Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how public expenditure in Ireland on social protection, on health and on education compares to other EU countries with similar demographic characteristics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5664/24]
View answerThe latest data available from Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office, relates to 2021. According to Eurostat, in 2021 35.2% of General Government Expenditure in Ireland was on the Social Protection function, 21.2% was on the Health Function and 12% was on the Education function. This compares to an equivalent EU average of 39.9% on the Social Protection Function, 15.8% on the Health Function and 9.4% on the Education function. It is important to note that the classification of the functions of Government here are set out by Eurostat and may not align exactly with how expenditure is split by Government Departments in Ireland.
In 2019, the most recent year for which data is available and not impacted by COVID-19, the split for Ireland was 35.8% on the Social Protection Function, 19.7% on the Health Function and 13.2% on the Education Function. This compares to an equivalent EU average of 41.4% on the Social Protection Function, 15% on the Health Function and 10.1% on the Education function.
The most pertinent point in relation to Ireland’s demographics is that Ireland has a young population. The median age in Ireland was 38.8 years old in 2022 compared to an EU average of 44.4. Ireland also has a higher proportion of younger people than the average across the EU; in Ireland, 26.4% of the population is under the age of 15, compared to 20.2% across the EU. By contrast, 6% of those across the EU are over the age of 80 compared to 3.5% in Ireland. Age demographics are an important driving factor behind Government spending by function; for instance, for all countries excluding Ireland, old age and survivors' benefits accounted for the highest share of EU expenditure on social protection benefits in 2021.
122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the funding schemes under the remit of his Department that are available to assist local authorities with minor drainage schemes to alleviate flooding problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5734/24]
View answerThe Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030. This includes funding to local authorities for minor works to alleviate a localised flood risk in their areas through the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
Local Authorities are responsible for investigating and addressing localised flooding issues in their area.
The purpose of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.
Applications for funding from local authorities are considered for flood relief and erosion protection measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available from the OPW for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.floodinfo.ie.
Since 2009, the OPW has approved funding of €64m across some 900 unique local flood relief projects to Local Authorities that protect some 7,900 properties through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
The OPW welcome applications for funding under this scheme and is happy to engage with Local Authorities in this regard.
123. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position on the tendering process to progress works for a Garda Station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5700/24]
View answerWith regard to the Office of Public Works’ upcoming project to refurbish Coachford Garda Station at Knockaneowen, Coachford, County Cork, I confirm that the procurement process is complete. In January 2024, the Project Oversight Group in OPW confirmed approval to proceed to Contract Award stage, and to accept the recommended tender.
It is planned to place the contract in the coming days, as soon as final confirmation of budgetary sanction is received. Following contract award, the appointed contractor will be requested to propose a programme for delivery of the works, which is expected to take approximately six months to complete. On completion, the building will be handed over to An Gárda Síochána, who will make final installations to facilitate the re-opening of the station.
The planned works at Coachford Garda Station represent significant capital investment in the Garda Estate by OPW. The project involves substantial refurbishment of the entire building, with redesigned vehicle and pedestrian routes to improve safety and accessibility. In addition to addressing both public accessibility and energy performance issues, OPW intends to deliver an improved, fit-for-purpose Garda Station, which maximises the accommodation capacity and utility of the building for An Garda Síochána.
124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what considerations he has given to the proposed four day work week across the public sector as raised by multiple trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5769/24]
View answerIn considering a move to a four day working week in a public service context, there are two main concerns – the cost to the taxpayer and ensuring the continuity of services to the public.
There would be substantial costs associated with any move towards a four day working week in the public service. It is not clear that increased productivity would be sufficient to offset that cost. This is of particular importance in the context of public facing and emergency services that must be provided on a seven day basis where any reduction in core hours would result in a requirement to recruit significant additional staff. A detailed analysis of the costs would involve a considerable degree of complexity, given the number of employees and organisations encompassed within the public service. However, a very high level assessment based on the pay bill for 2024 puts the approximate estimated cost at up to €5 billion per annum. This may be a conservative estimate, given the premiums associated with overtime and agency staffing, which would likely be required to ensure the same level of services could be delivered with reduced core hours.
Maintaining the accessibility of public services to citizens would also be a huge challenge in the context of a four day working week in the public service. For example there is no evidence available, that this Department is aware of, on the operation of school systems on a four day week. There would also be significant challenges in the delivery of health care services and other emergency services – Gardaí, fire services, etc. – with a shorter working week. These are essential public services and any reduction in the core hours worked by staff in these sectors would have significant implications for service delivery.
