Written Answers Nos. 164-179
164. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan for the CRU, which included the approval of 74 new whole-time positions; how many have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/23]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector, following enactment if the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation.
While CRU is financed by means of a levy on regulated entities, it must currently receive approval from the Minister of Environment, Climate & Communications and the Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, in consultation with the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage, for staffing levels.
CRU submitted its strategic plan for the period 2022-24 to the Minister in December 2021. The plan was accompanied by a resource plan which detailed a re-organisation of CRU seeking sanction for an additional 74 new whole-time positions, bringing CRU’s sanctioned number of staff to 196, to be implemented over a three-year period. CRU has confirmed, as of 11 July 2023, that 30 out of the total 74 positions have been filled.
165. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of connections under the national broadband plan in County Mayo; how that compares to revised targets; the sanctions against the contracted company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35015/23]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention aims to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 30 June 2023, 154,437 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 45,228 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has also advised that as of 30 June, 5,613 premises in County Mayo are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 1,653 premises connected.
To date, the level of connections is in line with projections. In several counties, the level of take-up has exceeded 30% only a few months after services were made available which is very positive.
Where fibre has been available from NBI since 2021 the take up is reaching 40%. There are currently around 3,000 premises connecting to the NBP network every month and this monthly connection number is expected to increase to approximately 4,000 per month during 2023.
NBI is committed to delivering a cumulative target of 185,000 premises passed by the end of January 2024.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Mayo which 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.
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 30 June 2023, 938 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 655 schools) have been installed and the high-speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Mayo all 16 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Mayo all 58 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/
The contract with NBI contains a comprehensive set of protections and legally binding obligations. The contract requires significant monthly, quarterly and annual reporting of costs and revenues to the Department, with the subsidy released only on achievement of contract milestones which are verified through an independent certification process. This means that NBI is only paid subsidy when milestones have been met and verified.
The contract makes provision for dealing with delays to delivery of the network.
166. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, by post-BER standard, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/23]
View answer167. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard for each retrofit scheme under subhead B4, in tabular form. [35107/23]
View answer168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the one-stop shop (national homes retrofit); and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35108/23]
View answer169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for a retrofit under all SEAI schemes in Q2 in 2023, by scheme, per BER rating pre-completion, and per BER rating post-completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35109/23]
View answer170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35112/23]
View answer171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the one-stop-shop scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35113/23]
View answer172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy community grant scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35114/23]
View answer175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 in 2023, per scheme, in tabular form. [35118/23]
View answer176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023 by post-BER standard, per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35119/23]
View answer177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of total retrofits completed that were of a standard of B2 or higher post-completion, per scheme, in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35120/23]
View answer178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of total retrofits completed that were of a standard of B2 or higher post completion per scheme, in tabular form in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/23]
View answer179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of total retrofits completed by post-BER standard per scheme, in tabular form in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35122/23]
View answer200. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35301/23]
View answer201. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait time for retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/23]
View answer202. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost for retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35303/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 172, inclusive, 175 to 179, inclusive, and 200 to 202, inclusive, together.
The National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.
To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, last year, the Government launched 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 June 2023 show 21,733 home energy upgrades have been delivered so far this year. A further breakdown of the home energy upgrades by Scheme shows:
- 4,438 homes were delivered across the Warmer Homes and Warmth and Wellbeing schemes in 2022 which represents an increase of 85% year-on-year. Figures to the end of June 2023 show 2,346 home energy upgrades completed under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
- 8,481 homes were upgraded to a post works BER or B2 or better in 2022, representing a 95% increase year-on-year. Figures to the end of June 2023, show 7,566 homes have been upgraded to a post works BER of B2 or better.
- 643 home energy upgrades were completed under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme in 2022. Figures to the end of June 2023 show 593 home energy upgrades completed.
- 11,806 home energy upgrades were completed under the Better Energy Homes scheme in 2022, representing a 54% increase year-on-year. Figures to the end of June 2023 show 9,716 home energy upgrades completed.
- 10,017 home energy upgrades were completed under the Solar PV scheme in 2022, representing a 145% increase year-on-year. Figures to the end of June 2023 show 8,895 home energy upgrades completed.
- 295 home energy upgrades were completed under the Community Energy Grants Scheme in 2022. Figures to the end of June 2023 show 183 home energy upgrades completed.
- 2,272 heat pumps were installed in 2022. Figures to the end of June 2023 show 1,831 heat pumps installed.
My Department is working with SEAI to continue to build on the strong performance of 2022. A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 home energy upgrades this year. Performance for the first half of this year shows the SEAI has delivered 58% of this target.
The latest SEAI data available to my Department for average waiting times covers Quarter 1, 2023 and is set out below, along with the timeframes for the various schemes operated by the SEAI:
- The Individual Grants (Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV) are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI (this approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants). Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval. For home upgrades completed in Quarter 1, 2023 the average waiting times for Better Energy Homes was 162 days and 153 days for Solar PV.
- Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months. For home upgrades completed in Quarter 1, 2023 the average waiting times for the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme was 142 days. Average waiting time data is not available for the Community Energy Grant Scheme.
- The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. Most recent figures from SEAI show there are 14,871 homes on the WHS work programme. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home. For home upgrades completed in Quarter 1, 2023 the average waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme was 684 days.
The costs 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.
With regard to the average costs data available to the Department, and provided below, it should be noted that under the Better Energy Homes, Solar PV, One Stop Shop and Communities schemes the works costs 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 |
National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme |
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 |
€24,007 |
€39,227 |
* Data year to May 2023
A more detailed overview of the SEAI 2022 performance against annual targets on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes can be found in their recently published quarterly report, which can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/news-and-media/home-energy-upgrades-2022/. A report on Q1 2023 performance on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes is available at SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q1-2023.pdf.
The progress report for Quarter 2, 2023 is being prepared by SEAI and will be available shortly. Officials of my Department continue to engage with SEAI to further develop and enhance the Quarterly Reports.
174. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 20 June 2023, to cite the specific law which empowered him or the Government to task the CRU to implement the decision. [35115/23]
View answerSection 7 of the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Act 2001, as substituted by section 21(3) of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 provides as follows:
"All amounts representing dividends or other money received by the Minster for Finance or the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (now the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications) in respect of capital stock held by either of them shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in such manner as the Minister for Finance may direct."
It is important to note that the CRU was established as an independent statutory regulator by the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and enhanced under the Gas (Interim)(Regulation) Act 2002 and the Water Services (No. 2), Act 2013.
The CRU is legally independent in the performance of its functions and is entirely accountable to the Oireachtas for such performance.
