Written Answers Nos. 166-181
167. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many heat pumps were installed per SEAI scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and in 2023 to date, in tabular form; the post-BER ratings per SEAI scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55034/23]
View answerThe National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.
To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, last year, the Government launched a package of significantly enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades.
Included in the measures was a significant increase in grant support for an air to water heat pump increasing from €3,500 to up to €6,500. For homeowners undertaking a deep retrofit with a heat pump under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) or the Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme, additional grant support is available towards required heating system upgrades, as well as a bonus payment of €2,000 to eligible homeowners. This equates to a potential grant support of up to €10,500 available to homeowners upgrading to a heat pump as part of a deep retrofit project.
Following the introduction of the new measures, 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, which represents a 79% increase year-on year. Figures to end of November 2023 show 43,376 home energy upgrades have been delivered so far this year of which 15,753 are to a BER rating of B2 or higher. These figures exceed the year-end targets set for both of just over 37,000 and 13,800 respectively.
The most recent data from SEAI shows that 3,401 heat pumps have been installed this year to end November 2023, equating to a 85% increase on November 2022. A further breakdown of heat pump installations by SEAI scheme for each of the years 2020 to 2023 (to end November) can be found in the below table.
Data on the post-BER ratings per heat pump installation per scheme is not routinely reported to the Department by SEAI. Therefore, I have asked SEAI to provide the post-BER ratings per heat pump installation per scheme for the period 2020-2023, in so far as it is available, as soon as possible.
|
SEAI supported heat pump installations - by Scheme |
Total |
|
2020 |
1,454 |
|
Community Energy Grant Scheme (formerly Better Energy Communities) |
601 |
|
Better Energy Homes Scheme |
664 |
|
Deep Retrofit Pilot |
189 |
|
2021 |
1,972 |
|
Community Energy Grant |
309 |
|
Better Energy Homes |
866 |
|
Deep Retrofit Pilot |
9 |
|
One Stop Shop (OSS) DEV |
786 |
|
Warmer Homes Scheme |
2 |
|
2022 |
2,274 |
|
Community Energy Grant Scheme (formerly Better Energy Communities) |
282 |
|
Better Energy Homes Scheme |
1332 |
|
National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme incl One Stop Shop Development Call |
616 |
|
Warmer Homes Scheme incl Warmth & Well-being |
44 |
|
*2023 (year to date to end November) |
3,401 |
|
Community Energy Grant Scheme |
486 |
|
Better Energy Homes Scheme |
1725 |
|
National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (One Stop Shops) |
1135 |
|
Warmer Homes Scheme |
55 |
|
Grand Total |
9,101 |
168. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by his Department; his plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55044/23]
View answerMy Department does not own any properties. All our accommodation needs are provided by the OPW.
169. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if pensioners or soon-to-be pensioners of An Post, who were originally employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs prior to the creation of An Post, can still exercise their right to claim a Civil Service pension rather than the reduced pension available from the An Post scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55059/23]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function.
170. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports that will be made available to small retailers to take part in the deposit return scheme; if any research has been carried out as to whether there is potential for some retailers, such as small off-licences, to be disadvantaged by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55091/23]
View answerIn 2020, after the adoption of the Single Use Plastics Directive (which imposed a 90% separate collection rate for plastic beverage bottles by 2029), my Department commissioned Eunomia to analyse options for improving the capture rate of beverage containers in Ireland. Eunomia’s report was published in October 2020. As well as looking at alternative options, this report looks at the feasibility and impacts of introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Ireland. Public consultations also took place in 2020 and 2021.
Retailers will play a vital role in the DRS and will charge the consumer a deposit for every drink sold, take back the empty drinks container and refund the deposit to the consumer when it is returned for recycling.All retailers will receive a handling fee from Re-turn for providing a take-back service. Handling fees are intended to offset the cost of collection infrastructure, retail floor space, staff costs and security. The level of handling fee payable is determined by Re-turn and is subject to independent, third-party verification.
In addition to handling fees, a number of other supports are in place to assist small retailers, including exemptions from take-back services and financial support for the installation of Reverse Vending Machines. Details of these supports, as well as other useful information to help retailers prepare for DRS, is available at re-turn.ie/retailer/.
171. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the Government was first made aware of reported leaks from the Magnox swarf storage silo, MSSS, at the Sellafield nuclear plant in Cumbria (details supplied); if the Government was formally notified of the issue by the UK authorities; the actions the Government has taken in order to make the company and the UK authorities accountable for the matter; what if any actions the UK authorities have taken arising from any intervention from the Irish Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55134/23]
View answer178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the concerns raised in a recent article published in a newspaper on 5 December 2023 (details supplied) in respect of the Sellafield power plant and the potential risk to the public; when his Department learned of this risk; the actions taken by his Department since; if he will provide the relevant dates and any other information related to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55308/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 178 together.
