Written Answers Nos. 183-207
183. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the progress in the conservation of salmon stocks in the rivers in the south east; how the funds raised through the salmon licence payment are used; the amount collected in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27329/23]
View answerOperations for conservation of salmon stocks in the rivers of the South-Eastern Region and disbursement of funds raised via committing 50% of the duty on both angling and commercial salmon fishing licenses for conservation and restoration projects, are operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function.
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 oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
184. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide i bhfianaise na heolaíochta a pléadh ag COP27 a léiríonn go ndéanfaí dochar d’inmharthanacht na bpobal cósta, tuaithe agus uirbeach de dheasca an athraithe aeráide, an gcuirfidh a Roinn plean le chéile chun inmharthanacht phobal na Gaeltachta, go háirithe, a chinntiú sa todhchaí i gcomhthéacs an athraithe aeráide; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27385/23]
View answerIs príomhfhócas náisiúnta polasaí é oiriúnú don athrú aeráide agus cinntiú go bhfuil Éire athléimneach i leith tionchair na hathraithe aeráide. Leagann an Creat Náisiúnta Oiriúnaithe (NAF) polasaí náisiúnta amach agus cuireann sé béim ar a thábhachtaí atá sé oiriúnaithe agus gníomhaíochtaí a thógall san áireamh in earnálacha ábhartha. Leanann an “príomhshruthú” seo ar pholasaithe agus ar ghníomhaíochtaí oiriúnaithe dea-chleachtas idirnáisiúnta. Déanann Pleananna Oiriúnaithe Earnála (SAPanna) a dhéantar faoin NAF cur síos agus measúnú ar mhéid na rioscaí a bhaineann le hathrú aeráide in earnáil shonrach, agus leagann said amach gníomhaíochtaí chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar na rioscaí sin agus athléimneacht aeráide na hearnála a chinntiú. Cuirtear gníomhaíochtaí chun oiriúnú a phríomhshruthú i mbeartas agus i riarachán ag leibhéal earnála sna SAPanna freisin.
Críochnaíodh athbhreithniú reachtúil ar an NAF in 2022 agus tá NAF nua á fhorbairt faoi láthair. Tar éis an NAF nua a fhaomhadh, beidh SAPanna nua nó ag teastáil. Tagann polasaí chun inmharthanacht phobal na Gaeltachta a chinntiú, lena n-áirítear tionchair na hathrú aeráide, faoi chúram mo chomhghleacaí an tAire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus is faoin Aire sin a bheidh sé. SAP a fhorbairt nó plean eile a dhéanamh le athléimneacht i leith tionchair aeráide ar phobail na Gaeltachta a chinntiú
Éascófar pleanáil oiriúnaithe do gach pobal cois cósta nuair a foilsítear Thuarascáil an Ghrúpa Idir-Rannach ar an Straitéis Náisiúnta um Bainistíocht ar Athrú Cósta atá á tabhairt chun críche ag an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta agus Aire Stát Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí.
185. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has undertaken a study to determine the number of individuals in energy poverty or who are in arrears as a result of high energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27392/23]
View answerOn 13 December Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan is available at www.gov.ie and sets out the range of measures being implemented, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes. The implementation of the Action Plan is being monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
As set out in the plan, as part of the ESRI’s research programme, Government is providing funding to examine whether existing supports are well-targeted towards those who are at risk of energy poverty and the impact of those supports on the level of energy poverty.
As part of this research the ESRI will:
• propose a metric for measuring energy poverty that combines expenditure and energy efficiency;
• propose metrics to measure changes in the trend of fuel poverty regarding the number of households and its severity.
The research programme is a three year programme and the ESRI will publish papers throughout this time.
As Minister, I meet with a range of stakeholders, including supplier companies, on how best to ensure vulnerable people can stay warm and well during the winter months. Officials from my Department also regularly engage with suppliers on how best to protect vulnerable customers and those in arrears, and to discuss actions being taken by suppliers, such as the provision of supplier hardship funds.
