Written Answers Nos. 166-182
167. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants that were issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to homeowners for attic insulation in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and the average time for these grants to be issued, provided all necessary information has been supplied. [48337/23]
View answer168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants that were issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to homeowners for external wall insulation in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and the average time for these grants to be issued, provided all necessary information has been supplied. [48338/23]
View answerIn February 2022, Government launched a package of enhanced SEAI supports as part of the delivery of Ireland’s National Retrofit Plan which included a special enhanced grant rate for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s response to very high energy prices.
Since the introduction of the new supports, demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been exceptionally high and the strong performance seen in 2022 has continued in 2023. Figures from the SEAI show that, to the end of September, €213 million has been provided to support 34,000 home energy upgrades, representing a 96% increase on spend and a 111% increase on output on the same period last year.
With regard to the information sought by the Deputy, the figures below from SEAI show the number of roof and external wall insultation measures supported under the Better Energy Homes Scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023:
External Insulation upgrades completed
• 2023 to end September: 1,222
• 2022: 1,404
Roof Insulation upgrades completed
• 2023 to end September: 7,757
• 2022: 6,063
Additional information on the performance of SEAI schemes can be found in the Quarterly Reports published at www.seai.ie
I have asked SEAI to forward to the Deputy the additional information sought on the average time for grants to issue.
169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the warmer homes scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48345/23]
View answer170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the better energy homes scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48346/23]
View answer171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the one stop shop scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48347/23]
View answer172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting as part of the community energy grants scheme as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48348/23]
View answer174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants for retrofitting across the various schemes as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48350/23]
View answer175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there have been any changes in the administration of SEAI grants following the introduction of low-cost loans for retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48351/23]
View answerMy Department funds a range of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The Better Energy Homes Scheme allows homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage the project, while the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme are aimed towards homeowners wishing to undertake a whole home energy upgrade to achieve a BER of at least B2. SEAI also provide fully funded energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty. This allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs.
SEAI has developed a suite of guidance documents to enable applicants to understand how each grant scheme operates and which set out the terms and conditions that apply. The scheme guidelines are updated as required to reflect the changing environment and ensure the programmes continue to target and best support our homes and communities. To this end, my officials engage with their counterparts in the SEAI on an ongoing basis in relation to the operation of the schemes and as part of this will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
One recent example was the launch of a new online application service for the Warmer Homes Scheme in partnership with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). This new service brings additional enhancements to the programme by offering the online option to confirm eligibility via the DSP. This service is available at the following link: onlinewhs.powerappsportals.com/
Budget 2024 provided a record funding allocation of €380 million across all SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV Scheme — this is a €24 million increase on last year and means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat. This will be supplemented by additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) so that those most at risk of energy poverty can continue to avail of fully funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
In recent weeks, the Government and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group reached an agreement that paves the way for government backed, low-interest home energy upgrade loans. The €500 million scheme is the first of its kind for both Ireland and the EIB Group. Homeowners will be able to borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years. The interest rates will be significantly lower than those currently available in the market as a result of the combination of the EIB Group loan guarantee and a government-funded interest rate subsidy. The loan scheme has been designed to complement the existing SEAI schemes. The loans will be available to homeowners through participating lenders in early 2024.
176. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide clarification on an Eircode (details supplied) and its inclusion in the National Broadband Plan roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48643/23]
View answerIn 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, including that:
• 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
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 34,200 homes and businesses in Mayo with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.13,800 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €26m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across country, with SIRO recently passing over 520,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. While Virgin Media have passed over 69,000 premises, and have announced plans to bring 2Gbps services to 345,000 premises, through an upgrade and expansion of their own network, and to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises.
The National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
The premises referred to in the question is part of the BLUE, commercially served area. My officials are in contact with Open eir, who are the main provider in this area. We are currently analysing the possibility of including this premises in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area. Additionally, Open eir have informed us that they have come across difficulties in the area with regard private wayleaves to complete their fibre build. As soon as we have an answer, we will contact the Deputy promptly.
Further details are available on specific areas covered by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention within County Mayo and 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.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2, 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing massively as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and businesses throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
177. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the steps for a new Eircode located within the National Broadband Plan intervention area to be connected by NBI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48644/23]
View answerIn 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, including that:
• 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
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
The National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
NBI also advise that as of 27th October 2023, 191,146 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 58,332 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network.
Furthermore, as of 31st October 7,305 premises in County Mayo have now been passed by NBI with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection, with 2,127 premises now connected.
In terms of new premises built within the intervention area, these will first be identified by NBI through the quarterly GeoDirectory database releases. NBI will then need to assess each new build to determine if any additional work is required to enable their premises for fibre, and then schedule these works as necessary. Once the works are completed and premises is made ready for service, the resident should then be in a position to place an order for fibre broadband from any retail service provider operating in the area.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Mayo and 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.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 34,200 homes and businesses in Mayo with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.13,800 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €26m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across country, with SIRO recently passing over 520,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. While Virgin Media have passed over 69,000 premises, and have announced plans to bring 2Gbps services to 345,000 premises, through an upgrade and expansion of their own network, and to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2, 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing massively as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and businesses throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
180. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the delivery of the National Broadband Ireland plan has been beset by further delays in rural Wicklow; if the new timeframe advised in October 2023 will be adhered to; and if he will conduct a review on the management of the plan, given NBI’s repeated failure to deliver the service to schedule. [48811/23]
View answerIn 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, including that:
• 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
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan (NBP) intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
The National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) advise that as of 27th October 2023, 191,146 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 58,332 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network.
Furthermore, as of 31st October 6,836 premises in County Wicklow have now been passed by NBI with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection, with 1,800 premises now connected.
However, NBI has faced a range of challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming works to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. And while NBI were able to bring forward the completion dates for a number of deployments around the country, there were other instances, such as in the case of Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow where there was no other option but reschedule the build dates for those areas.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Wicklow and 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.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 26,000 homes and businesses in Wicklow with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.26,150 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €23m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across country, with SIRO recently passing over 520,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. While Virgin Media have passed over 69,000 premises, and have announced plans to bring 2Gbps services to 345,000 premises, through an upgrade and expansion of their own network, and to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2, 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing massively as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and businesses throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
181. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider establishing a long-term, all-estuary vision for environmental monitoring of the Shannon Estuary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48812/23]
View answerResponsibility for the policy and legislation with regard to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and associated national WFD monitoring programme rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
182. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to detail any ongoing or previous use of artificial intelligence within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47331/23]
View answerIn line with the National AI strategy, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review.
My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. I have been advised by OGCIO that they have deployed AI powered security tools as part of the overall security posture.
The Department of Defence requires that all applications must be used in line with the Department’s policies and procedures and advice that has been received from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
