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Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 89-108

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Ceisteanna (89, 90, 91)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

89. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the better energy warmer homes scheme is still open; and if so, the amount of its budget allocation that remains. [16745/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

90. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the better energy homes programme is still open; and if so, the amount of its budget allocation that remains. [16746/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

91. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the community areas housing efficiency strand is still open; and if so, the amount of its budget allocation that remains. [16747/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 90 and 91 together.

My Department funds a number of grant schemes to help homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, approximately 400,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light. Funding of approximately €121 million has been allocated for home and community energy efficiency schemes and the solar PV scheme in 2020.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is open and applications can be made through SEAI. The budget allocation for 2020 is €52.8 million - a record level of funding for this scheme.  Expenditure under this scheme is lower than the level projected at the start of the year due to the impact of Covid-19 related restrictions which meant that activity was paused for a number of weeks.  A total of €10 million has been spent or is currently under audit and due to be paid, leaving a budget of €43 million for the remainder of the year.  Of the remaining budget, works with a value of €20.3 million have already been allocated to contractors.

The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants covering approximately 30% of the works are provided towards the cost of a range of measures.  The scheme is open and applications can be made through SEAI. The 2020 budget for the Better Energy Homes Scheme is €21 million. Between the period of January 2020 and June 2020, approximately €9.3 million was spent leaving a remaining budget of €11.7 million for the rest of the year.

The Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area.  It is applicable to homes, community facilities and businesses. The scheme closed to applications in January 2020 in line with Scheme Guidelines and will re-open to new applications for the 2021 scheme later this year. The budget for the Scheme this year was increased to €22 million – with €4 million of this allocation for a new ‘homes only’ aggregation strand. The budget for this year’s Better Energy Communities Scheme and homes only strand is fully allocated to projects.  In terms of actual expenditure, approximately €3 million of the budget has been spent in 2020. 

Further information on SEAI Grant Schemes can be found at: www.seai.ie/grants/.

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (92)

Francis Noel Duffy

Ceist:

92. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the national retrofit plan; if he will examine rerunning the pilot scheme that was cancelled in 2019; the details of future undertakings of the pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16828/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets for the number and depth of residential retrofits to be completed by 2030. The targets are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.  Retrofitting has the ability to contribute to a number of important goals including - decarbonisation; warmer, more comfortable homes; and job creation and retention.

A cross-Departmental Retrofit Taskforce has been established to develop a new retrofit delivery model capable of achieving these targets. This process has been informed by experience from existing schemes in Ireland such as the Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme referred to by the Deputy, consultation with stakeholders and an analysis of relevant international experience. The model is designed to address barriers to energy efficiency investments in four key areas: customer proposition and demand generation, financing and affordability, supplier capacity, and delivery structure. The Climate Action Plan, as part of this process, commits to reviewing and redesigning the existing grant schemes to ensure alignment with Government climate objectives and value for money.

The Retrofit Taskforce report, to be published in Q3 2020, will inform the future design of retrofit schemes to deliver the ambitious targets as set out in the Programme for Government.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (93)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

93. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) and its subsidiaries by his Department and each body and local authority under his remit from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16837/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has not awarded any formal contracts to the company or any of the subsidiaries specified by the Deputy.  One subsidiary has provided catering services to the Department, relating to a number of events held in 2018 and 2019, as shown in the table below. In each case, the value of the services was below the threshold for which formal tendering processes are required.

Date

Description

Value (Ex VAT)

04/05/2018

Event catering

€1,111.00

27/06/2018

Event catering

€764.40

15/04/2019

Event catering

€1,877.50

22/05/2019

Event catering

€442.96

25/06/2019

Event catering

€616.40

 

 

€4,812.26

The information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each body.  The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 84.

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Ceisteanna (95)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

95. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he will take to reduce the current waiting time for applications under the warmer homes scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the current backlogs of up to 18 months from time of application to being appointed to a contractor by the SEAI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16995/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The Warmer Homes Scheme budget allocation for 2020 is €52.8 million - a record level of funding for this scheme.

