Written Answers Nos. 88-120
95. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to amend the electricity cost emergency benefit scheme III for houses that were vacant or had low usage from the period June 2022 to July 2023 and subsequently do not qualify for the energy credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3122/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024 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 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. Domestic electricity accounts flagged as low usage accounts, 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 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. I would encourage any customer who thinks that they should have received the credit to contact their supplier at the first instance, and then the CRU if they have still not received the credit.
100. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications why works under the free energy home grants under the SEAI are still showing at least 48 months from application to completion; what measures are being taken to reduce this wait time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/24]
View answerIn recent years, the Warmer Homes Scheme has delivered a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have seen an almost tenfold increase from €2,600 in 2015 to just under €25,000 in 2023.
These deeper upgrades mean that more lower income homeowners are benefitting significantly from warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and reduced emissions. However, it is important to acknowledge that deeper retrofits take longer to complete.
This improvement in the upgrades provided under the scheme in tandem with increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit are driving significantly increased levels of demand. Approximately 24,000 applications from homeowners were received in 2022 and 2023 combined.
For homes completed in 2023, the average waiting time from application to completion was 20 months. This is a reduction from 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
A range of measures introduced by my Department and SEAI contributed to the reduction in waiting times, including:
• significantly increased budgets and budget certainty with a record spend of €158 million in 2023 and an allocation of almost €210 million in place for 2024;
• increased staffing resources in SEAI; and
• actions to address supply chain challenges.
SEAI also established a new contractor panel in September 2023, which increased the number of contractors operating under the scheme.
This scheme is a top priority for me and the Government. My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades provided under this important scheme.
101. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the relevant section of the Circular Economy Bill will be enacted to allow local authorities to use CCTV camera to stop illegal dumping of waste. [2899/24]
View answerAs required under the legislation, the three draft Codes of Practice allowing for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant use of CCTV technology under both the Waste Management Act and the Litter Pollution Act and for the use of mobile recording devices under the Waste Management Act were submitted to me in my role as Minister by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) for approval on 13th December 2023. I subsequently wrote to the LGMA formally approving the Codes of Practice on the 15th December.
Following my approval, all three Codes were laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas by the LGMA and were published as required by the legislation on a website maintained by the Government.
The final step in the process is to commence the relevant provisions of the Act. The Commencement Order is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) and it is expected that this will be signed shortly. This will then allow local authorities to begin planning for the use of CCTV and other mobile recording devices in their efforts to tackle litter and illegal dumping.
102. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in Cork. [3383/24]
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 Digital Connectivity Strategy will lead to more balanced regional development, supporting the green transition, facilitating greater access to regional talent and skills and will assist with the implementation of the Government’s Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, and Project Ireland 2040.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 146,000 homes and businesses in Cork with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.73,700 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €89m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Cork, with SIRO recently passing over 70,300 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 73,900 premises.
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, over 205,600 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 66,500 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. In the Deputy’s own county of Cork, over 24,700 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 8,266 premises now connected.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork can be monitored via https://nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 3 of 2023, saw a 7.62% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Qtr 2, 2023, and a 33.83% increase when compared to Quarter 3 of 2022. This demonstrates that the take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where they had previously been unavailable. 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 (619,968) or cable (354,074) infrastructure.
103. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with smaller independent retailers regarding their concerns about the deposit return scheme and how it will operate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3418/24]
View answerA national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is being introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans and to ensure we meet our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those containers under EU Single Use Plastics and Packaging legislation.
The DRS Regulations place a legal obligation on all retailers who sell in-scope beverages to register with Re-turn, the DRS operator, and to charge their customers a deposit for every in-scope drink sold, to take back the empty drink container and to refund the deposit when it is returned for recycling.
Re-turn, since their appointment in July 2022, have been engaging directly with retailers and representative bodies, such as the one mentioned in your question, to prepare them for DRS. A retailer roadshow (comprising 11 locations around the country) was completed last summer. Re-turn have also held numerous meetings, webinars and workshops and have published comprehensive guidance and useful information for retailers on their website at www.re-turn.ie/retailer. A national communications campaign is also underway.