The Government will engage with relevant stakeholders in the coming months to further the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan, and to examine additional support measures in the context of Budget 2024
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned consumer protection functions under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation and has statutory responsibility for the compliance by energy suppliers with their consumer protection obligations. It is a function of CRU to regulate the market including market monitoring. At their most recent appearance with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action CRU provided further detail on disconnections and arrears. The number of domestic gas customers in arrears at the end of March stood at 160,399, while the number of domestic electricity customers in arrears was 199,790.
186. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to publish any Shareholder Expectations Frameworks and any formal dividend policies for the ESB that were in place for the period from July 2009 to September 2010. [27421/23]
View answerThere was no Shareholder Expectations Framework in place at the time in question, as the Performance Framework which was advised in the 2009 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, had yet to be developed by Government.
Following the establishment of NewERA in 2011, the Government began the process of reforming the management of the Government’s shareholder role in relation to the commercial state sector. As part of this reform, NewERA in conjunction with the relevant Government Departments developed a Shareholder Expectations Framework.
Shareholder Letters of Expectation (SLOE) were mandated from 2016 onwards, in accordance with the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, and my Department has had SLOEs in place with ESB since then. The purpose of the SLOE is to set out the views and expectations of the relevant Ministers, as shareholders of the companies, on matters including financial performance and dividend policy. These letters also set out the importance of striking the right balance between distribution of dividends and reinvestment in the business.
Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the Shareholder Letters of Expectation, they are not routinely published.
In relation to dividend policies, while decisions on annual dividend payments to shareholders are ultimately a matter for the Board of ESB, the dividend policy at the time was a rate of broadly 30% of expected profits. This was agreed with the company as part of the then Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Department of Finance approval process for ESB’s Strategic Framework to 2020 and Corporate Plan 2008 – 2012, and was in line with the Government decision (S180/20/10/0964B) - dividends from commercial state bodies.
The dividends paid out at the time in question can be found in the ESB’s Annual Report and Accounts, available on esbarchives.ie/category/annual-reports/.
187. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to submit an updated National Energy and Climate Plan before the 30 June deadline. [27424/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the cross-Government coordination and development of the National Energy and Climate Plan with the first NECP being developed and submitted to the European Commission in 2019.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 states that each Member State must finalise its latest notified integrated NECP by June 2024 with a draft submitted in 2023 to allow the Commission adequate time to analyse the draft Plan.
Since the publication of the 2018 Regulation, new climate and energy regulations and targets have been introduced, which have dramatically changed the scope of the NECP. Many of these changes in targets have been as a result of the unjustified Russian aggression against the sovereign state of Ukraine which caused an energy crisis across the EU and a subsequent EU-wide effort to accelerate the roll-out of renewable energy supply. For example, the Renewable Energy Directive was reviewed to increase the renewable energy target from 32 to 40%, and on 30 March 2023 a new provisional agreement was reached, increasing the target to a minimum of 42.5%, but aiming for 45%, by 2030. The Energy Efficiency Directive Recast (EED recast) has recently been agreed and similarly will impact the content of the NECP.
The NECP is a complex exercise involving multiple Departments and Agencies. At this stage the Department is instituting the necessary tools and governance arrangements to ensure all the required data is gathered in an accurate and timely manner. The Department aims to deliver the draft as close to the timelines set in the Regulation as practicable, but with the pace of change of energy targets, meeting these deadlines will be challenging for all EU Member States.
We are aiming to publish a draft NECP later this year prior to running a public consultation and carrying out the necessary environmental assessments. Regardless of the continuously evolving targets and complexities, I am hopeful that we will meet the deadline of June 2024 for publication of the final NECP.
188. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of rental properties that were retrofitted under each SEAI scheme, in tabular form. [27425/23]
View answerRental properties can present a specific challenge for energy efficiency improvements. This is an issue found in most countries where the incentives to invest in energy upgrades can be misaligned between landlords and tenants. The Government’s Housing for All Plan commits to the introduction of a minimum BER for private rental properties, where feasible, from 2025, and to develop a roadmap to implement these standards. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading on this work.
SEAI supports are in place to help building owners to address the energy efficiency of their rented properties. As part of Ireland’s National Retrofit Plan, the Government introduced a new package of supports including enhanced grant amounts. These supports have been made available to non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to undertake home energy upgrades. Higher grant levels are available to AHBs.