Although the budget for the scheme has been significantly increased in recent times, the current very high level of demand does directly impact waiting times with the duration between applying for the scheme and having works carried out currently averaging at 18 months. This is partly due to changes to the scheme introduced in June 2018 which expanded and enhanced the range of energy efficiency measures available to include ‘deeper measures’ as well as an extension of the eligibility rules.  These ‘deeper measures’ include internal and external insulation which are both more expensive and take longer to install.   Wait times will also be negatively impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions which meant that Warmer Homes Scheme works were paused for a time.  I am happy to report that these works have recommenced in recent weeks for homes that are categorised as lower risk, subject to homeowner consent.  SEAI provided guidance for such activity, informed by the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business and the Return to Work Safely Protocol.  This guidance is available at www.seai.ie/covid-19-notice/.

The Climate Action Plan commits to reviewing ways to better target current energy poverty schemes, such as the Warmer Homes Scheme, to those most in need, including how to reduce waiting times. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme will be finalised shortly.

More generally the Programme for Government commits to assigning some of the increased carbon tax receipts over the next decade  to the establishment of a €5 billion fund for a socially progressive national retrofitting programme targeting all homes but with a particular emphasis on the Midlands region and on social and low-income tenancies.

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Ceisteanna (96)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

96. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has explored and discussed with relevant Ministers the impact a moratorium on utility disconnections will have on those financially vulnerable as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17042/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Responsibility for the regulation of the gas and electricity markets, including consumer protection, is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is the independent regulator established initially under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999. Given the CRU’s responsibilities and  statutory functions in respect of consumer protection, it has proactively taken several measures to protect domestic consumers in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, including putting in place the temporary moratorium on domestic electricity and gas disconnections on 16 March.  The CRU ended the moratorium on 29 June.  To assist customers who are concerned about paying their electricity or gas bill during this time, CRU has provided a suite of useful information on its website which can be accessed at www.cru.ie/home/about-cru/energy/difficulty-paying-your-bill-covid-19.

I have no role in these matters. Noting that the CRU moratorium is a matter for independent regulation, I have not discussed with relevant Ministers the impact of the CRU’s temporary moratorium on utility disconnections on financially vulnerable customers, .

The CRU is an independent statutory body solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions, including its consumer protection functions. In this regard, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, to enable them raise questions on CRU matters directly with CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.

I am acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families at this time.  Improving the energy efficiency of a home represents a significant opportunity for consumers to reduce their energy costs. Supports and funding are available via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to assist residential homeowners, including those at risk of energy poverty. Approximately €120 million has been allocated to residential and community energy efficiency schemes in 2020.

Social protection policies and income supports, including the Household Benefits Package and the fuel allowance, are matters for my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.  

Environmental Protection Agency

Ceisteanna (97)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

97. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will respond to the OECD review of the Environmental Protection Agency; his views on whether the current legislative framework for licensing pollution is fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17043/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to respond to the OECD review of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ensure that our legislative framework for licensing pollution is fit for purpose.

The report on the Review was recently completed and is available on the OECD website. I understand that the EPA has already implemented some of the recommendations and that plans are well advanced in relation to others. The remainder will be considered as part of the new EPA corporate strategy currently being developed.

I plan to engage with the EPA in the near future to discuss the OECD Review in the context of Programme for Government commitment, the progress to date in implementing the Review's recommendation, and any implications of the Review for the wider legislative framework for licensing pollution.

Just Transition Fund

Ceisteanna (98)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

98. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications that have been made to the Just Transition fund, in tabular form. [17066/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Just Transition Fund is a key pillar of the Government's just transition plan for the Midlands. Up to €11 million will be available in 2020 for projects focusing on retraining workers, proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region, and supporting communities to transition to a low carbon economy. This is financed through an Exchequer allocation of €6m from carbon tax revenues, and an additional €5 million committed by ESB.