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. 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 on Re-turn’s website. Re-turn are available to assist any retailer with the registration process and can be contacted at retailer@re-turn.ie. I would encourage any retailer who has not yet engaged with Re-turn to do so as soon as possible.
105. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question 10 of 16 November 2023, the details of any engagement his Department, or bodies under the aegis of his Department, has had with Galway City and County Councils to date in 2024 with regard to the development of their local authority climate action plans, and in particular the preparation of their decarbonising zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3399/24]
View answerLocal Authorities have a key role to play in addressing climate breakdown to meet Ireland’s national climate targets, and they have been given an expanded mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the statutory requirement to prepare Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs). The LA CAPs must be consistent with the most recently approved National Climate Action Plan and include both mitigation and adaptation measures. I made a request to each Local Authority to begin preparation of their plans in February 2023 and issued statutory guidelines to support them in this work in March 2023.
As part of its LA CAP, each Local Authority is responsible for establishing Decarbonisation Zones (DZs) which are intended to be the focus for a range of climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity measures. The statutory guidelines include a separate annex to in relation to DZs.
The LA CAPs will strengthen the alignment between national climate policy and the delivery of effective local climate action, and are due to be adopted by each Local Authority in Q1 2024. Once adopted, implementation of the actions listed in the plan will commence.
Further to my response to Parliamentary Question 10 of 16 November 2023, I understand neither my Department nor the bodies under the aegis of my Department, have had engagement with Galway City or County Councils in relation to the development of their LA CAPs or preparation of their DZs to date in 2024.
106. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to ban the use of sulphur hexafluoride in wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2964/24]
View answerSulphur hexafluoride is a synthetic gas which has been used in sealed systems in in the electricity transmission network for several decades. Its use, including in wind turbines, serves to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment. Emissions of sulphur hexafluoride to the atmosphere are controlled in the EU under the F-Gas Regulation.
With a view to enhancing controls, the F-Gas Regulation has been under review since April 2022. Throughout the process, Ireland has strongly supported greater ambition in this area. An updated regulation is expected to come into force later this year which will introduce bans on the use of sulphur hexafluoride in new electrical equipment. These bans will be introduced at EU level on a phased basis between 2026 and 2032. This will build on the existing regulatory controls which include labelling and leak checking of equipment, training requirements for engineers, and gas recovery obligations during servicing and at end of life.
In recent years, new types of equipment have been developed to allow for wind turbine operation without the use of sulphur hexafluoride. This new technology will support the expansion of the renewable electricity sector while facilitating the phase out of the use of the most potent greenhouse gas. It is important to note that all equipment currently in service containing sulphur hexafluoride will be subject to the regulatory controls described above up, including the end of its service life.
107. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current estimated timeframe for completion of the North-South Interconnector; how long that timeframe will be expanded if landowners affected refuse to provide consent for EirGrid or associated bodies to enter their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2727/24]
View answer108. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will meet with representatives of landowners and communities affected by the proposed North-South Interconnector. [2728/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not myself as Minister.
The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and Eirgrid, transmission.
The cost of building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system is recovered by system operators through charges on customers, all of which is overseen and agreed with the CRU. System operator spending is agreed with the CRU in five-year cycles, referred to as Price Reviews.
The North South Interconnector is a Transmission project and is being undertaken by EirGrid. The Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground.
This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. It is for system operators to determine the means of delivery of infrastructure and in doing so they seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders.
Eirgrid have been and will continue to engage with the local communities affected by the development of the North South Interconnector. Eirgrid are independent of myself as Minister in the exercise of their functions as Transmission System Operators, and they are the appropriate entity to engage with affected communities.
The CRU and Eirgrid have dedicated contact email address for Oireachtas member should they wish to raise matters of concern such as that raised in these questions. In this instance Deputies may wish to engage directly with EirGrid as the system operator undertaking the project.