There are also concerns about wider labour market and economic impacts if the public service were to move to a four day working week but the private sector did not. For example, childcare costs could be impacted by such a move. The implications of the proposal for a four day working week need to be carefully considered for the entire labour force, not just in the public service. Any move by the public service in isolation could also have serious consequences for, in particular, small to medium businesses already struggling in the face of increased energy costs and other pressures.
In addition to this, there are already a number of different flexible work arrangements available in the civil and public service, including work sharing, shorter working years, career breaks and remote working. As well as this, it is only a short time since a significant exercise was undertaken in relation to working hours in the public service by the Independent Hours Body. This resulted in a reduction of working hours across the public service, with the civil service net working week reducing from 37 hours to 35 hours.
In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have to ensure that quality public services are delivered to the Irish people in a manner that delivers value for money to the Irish taxpayer.
With this in mind, and in light of the large potential costs and disruption to critical services I do not believe that it is the right time to consider a transition to a four day week.
126. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further toParliamentary Question No. 378 of 17 January 2024, if his Department has received an updated application from Cork County Council for flood mitigation works in Castlemartyr; if so, the proposed works that are to be undertaken as part of the application; if an application for similar flood relief measures for Mogeely has been received by his Department in light of the damage caused by Storm Babet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5580/24]
View answerI acknowledge the devastating impact flooding had to home owners, businesses and the communities of Castlemartyr and Mogeely during Storm Babet, last year.
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the OPW in 2018. This studied the flood risk for two thirds of the population against their risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. The output from this study was the Flood Risk Management Plans. These 2018 Plans are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at risk communities.
It is not possible to progress all 150 flood relief schemes identified by the Flood Risk Management Plans simultaneously, due to the constraint of the availability of the professional and specialised engineering skills required to design and construct flood relief schemes. While the prioritised approach to delivering schemes means that work is complete or underway to protect some 80% of all at risk properties, nationally, the flood relief project for Castlemartyr is not in the first phase of projects being progressed nationally. The Government is committed to funding this scheme as part of the €1.3bn for flood relief measures under the National Development Plan.
The OPW is currently trialling a new delivery model towards a more efficient means of delivering all 50 schemes in the second tranche of schemes. Once consultants are appointed to progress this scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the general public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme.
Local Authorities are responsible for investigating and addressing localised flooding issues in their area. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the OPW, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications by local authorities for localised flood mitigation measures are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW with regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio and the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on: www.floodinfo.ie/minor-works/ .
In July 2018, Cork County Council submitted an application under this scheme for river cleaning works upstream and downstream of Castlemartyr Bridge that did not meet the criteria for the scheme. Following the recent devastating flooding caused by Storm Babet, Cork County Council has confirmed that it is reviewing its original application and that it intends to submit an updated application to the OPW for Castlemartyr Village. I can confirm that this application has not been received by the OPW to date, but once this application is received, it will be considered by the OPW and discussed with Cork County Council, especially in relation to the linkages of any proposed minor works with the flood relief scheme for the town. I can also confirm that an application under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme has not been received at this time from Cork County Council for Mogeely.
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to take action to expand and improve the public procurement process in a way that is appropriate to the ongoing needs of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5678/24]
View answerIn line with the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, my Department’s focus is to further develop the potential of strategic procurement, with an emphasis on sustainability and social considerations, public works reform and innovation. My Department has taken a number of actions in this regard.
Through the inter-departmental Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, chaired by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), my Department continues to promote the use of public procurement to address wider social and environmental challenges. To leverage the scale of public procurement, aggregating the State’s buying power, the OGP and its sourcing sector partners continue to establish central buying solutions that deliver value for money and provide for the inclusion of Government’s horizontal policy objectives, with a particular focus on measures that will help Ireland transition to a more sustainable future.
The Government recognises the importance of the SME sector and my Department continues to enhance the already substantial measures to support SMEs in accessing the public procurement market. Last March, my Department published Circular 05/2023: Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement, which replaced Circular 10/2014. The circular included a suite of policy measures aimed at assisting SMEs to access public procurement opportunities. My colleague, Minister of State Ossian Smyth, chairs the SME Advisory Group which meets quarterly and provides a forum for SMEs to discuss procurement issues.
My Department continues to develop a range of measures that will substantially improve the participation levels in public works tenders over the coming years. Recent and planned measures include:
• In July 2023, I, along with my colleague, Minister of State Smyth, published significant amendments to the Public Works Contract to provide greater certainty with respect to risk in response to continuing challenges in the construction market.
