Written Answers Nos. 118-136
118. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the new low-cost home energy upgrade loan scheme that was announced in October 2023; when homeowners will be able to access this scheme; a timeline for announcing an open call inviting lenders to participate in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2384/24]
View answer119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on progress, if any, on the west coast designated maritime area map; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2445/24]
View answer120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns (details supplied) regarding the warmer home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/24]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in lower income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme. The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, type and condition of the property.
The administration and management of applications under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications.
SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure. SEAI deals with all complaints received. If after following the complaints procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/.
The SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that 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.
Should the homeowner have any further queries SEAI can be contacted directly at email warmerhomes@seai.ie or by phone at 01-8082004.
121. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the required contractor declaration of insurance (details supplied); when these changes come into effect; what supports are being provided to businesses in the Northern Ireland to support them to continue their work in southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/24]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
Entities seeking to register as an SEAI contractor under any relevant scheme must agree to adhere to the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice, Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents. Contractors must also demonstrate tax compliance and insurance cover and co-operate with the SEAI’s quality assurance programme.
As part of these requirements, when registering as a SEAI Contractor, it has always been a condition that entities hold a valid insurance policy with coverage in the Republic of Ireland. This means the respective insurance company must be authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The SEAI has advised my Department that recent updates to the Contractors Declaration of Insurance form, which came into effect in Q3 2023, were made to provide additional clarification to SEAI contractors in relation to the requirement to ensure that their insurance provider is authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBOI). The revised Contractors Declaration of Insurance Form does not constitute any change in the requirements for contractors.
The SEAI has advised my Department that, with regard to the specific case raised by the Deputy, the matter was resolved directly with the Contractor and subject to meeting all other terms and conditions and contractor registration requirements, they will be reactivated as a registered contractor in due course.
122. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to put in place an Ombudsman, or independent oversight body for post offices and An Post workers. [2535/24]
View answerThere are no plans to establish an Ombudsman for the Post Office network. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially.
The operation of the post office network and the terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly and I, as Minister, have no function.
123. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can advise as to the exact date that several fishery rights was granted to the Inland Fisheries on a specified section of the River Ilen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2555/24]
View answer124. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is evidence that several fishery rights were granted to Inshore Fisheries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2562/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
I have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the Central Fisheries Board and subsequently IFI have been licensing the State-owned fishing rights on a stretch of the River Ilen which adjoins folio CK41565, in West Cork, to a local club - River Ilen Anglers’ Association - for over thirty years.
IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries regarding operational matters such as this can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
125. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will investigate a potential anomaly around a person’s (details supplied) ineligibility for current electricity credits because the house’s MPRN is designated a low-usage account; if he will ensure that those who may be missing out on the credits will have them applied as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2621/24]
View answer149. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [3096/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024 the Government approved a new tranche of Electricity Credits which over 2.2 million households will benefit from -- worth €450 in total per household.
Three payments of €150 (including VAT) are being made between December 2023 and April 2024. The payments are being applied automatically. Households do not need to apply for it, nor do they need to contact their electricity supplier.
The payments are being applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2).
Under Scheme III, usage levels are assessed to ensure that payments are withheld in relation to low usage electricity accounts identified by the distribution system operator, to prevent the payment from being applied to vacant houses.
ESB Networks identified accounts which consumed less than 150 kilowatt hours of electricity per quarter for four consecutive quarters between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. If a domestic electricity account identified by ESB Networks on the effective date in respect of each payment, is flagged as a low usage account, it will not be allocated a payment for that payment period. The payment will not be withheld for accounts with a financial hardship meter, accounts held by registered as a vulnerable customer or accounts which have low usage due to the exporting of energy to the grid through microgeneration.
The Scheme allows for review by a customer’s electricity supplier, if contacted by a customer who has not received the payment. The Supplier will be able to review this and apply the payment if the customer is; a registered vulnerable customer, is eligible to be on the vulnerable customer register, or has a financial hardship meter. The customer can seek further review by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which has oversight of the Scheme, following the decision of the electricity supplier.
126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what action his Department is taking to fund and promote community scale composting initiatives in urban areas in view of the high levels of organic household waste that still goes into landfill/general waste in households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2625/24]
View answerThe primary focus for my Department is to encourage both householders and commercial premises to minimise the volume of waste they produce in the first place, and then to maximise the volume of recyclable and organic material which is diverted away from the residual waste bin through improved waste segregation practices. In terms of organic waste the recent expansion of household brown bin collections to all households in the State with a waste collection service and the introduction of incentivised waste collection charging in the commercial sector are expected to result in a significant reduction in the amount of organic waste placed in the residual bin. The roll-out of these measures is being supported by education and awareness campaigns which will help inform both householders and commercial premises on how to manage their waste in a more sustainable manner, please see MyWaste.ie for further information.
The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS), administered by my Department, directly supports the growth of the circular economy in Ireland via a competitive funding process. The scheme aims to support innovation and demonstration circular economy projects by small to medium enterprises and social enterprises. In 2021, 10 projects were selected to benefit from a total funding pot of €490,000. A second funding call was launched in 2022, with total available funding set at €650,000. The Circular Economy Strategy further commits to increasing per annum funding under the grant scheme to €1 million by 2024. It is intended that a third call will be launched early in 2024.