109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on his previous commitment in providing a mechanism for full time residents in mobile homes to access the much needed electricity credits, which to date has not been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/24]
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 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).
This follows the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes I and II, which saw €800 applied to domestic electricity accounts between March 2022 and April 2023.
The electricity credits are being applied to eligible domestic electricity accounts automatically and without the need for application using the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN). However, there are certain cohorts that will not receive this support, including some full time occupants of mobile homes. Unfortunately, as these households do not have an individual MPRN and share a commercial electricity connection rather than a domestic connection, they are ineligible for the electricity credit.
However, other supports have been made available for those struggling to pay their bills. Budget 2023 and 2024 introduced a range of once-off social protection measures, including additional lump sum payments for recipients of Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Increase, the Working Family payment, and the Carer's Support grant, as well as further support to those in receipt of long-term disability payments.
Any individual that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, who have a need for financial assistance. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses.
110. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has plans to assist EirGrid and the ESB in developing a stronger electricity grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3161/24]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not myself as Minister.
The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and Eirgrid, transmission. The cost of building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system is recovered by system operators through charges on customers, all of which is overseen and agreed with the CRU. System operator spending is agreed with the CRU in five-year cycles, referred to as Price Reviews, with the current review spanning until 2025. Issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks.
In 2023, Eirgrid published an update to Shaping our Electricity Future and ESB Networks published its networks for Net Zero Strategy. Annually, Eirgrid also publish a 10 year Transmission Development Plan, which presents EirGrid’s view of the future electricity transmission network needs, all of which is done under the supervision of the independent regulator, CRU. The network development plan provides CRU with accurate data that allows them to deliver their monitoring obligations for electricity. Furthermore, every year CRU holds a public consultation on EirGrid's Transmission Development Plan. CRU's public consultation gives stakeholders the opportunity to express their views on the Transmission Development Plan.
The CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Oireachtas members should they wish to raise matters of concern or seek updates on developments to the national electricity grid such as that raised in the question.
111. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to consider a distribution box at T23EK68 to extend broadband to the home. [3381/24]
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. NBI advise that this premises is at a status of ‘Pending Survey’ with an estimated connection date of January – December 2026.
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.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 3 of 2023, saw a 7.62% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Qtr 2, 2023, and a 33.83% increase when compared to Quarter 3 of 2022. This demonstrates that the take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where they had previously been unavailable. 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 (619,968) or cable (354,074) infrastructure.
112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the deposit return scheme; what measures he has taken to ensure that the retail sector is sufficiently prepared; what measures he is taking to ensure that the scheme is accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3417/24]
View answerA national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is being introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans and to ensure we meet our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those containers under EU Single Use Plastics and Packaging legislation.
The DRS Regulations place a legal obligation on all retailers who sell in-scope beverages to register with Re-turn, the DRS operator, and to charge their customers a deposit for every in-scope drink sold, to take back the empty drink container and to refund the deposit when it is returned for recycling. The Regulations also oblige retailers to ensure the take-back facility they provide is easily accessible for all consumers.
Re-turn, since their appointment in July 2022, have been engaging directly with retailers to prepare them for DRS. A retailer roadshow (comprising 11 locations around the country) was completed last summer. Re-turn have also held numerous meetings, webinars and workshops and have published comprehensive guidance and useful information for retailers on their website at www.re-turn.ie/retailer. A national communications campaign is also underway.
To date just almost 3,600 retailers, representing over 5,300 retail premises, have registered for the scheme. Re-turn are available to assist any retailer with the registration process and can be contacted at retailer@re-turn.ie.
I would encourage any retailer who has not yet engaged with Re-turn to do so as soon as possible.
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which provision of broadband continues to meet targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3223/24]
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 Digital Connectivity Strategy will lead to more balanced regional development, supporting the green transition, facilitating greater access to regional talent and skills and will assist with the implementation of the Government’s Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, and Project Ireland 2040.