The leak at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) facility at Sellafield was formally reported to the UK Environment Agency in November 2019.
Since then, this matter has been reported on by the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) at the bi-annual meetings of the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters, and at its most recent meeting on the 29-30 November 2023, which was hosted by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) at their headquarters in County Wexford.
This group comprises senior officials and representatives from my Department, the EPA, the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the UK’s National Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the UK’s Nuclear Waste Services (NWA), the UK’s Environment Agency (EA), the Isle of Man Government Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Through engagement with these UK counterparts and the relevant regulators, my Department is being kept abreast of all developments at the site and satisfied with the level of co-operation being provided by the UK Authorities with regard to the facilities on the site.
At a technical level, the EPA also engages with the UK nuclear regulators, the ONR and the EA, and maintains regular contact with them in the case of technical matters or other developments of interest at nuclear sites in the UK. Having consulted with the EPA, my Department does not consider that the recent articles have uncovered any significant matters which would cause concern for Ireland. In addition, Minister of State, Ossian Smyth was briefed by senior UK officials last Thursday where it was noted that the UK regulator’s independent assessment was that the leak at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) does not pose a risk to the environment.
172. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review a response from An Garda Síochána (details supplied); if he is aware that this unit can no longer be located in Bailieborough due to issues with bandwidth; the steps that will be taken in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55171/23]
View answerI have no function in relation to matter referred to in the Question.
I am advised by the Minister for Justice that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána by law, including the work of all specialist units. Further to this the Commissioner is responsible for the location of specialist units. Under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Commissioner determines the stationing and distribution of the Garda Síochána throughout the State, including to Garda Specialist Units referred to by the Deputy. I am further advised that the Minister for Justice is unable to seek to direct the Commissioner in regards to the location of any unit, or the accommodation for any unit.
Finally the Minister for Justice has informed me that works on the Garda Estate are progressed by the Office of Public Works, in close cooperation with Garda management.
173. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his main policy and legislative priorities for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55206/23]
View answerMy Department is currently defining its priorities for 2024 through a structured Business Planning process. It is expected that this process will be completed in the coming weeks with delivery plans finalised early next year.
The Government Legislation Programme, which will set out my Department’s legislative priorities, is also currently being prepared and will be published on Gov.ie, once approved by Government.
174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if and how his Department plans to implement energy sharing; if there are barriers to energy sharing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55220/23]
View answerImproving access to renewable energy sharing is one of a number of measures being considered as part of EU reforms to European electricity market design (EMD). To achieve a just energy transition to a fossil-free and resilient energy system that meets the EU's climate targets, the new EMD seeks to provide better protection for consumers, more stability for companies, and increased green electricity.
The European Council agreed to a general approach on the proposal to amend the Electricity Market design on 17 October 2023, in response to a European Commission proposal of March 2023. Discussions are ongoing between the Council and Parliament to finalise a compromise text. As part of a suite of measures to introduce new customer protections and participation measures in energy markets, and in understanding the importance that active consumers sharing energy will have for the future of European energy, the new EMD will step out in detail in article 15a the responsibilities and rights afforded to final customers involved in energy sharing.
My Department is already working closely with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and ESBN to prepare for the significant technical and market changes that energy sharing would bring, while recognising the huge potential it offers in allowing more of our citizens to participate in Ireland’s energy transition. My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to transpose and implement the final measures of the market reform when published.
175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what actions, if any, his Department is taking to overcoming the barriers that exist for renewable energy communities to connect to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55235/23]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No 161 of 23 November 2023. The position is unchanged.
176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 22 November 2023, to report on the Government's engagements with other EU partners with regard to a co-ordinated withdrawal from the energy charter treaty; if there is any agreed timeline in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55236/23]
View answerAs I have publicly stated, most recently on 9 November last in the Dáil, the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is not fit for purpose. The Energy Charter Treaty modernisation has not progressed adequately. Therefore, Europe has signalled a full exit from the treaty should be undertaken, now that modernisation has not been possible.
Throughout this process Ireland has expressed strong views within the EU on the compatibility of the Paris Climate Agreement and the ECT dispute resolution mechanism. I continue to express our views within the EU on these issues; I believe that our views carry more weight in international negotiations by advocating them as part of the European Union.
Ireland has signalled its intent to leave the Energy Charter Treaty but wants to do so in a coordinated way with the other Member States. Ireland is engaging with all of our EU partners on the way forward to achieve this.
Ireland is among nine EU Member States who have indicated they are withdrawing from the ECT; Italy left in 2015.
My Department is in ongoing engagement at an EU level on all relevant EU files to this Department, including on the Energy Charter Treaty.