SEAI does not currently collect data in relation to the numbers of non-corporate landlords receiving grant funding under their schemes. In relation to Approved Housing Bodies 437 homes owned by AHBs received SEAI grant support in 2022 and a further 151 AHB owned homes were supported in Q1 2023.
As well as the SEAI grant supports a new tax incentive to encourage small-scale landlords to undertake retrofitting works while the tenant remains in situ was announced last year. This measure provides for a tax deduction of up to €10,000 per property, against Case V rental income, for certain retrofitting expenses incurred by the landlord on rented residential properties, for a maximum of two rental properties. Details are set out in Section 32 of the Finance Act 2022.
The Housing for All plan commits to the retrofitting of 36,500 local authority homes by 2030 as part of the achievement of the Climate Action Plan retrofit targets. In 2022 2,283 Local Authority retrofits were completed, and a target of 2,400 upgrades has been set for 2023.
189. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the government's position on the 19 June EU Energy Council agenda items. [27426/23]
View answerThe agenda for the EU Council meeting on 19 June is still in draft form. Once the agenda is set, I will form a position taking account of advice from my officials and that position will be relayed at the Council meeting.
190. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the capital and current allocation for each retrofit scheme, in tabular form. [27427/23]
View answerMy Department funds a number of schemes to support households, businesses and the public sector to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. SEAI administer these schemes on behalf of my Department.
Budget 2023 allocated record funding to energy transformation including the national residential retrofit programme and free upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty.
Residential and community schemes, including the Solar PV schemes have been allocated a total budget of approximately €360 million, while approximately €80 million is earmarked for energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes in businesses and the public sector, including a new scheme for SMEs.
A breakdown of the current and capital allocation for 2023 for each retrofit scheme is set out in the below table. In addition to these energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes SEAI is funded to administer a number of other information and research programmes and regulatory schemes.
|
Programme |
Current Allocation 2023 (€M) |
Capital Allocation 2023 (€M) |
Total 2023 (€M) |
|
Residential/Community |
|||
|
Better Energy Homes |
1.6 |
48.4 |
50 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
0.956 |
148.5 |
149.456 |
|
National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (OSS) |
0.850 |
45 |
45.850 |
|
Solar PV |
0.680 |
29.4 |
30.08 |
|
Solar PV – medically vulnerable |
- |
6.77 |
6.77 |
|
Community Energy Grants |
0.3 |
68 |
68.3 |
|
Community Activation Fund (includes SEC and LEAF) |
0.213 |
5.330 |
5.543 |
|
Community Renewable Energy Support Scheme |
0.101 |
1 |
1.101 |
|
Deep Retrofit |
0.065 |
2.2 |
2.265 |
|
Business/Public Sector |
|||
|
Public Sector Energy Efficiency |
1.9 |
60 |
61.9 |
|
Non-Domestic Retrofit |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Business Energy Efficiency |
0.8 |
2.3 |
3.1 |
|
EXEED |
0.5 |
7 |
7.5 |
|
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat |
0.44 |
3.5 |
3.940 |
|
Commercial Microgen |
0.2 |
2 |
2.2 |
191. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the pay grades hired in his Department division energy security emergency management; and the costs of each. [27457/23]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
192. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the potential cost of providing every second-level student in the State with a reusable water bottle, which could be brought to school or used during sports activities to reduce the use of plastic bottles (as per the pilot project undertaken by Galway City Council); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/23]
View answerThe latest data published by the Central Statistics Office shows that the number of students attending secondary level schools in Ireland is 405,003 and the potential cost of providing every second-level student in the State with a reusable water bottle would be a multiple of that number, depending on the pricing for reusable bottles, which varies depending on brand, material and size.
Studies carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on public behaviours and attitudes towards plastics show that 81% of Irish people already own a reusable water bottle so government investment to promote alternatives to single use plastics must be targeted in the right way.
Current measures in place to encourage people to use refillable bottles and cups and to drink from the tap include:
• The Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN) has developed a guide for local government and communities which supports access to free water refill points. LAPN also provides funding for the installation of public drinking water fonts and, in 2022, funds were provided 5 Local Authorities for this purpose.
