Thursday, 9 Nov 2023

Written Answers Nos. 170-182

Military Aircraft

Questions (170)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

170. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a British RAF surveillance aircraft (details supplied) was authorised to fly along the west coasts of Donegal and Mayo within Irish territorial waters on 3 November; if so, when and why approval was given for this flight, given that it is likely that this aircraft was on an intelligence gathering mission, in contravention of Irish Government prohibition on such flights by foreign military aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49127/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

The provision of diplomatic clearance to land in, or overfly, the State is subject to strict conditions, namely, that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.

With respect to the aircraft in question, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military overflights were followed in full.

Military Aircraft

Questions (171)

Chris Andrews

Question:

171. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of US government or US military aircraft that have passed through Shannon Airport, either on transit travelling with destination of Israel or travelling with flight originating in Israel, between the period 9 October 2023 – 6 November 2023; the dates these planes landed in Shannon Airport, in tabular form; and whether each specific plane was either a governmental figure transport aircraft (i.e. Boeing VC-25) or a military transport aircraft. [49161/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, with full respect for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to the specifics of diplomatic clearance requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs do publish statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website.

I would also underline once again that the provision of diplomatic clearance to land in, or overfly, the State is subject to strict conditions, namely, that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.

This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.

As I have stated elsewhere, I remain deeply concerned at the unfolding situation in Gaza. In this regard, I have made it very clear that Israel has the right to self-defence but this must be in line international law and international humanitarian law.

Postal Services

Questions (172)

Emer Higgins

Question:

172. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on what measures are being taken to ensure An Post uses Eircodes effectively, considering recent incidents where letters are being misdelivered due to a failure to use the Eircode system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49106/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Jack Chambers)

As Minister of State in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have responsibility for the postal sector, including the governance of An Post, to ensure the company is fully compliant with the code of practice for the governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post. Operational matters and the development of commercial strategies for mail delivery service, including use of Eircodes, is a matter for the Board and the management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function. An Post have advised the Department that Eircodes have been fully integrated into the Company’s automated sorting systems, including their mail centres and An Post’s national automated parcel hub (DPH) where Eircode has also been fully integrated in the plant’s operating system. An Post actively encourages the use, by mailers, of a full postal address including Eircode.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (173)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the new wind energy onshore projects to come on stream this year; the amount of energy they will generate; the number of wind energy projects in the pipeline for coming on stream in each year until 2030; the total wind energy projects that received full planning in each of the past five years and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49160/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The latest updates provided to my Department by ESB Networks and EirGrid indicate that approximately 250MW of new wind energy projects have or will be connected to the electricity this year across 7 projects.

In terms of future projected connections, over 400 MW of wind projects were successful in the second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS) with expected delivery to take place between 2024 and 2025. A further 148 MW of wind energy projects were successful in the RESS 3 auction and will be expected to delivery between 2026 and 2027.

RESS is one the primary Government policies for facilitating the deployment of renewables including onshore wind and future RESS auctions will in part determine the pipeline of wind energy projects beyond 2027.

The RESS 3 auction volumes underpin the need for a much stronger pipeline of onshore wind and solar projects coming through the grid connection and permitting processes. They also highlight the urgent and critical need for greater alignment between local plans and renewable energy targets to support investment in, and delivery of, renewable energy projects.

The details of planning permissions for wind energy projects is primarily a matter for local authorities and An Bord Pleanala.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (174, 175, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

174. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the community renewable projects that have received connection to the electricity network, and the year in which they received connection, in tabular form. [49184/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

175. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of RESS I and RESS II community renewable energy projects that were successful in the auctions and that have successfully connected to the grid, in tabular form. [49185/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

179. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community renewable energy projects with which he has entered into an implementation agreement for each of the RESS 1 and RESS 2 auctions, in tabular form. [49189/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

180. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community renewable energy projects at each milestone of the Implementation Agreement in each of the RESS 1 and RESS 2 auctions, in tabular form. [49190/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of renewable energy communities that received connection to the grid in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49198/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications a breakdown of the cost to connect to the grid, per renewable energy community, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49199/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the duration between application and connection to the grid, per renewable energy community, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49200/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of renewable energy community projects that were successful in the RESS 1 but that did not secure a grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49201/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of renewable energy community projects that were successful in the RESS 1 and secured a grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49202/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

186. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of renewable energy community projects that were successful in the RESS 2; how many of those have connected to the grid; how many of those are still waiting on a connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49203/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 175, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185 and 186 together.

