Written Answers Nos. 103-120
103. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans he and his Department have for blue carbon sequestration certification; the financial recognition and-or remuneration proposals that may be under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31320/23]
View answerBlue carbon refers to carbon which is stored, or sequestered, in the ocean, its sediments, and vegetated habitats around our coast. The Marine Institute’s special report on ‘Blue Carbon and Marine Carbon Sequestration in Irish Waters and Coastal Habitats’ (2021) outlined the emergence of blue carbon as a concept for the integration of coastal carbon dynamics into policy and management frameworks. Two further research projects to improve our understanding of this emerging topic were launched in March 2022: BlueC – Investigating Ireland’s Blue Carbon Potential through a Scientific, Socio-economic and Legislative Approach, and Quest – Quantification, characterisation, source, and fate of past and present carbon storage in coastal and offshore sediments for effective marine management.
In addition, the European Commission’s current proposal for a regulation to establish a Union certification framework for carbon removals, is seeking to create and govern an EU-wide carbon removal certification system by 2030. The proposal is for a carbon certification scheme that will allow for a wide variety of business models to reward carbon removals by farmers, land managers, foresters, fishers, and other stakeholders. The current draft includes marine ecosystems. Officials from both my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are engaged in its progress.
104. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on fish kill in north Clare; if he will report on his engagement with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of the recent fish kill which amounted to 2,000 fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31328/23]
View answer144. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a recent fish kill in the Ballymacraven river, County Clare; if he will provide details of what investigative work his Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have undertaken following this event; how he proposes to support the restoration of the Ballymacraven river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31295/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 144 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 226 of 13 June 2023. The position has not changed.
105. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the position in respect of NewEra’s role in pension increases for An Post staff; if NewEra has advised that the increase be granted; and if he has been contacted by An Post management regarding this issue (details supplied). [31373/23]
View answer114. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a pensions agreement (details supplied) will be implemented. [30768/23]
View answer116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a pensions agreement will be implemented (details supplied). [30776/23]
View answer119. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the agreed pension increase for An Post pensioners will be paid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30792/23]
View answer125. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when Ministerial approval will issue to enable An Post to increase payments to their pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30913/23]
View answer146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify his role in respect of pension increases for An Post staff; if he has received advise that the increase be granted; and if he has been contacted by An Post management regarding this issue (details supplied). [31374/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 114, 116, 119, 125 and 146 together.
On 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent to the second phase of their current pay agreement which provides for a 2% increase in pay from 1st January 2023. In addition to this, on foot of a recent Labour Court decision, An Post also wrote to my Department on 9 March seeking approval to make increases to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of a 5% increase from 1 January 2022 and a 1% increase from 1 July 2023.
In accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, An Post must seek Ministerial approval to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. As per Circular 16/2021, all such proposals require NewERA’s views, as well as a business case setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for the proposed increase. Circular 16/2021 states that pension approval requests should be submitted for approval well in advance of any decision to implement changes in acknowledgement of the necessary processes that must be completed and in order to ensure that pension increases are not unduly delayed. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
Following receipt of the requests and associated documentation in recent weeks and months from An Post, the standard process is now being followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials being required prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
Consideration of the consent requests is well advanced and a report from NewERA is expected shortly. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision making process will be concluded.
106. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department holds any information on the number of telecommunications cables that pass through the Irish marine EEZ; if so, to provide that information, including information on the ownership of same, by state and-or by public or private entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30513/23]
View answerMy Department does not hold information on the number of telecommunications cables that pass through the Irish marine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Telecommunications cables that traverse the Irish EEZ, but do not land in the State, do not require a Foreshore licence under the current Foreshore regime and therefore information gathered and processed during the licence application process does not apply to traversing cables.
107. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the definition of critical infrastructure used by his Department in regard to undersea telecommunications cables; if the designation of infrastructure as critical is a reference to its being critical infrastructure for Ireland, or critical infrastructure for another country or countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30514/23]
View answer108. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of undersea telecommunications cables that connect Ireland to other states and-or networks outside this jurisdiction; to outline the ownership of same, by state and-or by public or private entity, in tabular form; to clarify if these cables are regarded as critical infrastructure per the definition used by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30515/23]
View answerDelivering world class connectivity and communications is one of the five strategic goals of my Department. Subsea telecommunications cables are of critical importance in relation to maintaining and enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness in global markets and in the knowledge economy. Our digital infrastructure enables our wider economy to be among the most productive in the world and has provided resilience to shocks such as COVID-19. A fundamental component of our digital infrastructure is the network of subsea telecommunications cables that connect us to the rest of the world.
In accordance with the Strategic Emergency Management Framework critical national infrastructure is defined as being of unique national importance, which if disrupted or destroyed would have significant national level effects and may impact across a number of sectors. Critical infrastructure is therefore focused around the concept of essential services and telecommunications is identified in this guidance document as such.