• Refill.ie is a non-profit, community-led initiative, funded by the EPA and local government which maps the 1,600+ locations across the country where a reusable water bottle can be refilled for free.
• The GAA’s Green Clubs initiative, funded by local government and Irish Water, provides free, reusable bottles to participating clubs.
Finally, I understand that the Exchequer-funded pilot project on drinking-water fountains established in 2022 by the Minister for Housing and Local Government and Heritage, will be subject to a post-project review this year. I look forward to hearing the outcome of that review and to explore ways in which I can provide support for any future scheme that delivers public water fountains across Ireland.
193. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action his Department is taking to ensure that price gouging does not occur under energy grant schemes, including the deep retrofit grant scheme and the solar PV grant scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27574/23]
View answerOn 5 April 2023, Government approved an amendment to the Finance Bill 2023 to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels on residential buildings, from 1 May 2023 onwards. It is expected that the new 0% VAT rate will be of significant benefit to homeowners, as it will reduce the average cost of a domestic solar PV installation by approximately €1,000 if fully passed to consumers, and help households to reduce their energy bills. The Revenue Commissioners have prepared guidelines concerning the application of VAT to residential solar panel installation; these are available at revenue.ie. It is important to note that while there is no guarantee that a reduction in the VAT rate will ultimately be passed on to the consumer, especially in the context of inflationary and supply chain pressures in the global economy over the last year; it is expected that with the broad range of solar PV installers across the country, that any companies which engage in price gouging will ultimately lose business to the majority of their customer-focused competitors. The retrofit and solar installation markets are served by a broad range of providers; the SEAI list registered energy professionals and companies at www.seai.ie/grants/find-a-registered-professional/.While price-setting is a commercial decision, price signalling or price-fixing through a cartel is illegal. Participants in a cartel can face criminal prosecution. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. It is important that any allegations of anti-competitive behaviour are escalated through the appropriate channels for further investigation. Such allegations should be raised directly with the CCPC, which can be done through their website: www.ccpc.ie/business/contact/make-competition-complaint.
194. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a medical centre (details supplied) in County Kerry will be included in the National Broadband rollout because of the failure of commercial internet providers to roll out speeds of 30 Mbps as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27590/23]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High-Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high-speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, my Department is not permitted to displace commercial investment by intervening in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these State aid rules. The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
In December 2022 my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets namely:
* all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028;
* all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
* digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023.
The majority of digital connectivity across the State will be delivered through commercial investment by the telecommunications industry and this will be complemented by the National Broadband Plan.
The Premises referred to in this question has access to high-speed broadband and the fibre broadband build is in progress. My Department does not have visibility of the commercial operator’s completion schedule.
195. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to provide broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/23]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 02 June 2023, 147,159 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 42,805 connections have already been made to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has advised that as of 02 June 2023, 18,074 premises in County Cork are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 5,385 premises connected.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork 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, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The network is specifically designed based on the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs) which allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible. Villages, townlands and counties are covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
The NBP network build, that started in 2020, is scheduled to be completed by 2027. NBI advise that the premises referred to in the question is at a status of ‘Pending Survey’.
Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local conditions and this work is on-going. Further steps are then required prior to fibre build and connections including:
• Results from surveys are sent to NBI’s design teams who then develop detailed designs for each of the 227 Deployment Areas for submission to the Department for “Approval to Proceed” with fibre build;
• Repair/activities (“Make Ready”) carried out to ensure existing infrastructure is sufficiently prepared to pass the premises with fibre;
• Installation of and connection to electronic equipment in each Local Exchange building;
• Laying of the physical fibre along the poles and ducts;
• Fibre build quality checks, network testing and handover within NBI;
• Upload of specific fibre build details by premises to computer systems within NBI, enabling retail service providers to make connection orders visible on their respective systems which in turn allows premises’ owners to place orders.
• On completion of network build works customers can then place an order and request a connection to be scheduled with the retail service provider of choice.
All of these activities must be completed before the premises can be designated premises passed status.
