Written Answers Nos. 136-150
137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022 and 2023. [54970/23]
View answer138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the across all SEAI schemes in 2022 and 2023. [54971/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings by the end of 2030.
In February 2022, the Government approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.
In 2022, 8,481 homes supported under the SEAI schemes were upgraded to a post works BER B2 or better. This is almost double the 2021 levels. More detailed information is available in the SEAI Home Energy Upgrades 2022 Annual Report available at: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Annual-Report-2022.pdf. To date, in 2023, the number of homes upgraded to a BER B2 currently stands at almost 15,800 across all SEAI schemes, equating to a 85% increase on 2022 levels.
The costs of a retrofit/home energy upgrade depends on a range of factors including the size and type of home as well as the age and starting condition of the property and the retrofitting works required or recommended. Depending on the scheme the retrofit can consist of a single energy efficiency measure, multiple measures or a whole home upgrade to B2 and the costs will vary accordingly.
Furthermore, the works costs are based on declarations from the homeowners and contractors. The costs can vary depending on the factors outlined above. Additionally, homeowners may carry out non-grant aided/non energy related works as part of the same upgrade. Therefore, the costs set out below may be in excess of the costs relating to the retrofit works only. The amounts paid out per grant-aided measure by SEAI are fixed irrespective of the costs declared.
The SEAI Q3 2023 Performance Report on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes shows that under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, the average cost of works to upgrade a property to a post BER of B2 or better and achieve a 100kWh/m2/yr for a private home is €62,099 (average cost after the grant is €39,388). For Approved Housing Body properties, the average cost of works is €28,795 (average cost after the grant is €13,169). More detailed information is available at: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q3-2023.pdf
The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to households at risk of energy poverty. The depth of retrofits delivered under the scheme in recent years can be seen in the increase in the average cost of the upgrades which has risen from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023. The most recent data from SEAI shows that in the first half of 2023, the average cost of a deep retrofit was €25,660 and €40,550 for a deep retrofit with heating system.
The average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is not routinely reported by SEAI to my Department, therefore I have asked for this data to be sent to the Deputy directly by SEAI as soon as possible.
139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to increase the domestic solar PV budget by 50%. [54973/23]
View answer159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the domestic solar PV budget in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55012/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 159 together.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installation under the Climate Action Plan 21. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants for Solar PV installations, which are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Domestic applicants can currently avail of grants up to a maximum of €2,400.
The SEAI maintains data regarding the financing and functioning of the Domestic Solar PV scheme and the previous pilot scheme it replaced in 2022, and has facilitated the information in response to your question. Past allocations of capital and current funding to the SEAI in respect of the Domestic Solar PV scheme are as follows:
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Capital |
€ 6,500,000 |
€ 11,000,000 |
€ 14,000,000 |
€ 28,770,000 |
|
Current |
€ 200,000 |
€500,000 |
€680,000 |
€630,000 |
Due to high grant uptake levels, the initial capital allocations in 2020, 2022 and 2023 were exceeded, requiring the provision of additional funds, bringing the total supports provided to:
|
2020 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Total capital provided |
€ 7,600,000 |
€ 25,200,000 |
€ 52,900,000 |
Increasing the allocation for the Domestic Solar PV scheme by 50%, based on the 2023 outturn, would therefore require capital funding of €79,350,000.
140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to double the allocation to the climate action fund. [54975/23]
View answer141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of funding drawn from the climate action fund in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023, including details of proposed purpose of each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54976/23]
View answer142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount allocated to the climate action fund in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54977/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together.
The Climate Action Fund (CAF) does not receive a Voted allocation. It receives income from multiple sources as set out below. Increases in revenues paid into the CAF are dependent on external factors. For example, income from the NORA Levy would require either an increase in the levy rate or an increase in oil use across the country. Increasing the income from flight emissions offsets would require either an increase in flights taken by officials or in the offset rate applied to flights. Additional income can be transferred into the CAF but must follow the requirements set out in the NORA Act.
Income from the NORA levy for 2023 is expected to be received by the end of this year and the figure shown is an estimate only. Similarly, 2023 income relating to flight emissions offsets will not be known until next year.
As the CAF was only established in 2020 there is no recorded expenditure from the fund in that year.
The details of the revenues paid into the CAF are provided below in tabular format.
|
CAF Income (€) |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
NORA Levy |
28m |
96m |
92m |
80m* |
|
Energy Efficiency National Fund unspent monies |
- |
21.5m |
- |
- |
|
Civil Service Emissions Offsets |
79k* |
95k* |
350k* |
Not yet known |
|
Vote transfer for Bord na Mona Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme |
- |
7.6m |
- |
- |
(*estimate only)
The table below sets out expenditure from the CAF for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date with a brief description of the purpose of each project.