• Over the last number of years commercial investment in full fibre broadband has consistently increased. These commercial investments, together with the State backed investment across rural Ireland will see gigabit broadband rolled out across the State and to all citizens. Recent ComReg reports show a 33% year on year increase in full fibre subscriptions with over 600,000 premises now connected to a gigabit network.
• Eir is building a FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) network to up to 1.9 million premises and to date has passed over 1.1 million homes and businesses;
• SIRO has recently reached a milestone of enabling over 545,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. On 15 January they announced that its services are now available to 50,000 homes and business across Dublin city. That figure goes up to 100,000 premises overall across the wider Dublin area after expansion to areas underserved by fibre-to-the-home broadband; and
• 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.
• As a result of significant challenges, primarily due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, delivery of original milestones under the contract were delayed. A Final Remedial Plan was developed as a result of this and under this plan NBI committed to delivering a cumulative target of 185,000 premises passed by the end of January 2024. NBI achieved this target before this target date and in fact by 31 December 2023 they had passed 205,638 premises. Over 217,100 premises can order or pre-order service across all counties.
• To date, the level of connections is exceeding initial projections. NBI are connecting circa 3,500 homes each month and have connected over 66,500 premises. NBI expect to have passed in excess of 300,000 premises by the end of 2024 with circa 120,000 premises passed each year thereafter until the end of deployment at which point over 560,000 will be passed.
• On average, almost 30% of premises passed have been connected to date, which exceeds expectations in terms of the connection rate of premises availing of the network so soon after it is available. Some areas have over 40% take up to date. The overall target rate of connections over the coming 5 years is 80% and NBI remain confident they will achieve this.
• Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 3 of 2023, saw a 7.62% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Qtr 2, 2023, and a 33.83% increase when compared to Quarter 3 of 2022. This demonstrates that the take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where they had previously been unavailable. 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 (619,968) or cable (354,074) infrastructure.
114. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the National Broadband Plan in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3203/24]
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 Digital Connectivity Strategy will lead to more balanced regional development, supporting the green transition, facilitating greater access to regional talent and skills and will assist with the implementation of the Government’s Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, and Project Ireland 2040.
• Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 35,500 homes and businesses in Mayo with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c.13,500 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €26m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Mayo, with SIRO recently passing over 7,100 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media passing over 7,700 premises.
• 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, over 205,600 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 66,500 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. In the Deputy’s own county of Mayo, over 7,400 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 2,233 premises now connected.
• Further details are available on specific areas within County Mayo can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie , which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
• Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 3 of 2023, saw a 7.62% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Qtr 2, 2023, and a 33.83% increase when compared to Quarter 3 of 2022. This demonstrates that the take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where they had previously been unavailable. 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 (619,968) or cable (354,074) infrastructure.
115. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what channel is available for medically vulnerable applicants under the free energy home grants under the SEAI to be prioritised for commencement of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3314/24]
View answerFirstly, it should be noted that vulnerable customers who are critically dependent on electricity powered equipment, which includes but is not limited to life protecting devices, assistive technologies to support independent living and medical equipment, cannot be disconnected for non-payment of account at any time.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times for the Warmer Homes Scheme is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.
Applications to the Scheme are assessed on the basis of when they first apply to SEAI. Homes with the worst Building Energy Ratings (E, F or G) are then prioritised for works. No other prioritisation takes place under the scheme.
The Deputy may wish to note that Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:
• SEAI is rolling out a scheme to provide Solar PV to vulnerable customers registered as being dependent on electrically powered assistive devices;
• Part-funded SEAI grants under the Better Energy Homes Scheme support homeowners to retrofit their home in stages over a number of years;
• The Department of Social Protection's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or the Department of Social Protection.
• The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.
116. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to state how many homes in Carlow have benefitted from the warmer homes scheme, the better energy homes scheme and the national home energy upgrade scheme since the schemes were launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3160/24]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030.
To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, the Government has put in place 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.
Demand across the SEAI grant supported schemes was exceptionally high last year with indicative figures from SEAI showing that in 2023:
• A total of 47,952 home energy upgrades were 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.