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 02 June 2023, 926 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 Cork 24 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Cork 90 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/
196. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to provide broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27606/23]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 02 June 2023, 147,159 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 42,805 connections have already been made to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has advised that as of 02 June, 3,120 premises in County Donegal are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 1,075 premises connected.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The network is specifically designed based on the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs) which allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible. Villages, townlands and counties are covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
Each DA creates a ‘fibre ring’ which is essential to ensure reliability, robustness and resilience. Critical to the success of the network, NBI’s fibre rings are built with back-ups, ensuring that in the event of one fibre cable being disrupted, the whole network continues to perform, protecting customer experience. Each fibre ring that NBI deploys is designed in a way that is non-discriminatory, meaning that as the rollout progresses, it may pass relatively urban areas at the same time as passing some of the most remote premises within the intervention area. The design utilises existing infrastructure to a very significant degree.
The NBP network build, that started in 2020, is scheduled to be completed by 2027. NBI advise that the premises referred to in the question is at a status of ‘Survey Underway’.
Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local conditions and this work is on-going. Further steps are then required prior to fibre build and connections including:
• Results from surveys are sent to NBI’s design teams who then develop detailed designs for each of the 227 Deployment Areas for submission to the Department for “Approval to Proceed” with fibre build;
• Repair/activities (“Make Ready”) carried out to ensure existing infrastructure is sufficiently prepared to pass the premises with fibre;
• Installation of and connection to electronic equipment in each Local Exchange building;
• Laying of the physical fibre along the poles and ducts;
• Fibre build quality checks, network testing and handover within NBI;
• Upload of specific fibre build details by premises to computer systems within NBI, enabling retail service providers to make connection orders visible on their respective systems which in turn allows premises’ owners to place orders.
• On completion of network build works customers can then place an order and request a connection to be scheduled with the retail service provider of choice.
All of these activities must be completed before the premises can be designated premises passed status.
NBI have created a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: nbi.ie/reps
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 02 June 2023, 926 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 Donegal all 12 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Donegal 40 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/
197. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will make a grant available for the installation of batteries as part of a residential solar panel system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27609/23]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) who administer Domestic Solar PV grants under the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), conducted a review of previous battery grants that had been available prior to the implementation of the MSS and found that given the current high cost of batteries, coupled with their low storage capacities and their relatively short lifespan (currently in the region of 10 years), that a stand-alone battery grant did not represent efficient use of Exchequer funds. The current grant rate of up to €2,400 under the Domestic Solar PV scheme, is based on the kWp size of the installed solar PV system and does not prevent an applicant from installing a battery or other such energy storage solution, such as a hot water diverter. Furthermore, since 1 May 2023, the VAT rate for solar panels and ancillary equipment has been reduced to 0%. This reduction means that the cost of solar pv equipment, including batteries that are installed alongside the solar panels as part of the same supply and install contract, are now significantly reduced.
Additionally, the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) ensures that?any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment.
It should also be noted that the Government offers supports to deliver on the target of 1 million Electric Vehicles (EV) to be deployed by 2030. EV batteries have significantly higher capacities than a typical domestic battery storage solution for Solar PV systems. Moreover, with the ongoing development of smart energy technology such as Vehicle to Grid charging, it is expected that in the near future EV batteries will be used to store excess micro-generated electricity during the day and provide electricity after daylight, which could represent a good investment for householders.
198. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider increasing the maximum grant available for the installation of residential solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27610/23]
View answerThe Government’s Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is targeting 380MW of new renewable generation capacity to contribute to an overall revised target for solar PV of up to 8GW by 2030, under the Climate Action Plan 2023. The scheme design was supported by detailed economic and policy analysis, as well as public consultation, prior to its approval in December 2021. Grants are currently available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations, up to a maximum of €2,400. Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply. In 2022, the SEAI received 16,819 applications to the Domestic Solar PV programme, 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 significant increase from 2021 when 4,077 homes received grant support, with 16.3 MW capacity installed. Moreover, current projections for 2023 indicate an even higher level of applications will be supported. While this very high level of interest indicates that the current design of the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary. However, there are currently no plans to increase the maximum grant available for the installation of residential solar panels. It should also be noted that maximising consumption of self-generated electricity will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs and shorten the payback period for the investment in the installation of solar panels. Additionally, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from all electricity suppliers, offering the opportunity for remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
199. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider increasing the Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27612/23]
View answerThe Government approved the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) in December 2021, to support 380MW of new micro-generation capacity by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. This would generate over 300 GWh of renewable electricity per annum, with the potential to abate 1.4 million tonnes of CO2eq over the lifetime of the installations. The MSS provides support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations up to 50kW. These applicants will also be eligible to avail of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff.
