Written Answers Nos. 1-30
8. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll-out of smart metres in Ireland; if it is a requirement now to have one in order to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50004/23]
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 co-ordinated by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the electricity meter rollout on the ground.
The meter replacement programme is taking place on a phased basis, with around 10,000 domestic meters installed each week. The total number of smart meters installed at present is over 1,507,000. In addition, over 56,000 customers with registered micro-generation installations have smart meters installed.
The Domestic Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and is open to houses built prior to 2021. There is no requirement to have a smart meter installed, to avail of grants for Solar PV systems.
However, if households with Solar PV systems wish to register with their energy supplier for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff, which allows for remuneration for any excess electricity not consumed by the household and therefore exported to the grid, they must have a smart meter installed, if they are eligible. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) oversees the CEG and published a decision paper on an interim enabling framework for the CEG, which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. This is available on WWW.CRU.ie
As the rollout of the National Smart Metering Programme is co-ordinated by CRU and the ESBN, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications does not maintain oversight on the day-to-day operations of the programme. The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
12. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken to combat illegal dumping; if extra resources are being given to counties Cavan and Monaghan local authorities to cope with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50027/23]
View answerWhile the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with the local authorities, my Department continues to provide extensive policy, financial and legislative support to the local authority sector to support their efforts.
Almost €15m has been provided to local authorities under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was first introduced in 2017, to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. €3m has been allocated in support of the 2023 ADI. Cavan and Monaghan received €118,403 and €103,570 respectively under the 2022 ADI. Claims for 2023 have yet to be finalised but are likely to be of a similar order.My Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7m has been allocated to local authorities under the scheme in 2023. Cavan and Monaghan received €200,927 and €190,537 respectively under this scheme in 2022 and have been allocated a similar amount for 2023.
In addition, a further €3.8mn has been allocated in 2023 to support the enhancement of the role, responsibilities and staffing complement of the three Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and the establishment of a new National Local Authority Waste Programme Coordination Office. My Department has agreed to support these measures in order to position the local authority sector to better respond to emerging and priority enforcement challenges, including tackling the scourge of illegal dumping.
14. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is his intention to enter into negotiations with National Broadband Ireland to ensure that all offshore islands are provided with a fibre connection to the mainland as part of the roll-out of the national broadband programme, to ensure equality of service for islanders in this vital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49996/23]
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 a combination of commercial investments and through the State investment in National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
The rollout of the minimum speeds to all premises in the Intervention Area has been contracted to NBI. The current minimum speed being offered by NBI is 500Mbps, however under the Contract with the Minister NBI must ensure the minimum speeds offered to end users keeps pace with urban areas. NBI must therefore ensure that the technology they deploy to meet this minimum standard will comply with the Contract.
To date NBI have put forward network design proposals for all areas that meets their Contractual requirements. In the case of Islands, I understand that NBI have presented what they believe to be the most efficient and effective technical solution to meet the standards required and the Department is satisfied that end users on the Islands will be served with at least the same quality of broadband as that availed of by end users in other parts of the Intervention Area.
9 islands will commence fibre survey & design activity in H1 2024 – Tory, Arranmore, Inishmore, Inishere, Inish Méain, Inishbofin, Sherkin, Cape Clear & Bere Islands.
The Department continues to work with NBI and local stakeholders to accelerate the rollout to some of the larger Islands such as Valentia and Achill.
In County Galway, Open eir have already passed over 68,100 homes and businesses in with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.33,000 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €50m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Galway, with SIRO recently passing over 32,300 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 38,300 premises.
I am advised by NBI that, over 200,000 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 60,000 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. In the Deputy’s own county of Galway, 16,510 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 5,203 premises now connected.
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 business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
15. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns raised by the Climate Change Advisory Council on islanded data centre policy, specifically the connection of 11 new islanded data centres to the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50249/23]
View answerI am aware of letter of the 16 October 2023 from the Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council responding to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, in relation to data centres. My Department, in conjunction with other relevant Departments and agencies where appropriate, will consider the recommendations of the Council.
The Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy, published in July 2022 seeks to enable the 'twin transitions' of digitalisation and decarbonisation of our economy and society. These transitions can - and must be - complementary. For this to happen, digital and climate change policies need to move in tandem.
My Department is working with other relevant Departments and Agencies to implement the July 2022 statement, including identifying what additional measures, if any, may be needed to facilitate this.