• Under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, 5,897 fully funded upgrades for energy poor homes were delivered. This represents a 33% increase in upgrades provided versus 2022.
• 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.
• A record capital budget of €437.2 million for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes has been allocated for 2024. The overall allocation will mean that the progress made last year under the National Retrofit Plan will be further built on in 2024.
• With regard to the information sought by the Deputy, figures from SEAI show the number of properties upgraded in Carlow for the 3 schemes requested, from the time of their launch:
• Warmer Homes Scheme: 631 properties upgraded in the period 2015 – 2023.
• Better Energy Homes Scheme: 2,709 property upgrades supported in the period 2009 – 2023.
• National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (incl. pilots): 43 property upgrades supported in the period 2019 – 2023.
117. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will amend the energy credit scheme to address the gap where those who are not on social welfare and who have moved into a previously vacant house have not been able to get the energy credit due to the property being designated low usage. [3345/24]
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.
118. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what progress has been made to date in respect of the key actions aimed at tackling rising waste generation and to improve the management of waste being generated in Ireland, as set out in the EPA 2021 National Waste Statistics Report in view that Ireland is on course to miss EU waste recycling targets in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2631/24]
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 EU targets for municipal waste recycling.
119. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to develop Designated Maritime Area Plan for offshore renewable energy projects off the West coast of Ireland; the timeline for such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3335/24]
View answerA new plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy (ORE) was adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas in May 2023. Central to this plan-led approach is the requirement that all post Phase One offshore wind developments in Ireland must be situated in marine areas identified for this purpose that are located within Designated Maritime Area Plans, or DMAPs.
As adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas, Ireland’s first ORE DMAP is to be located off the South Coast, and will identify a suitable area or areas for future deployments of fixed bottom offshore wind projects that aim to assist in delivery of our 2030 target and beyond. Fixed bottom offshore wind is a proven technology that has been delivered at scale in other jurisdictions and offers the best prospects for the accelerated delivery of future offshore wind, at an affordable cost to Irish electricity consumers.
A new Future Framework policy will establish an evidence-based pathway for longer term ORE developments beyond 2030, including with regard to the deployment of floating offshore wind technology in deeper waters in Ireland's maritime area. The draft Future Framework was published on 22 January 2024 and is currently undergoing public consultation. Following completion of this consultation, it is intended that the Future Framework will be published in Spring 2024, contingent on Government approval. This will provide a framework for the subsequent establishment of future DMAPs for floating offshore wind.
The Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021, requires that any DMAP must be reviewed no later than six years after its establishment, and includes provisions for the subsequent establishment of a new replacement DMAP.
120. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the membership of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce (OWDT); the number and dates of meetings held by the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3350/24]
View answerI established the cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce in April 2022 in order to accelerate and drive cross-Government delivery of offshore wind, while maximising the economic and social benefits to Ireland.
The Taskforce is chaired by my Department and its membership comprises senior officials from the Government Departments and Agencies with offshore wind related actions under the Climate Action Plan. The member organisations are:
• the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications;
• the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage;
• the Department of Transport;
• the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment;
• the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science;
• the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;
• the Department of Rural and Community Development;
• Enterprise Ireland;
• the Commission for Regulation of Utilities;
• EirGrid;
• the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority;
• the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and
• the Marine Institute.
• Both the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, and the Department of Defence attend taskforce meetings as observers.
• The Taskforce has met twelve times since its establishment, on the below dates:
• 28 April 2022;
• 5 May 2022;
• 18 July 2022;
• 5 September 2022;
• 17 October 2022;
• 28 November 2022;
• 24 January 2023;
• 30 March 2023;
• 29 May 2023;
• 13 July 2023;
• 5 October 2023; and
• 14 December 2023.
In addition, since June 2023, the Taskforce has held sessions with the offshore wind industry, represented by Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) and Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) in order to exchange updates on the latest policy and industry developments. These sessions have taken place on:
• 29 June 2023;
• 31 August 2023; and
• 9 November 2023
Further information on the Taskforce, including minutes of meetings held is available on gov.ie.