The ECT negotiations are an iterative process involving my Department and other Government Departments, in addition to the EU Commission and other member states. My officials are continuously engaging with these entities on the matter.
While there is no timeline available as yet, I can re-emphasise Ireland’s intent to leave the Energy Charter Treaty, and that Ireland wants to do so in a coordinated way with the other Member States.
177. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for a connection to the NBI scheme for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55261/23]
View answerIn December 2022, my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
• all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
• all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to this premises can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at Network Map - NBI. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Commercial operators’ fibre roll-outs are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over over 1.1 million homes. 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.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 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 substantially 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.
179. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications for the national home energy upgrade scheme in each month since February 2022; the number of drawdowns for the scheme in the same period; and the average grant levels claimed overall. [55321/23]
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 and the establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service for home energy upgrades.
There are now 17 One-Stop-Shops registered by SEAI. Of these, five were registered in the 2nd Quarter of 2023, which points to confidence in the sector about the future growth prospects of the retrofit market. SEAI continue to actively engage with the sector with the aim of attracting more registrations as One-Stop-Shops in 2024. Details of the registered One Stop Shops, including their contact details, are available on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/registered-providers/
As part of the registration process, applicant organisations are required to submit a strategic plan to SEAI. These plans include a minimum 2 year forward focused plan setting out their approach to home energy upgrades and development and growth plans under the new Scheme.
Most recent data from SEAI shows that, since its launch, almost 2,700 applications for home energy upgrade works have been submitted into the NHEUS (a monthly breakdown is provided below). Capital expenditure under the Scheme was €11.5m in 2022 and €23m so far this year. Since its launch, the NHEUS has delivered 1,816 home energy upgrades, of which 1,173 have been delivered so far this year.
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 grant for a private home is €22,689. For Approved Housing Body properties, the average grant is €15,623. More detailed information is available at: www.seai.ie/publications/SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q3-2023.pdf
Table: Monthly breakdown of applications for home energy upgrade works under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme:
|
2022 |
2023YTD |
|
|
January |
0 |
164 |
|
February |
0 |
127 |
|
March |
0 |
169 |
|
April |
34 |
76 |
|
May |
94 |
231 |
|
June |
104 |
137 |
|
July |
140 |
209 |
|
August |
164 |
123 |
|
September |
161 |
146 |
|
October |
147 |
154 |
|
November |
164 |
92 |
|
December |
51 |
N/A |
|
Total |
1,059 |
1,628 |
180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department collects data on public sector organisations’ emissions, and funding of offset initiatives, in relation to Circular (01/2020) on Procedures for Offsetting the Emissions Associated with Official Air Travel; and, if so, if he will publish such information for each body, in tabular form. [55323/23]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the Climate Action Fund (CAF) into which payments in accordance with the provisions of Circular 01/2020 (Procedures for Offsetting the Emissions Associated with Official Air Travel) are made.
It is important to note that payments are not made directly into the CAF, as any transfers into the CAF are subject to prior approval from the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This approval is usually sought towards the end of a year so as to allow for error corrections or late payments. It is the responsibility of individual bodies to ensure that the correct payments are made to the CAF in relation to Circular (01/2020).
A breakdown of the payments received and approved for transfer into the CAF in the years 2020 and 2021 is attached in tabular form. The attached table, which sets out payments in respect of 2022, will shortly be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform seeking approval for the payment into the CAF. Please note that there may be slight adjustments to this table in advance of this. Final figures for 2023 are not yet available.
These figures represent only what has been received by DECC, verified and approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform for transfer to the CAF. There may be some additional payments not included in these tables from various bodies that are still due or need to be verified before approval is sought to transfer into the CAF. This is why additional payments may be made in subsequent years in relation to previous years.
181. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the accelerating renewable electricity task force was established; the date of its first and all subsequent meetings; the topics discussed at each of those meetings; the members of the task force; and to identify any and all outputs from the task force such as reports, policy decisions and recommendations to Government. [55361/23]
View answerThe Accelerating Renewable Electricity Task force was established in March 2023 as a key action under Climate Action Plan 2023 to support the onshore renewable electricity targets, in particular the 80% of electricity demand from renewable generation by 2030.
The Task force was established in March 2023 and has met on the following dates:
• 23/03/2023
• 15/06/2023
• 10/10/2023
The Task force includes members from:
• Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
• Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
• Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• EirGrid
• ESB Networks
• Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
• Commission for Regulation of Utilities and
• National Treasury Management Agency.
To deliver on the roadmap for renewables set out in CAP 23, the focus of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Task force meetings has been assessing means to fast-track and increase deployment and output of renewable electricity generation and supporting technologies in the near-term. The key task force output will be the development of a programme of work to support the achievement of the renewable electricity targets.