In line with July 2022 statement, I wrote to Gas Networks Ireland(GNI) in relation to islanded data centres, setting out that it would not be appropriate for GNI to sign any more contracts to connect data centres to the gas network where the data centre would be powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation. Following this, GNI paused these applications for data centre gas connections. In cases where GNI already has contracts formally agreed, I understand from GNI that it is contractually obliged to connect them.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is leading a review of gas and electricity connection policies for new Large Energy Users to ensure that any new connections are not causing energy security challenges and are in line with our sectoral emission ceilings. Following the review, the CRU will publish new decisions on the rules for future gas connections of large energy users.
16. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the delivery of renewable energy in Ireland; if he is aware of publicly expressed concerns about the renewable energy support scheme following the result of the latest auction; what efforts he is taking to address this; and if the Government has plans to update auction design in order to achieve 2030 targets and energy independence. [48407/23]
View answerIreland is in the top five globally for installed wind power capacity per capita, with approximately 4.6 GW of onshore wind generation capacity, and is a world leader in the integration of variable renewable electricity onto the grid. Solar energy is a growing source of electricity and is rapidly transforming Ireland’s energy system with approximately 700 MW of grid connected capacity.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) has been fundamental in boosting Ireland's energy independence.
In October, I announced the results of the third onshore RESS auction (RESS 3). The successful projects, mostly solar PV projects, represent a 12% increase in Ireland’s renewable energy capacity from current levels. This is a positive result for the climate, for security of supply and for maintaining our ambitious renewables programme to support decarbonisation of the wider economy.
While these are lower volumes than previous auction rounds, RESS 3 targeted mature, shovel ready, projects that all have planning permissions and grid connection offers and are expected to deliver rapidly to the grid.
The auction results will help bolster energy security and system resilience, contribute to emissions reduction over the second carbon budget period and they will continue a steady rollout of renewable energy projects to support our EU renewable targets in 2027 and 2030.
The auction volumes underpin the need for a much stronger pipeline of onshore wind and solar projects coming through the grid connection and permitting processes. It also highlights the urgent and critical need for greater alignment between local plans and renewable energy targets to support investment in and realise the national goal of energy independence.
17. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is concerned about the high failure rate of retrofits following inspection; the steps he is taking to address this high rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50261/23]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland administers a range of residential energy upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department. Almost 39,000 home energy upgrades have been supported through these schemes to the end of October of this year. This is an increase of 112% on the same period of last year and above the overall target of 37,000 home energy upgrades for 2023.
It is critically important that we can be confident that works supported by SEAI schemes are completed in line with the terms and conditions as set out in the scheme.
SEAI carries out a significant number of inspections of retrofits supported under its schemes. SEAI utilises a targeted, risk-based approach to selecting homes for inspection whilst ensuring a level of coverage across the contractor base.
SEAI sets a very high pass standard for its inspections with a “Pass” indicating that there are no open issues or follow-up snags. This approach helps to drive quality among the contractors operating under SEAI schemes.
It is important to note that almost all homes with issues or that require reworks are resolved.
A number of controls are in place in relation to inspection fails where reworks are not completed – this can include de-registration of the contractor until re-works are completed.
It is the SEAI’s intention to review and further enhance its inspections process, in line with a recommendation from the Comptroller & Auditor General's recent report on certain SEAI schemes.
18. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way he intends to address the increasing concerns that Ireland will not reach the 2030 target for renewables and the key barriers to delivery such as grid capacity and delays in planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50250/23]
View answerUnder the Climate Action Plan Update 23, Ireland has set a target of 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and to reach 22 GW of installed renewable electricity generation capacity by 2030, made up of 9 GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar and at least 5 GW of offshore wind.
This will require unprecedented levels of investment in renewable electricity generation development and in the infrastructure required to expand and strengthen our electricity grid.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the main Government policies to deliver this renewable generation capacity. Four auctions, both onshore and offshore, have been undertaken to date.
The recent auction result underpins the need for a much stronger pipeline of onshore wind and solar projects coming through the grid connection and permitting processes. It also highlights the urgent and critical need for greater alignment between local development plans and renewable energy targets to support investment in and delivery of renewable energy projects.
An Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce has been established to identify, coordinate, and prioritise the required policies to achieve the onshore renewable electricity targets, and to ensure that barriers to the implementation of such policies are removed or minimised to the greatest extent possible.
To ensure a consistent approach across Government with respect to offshore wind roll-out, the inter-Departmental, inter-agency Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce was established in April 2022. This Taskforce was formed in order to accelerate delivery and capture the wider and longer-term economic opportunities associated with the development of offshore wind in Ireland.
19. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position regarding the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50281/23]
View answerCommercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir, as part of their IFN fibre programme currently rolling out nationwide, plan to connect over 1.9m premises to their commercial fibre network by 2026. Open eir have already passed over 44,000 homes and businesses to gigabit services in Co. Kerry, with a further c.19,000 premises passed over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €36m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across the state.
SIRO has recently reached a milestone of enabling over 555,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. Virgin Media recently announced a €200 million investment plan to upgrade its cable network to bring full fibre to up to 1 million premises over the next three years, to date it has passed 252,000 premises with full fibre.
Along with the progress made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State, 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.
I am advised by NBI that more than 200,000 homes and businesses can access NBI’s high-speed fibre network
Over 60,000 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. In the Deputy’s own county of Kerry, over 11,400 homes and businesses have been passed by NBI and are available for immediate connection, with c. 2,952 of those now connected to the NBP State Intervention network.
Every premises on every Island in the Intervention Area will be provided with access to high-speed broadband connectivity as part of the overall NBP deployment.
The Department continues to work with NBI and local stakeholders to accelerate the rollout to some of the larger Islands such as Valentia and Achill.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) 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 03rd November some 952 sites have been installed by NBI 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.
NBI also reports that the necessary infrastructure is installed in 669 Primary Schools in the Intervention area with 29 installed by other operators as agreed with the Department of Education and the remaining installed by NBI. NBI reports that 500 schools have been connected and are live. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
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 significantly as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable. The same ComReg data also indicates that c.40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure .
20. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the development of one-stop-shops with regard to retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49606/23]
View answerIn February 2022, Government announced an enhanced package of measures to support the uptake of home energy upgrades. This included the introduction of a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) and the establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops.
The NHEUS supports homeowners wishing to undertake a whole home energy upgrade to achieve a BER of at least B2 with a 100kWh/m2/year or better improvement on the BER primary energy value. Under the Scheme, registered One-Stop-Shops (OSSs) provide an end-to-end service for homeowners, which includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance.
There are now 17 One-Stop-Shops registered by SEAI which are located across Ireland. Five of the One-Stop-Shops were registered earlier this year, which points to growing confidence in the sector about the future growth prospects of the retrofit market. Details of the registered One Stop Shops, are available on the SEAI website (www.seai.ie).
The One-Stop-Shop service has delivered 1,017 homes so far this year, representing a 150% increase on the same period last year.
SEAI also continue to actively engage with the construction sector with the aim of attracting more companies to register as One-Stop-Shops. A number of companies are already in the process of registering as one-stop-shops and SEAI are guiding them through the registration process, with the expectation that the number of registered One-Stop-Shops will grow further in 2024.
21. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions his Department are taking to protect fuel merchants from those who are trading in smoky fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/23]
View answerWhile Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the solid fuel regulations and ensuring that only approved fuels are available on the Irish market, I continue to engage extensively with the sector to support their enforcement efforts.
My Department is working with the Local Government Management Agency to develop an enhanced enforcement structure to support the provision of improved co-ordination, expertise and advice to underpin consistent implementation of all air quality legislation across the country. I have made funding of €3 million available to support this initiative.
Officials from my Department have also been engaging directly with enforcement personnel on the ground, developing guidance and training, holding workshops, providing funding, and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of air quality legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities. I have provided grant funding of over €500,000 this year to support enforcement efforts on the ground, including a solid fuels sampling programme and an online sales pilot project.
My Department has also engaged extensively with the solid fuel industry, and with retailers, and retailer representative bodies, and is aware of their concerns, including the supply of non-approved and non-tax compliant fuel from outside this jurisdiction.
Tax evasion, with respect to both Carbon Tax and VAT can distort the market and any concerns or information regarding this matter should be reported directly to Revenue. Details on how to report such activity can be found at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/assist-us/reporting-shadow-economy-activity/index.aspx
22. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his recent attendance at pre-COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49688/23]
View answerI represented Ireland at pre-COP28 which gathered global ministers to discuss some of the key issues on the climate change agenda in advance of the conference. Given the complexity of climate issues and the limited time available for negotiations at COP28, pre-COP provided an opportunity to begin laying the groundwork for agreement among Parties on key topics such as adaptation, mitigation, and means of implementation which was facilitated by Ministerial level breakout group discussions.