The European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection outlines an overall framework for protection of Critical Infrastructure in the EU and provides for an ‘all-hazards cross-sectorial approach’. This considers all threats for all relevant sectors for economic activity.
The Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) is coordinating the new European Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive, which aims to enhance the resilience of critical entities that provide services essential for vital societal functions or economic activities in the internal market. This Directive creates a framework to support Member States in ensuring that critical entities are able to prevent, resist, absorb and recover from disruptive incidents, whether they are caused by natural hazards, accidents, terrorism, insider threats, or public health emergencies. Given its focal point for this new Directive, the OEP also ensures that information concerning the resilience of critical entities is communicated in appropriate ways to Government Departments and sectors of relevance. This includes advisories for the information of operators of essential services and critical infrastructure as and when required.
There are 15 undersea telecoms cables of which 2 are owned by entities of the Irish State.
109. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications processed to date for the warmer homes deep retrofit scheme; the number approved and denied under the scheme to date constructed pre and post-1940 respectively; the number of homes completed and the number of homes where work is ongoing under the scheme to date constructed pre and post 1940 respectively; the average cost of such works in each category; the plans if any he has to ensure that at the very least as basic level of insulation of attics, lagging, heating controls and resealing of windows is performed on houses refused under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30529/23]
View answerHomes built before 1940 are not precluded from applying to the Warmer Homes scheme (providing free, fully-funded upgrades), or any of the grant supported residential and community energy efficiency schemes administered on behalf of my Department by the SEAI.
However, homes built before 1940 were generally constructed using traditional methods, which can include walls constructed of stone, single-leaf masonry or composite wall construction. This means that standard/modern retrofit solutions are often not suitable for these buildings, as it can lead to adverse and unintended consequences for the building’s fabric (i.e. damp, mould) and the health and wellbeing of its occupants.
Wall insulation is therefore not currently recommended under any of SEAI’s residential energy efficiency schemes for dwellings built before 1940 (that use the wall construction types referred to above). All of the SEAI approaches are determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating the relevant NSAI Code of practice for energy-efficient retrofitting of dwellings.
Under the Warmer Homes scheme, all eligible homes are assessed and works are recommended in line with the scheme’s Terms and Conditions. While insulation might not be recommended for the walls, other measures such as attic insulation may still be recommended and provided to those homes.
The Government fully agrees that it is essential that we have both the standards and the supports in place for retrofitting all types of housing – to ensure that the principles of universality and fairness underpinning the National Retrofit Plan are met. A new guidance document focused on ‘Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings’ is being developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the upgrading of such buildings. It is intended that the guidance will published at the end of Q3.
The additional specific information requested is not routinely supplied by SEAI to my Department but is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
110. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent of the invasive roach population in Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, which are both SACs; the consequences for the native brown trout and Atlantic salmon populations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30605/23]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that Roach is a "cyprinid", native to most of Europe and was introduced into Ireland some 130 years ago in the 1880’s. Since the 1950s it has become one of the most common fish species in Ireland, particularly in eutrophic lakes, canals and slow flowing parts of large rivers in the midlands and north midlands.
Roach as a non-native is subject to restrictions under Regulations 49 (prohibition on introduction and dispersal) and 50 (prohibition on dealing in and keeping) of the European Communities Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations, S.I. No. 477 of 2011, under the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Roach was first identified in Lough Corrib in the early 1980’s, observed in routine netting operations on the lake from the late 1980s until 1992 when a decline was observed. The most recent survey of the lake in 2021 indicate an apparent increase in abundance in the lower lake, but a decline in abundance in the upper lake since earlier surveys.
Roach was first recorded in Lough Mask in a fish stock survey in 1996. The most recent survey of the lake in 2022 indicated that roach were abundant in the lake.
The establishment of roach in waterbodies where they are not present may potentially result in competition with other species, such as trout, which occupy the same ecological niche.
Roach do not occupy the same ecological niche as salmon. Salmon juveniles reside in fast flowing rivers and adult salmon rarely feed in lakes while on route to spawning beds and IFI advise there is little evidence on overlap in feeding habitats to the same extent as lake dwelling trout.
IFI also advise that roach is often the main prey item for pike in many waters and may serve a useful purpose of alleviating predation pressure on trout and salmon.
Once introduced it is effectively impossible to eliminate roach from larger waterbodies. Preventing colonisation is the best management measure available. Roach can tolerate enriched waters, so thrive in waters when there is deteriorating water quality and increased eutrophication.
The numbers of roach can be controlled/reduced by improving water quality and reducing the amount of nutrients entering waterbodies as required by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). IFI will continue to monitor the ecological status of fish stocks in selected lake and river waterbodies to contribute the work of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for the purposes the WFD and for broader conservation purposes.
111. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason no preliminary draft policy papers for the inland fisheries sector, no single comprehensive policy statement for the inland fisheries sector and no details on a broad public consultation on policies for the inland fisheries sector have been published to date as per his declaration in Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 23 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30606/23]
View answerI refer to Question No. 140 of 30 May 2023. The position is unchanged.
112. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the inland fisheries division within his Department or Inland Fisheries Ireland have investigated the desirability of reintroducing European Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) into SAC waters, given that the reintroduction is the only measure available to achieve their favourable conservation status in Ireland under Article 22 of the EU Habitats Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30607/23]
View answerInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have advised that the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) is a species which may enter freshwater for variable periods but principally occur in marine or estuarine waters. A recent study on sturgeon indicated that through the historical records only 243 records exist over a period of 276 years indicating that the species is a nomadic and relatively rare visitor to Irish waters.
While the Atlantic sturgeon is listed under the Habitats Directive Annex II and IV for Europe, it is not listed by the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) as a qualifying interest fish species for Ireland under relevant legislation.
Based on available information and data, it is not clearly evidenced that Atlantic sturgeon is native to Ireland but rather is a nomadic and infrequent visitor to our shores. Therefore, consideration or support for a reintroduction programme is not considered appropriate.
113. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if additional SEAI grant supports are available for households which have already had solar panels installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30608/23]
View answerThe Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic applicants for Solar PV, with grant amounts up to a maximum of €2,400. All applicants must ensure grant approval is received from the SEAI prior to installation work commencing. It is not possible to apply for a grant for work already underway or complete, as costs incurred prior to grant approval are ineligible.
Pre-installation approval for solar PV grants helps ensure that installations are carried out by a registered installer following the SEAI’s Installer Code of Practice; available at www.seai.ie/publications/SPV-Code-of-Practice.pdf. The Installer must certify that the solar PV system installation has been designed, installed, tested, and commissioned in accordance with this code of practice, and other relevant codes, standards and building regulations. The Installer must, at their own cost, provide all information required by SEAI or SEAI’s agents for the purposes of audit and inspection, throughout the installation process.
The Government funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Grant funding can only be issued once per property for each type of works. Therefore, any property which previously benefited from a Solar PV grant, or any other Government scheme, cannot receive further support for the same type of installation.
115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide his response to a report (details supplied) concerning Ireland's implementation of the sustainable development goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30769/23]
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 VNR 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 SDGs 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.
117. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that while electricity companies (details supplied) are deducting energy costs, they are simultaneously increasing standing charges to more than double the price; if he has engaged with energy companies on this issue; the rationale behind the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30784/23]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. CRU ended its regulation of retail prices in the electricity market in 2011, and in the gas market in 2014.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise to questions on energy regulatory matters for direct reply at oireachtas@cru.ie.
118. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider increasing the size of the SEAI solar PV grant KW/PH rate in order that consumers can avail of larger solar units but drawdown the maximum €2,400 grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30787/23]
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 23. 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, at the rate of €900/kW up to 2kW, and a further €300/kW between 2kW and 4kW, up to a maximum of €2,400. It should be noted that there is no limit on the size of installations for households, with the maximum grant of €2,400 available for any installation greater than 4kW.
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 functioning well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.
The recent reduction in the VAT rate to 0% on the supply and installation of solar PV panels on homes, in effect since 1 May 2023, will benefit all households looking to install solar PV. This reduction brings the average solar PV installation cost down by up to €1,000, as well as shortening the average investment payback period and reducing the cost of any additional 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, of up to €24c/kwh, offering the opportunity for remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
120. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss potential modification of the operation of the deposit return scheme to ensure it does not have the unintended consequence of providing a competitive advantage to large-scale producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30834/23]
View answerIn November 2021, the Deposit Return Scheme Regulations (S.I. No 599 of 2021) were signed. Under these Regulations, it is the responsibility of producers to establish and operate a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), to be funded by the following:
• Registration fees set by the approved body,
• Producer fees set by the approved body,
• Unredeemed deposits,
• Revenue derived from sale of returned containers, and
• Any other income sources created by the approved body.
In July 2022, I approved an application from Deposit Return Scheme Ireland CLG (trading as Re-turn) to operate as an approved body under the DRS Regulations. Re-turn is a new, not-for-profit company set up by beverage producers and retailers to meet their obligations under the DRS Regulations. Re-turn is responsible for all operational matters relating to the DRS, including the setting of registration and producer fees.
I am aware of the concerns raised by small producers in relation to DRS. Re-turn are engaging with those producers and are in the process of considering what measures can be put in place to address those concerns.
My officials have been in contact with the representative body referenced in the question and I intend to meet with them as soon as is possible.