127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the new national waste management plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/24]
View answerIt is expected that the plan will be launched in February 2024.
128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what action his Department is taking to deal with increasing levels of waste generation and poor levels of waste segregation practices in businesses and households given that this will be a core issue in preventing Ireland from meeting upcoming EU waste recycling targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2627/24]
View answerThe Government’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in 2020, reconfirms the link between the circular economy and climate action and mandates a whole-of-government approach to ensure a successful transition to a circular economy. The Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023, published in December 2021, sets out an overall policy approach to achieving a circular economy, including sustainable consumption of resources . The next iteration of the strategy is currently being developed by my Department and will set out targets for, inter alia, reductions in material resource consumption, use and re-use of materials across a range of sectors.
With a view to building on the range of measures which were already in place to support greater levels of waste segregation and recycling, for example the Landfill Levy, incentivised household waste collection charging and the requirements of producers under the packaging regulations, the Circular Economy & Miscellaneous Provisions Act facilitated the delivery of a number of further measures from the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, including:
• incentivised waste collection charging in the commercial sector which was introduced on 1st July 2023,
• a recovery levy on municipal waste recovery operations at municipal landfills, waste to energy plants, co-incineration plants and to the export of waste, introduced on 1st September 2023
• the expansion of household bio-waste collection services to all households in the State from 31st December 2023 and
• the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single use PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans which will go live on 1st February 2024.
These measures will assist in encouraging greater waste minimisation and improved source segregation of waste by customers across the state and will contribute to achieving challenging EU targets for municipal waste recycling of 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.
129. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a schedule of official flights and costs of same taken by him in 2023; if a schedule will be provided of all hotels he stayed in in 2023, including hotel name and cost per night while on official State business; and if the same information will be provided in respect of all accompanying staff and advisors. [2642/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
130. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to increase the SEAI better homes grant in order to allow for more substantial energy upgrades of homes, the costs of which are beyond what is currently covered by the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2669/24]
View answerIn February 2022, Government launched a package of enhanced SEAI supports aimed at making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and emissions. The range of schemes available allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their needs. Free upgrades are also available to households at risk of energy poverty.
Demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes continued to be exceptionally high last year (2023) with indicative figures from SEAI showing:
• A total of 47,952 home energy upgrades supported. This represents a 76% increase on 2022 levels.
• Of this amount, 17,599 homes achieved a B2 Building Energy Rating. This represents an 107% increase on 2022 levels.
• In addition, 67,411 applications for grant support were received by SEAI in 2023 equating to a 34% increase on 2022 levels. This indicates a strong pipeline of works for 2024.
This year, a record capital budget of €437.2 million has been allocated to SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes. The budget includes funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) so that more households at risk of energy poverty can avail of fully funded energy upgrades under the Warmer Homes Scheme. The overall allocation will mean that the progress made last year under the National Retrofit Plan will be built on in 2024.
Furthermore, a recent agreement signed between the Government and EIB Group in relation to the Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme paves the way for low-interest, home energy upgrade loans. This Scheme will play a crucial role in helping homeowners to invest in energy efficiency, making their homes warmer, cheaper to run and helping to lower 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. It is anticipated that the loans will be available in the first quarter of 2024 through participating retail lenders.
My Department and the SEAI will continue to ensure that grant schemes terms and conditions, eligibility criteria and rates are kept under review taking account of demand, research, innovation, evolving technology and other relevant factors.
131. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Departmental officials support the legislative conservation of invasive perch in Lough Shindilla under the current Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and the subsequent ecological destruction of native Arctic char (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2675/24]
View answer132. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Departmental officials support the continual stocking of invasive rainbow trout into Lough Lene SAC lake (details supplied) given the direct negative impact that invasive freshwater fish have on the ecological quality status of Irish rivers and lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/24]
View answer133. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Departmental officials support the legislative conservation of invasive roach in Lettercraffroe Lough (details supplied) under the current Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 considering that roach are classed as highly invasive in Ireland under the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 477 of 2011); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2677/24]
View answer134. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Departmental officials support the continual promotion on Ballyquirke Lough SAC lake as an invasive pike and coarse fishery given the direct negative impact that invasive freshwater fish have on the ecological quality status of Irish rivers and lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2678/24]
View answer135. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Departmental officials support the legislative conservation of invasive tench in Ballyquirke Lough and the wider Lough Corrib SAC catchment under the current Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2679/24]
View answer136. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Departmental officials support the continual promotion of Ross Lake SAC lake as an invasive pike and coarse fishery given the direct negative impact that invasive freshwater fish have on the ecological quality status of Irish rivers and lakes under the EU Water Framework Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 together.
The issues raised by the Deputy in relation to a number of specific lakes and the management of any particular fish species in those waters are operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any function.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
On the matters relating to the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 referred to by the Deputy, I wish to advise that IFI in conjunction with my Department is carrying out a review of relevant inland fisheries bye-laws in force for 10 years or more and their continued application and Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006 and indeed the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006 will be examined and reviewed as part of this exercise. The review process, will, of course, take into account relevant legal acts of the European Union including the EU Water Framework Directive.