COP28 marks the conclusion of the first cycle of the Global Stocktake, a process that has assessed Parties’ collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and identified areas for future improvements. It was clear at pre-COP that substantive, fair and transformative decisions on the Global Stocktake and Loss and Damage funding must be taken at COP28. To enable the transformation necessary to limit global warming additional finance must be mobilised to address the climate crisis.
I had several bilateral engagements during my time in Abu Dhabi, including a meeting with the COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan al-Jaber. During this meeting I highlighted mitigation of, and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change, climate finance for adaptation and mitigation, and the issue of Loss and Damage due to climate change, as the main areas of priority for Ireland in advance of COP28. We agreed that making concrete progress on these issues is crucial for building climate resilience in developing countries and for delivering on the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.
23. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress of the local authorities’ climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50251/23]
View answer46. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress of the local authorities’ climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50192/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 46 together.
Local Authorities play a key role in climate mitigation and adaptation, as set out in Section 16 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. This requires each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan (LA CAP), specifying the mitigation and adaptation measures to be adopted.
The LA CAPs will see each Local Authority translate national climate policy to local circumstances, with the prioritisation and acceleration of evidence-based policies and measures. This will assist in the delivery of our climate goals at local and community levels. The plans will be updated every five years.
In February 2023, I requested each Local Authority to begin the preparation of their LA CAP. Under the climate legislation, Local Authorities have 12 months to complete their individual plans from the date of my request. I have issued the statutory guidelines to support Local Authorities in this process on 6 March 2023.
Local Authorities are at different stages of completion of their LA CAPs, with a number of them currently out for public consultation. Each Local Authority is responsible for having its LA CAP adopted within the mandated timeframe.
My Department has responded to the need for additional capacity within Local Authorities to deliver the LA CAPs by providing funding for specialist staff to form the nucleus of climate action teams. In addition, a new SLA with €12 million in funding was signed with the Climate Action Regional Offices to enable them continue their work in supporting local government to develop their LA CAPs.
24. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had discussions with an energy company (details supplied) and Carlow County Council in relation to the development of a solar farm near Friarstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50159/23]
View answerEarlier this year, I, along with officials from my Department, met with the company referred to in the question to discuss the opportunities and challenges in the Irish renewable market for renewable energy developers, Ireland’s regulatory and planning environment and our shared goal to meeting Ireland’s 2030 climate ambitions. No particulars of any specific projects were discussed.
I also met with Carlow County Council to discuss a broad range of topics over the summer. There was no discussion in relation to any particular renewable energy project, this particular project or this developer.
25. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details on the roll-out of the home energy upgrade loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49607/23]
View answer33. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the low interest loans for retrofitting; when an interest rate will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50263/23]
View answer42. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the green loan system will be available to homeowners to assist in energy upgrades to their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50245/23]
View answer98. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the low-cost retrofit loan scheme will be available to the public; the reason for the delay beyond the 2023 quarter three target; what the interest rate on the loan is going to be; what the minimum and maximum loan amounts available will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50388/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 33, 42 and 98 together.
My Department and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group have recently reached an agreement that paves the way for Government-backed, low-interest home energy upgrade loans. The Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme was developed by my Department, the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.
The €500 million scheme is the first of its kind for Ireland and the EIB and will encourage homeowners to invest in energy efficiency, thereby improving their comfort, reducing energy costs and lowering harmful emissions. 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.
It is a complex and highly innovative scheme that involved intensive engagement in its development with extensive due diligence between the EIB Group and the Irish banking and credit union sector. The scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SCBI) which recently announced an open call inviting lenders to participate in the scheme. Homeowners will be able to apply for the loans in Q1 next year through participating retail lenders. Further details on the interest rates to apply will be available at that point.
26. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Taoiseach in relation to their promotion of beef exports to South Korea and to state whether he thinks prompting beef exports to South Korea is compatible with reducing emissions from agriculture under the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50235/23]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in greenhouse emissions of 51% by 2030. Under the carbon budget programme adopted by the Oireachtas, the Government has approved sectoral emission ceilings for the first and second carbon budget periods (2021-2025 and 2026-2030). For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emissions reduction target for 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target for 2030.
While responsibility for complying with the sectoral emissions ceilings sits with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, there is continuous engagement and cooperation between our two Departments on implementation of agreed climate policies, measures and actions.
