Written Answers Nos. 183-198
189. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for retrofitting; 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. [49206/23]
View answerSince 2020, my Department has made significant investment across its Energy functions, moving from having one Assistant Secretary Area and 55 staff in total, to three Assistant Secretaries and 137 staff in total in 2023. The current staffing number working in support of built environment, retrofitting and heat policy is 38.
191. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the support and resourcing for retrofitting; 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. [49208/23]
View answerA record €356 million in funding was allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 retrofits this year.
Budget 2024 included record funding of €380 million for SEAI residential and community energy upgrades, including the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Scheme — this €24 million increase on last year 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) to support next year’s programme of energy upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty.
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides the front-end customer service.
SEAI are continuing to enhance their staffing levels and scaling up capacity to support the significant policy developments announced in recent years under the Climate Acton Plan and National Retrofit Plan.
Details for 2020 are not available
Headcount for National Retrofit Directorate as at 31.12.2021
|
Programme team |
Pay Scale |
No. of HC |
|
BE Deept Retrofit Pilot |
C |
1 |
|
D |
3 |
|
|
E |
1 |
|
|
BEH |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Community & Housing Grants |
D |
2 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Community (RESS) programme Management |
E |
1 |
|
EPBD/BER Development |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
EPBD/BER Operations |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Head of Community and National Retrofit |
D |
1 |
|
F |
1 |
|
|
Head of Delivery |
D |
1 |
|
F |
1 |
|
|
National Retrofit Supply Chain Develop |
D |
1 |
|
EngII |
1 |
|
|
Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) |
E |
1 |
|
Sustainable Energy Communities&Education |
D |
2 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Sustainable Energy Finance |
E |
1 |
|
Warmer Home |
E |
1 |
|
|
||
|
Grand Total |
27 |
Headcount for National Retrofit Directorate as at 31.12.2022
|
Programme area |
Pay Scale |
No. HC |
|
BE Deep Retrofit Pilot |
D |
5 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
BEH |
D |
5 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Business and Data |
E |
1 |
|
Community (RESS) programme Management |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Community Grants |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Director National Retrofit |
F |
1 |
|
Domestic and Commercial Heating |
E |
1 |
|
EPBD and BER Development |
E |
2 |
|
EPBD and BER Operations |
D |
3 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Future Technical Integrations |
E |
1 |
|
Head of Delivery |
F |
1 |
|
Head of National Retrofit & Community |
D |
1 |
|
F |
1 |
|
|
High Performance Building Technologies |
E |
1 |
|
National Retrofit Scheme |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
National Retrofit Technical |
E |
1 |
|
NZEB |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
OSS Management |
E |
1 |
|
Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) |
E |
1 |
|
Service Delivery |
E |
1 |
|
Sustainable Energy Communities & Educati |
D |
3 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Sustainable Energy Finance |
E |
1 |
|
Warmer Home |
E |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
44 |
Headcount for National Retrofit Directorate as at 31.10.23
|
Programme area |
Pay Scale |
No. HC |
|
BE Deept Retrofit Pilot |
D |
5 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
BEH |
D |
5 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Business and Data |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Community (RESS) programme Management |
E |
1 |
|
Community Grants |
D |
3 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Director National Retrofit |
F |
1 |
|
Domestic and Commercial Heating |
E |
1 |
|
EPBD and BER Development |
D |
1 |
|
E |
2 |
|
|
EPBD and BER Operations |
D |
3 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
EPBD Calculation Methodologies |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Future Technical Integrations |
E |
1 |
|
Head of Delivery |
F |
1 |
|
Head of National Retrofit & Community |
D |
1 |
|
F |
1 |
|
|
High Performance Building Technologies |
E |
1 |
|
National Retrofit Scheme |
D |
3 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
National Retrofit Technical |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
One Stop Shop |
E |
1 |
|
OSS Management |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Quality Management |
D |
2 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Residential Energy |
E |
1 |
|
Service Delivery |
D |
1 |
|
E |
2 |
|
|
Solar/Microgen |
D |
2 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Sustainable Energy Communities & Educati |
D |
3 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Sustainable Energy Finance |
D |
1 |
|
E |
1 |
|
|
Grand Total |
62 |
194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to indicate, in the case of a person (details supplied) if any grant exists for this purpose or a means can be found to carry out the works without such high costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49215/23]