• My Department also announced the introduction of Building Information Modelling requirements commencing with public works projects with a value of €100m which are commencing stage (i) of the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) from January of this year.
• The OGP is liaising with the Government Contracts Committee for Construction and the Irish Green Building Council in developing standard metrics that can be applied to the evaluation of projects’ cost of use in service and full life cycle assessment, including the carbon impact of individual projects.
• In October 2023 revised Cost Control Templates were published under the CWMF to incorporate the International Cost Management Standard (ICMS). ICMS is a global standard for benchmarking and reporting of construction project cost and covers both capital and whole life costing while providing a way of presenting costs in a consistent format.
• The OGP is also engaging Information Technology expertise to develop a fully digital pre-qualification solution for public works projects which will reduce the administrative burden on contracting authorities and tenderers alike.
My Department will continue the enhancement and refinement of public procurement processes to address the needs of the State whilst adhering to the EU and National public procurement rules applying.
128. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the outcome of recent discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to flooding problems in Cavan and Fermanagh caused by the River Erne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5735/24]
View answerThe OPW has an on-going relationship with the former Rivers Agency (now part of the Dept. for Infrastructure, Rivers, Northern Ireland) (DfI Rivers), which is the Competent Authority for the implementation of the 'Floods' Directive in Northern Ireland.
In 2009, the OPW and Dfl Rivers agreed to establish a Cross-Border Co-ordination Group to co-ordinate the implementation of the ‘EU Floods Directive’ across the border. This work was supported by a Cross-Border Technical Co-ordination Group. These groups have met on numerous occasions since to coordinate on the identification of Areas of Potentially Significant Flood Risk, to share information and agree approaches to the production of flood mapping in border areas and to coordinate on the identification of measures and the preparation of Plans. A bi-lateral meeting which was planned for 6 November, 2023 was deferred due to flooding in Northern Ireland and the deferred meeting to be held on 31 January, 2024 was cancelled due to illness. A new date for a bi-lateral meeting will be agreed shortly.
The Erne Catchment was assessed under the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme (CFRAM), in close co-operation with DfI Rivers. The study considered increasing watercourse conveyance of the Erne system to lower water levels as a measure to reduce flood risk. This study revealed that water levels in the majority of the Erne catchment in Ireland, remain unchanged regardless of any works that could be carried out in Northern Ireland.
DfI Rivers was represented throughout the CFRAM study on the relevant project steering, progress and stakeholder’s groups as well as on the National CFRAM Steering Group. DfI Rivers is currently a member of the National Floods Directive Coordination Group, which has met on 9 occasions since November 2018 with the last meeting held on 29 November, 2023.
More general cross-border coordination has also been ongoing in the field of flood risk management through bilateral meetings of the two organisations for many years, through the Irish National Hydrometric Working Group and Joint National Committee of the International Hydrological Programme and the International Commission for Irrigation and Drainage, which DfI Rivers are members of. This continued close co-operation has provided the opportunity for co-operation in areas such as flood forecasting and hydrometric monitoring.
The OPW does not have Arterial Drainage Schemes on the River Erne system in County Cavan and is not responsible for channel maintenance in the area in accordance with its statutory requirements under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. However, parts of the Erne Catchment are a Drainage District for which the local authority is responsible for ongoing maintenance.
130. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there is a plan or strategy in place for the Office of Public Works to reduce the reliance on leased properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5765/24]
View answerThe OPW has a significant and diverse office accommodation portfolio distributed throughout the country, comprising of circa 867,000 square meters. This portfolio includes a range of differing types of office provision, from prestige heritage buildings to brand new grade A office accommodation.
Due to the range of accommodation requirements across Government, there is a variety of solutions available depending on the circumstances and it is important to keep a dynamic portfolio that has flexibility to meet the evolving long term needs of Government.
When the State is acquiring significant property for office accommodation, the new build or purchase options are considered on a case by case basis in accordance with the parameters of the Public Spending Code, particularly if there is a long-term requirement, but subject always to the prevailing market conditions and available funding.
The OPW’s preference is that functions of infrastructural importance or operations viewed as a long-term commitment should, where possible, be accommodated in State-owned properties. This would include headquarters for central Government Departments, State security services, etc. as is the case with the deep retrofit of the state owned Tom Johnson House in Dublin which will become the home for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications who will be relocating from a leasehold property later this year. Separately, the relocation of An Garda Síochána from a leasehold premises in Harcourt Street to a state owned development in Walter Scott House in Military Road in 2022 was further evidence of key functions of the state relocating from leasehold to state owned properties.