Livestock grazing out of doors dominates the Irish agriculture sector, which has a reputation for high quality and sustainably produced food. Maintaining that reputation is imperative, as 90% of our production is exported. Ireland is already well placed through the success of the Origin Green programme and can maintain and build on this competitive advantage. Conversely, failure to mitigate emissions is a risk to the sector’s reputation for sustainable production.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 shows a pathway for how these emission reductions can be achieved in the coming years, increasing ambition for efficiency in the sector while also heavily promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will both improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing, and also encourage farmers to diversify into sectors including organics, tillage and biomethane production.
27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the North South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50170/23]
View answer47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the meetings he has had and the briefings he has received in respect of the North South Interconnector; and whether he has had any meetings in this regard with local communities or landowners that are directly affected by this project. [50171/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 47 together.
The North-South Interconnector it is a critical infrastructure project for the island of Ireland, which is being developed by Eirgrid as electricity Transmission System Operator. It will be the backbone of a fit for purpose electricity system that will ensure energy security, allow more renewables to be used on the island, reduce the need to use fossil fuels for electricity generation, reduce electricity costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Eirgrid carry out their functions independently and under the supervision of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. Eirgrid, as the organisation with responsibility for delivering the project, have been and continue to engage with local affected communities. The 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure states that: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’.
In March of this year Government noted the latest independent expert report into the North South Interconnector, which found that the conclusions of the 2018 International Expert Commission on the decision to build the North-South Interconnector above ground remain valid.
I have forwarded the Deputy’s requests to Eirgrid, as project developer, and asked that they engage with him directly as to the current status of the North South Interconnector.
28. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline what grant schemes to support the replacement of the communal heating systems running on fossil fuels with the new systems which use renewable energy sources will be available to landlords, residents and stakeholders in order for the programme to be sustainable and cost effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49961/23]
View answerAt the request of the District Heating Steering Group, a research project was initiated to assess the viability of retrofitting an existing communal heating system with a shallow geothermal energy source. An independent consultancy was commissioned by the SEAI to undertake this research.The report has now been finalised and contains recommendations in relation to heat network efficiency and options for low-carbon heat alternatives, including costs of installation and operation. The report will be published by the end of November.
The recommendations of the report refer to the SEAI’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) , which offers installation grants to support investment in renewable heating systems. The grant can provide funding, of up to 30% of eligible cost, to successful applicants.
It is important to note that communal heating schemes are generally privately owned and managed, and any application for grants would be a matter for the relevant parties to decide upon.
29. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how Carlow will benefit from the €3.09 million in funding announced recently for the Climate Action Regional Office in the Eastern and Midlands region. [50160/23]
View answerThere are four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) which provide for a coordinated approach on climate action across the local government system. The CAROs were established in 2018 to support local government to respond and adapt to climate change. They coordinate national and local climate policy and work to ensure there is a more joined-up approach to responding to the climate crisis at a regional level.
The CAROs are a support organisation for Local Authorities and operate as a shared service across the local government sector. Each office works closely with the Local Authorities in their region to guide and inform them as they lead transformative change and measurable climate action in areas such as transport, biodiversity and preventing coastal erosion.
In September of this year, I was pleased to announce €12 million in funding for the CAROs for the period 2023 – 2029, to continue their work in supporting local government to coordinate and deliver climate actions, and in particular to develop their statutory Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
The Eastern and Midlands CARO will receive €3.09 million of this funding over the next six years to coordinate the delivery of climate action within its administrative region, which encompasses the counties of Carlow, Cavan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow. The CARO Annual Work Programme for 2024 is currently being developed.
30. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether consensus is emerging in the EU on future reforms in the electricity market; their likely impact on Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50279/23]
View answerThe European Commission published a suite of legislative proposals in March looking to reform the electricity market design (EMD). These legislative proposals followed a public consultation that was initiated in order to better protect consumers from excessive price volatility, support their access to secure energy from clean sources, and make the market more resilient. Council agreed a general approach on EMD at the Energy Council meeting on 17th October after extensive negotiations by Member States. EMD commenced EU Trilogue negotiations on 19th October. The Presidency aims to close the file before the end of the Presidency.
Alongside the EMD proposals, the Commission also published proposals for regulation on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency (REMIT). These proposals will provide stronger protection against market manipulation in energy trading, enhancing confidence and integrity in relation to REMIT. Council agreed a general approach on REMIT in June and Trilogues commenced in September. The Council and the Parliament reached a provisional political agreement on the regulation on 16th November. The provisional agreement now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both institutions.
Ireland welcomes the general approach that was agreed by Energy Council on both EMD and REMIT and we support the objective of the European Commission on improving the efficiency of the electricity market and optimising the market to ensure best value for consumers.