Through the first two RESS auctions, my Department has provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects category and also through the requirement of a mandatory community benefit fund for all RESS projects.

In total, 7 community projects were successful in the RESS 1 auction, 4 projects remain in progress and are either energised or due to energise this year. All four are solar projects, totalling 16.95 MW in generation. In RESS 2, 8 community projects were successful in the auction, are continuing to progress though the RESS 2 Implementation Agreement milestones and are expected to energise by end of 2025.

Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS, along with grid and other and other barriers to project delivery.

Support for communities for the development of renewable projects will now transition to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). The export tariff phase of SRESS, to support small scale and community renewable projects, is due to be launched later this year. This is expected to offer a simpler route to market for community projects and boost community participation in the Government’s renewable energy ambition.

Responsibility for connection to and charging for access to the electricity network is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The management of new connections to the electricity grid, including community led energy projects is a matter, at distribution level, for ESB Networks and, at transmission level, for EirGrid, under rules determined by the CRU.

I have asked officials in my Department to forward the queries raised in the questions to the relevant system operator for their attention and direct reply to the Deputies.

Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 174.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (176, 178, 187, 190, 192, 193)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

176. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the project stages at which community renewable energy projects become eligible for funding from the SEAI; the amount of funding that becomes available at each stage; and the number of projects that have reached each stage. [49186/23]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

178. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the SEAI dedicated to supporting the generation of community renewable energy. [49188/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about funding accessibility for renewable energy projects; when a renewable energy project is eligible for funding from the SEAI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49204/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for renewable energy communities; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at the SEAI in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49207/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

192. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about support and resourcing for renewable energy communities for energy generation; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at the SEAI in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49209/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

193. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of costs incurred by his Department for consulting services for renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49210/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 178, 187, 190, 192 and 193 together.

Through the first two RESS auctions, my Department has provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects category and also through the requirement of a mandatory community benefit fund for all RESS projects.

Furthermore, a Community Enabling Framework for renewable energy projects includes a package of enabling supports including technical, financial and legal services which has been rolled out to assist communities in navigating the challenging terrain of electricity generation.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is leading in implementing and facilitating these components of the framework, which include a trusted advisory service, enabling grants and nine information guides on the SEAI website. As a result, my Department has not incurred any direct costs for consulting services for renewable energy communities in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. There are currently two full time SEAI staff working on the community energy supports and delivery of the Community Benefit Fund National Register.

Given the significant grant programme of up to €180,000 per project, only projects that have completed a full feasibility study are eligible to apply for grants. To date SEAI has provided two grants to RESS 1 projects, totalling €80,000.

In addition, to address some of the challenges associate with grid connections for communities, SEAI is also undertaking grid studies on a county basis to support communities in identifying sites within their locality that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection. Three such studies have taken place so far, with accompanying community information events highlighting the results. Four more studies are planned in the coming months.Support for communities for the development of renewable projects will now transition to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). The export tariff phase of SRESS, to support small scale and community renewable projects, is due to be launched later this year.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (177, 188)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

177. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in his Department dedicated to supporting the generation of community renewable energy. [49187/23]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

188. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for renewable energy communities for energy generation; to provide a breakdown of staffing to support these projects at all relevant departments in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49205/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 188 together.

My Department has provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects category in the first two Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions. From 2020, when the RESS was introduced, there have been approximately three staff working on the community energy programme. From the end of 2021 a dedicated unit was established to focus solely on the small scale and community renewable energy.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is leading in implementing and facilitating the Community Enabling Framework for renewable energy projects which includes a package of enabling supports including technical, financial and legal services which has been rolled out to assist communities in navigating the challenging terrain of electricity generation. This include a trusted advisory service, enabling grants and nine information guides on the SEAI website.

There are currently two full time SEAI staff working on the community energy supports and delivery of the Community Benefit Fund National Register.

Question No. 178 answered with Question No. 176.

Question No. 179 answered with Question No. 174.

Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 174.

Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 174.

Question No. 182 answered with Question No. 174.