View answerThe National Smart Metering Programme will roll out and install 2.4 million meters by 2025 and in the process make available new products and services to energy consumers. It is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the electricity meter rollout on the ground. The Deputy is reminded that the CRU is an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. However, I understand from ESBN that if a smart meter installer encounters a potentially dangerous situation resulting from the existing condition of the electrical wiring in a home, they may not be able to complete the meter exchange. Each situation is unique, and may involve an exchange taking place or not, depending on the specific circumstances. The smart meter installer may also provide a safety letter to the customer, outlining any electrical work which is either advised to be undertaken or must be undertaken, in order to ensure the householder’s own electrical wiring is of the appropriate standard. In relation to grant support for domestic rewiring, the Housing Aid for Older People scheme provides grants of up to €8,000 to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, upgrades to electrical wiring, repair or replacement of windows and doors, and provision of heating (where there is no central heating or it is broken beyond repair). Further details on this grant scheme, including the eligibility criteria and means tests, is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/1ca60-housing-aid-for-older-people-grant/ The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise day to day questions on regulatory matters directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
195. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has conducted any research, internally or through a consultancy firm on the dangers posed by offshore wind turbines to marine wildlife and blue carbon ecosystems; if so, the cost of such consultancy reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49263/23]
View answerAll offshore renewable energy (ORE) development plans and projects are subject to environmental assessment by law. At the plan level, these requirements relate to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) obligations in line with the requirements of EU Directive on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, and Appropriate Assessment (AA) obligations in line with the requirements of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. At the individual project level, these requirements relate to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) in line with the relevant legislative provisions of the Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021 (MAP Act).
In relation to Phase 2 offshore wind deployment and beyond, Ireland has moved to a State-led, plan-led system, which will inter alia ensure that developments continue to take place in a sustainable manner. As Ireland moves forward with our plan-led approach for ORE, Government is committed to significantly scaling up the collection of data on the maritime environment to support the ORE Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) establishment process and the development of associated environmental assessments.
A Proposal for a South Coast DMAP recently underwent public consultation ahead of the development of a Draft DMAP and associated draft SEA and AA environmental reports, due to be published later this year.
196. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a 2016 service medal (commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49147/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government provided for the award of the 1916 Commemorative medal to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016.
The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016.
As the Deputy will be aware, the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal was awarded to circa. 13,200 members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, who served in 2016 to celebrate and commemorate the Centenary year. The medal serves to honour the legacy of continuous service by Óglaigh na hÉireann to the State since its foundation.
In recognition of the contribution of veterans to the centenary commemorative events in 2016, it was agreed to present a framed medal to each of the Veterans Associations along with a plaque for each of ONE’s 41 Branches and each of IUNVA’s 21 Posts.
197. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport on the recent notification issued by a taxi service platform to its drivers (details supplied) which appears to push drivers into accepting more jobs under the threat of exclusion from the platform; if such a practice is being investigated for potential anti-competitive behaviour that could unfairly disadvantage taxi drivers and undermine market competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49121/23]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Dispatch operators are regulated in Ireland by the NTA. They are permitted to provide bookings to SPSV licenced drivers using SPSV licensed vehicles, only. A fundamental tenet of Ireland’s SPSV regulatory regime is that only SPSV licenced drivers and vehicles are used for the carriage of passengers for reward.
In relation to arrangements between dispatch operators (such as the operator referenced by the Deputy) and SPSV drivers, this is a business operational matter between both parties, which is outside the remit of the NTA and the Minister.A
198. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will liaise with the NTA to see if a review is complete with respect to a service (details supplied) in County Cork which they state they would undertake following correspondence received in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49122/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question related to a review services in County Cork, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
