment under the EIA Directive. An application for a State mining facility will only be considered once the first two permissions have been granted.

As set out in the Government’s Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining, published in December 2022, the protection of our environment and conservation of our natural heritage is paramount in how mineral prospecting and mining activities are regulated.

Invasive Species Policy

Questions (151)

Noel Grealish

Question:

151. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive coarse fish and invasive pike at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26138/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I refer to the reply to Question No. 119 of 11 May 2023. The position is unchanged.

Response to Question no. 63 of 29 March 2023

The Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006, referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of Pike. This Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis.

As recently advised by my officials at a meeting of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, a review of all Bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their application will be commenced shortly. It is intended that Bye-law 809 of 2006 will be reviewed early in that process.

I refer to the response to Question No.12139/23,of 9 March last, in relation the operational character of species management and the transboundary nature of the waters in question.

Response to Question no. 54 of 3 May 2023

The Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy relates to measures concerning the catching and retaining of all coarse species including perch. The Bye-Law is in force for the last 17 years on a National basis.

As recently advised by my officials at a meeting of the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland, a review of Bye-Laws in force for 10 years or more and their application will be commenced shortly. It is intended that Bye-Law 806 of 2006 will be reviewed early in that process.

Response to Question no. 119 of 11 May 2023

I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 63 of 29 March 2023 and 54 of 3 May 2023. The position is unchanged.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (152)

Noel Grealish

Question:

152. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department will support Inland Fisheries Ireland by all means in improving the ecological status of a lake (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26139/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The competent Authority for the EU Water Framework (WFD) is the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). In addition, water quality status, within the terms of the Directive, is assigned via the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has no direct function in the assignment of water quality status.

The status of fish stock is one of a number of indices used in combination by the EPA to determine water quality. In that context, and to support collaborative national efforts in implementing the WFD, IFI carries out surveys of fish populations, with funding support from DHLGH as the competent authority. IFI reports the results of surveys to EPA to contribute to overall assessments of water quality by EPA. IFI have advised that they are committed to continued support for the EPA and DHLGH in this regard.

On the general matter of water quality, I wish to advise the Deputy that while the percentage of groundwater bodies and coastal water bodies in satisfactory quality is well above the European average, our rivers, lakes and estuaries are not doing as well. Fifty per cent of rivers, 69 per cent of lakes and 36 per cent of estuaries are in satisfactory ecological health. Furthermore, while there have been some improvements, these are being cancelled out by declines during 2016-2021. Significant agricultural pressures include runoff of nutrients and sediment from agricultural lands and farmyards, and the contamination of surface waters with pesticides. Nutrients and other substances discharged from waste water treatment plants can lead to organic and nutrient enrichment with consequent impacts on dissolved oxygen levels and biological communities Further Details are available from the EPA website: www.epa.ie

Departmental Schemes

Questions (153)

Richard Bruton

Question:

153. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered extending the warmer homes scheme to persons living in Ireland who are in receipt of the fuel supplement from the British Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26174/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes Scheme are primarily linked to Department of Social Protection (DSP) means tested payments. Priority is then given to those living in the worst performing homes, with Building Energy Ratings of E, F or G. These criteria are in place with the aim of targeting the support to those on the lowest incomes in the least efficient homes, so that the resources available to the scheme can have the greatest impact.

I understand that the UK Winter Fuel payment can be claimed by people in Ireland that meet the relevant UK Government eligibility criteria. It is not a qualifying payment for the Warmer Homes scheme. Households where someone is in receipt of the UK Winter Fuel payment may also qualify for one of the DSP payments that are eligible payments for the Warmer Homes scheme, subject to the household meeting the relevant DSP operational guidelines and means test where required for the respective payment. My Department has no function in relation to DSP schemes, means testing or payments.

For people who do not meet the qualifying criteria for free upgrades, the Government also provides supports to homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Included in these supports are grants for attic and cavity wall insulation which were tripled in value last year, to urgently reduce energy use and cost as part of the Government’s overall response to high energy prices and the increased cost of living. Details are available on SEAI’s website at www.seai.ie/grants

There are also other grants and schemes available from Government that could be of assistance where there is an urgent need for home repairs. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Pay.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (154)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount paid by his Department to external legal teams, HR specialists, accountancy firms, and consultants in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26230/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Expenditure by my Department on consultancy services in 2022 amounted to €16,526,451.

Energy Conservation

Questions (155)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

155. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the target number of retrofits under each scheme for 2022 and for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26299/23]

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.

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 can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/news-and-media/home-energy-upgrades-2022/. A report on Q1 2023 performance on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes is available at SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q1-2023.pdf.

The 2023 targets by scheme is detailed in the table below.

Projected Output Figures for 2023
	Target Homes 2023
Better Energy Homes	15,000
Better Energy Warmer Homes	6,000
One Stop Shop Service	2,250
Deep Retrofit	31
Community Energy Grants	1,400
Solar PV	12,500
Totals	37,181

Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 161 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 164 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 130.

Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 130.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (167)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

167. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme for each of the subheads will be provided, beyond what was provided in the estimates process. [26311/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table at the link.

Budget Allocations