The OPW will continue to assess potential value for money opportunities for investment that align to OPW Strategy and wider government policy including the National Development Plan and Climate Action Plan. The recent purchase of a large office building close to Government Buildings is an example of OPW identifying a strategic purchase in a location where there is high demand for office accommodation. The purchase of Trinity Point fully aligns with OPW’s investment objectives, OPW Strategy and wider government policy, and will result in significant savings to the Exchequer over the long term.
Lastly, the OPW will continue to appraise development and redevelopment opportunities on existing state owned sites with a view to seeking additional funding for investments that will meet the operational needs of client departments and agencies in modern energy efficient buildings. A final example of this is the development of a new energy efficient Office building on a state owned site on Leeson Lane which will become operational in 2024. Again, this will allow for the state to manage an exit from other leased buildings in the portfolio over time.
131. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will consider inviting a representative of the Save our Shannon group onto the CFRAMS implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5662/24]
View answerThe Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies
involved with the River Shannon. The purpose of the group is to provide co-ordinated direction and guidance to ensure delivery by State agencies, to meet their statutory role, of their constituent work programme in relation to flood risk management. The Group is chaired by the Chairman of the OPW.
Consultation with other bodies, including voluntary bodies, is within the remit of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group. On that basis, I have requested the Chairman of the OPW to meet with the Save our Shannon Group to discuss their concerns.
132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts made to ensure that Irish passport cards are compatible with e-gates in other European and EEA states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5775/24]
View answerThe passport card was launched in October 2015 and offers Irish citizens the convenience of travel to 31 countries including the EU/EEA member states, Great Britain and Switzerland, with a credit card sized travel document. Over 718,000 passport cards have been issued since 2015 and users have found it to be a highly convenient travel document.
The Passport Card is fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations concerning requirements for passports in card format.
Ministries of Justice/Home Affairs as relevant in each EU and EEA country, Great Britain and Switzerland have been contacted and informed to ensure that border authorities are fully appraised of the validity of the Irish Passport Card for travel.
The Irish authorities have engaged extensively with our international partners in relation to the card and will continue to do so. However, when travelling through airports abroad, access to e-gates is determined by the local infrastructure.
I am satisfied that the Passport Service has taken necessary measures to ensure that authorities in countries that permit the use of passport cards for border entry are aware of the features of the Irish passport card.
I encourage Irish citizens to follow the rules and directions given by the country's airport authorities when traveling abroad.
133. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if his Department will engage with the family of the person in Ireland in order to ensure safe passage out of Gaza. [5938/24]
View answerSince the start of this crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and accompanying dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. We continue to advocate with the authorities in relation to those Irish citizens and dependents who have not yet been permitted to leave.
The authorities have made clear that the focus for facilitated departures from Gaza is for foreign and dual nationals, and immediate dependents accompanying them.
In line with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter, the remit of my Department is to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad. This has been our focus since the crisis began.
The population of Gaza is 2.3 million people. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and many of those living in Gaza are seeking to leave. In recent weeks, my Department has received many enquiries regarding the situation of individuals, including people with ties to Ireland or already holding a visa for Ireland.
Any decision on clearance for these individuals to leave Gaza will be made by the relevant local authorities. Holders of valid Irish visas or residence permits who receive clearance to exit Gaza from the local authorities may make arrangements to travel to Ireland.
My Department has made contact with the family in Ireland of the person who's details you have supplied. Let me assure you, Deputy, that we are giving very close consideration to these matters, given the gravity of the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
134. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a US military aircraft (details supplied) was permitted to land and refuel at Shannon airport on 1 February 2024; to clarify the steps that were taken to ensure that this aircraft was not involved in US military operations in support of the Israeli attacks in Gaza; to clarify what steps were taken to check what this aircraft was delivering to Ramstein air base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5992/24]
View answer135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a US military aircraft (details supplied) was permitted to land and refuel at Shannon airport on 1 February 2024; to clarify the steps that were taken to ensure that this aircraft was not involved in US military operations in support of the Israeli attacks in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5993/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners, and is done in compliance with Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to the specifics of diplomatic clearance requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality.
With regard to the transit of US military aircraft through Shannon and other Irish airports, the Department of Foreign Affairs publishes statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website.
With respect to these landings, I am satisfied that the correct diplomatic clearance procedures for foreign military landings were followed in full and that all the above conditions were fully met.