|
Expenditure (€) |
||||
|
Project Name |
Purpose |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 to date |
|
Hybrid Drive for Inter City Rail car (ICR 22000) fleet |
This project is testing hybrid drive technology on intercity rail cars |
€318,000 |
€320,160 |
|
|
ESB Electric Vehicle High Power Charging Infrastructure Development Project |
This project is installing new modern electric vehicle chargers across the country as well as upgrading the existing charging network. |
€1,378,291 |
€541,889 |
€428,165.66 |
|
Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (Bord na Móna Bog Rehabilitation Scheme) |
The Scheme will rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of industrially degraded peatlands, protect the storage of millions of tonnes of carbon, sequester additional carbon out to 2050, enhance biodiversity, support up to 350 jobs and will contribute to Ireland’s target of being carbon-neutral by 2050 |
€7,636,517.37 |
€12,707,362.33 |
€18,092,710 |
|
Driving HGV Efficiently into Brexit |
Telematics equipment is being installed in heavy goods vehicles and appropriate training for the drivers is being provided in order to support the transport sector in reducing reduce fuel consumption and emissions from vehicles |
€77,871.78 |
€192,825.36 |
€207,658.08 |
|
Community Climate Action Programme -strand 2 Pobal |
This is for projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and learning by doing, which is being run by Pobal on behalf of the Department. |
€1,426,180.91 |
€1,248,403.44 |
|
|
The South Dublin County Council Tallaght District Heating Scheme |
This project contributed to the building of a facility that uses waste heat from a Data Centre to heat surrounding buildings in the area. |
€1,202,715 |
€1,930,600.17 |
|
|
Community Climate Action Programme -strand 2 Creative Climate Action |
This is for creative and cultural projects that proposed innovative ways to engage the public on climate change, with an emphasis on transforming that connection into behaviour change or climate action. |
€1,000,000 |
||
|
Total |
€9,410,680.15 |
€17,391,132.60 |
€21,907,537.35 |
|
145. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of staffing for environmental planning in An Bord Pleanála; and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54983/23]
View answerI have no function in relation to the matter referred to in the Question.
An Bord Pleanála is an independent statutory body under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of staffing for environmental planning in the CRU, and the full cost per post level in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and in Budget 2024, in tabular form. [54985/23]
View answer148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan of the CRU; the total number of positions that have been filled per grade in 2023; the total number that remain outstanding per grade; when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54988/23]
View answer150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE and HTE staff, by grade, in the CRU, in tabular form. [54990/23]
View answer151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the CRU with biodiversity expertise for example, ecologists, marine biologists, ornithologists; if there are plans to recruit additional staff; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [54997/23]
View answer152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the CRU with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55001/23]
View answer156. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan for the CRU, which included the approval of 74 new whole-time positions; how many have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55009/23]
View answer164. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan at CRU; the staffing costs at the CRU; the staffing levels; the full year cost to recruit one WTE per staffing level; and the full year cost to recruit one HTE per staffing level. [55027/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146, 148, 150 to 152, inclusive, 156 and 164 together.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector, following enactment if the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation.
While CRU is financed by means of a levy on regulated entities, it must receive approval from the Minister of Environment, Climate & Communications and the Minister of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, in consultation with the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage, for staffing levels.
The latest such approval has been given, in full, for the CRU three-year workforce plan, which includes 74 new whole time equivalent positions to meet its objective sunder the Strategic Plan 2022-2024.
|
€’000 |
|
|
Staff Salaries |
8,364 |
|
Employee PRSI |
823 |
|
SEM Committee Fees |
49 |
|
Recruitment and Training |
293 |
|
Staff Travel and Subsistence |
105 |
|
Total |
9,634 |
Further details, such as employee benefits breakdown, can be found in CRU’s Annual Report 2022 cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com/documents/CRU_Annual_Report_2022.pdf CRU estimate they will have a total of 136 FTE staff by the end of 2023.
CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members atoireachtas@cru.ie, which enables them to raise more specific operational and resourcing matters directly to the CRU.
I have asked that CRU respond directly to the Deputy's queries directly.
147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has engaged with local authorities that have voted to municipalise waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54987/23]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection and waste management planning within their functional areas. It is open to the Chief Executive of any local authority to exercise their executive function in relation to waste collection to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers.
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE and THE staff, by grade, in the SEAI, in tabular form. [54989/23]
View answer153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the SEAI with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55005/23]
View answer155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke 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; the total cost per post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55008/23]
View answer157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan of the SEAI; the total number of positions that have been filled per grade in 2023; the total number that remain outstanding per grade; when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55010/23]
View answer158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the workforce plan for the SEAI in relation to its mandated role to provide support to renewable energy communities; the total staffing costs per grade; the estimated cost to double this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55011/23]
View answer165. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report the workforce plan at SEAI; the staffing costs at the SEAI; the staffing levels; the full year cost to recruit one WTE per staffing level; and the full year cost to recruit one HTE per staffing level. [55028/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 153, 155, 157, 158 and 165 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established under the Sustainable Energy Act of 2002. The Authority is a body corporate with functions and responsibilities as set out under Section 6 of the Act, which include inter alia promoting and assisting;
• environmentally and economically sustainable production, supply and use of energy,
• energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy,
• the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
• minimising of the impact on the environment of the production, supply and use of energy,
• research, development, and demonstration of relevant technologies.
The SEAI also has a role to provide advice, information and guidance to the Minister, Government Departments and agencies, energy suppliers, and energy users.
SEAI is funded by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Transport. In 2023 the Agency’s total budget allocation is just under €600 million.
SEAI is key to informing, supporting, implementing, and delivering Government energy policy and the Climate Action Plan. The programmes administered by SEAI have a major impact on the Irish economy through home and community energy upgrades, business supports, research and innovation funding, and Electric Vehicle (EV) grants. SEAI has also been designated as the National Retrofit Delivery Body. In this role, the SEAI act as the lead agency in driving the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit targets.
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 continue to enhance their staffing levels consistent with the scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced in recent years under the Climate Acton Plan and National Retrofit Plan. It is anticipated that the funding provided to the SEAI will bring staff levels close to 235 by the end of 2023, in line with their Workforce Plan 2021-2023.
A new workforce plan was submitted by SEAI to my Department in June 2023. This is currently under consideration by my Department .
In relation to the specific questions raised by the Deputy in relation to staffing numbers and recruitment, this is an operational matter for the SEAI. I have asked the SEAI to respond directly to the Deputy to provide the specific data sought as soon as possible.
Additionally, SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
