Written Answers Nos. 85-104
85. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports in place for dormer houses that do not qualify for SEAI insulation funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36182/23]
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. Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty.
In February 2022, Government approved a package of supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s National Retrofit Plan. These measures are aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions.
Homes, built and occupied pre-2011 (pre-2021 for heat pumps and Solar PV) and owned by private homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies are eligible to apply for grant support under the SEAI Residential and Community Energy Upgrade schemes.
SEAI have advised that the technical requirements to address dormer homes can be challenging due to the construction style and the associated insulation and ventilation requirements. Further information on SEAI grants is available at www.seai.ie or by contacting SEAI directly at 1850 927 000.
86. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what independent inspections the SEAI carries out in circumstances where there is a dispute between a home-owner (details supplied) and a contractor in relation to damage allegedly caused by the contractor. [36184/23]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications.
SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure. SEAI deals with all complaints received and this in turn informs its risk-based approach to inspections. The case by case review of any complaints may inform desk based investigations and/or site visits where deemed appropriate. If after following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/ .
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
Should the homeowner have any further queries SEAI can be contacted directly at email warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone at 01-8082004.
87. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on security of electricity supply; whether there will be sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet expected national demand over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36214/23]
View answer88. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether the back-up generation capacity of large energy users represents a mitigation measure in terms of addressing national security of electricity supply risks over the coming winters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36215/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
The Commission of Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take such measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator, and my Department.
The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The CRU published an update on the Electricity Security of Supply Programme of Actions in February which can be found here: www.cru.ie/publications/27388/.
Supply margins are expected to remain tight throughout this year. The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks next winter and lower peak demand during this period.
EirGrid operates a Demand Side Unit (DSU) initiative for medium to large electricity users as part of their Demand Side Management programme. This initiative utilises large energy users ability to reduce demand during periods of system constraint helping to relieve pressure on the grid. The DSU initiative provides a crucial building block to manage demand as the electricity sector transitions to higher levels of variable renewable generation.
Additionally, EirGrid and ESB-Networks operate a Mandatory Demand Curtailment (MDC) Process that is applicable to all demand customers connected at 110kV and above. In the event of a System Emergency Status (Red Alert) the Transmission System Operator (TSO) may request or instruct the Distribution System Operator (DSO) that MDC be instructed to relevant Demand customers, in accordance with the Distribution System Load Operator Load Shedding Plan. Customers that receive an MDC instruction and who have not complied with that request within the applicable timeframe (minimum of 60 minutes) may be prioritised for disconnection in advance of the implementation of emergency load shedding or planned rota load shedding.
This approach furthers the objectives set out in the Distribution Code as this customer group will have the most significant impact on reduction of Demand, whilst at the same time minimising wider customer impact through reducing the number of affected customers and taking into account the on-site generation capabilities of Large Energy Users.
While this policy sets out the intended approach, it is noted more generally that the DSO reserves the right to disconnect Demand customers to protect the electricity system, in accordance with their license obligation and the requirements of the Grid Code and Distribution Code.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
89. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of heat pumps installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme for 2023 to the end of July, in tabular form. [36632/23]
View answer90. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the amount of funding for heat pumps installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme for 2023 to the end of July, in tabular form. [36633/23]
View answer91. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of oil and gas boilers installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme for 2023 to the end of July, in tabular form. [36634/23]
View answer92. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the amount of funding for oil and gas boilers installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme for 2023 to the end of July, in tabular form. [36635/23]
View answer93. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of heat pumps installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme for 2023 to the end of June, in tabular form. [36636/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 93, inclusive, together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To the end of June 2023, 2,346 homes were upgraded at an average cost of €24,000 per home.
The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded.
Heating systems upgrades are recommended under the schemes in cases where:
• There is no heating system in place, and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
• Where the existing heating system is obsolete and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
• Where statutory ‘Major Renovations’ obligations apply: A Major Renovation is triggered when more than 25% of the area of the walls is being externally and/or internally insulated, then the existing heating system must be appraised for replacement. This is legally required under the Building Regulations, Part L 2019.
It should be noted that the Warmer Homes Scheme is the only scheme administered by SEAI where installation of a new gas or oil heating system can be funded.
In order to move the scheme away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems where these Building Regulations are triggered, and to provide more extensive upgrades with decarbonised heating systems under the scheme, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot is gathering evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under this scheme.
The table below sets out the number of heat pumps installed under the scheme* and the number of oil or gas boilers installed under the scheme* in the first half of 2023. Figures to the end of July are not yet available. The total spent on homes which received any heating upgrade was €29,972,240 incl. VAT. Figures in relation to the split of this funding between homes receiving a heat pump and homes receiving an oil or gas boiler are not routinely supplied by SEAI to the Department.
|
- |
Warmer Homes scheme January-June 2023 |
|
Total homes completed |
2,346 |
|
- Number of heat pumps installed |
20 |
|
- Number of oil or gas boilers installed |
583 |
* The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme closed in February 2022 and any remaining homes completed in 2023 are reported on under the Warmer Homes heading and are included in the totals above.
94. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 13 June 2023, to outline what appropriate validation consisted of; and to clarify whether the account was subjected to external audit by the ESBs auditor. [36638/23]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy are matters for the ESB. I have referred the question to ESB for direct reply.
95. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the scheduling timeframe for the development of windfarms off the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36649/23]
View answerUnder the Climate Action Plan 2023, the Government has committed to achieving at least 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030 and to generating 80% of our electricity demand from renewable sources. The Government’s approach to the development of offshore wind in Ireland involves several workstreams which are underway simultaneously:
The successful outcome of our first offshore wind auction (ORESS 1) saw the procurement of over 3 GW of offshore wind capacity across four projects, three of which are located on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. Subject to development consent from An Bord Pleanála, the first of these projects are expected to be operational from 2027.
The Government's Phase Two Policy Statement, published in March 2023, established the Government policy for accelerating offshore wind deployment via a plan-led system. Consistent with the Policy Statement, all future offshore wind auctions will exclusively procure capacity from specified provisional development areas within Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs), which are provided for in the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. The first Phase 2 offshore wind auction later this year (ORESS 2.1) will focus on a site off the South coast and planning is underway for subsequent Phase 2 auctions in 2024 which will focus on sites on the East Coast. All developments under Phase 2 are planned to be operational by 2030.
On 13 July, my Department published a consultation on the design of phase 2 offshore wind auctions and this consultation will run until 25 August.
96. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details of the number of applications received for insultation and energy grants for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36652/23]
View answer97. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details of the number of successful applications received for insultation and energy grants for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36653/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
The Climate Action Plan includes targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-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.
My Department is working with SEAI to build on the strong performance in 2022. A target of 37,000 upgrades has been set for this year. A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI this year for residential and community schemes to support the achievement of this target. SEAI data shows that almost 10,000 home energy upgrades were delivered in Q1.
Most recent data from the SEAI also shows that in 2022, 932 home energy upgrades were completed in County Wicklow while the corresponding figure for Quarter 1, 2023 is 366 home energy upgrades. The National Retrofit Plan Progress Report for Quarter 2, 2023 is being prepared by SEAI and will be available shortly.
More detailed information is available on the SEAI website at:
www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Annual-Report-2022.pdf
www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q1-2023.pdf
www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/home-upgrades/.
The SEAI does not routinely report application data on a county-by-county basis. However, the SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie.
98. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters for domestic customers in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36656/23]
View answer99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters; the total number for domestic customers, per company, in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36657/23]
View answer100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters for domestic customers that were installed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/23]
View answer101. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters for domestic customers; the proportion and total classified as ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/23]
View answer102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average total of arrears a domestic household was in before a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter was installed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36660/23]
View answer103. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average time a household was in arrears in before a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter was installed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36661/23]
View answer104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process through which a domestic customer with a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go meter, with a view to reducing arrears on the energy bills, can switch back to a credit meter, if this is allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36662/23]
View answer105. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of domestic customers with a pay-as-you-go meter, and those with a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go meter, that switched back to credit meters in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36663/23]
View answer106. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process through which a ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter is installed not at the request of the customer; if there is a threshold that must be reached before a pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter is installed when not requested by the customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/23]
View answer107. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of domestic customers, per household type (for example, rental, owner/occupiers, holiday homes, holiday lets, and so on), with a pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meter; the proportion and total classified as ‘hardship’ pay-as-you-go gas and electricity meters in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36665/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 107, inclusive, together.
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. It is a function of the CRU to regulate the electricity market, including the matter referred to in this Parliamentary Question. Therefore the Minister has no statutory function in the matters raised by your query. CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
The CRU Code of Practice on Pay as You Go Metering and Budget Controllers (section 8.1.7) outlines that suppliers must ensure the consent of the customer/named account holder or third party who represents the customer, prior to the installation of the prepayment meter. It is also the supplier’s responsibility to assess the suitability of prepayment meters for a given customer, particularly customers who may be vulnerable or have an impairment which could impact their ability to use the technology. It is recommended that PAYG meters are not suitable for customers eligible to register on the Priority Services Register, most particularly those who are critically dependent on electrically powered equipment.
The CRU Supplier Handbook confirms that suppliers cannot disconnect for reasons of non-payment of account unless they have offered a PAYG meter to the customer. In instances where it would not be appropriate to offer a PAYG meter, such as the customer not being able to use the meter or where there is no suitable location for the meter in the premises, the supplier must offer an alternative.
Currently Bord Gáis Energy, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas and SSE Airtricity provide PAYG meters for financial hardship in the electricity and gas domestic markets.
ESB Networks and GNI are responsible for installing PAYG meters free of charge for customers in financial difficulty at the request of suppliers (on foot of a customer agreeing to the installation of a meter).
A number of suppliers also offer lifestyle choice prepayment options in the electricity and gas domestic markets (Bord Gáis Energy, Electric Ireland, Energia, Flogas, Pinergy, PrePay Power and SSE Airtricity). This is provided in the form of a PAYG meter unit that acts as a budget controller in series with the existing meter.
Suppliers offering lifestyle choice prepayment meters charge additional daily service charges. This makes them more expensive than alternatives. Customers considering opting for a lifestyle choice prepayment meter should consider this additional cost and weigh it against the additional benefits that the solution may bring them. It is important to note that customers who are experiencing financial difficulty and avail of a free PAYG meter do not incur any additional charges. For gas, GNI provides all PAYG meters. If a customer wishes to avail of a lifestyle choice meter in gas this is purchased from GNI through their supplier. For electricity, the lifestyle choice prepayment meter is an asset of the supplier rather than ESBN.