The first phase of the scheme saw the commencement of the MSS Domestic Solar PV grant on 16th February 2022, with grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,400.
The second phase of the MSS commenced on 22nd September 2022, when the SEAI extended the solar PV grant scheme to the non-domestic sector, including schools, businesses, small farms and community enterprises, for installations up to 6kW.The final phase of the MSS involves the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed in tariff, which will offer a guaranteed export tariff support for new non-domestic installations between 6kW and 50kW in size. The tariff will be fixed for 15 years and is expected to be available following the completion of a consultation and implementation plan by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which is expected to take place later in 2023. While there are currently no plans to increase the Clean Export Premium above the announced rate of €0.135/kWh, a review of the MSS is underway and this will include a review of the potential efficacy and effectiveness of the CEP in the current market. It is important to remember that the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available for all microgenerators. The CEG represents a key aspect of the overall comprehensive enabling framework for micro and small-scale generators in Ireland, which allows them to receive payment directly from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value of the electricity. Moreover, CEG tariff rates are currently higher than the proposed CEP rates, ranging from €13.5c/kWh to €24c/kWh.
200. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a report published by an organisation (details supplied); if he will respond to the recommendations set out in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27636/23]
View answerI am aware of this report which builds on a chapter that Coalition 2030 were invited to contribute to Ireland’s 2023 Voluntary National Review (VNR) which I look forward to delivering at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July.
Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out a bold vision for a safer, fairer, more prosperous and sustainable world by 2030. Ireland’s theme for the Voluntary National Review is Building Back Better, while Leaving No One Behind, to reach the furthest behind first.
We have adopted a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to implementing the SDGs, by embedding a framework into national and local government work to ensure a coherent system-wide approach, as well as greater dialogue and joined-up thinking between policy makers across sectors.
Ireland’s first National Implementation Plan provided a framework for Ireland to work towards implementing the SDGs, including through the support of national policies which contribute to meeting the Goals, and the facilitation of multi-stakeholder participation.
The timing of this VNR coincides with Ireland’s second National Implementation Plan 2022 - 2024 for the Sustainable Development Goals building on the structures and mechanisms from the
first Plan, developing and integrating additional approaches in areas identified through review and consultation that require further action.
As we enter the third Decade of Action for the SDGs, I recognise the urgency of moving into the next phase of implementation and the actions identified in the new Plan are essential to this transition.
201. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27654/23]
View answerMy Department ensures, to the greatest extent possible, that our published video content includes closed captioning. Between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023 (inclusive), 95% of social media videos posted were captioned. 10% of these featured closed captioning in the Irish language.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
202. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department, and public bodies and agencies under his remit, have an anti-racism policy which can be accessed by the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27672/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all colleagues, stakeholders, and citizens. Our Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan. A key action arising from this is our corporate strategy 'Ag Obair Le Chéile' which aims to develop our people, culture and organisation.
As part of Ag Obair le Chéile, my Department has developed an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan that will be launched in the coming month. The strategy and action plan aims to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace recognising all protected characteristics including race. My Department, in its dealings with staff, stakeholders and citizens, is committed to the public service ethos of independence, integrity, impartiality, fairness and respect and to ensure that staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in promoting this they undertake mandatory Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training on an annual basis.
The Civil Service has a range of robust policies that promotes respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace and these policies provide the framework within which my Department operates. These central Civil Service policies are publicly available on the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's website.
The information requested regarding the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of the re-municipalisation of waste services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27723/23]
View answerMy Department does not have an estimated cost for the remunicipalisation of waste collection services. It is open to any local authority to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers as local authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection within their functional areas.
204. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the average cost of a retrofit under each SEAI retrofitting scheme. [27720/23]
View answerMy 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: individual energy upgrade grants for step-by-step retrofits; One Stop Shops for an end to end service; Community Energy scheme for aggregation; and fully funded upgrades for qualifying households.
The cost of a retrofit/home energy upgrade depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home as well as the age and starting condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended. Depending on the scheme the retrofit can consist of a single energy efficiency measure, multiple measures or a whole home upgrade to B2 and the costs will vary accordingly.
It should be noted that under the Better Energy Homes, Solar PV, One Stop Shop and Communities schemes the works costs set out in the table below are based on declarations from the homeowners and contractors. The costs can vary depending on the factors outlined above. Additionally, homeowners may carry out non-grant aided/non energy related works as part of the same upgrade. Therefore the costs set out below may be in excess of the costs relating to the retrofit works only. The amounts paid out per grant-aided measure by SEAI are fixed irrespective of the costs declared.
In relation to the Warmer Homes scheme, the energy upgrade works are fully Exchequer funded and the costs set out in the table below reflect the total paid by the Exchequer.
Average of Works cost in each of the SEAI schemes
|
- |
Better Energy Homes |
One Stop Shop |
Solar PV |
Warmer Homes Scheme |
Community Energy Grants |
|
2022 |
€7,142 |
€33,959 |
€11,407 |
€19,476 |
€32,814 |
|
2023* |
€6,753 |
€38,752 |
€12,056 |
€24,114 |
€39,227 |
* Data until May 2023
205. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to develop hydro power in Ireland; if his Department are liaising with the range of State agencies including Irish Water and the SEAI to examine the potential of this source of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27745/23]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on Ireland's ambitious target to increase the share of electricity generation from renewable sources to 80%. While the primary policy objective of RESS is the delivery of renewable electricity in a sustainable, cost-effective, and secure framework, the broader policy objectives delivered under RESS include technology diversification.
The RESS auctions allow for a mixture of different renewable technologies, including hydropower, and provide pathways for renewable developers to plan and develop their projects. This method allows Ireland to take advantage of new technologies as they emerge.
I refer the Deputy to the published Indicative Schedule of RESS Auctions for further information on the timeline of further RESS auctions and the indicative volume of renewable electricity generation for each auction: RESS - Proposed Auctions Schedule - 86c32a4e-c3a1-4bda-9140-853e89a0f000.pdf (www.gov.ie).
206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the SEAI's database of BER ratings and the CSO's database on household incomes are entirely separate and not used together due, possibly, to GDPR considerations, and that this significantly limits analyses of energy poverty in Ireland (details supplied); if he has plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/23]
View answerThe Government’s Energy Poverty Action Plan acknowledges that improving our measurements and data collection will assist in identifying the severity of energy poverty being experienced by households and therefore, where additional supports could be further targeted.
As set out in the Action Plan, a research network on energy poverty chaired by the ESRI has been established. The Group consists of representatives from DECC, DSP, SEAI and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The main goal is to provide insights that enhance policy design to protect vulnerable households. A research agenda has been developed through coordinated effort of these different institutions.
As part of the planned programme of work the ESRI, working with the CSO, will work on matching Building Energy Rating (BER) data with the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). This will provide a breakdown of the relative contribution of income, and energy efficiency of the dwelling (measured with the BER) toward energy poverty, to be developed. The CSO has completed the matching process and the ESRI is currently analysing this data.
It should be noted that the Warmer Homes scheme is only available to people in receipt of certain qualifying payments from the Department of Social Protection. Building Energy Ratings are collected both before and after works on the scheme, and those homes rated E, F or G are prioritised for upgrade works. These criteria together allow for targeting of the support to those homes which are most in need of the support.
207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which a public consultation on the use of direct lines and private wires will be launched; if he will provide an update on the development of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27819/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 23 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. The policy area of Private Wires is broad in nature 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 my Department. Work on this policy area is ongoing within my Department with my officials engaging directly in recent months with interested stakeholders as part of the consultation formulation process. I intend that the consultation will be published during Q2 this year.