136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider outlining the renewable electricity support scheme and offshore renewable electricity support scheme auctions to take place between now and 2030; the dates they will take place; how they will be sequenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5809/24]
View answerMy Department publishes an indicative schedule of future auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The indicative volumes are based on estimated renewable generation volumes required to meet Ireland’s 2030 target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.
The latest schedule, which is due to be updated shortly, is published on my Department's website here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8b63a-renewable-electricity-support-scheme-schedule-of-future-auctions/
In relation to offshore wind auctions, the North Seas Energy Cooperation, of which Ireland is a member, published in November 2023 a ‘tender tool’ showing indicative auction schedules for each member state out to 2030. Details of Ireland’s anticipated offshore wind auctions can be seen through the tender tool here:
energy.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-11/231117%20NSEC%20tender%20planning%20-%20November%202023_0.pdf.
137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress of the designated maritime area plans for offshore wind to date; if there are plans for a designated maritime area plan for the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/24]
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 offshore energy projects that aim to assist in delivery of our 2030 target and beyond. In Summer 2023, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage designated me, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, as the Competent Authority for preparation of ORE DMAPs and subsequently I published the South Coast DMAP Proposal. A refined draft South Coast DMAP is currently being prepared by my Department, which will be published in the coming months and will be subject to further public consultation.
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, subject to Government approval. This will provide a framework for the subsequent establishment of future DMAPs.
138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the means through which designated maritime area plans are being identified; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/24]
View answer139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking to increase the number of energy customers to adopt a smart tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/24]
View answerAction 3 of the Energy Security Package commits Government to improving the ways that homes and businesses can manage their energy use by providing an evidence-based programme of communications activity and supporting ‘active consumers’ through smart metering and smart energy services.
This objective is supported by the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), which will roll out and install 2.1 million meters by 2025 and by doing so make available new products and services to energy consumers. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for overseeing the NSMP, with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the electricity meter rollout on the ground. The first phase of the programme culminated in the activation of Smart Metering services in February 2021, which enabled Energy suppliers to start offering Time-of-use (ToU) tariffs and smart services plans.
In 2023, my Department established a Smart Energy Services working group which aims to build on the success of Ireland’s smart metering rollout by developing practical measures to empower Ireland’s citizens to play a central role in the energy transition. The working group was established under the Climate Action Plan 2023 action EL/23/25 with the objective ‘to develop and implement measures and policy that facilitate and empower consumers to benefit from engagement in the energy transition, through active participation in the energy market and flexible demand management services’.
Central to this is a comprehensive smart energy awareness and engagement campaign, alongside the development of a one-stop shop smart energy portal by SEAI which will offer a central resource for all energy consumers on their smart energy journey. SEAI are also undertaking Behavioural Insights Research regarding smart energy services, which will feed into this smart energy engagement campaign and support the consumer uptake of smart services. The working group is chaired by my Department, with other core members from ESBN, CRU, and SEAI, and is working closely with energy suppliers to better understand and facilitate the development of Supplier smart services, including smart tariffs.
140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he gathers data on the number of households that are on a smart tariff following completion of a retrofit as part of the SEAI’s schemes; if so, the proportion, that are on a smart tariff following a retrofit for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if measures are used to encourage households that have had a retrofit of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5819/24]
View answerThe Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) monitors the uptake of smart tariffs across the retail electricity market and began collecting data from Energy Supply companies regarding Time of Use (ToU) tariff uptake from mid-2022.
The CRU have provided the following year end figures, with the latest data accounting for the period to the end of 2023:
|
- |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Number of Households with smart meters |
239,000 |
1,091,959 |
1,567,957 |
|
Number of customers on a ToU tariff |
No end of year data available |
70,663 |
151,554 |
|
Number of customers on smart services (MCC12/16) |
43,930 |
143,034 |
298,098 |
|
Percentage of smart meter customers withToU tariffs |
No end of year data available |
6.5% |
9.7% |
|
Percentage of smart meter customers with smart services (MCC12/16) |
18.4% |
13.1% |
19% |
DECC have established a Smart Energy Services working group which among other things, aims to build on the success of Ireland’s smart metering rollout and to develop and implement practical measures for empowering our citizens to play a central role in our energy transition. Central to this is a comprehensive smart energy awareness and engagement campaign, including a one-stop shop smart energy portal currently being developed by SEAI, which will offer a central resource for all of Irelands energy consumers on their smart energy journey.
The 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 has been allocated to SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes for 2024, ensuring that the progress made last year under the National Retrofit Plan will be further built on in 2024.
The specific data requested by the Deputy is not available.