Eligible projects, which had already registered with the Midlands Regional Transition Team, had until Friday, 17 July to submit an application for funding to my Department. A total of 100 applications have been received by my Department and these are undergoing initial assessment to confirm their eligibility for funding. Evaluation of eligible proposals will commence shortly and I intend to announce the successful projects at the conclusion of this process.

Energy Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (99)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

99. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the energy security review as announced in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17188/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a full updated technical analysis of the security of supply challenges and a public consultation. The outcome of the review will inform future policy considerations.

I expect the formal procurement process for the technical analysis to commence in the coming weeks.

Telecommunications Services

Ceisteanna (100)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

100. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will instruct a company (details supplied) to connect fibre optic cable at a site to assist with the expected blended learning policy. [17253/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.

BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. Providing telecommunications services, including broadband services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations.

There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services. 

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (101)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

101. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff to be appointed to the policy and programme implementation unit of his Department; if the staff will be redeployed from within the Civil Service; and if new hires, the number. [17267/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.

At this stage, no Policy Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.

Programme implementation is led by the relevant Divisions in my Department.

Ministerial Advisers

Ceisteanna (102)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

102. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the special advisers he has appointed to his Department and his office established within the Department of An Taoiseach; and the public sector salary grade applied to each. [17269/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.

At this stage no Special Advisers have been formally appointed by the Government. This process will start once the Guidelines have been approved by Government and details of the appointments will be published on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website, in due course.  

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Ceisteanna (103)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

103. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if additional funding will be provided to the better energy communities scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17429/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area.  It is applicable to homes, community facilities and businesses.  The budget for the Scheme this year was increased to €22 million – with €4 million of this allocation for a new ‘homes only’ aggregation strand.

Successful applicants under the 2020 Communities grants scheme were notified by the SEAI in recent months.  It is planned that the scheme will open for new applications later this year.  In the meantime, prospective applicants could review the existing scheme details and requirements which could be helpful to them if they are considering availing of the scheme in the future. The opening date will be notified both on the SEAI website and more widely.

More information on the SEAI Community Grant supports is available on the SEAI website at:

www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/.

Sport Ireland

Ceisteanna (104)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

104. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms and conditions of the funds released to an association (details supplied) in advance of the emergency general meeting of the association in September 2020; the meetings, online and or telephone meetings he has had with the association since taking office; the instructions issued to Sport Ireland in respect of releasing funding to the association since taking office; the engagement he has had with his officials on this specific issue; and the dates on when he met with staff of the organisation in June and July 2020. [16403/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 58 of last Thursday 16th July, which I have copied below for the Deputy's information.

I can also inform the Deputy that the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD and the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers TD have received briefings from their officials on important priority issues for sport, including this matter. Neither Minister Martin nor Minister Chambers have met with staff of the organisation mentioned in June or July.

The Deputy will be aware that Minister Martin and then Minister of State for sport and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary wrote to the chair of the organisation on 9th July to confirm that the Government would not reopen for discussion any part of the MOU agreed by the previous Government.

Reply to Question No. 58 of 16 July 2020

I am informed by Sport Ireland that it has not released any funds to the association mentioned by the Deputy to date in 2020 and that no funds are scheduled to be paid out by Sport Ireland to the association in advance of an Emergency General Meeting which I understand the association will convene in the near future.

I understand that the association has indicated that its Annual General Meeting will take place in September.

Sport Ireland remains in communication with the association on matters relating to its governance and financial management. Certain firm commitments were provided by the association in a Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 30 January 2020. Sport Ireland has established a process to oversee and review adherence by the organisation to the commitments given in the MOU.

The association has committed to implementing certain priority recommendations on governance reform and Sport Ireland expects to be in a position to restore funding to the association when these commitments are verifiably honoured.

Neither I nor my colleague, the Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers TD, have held any meetings with the association since becoming Minister nor have we issued any direction to Sport Ireland in respect of releasing funding to the association.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (105, 113, 125, 135, 143)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

105. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering compensation and or refunds for those persons who have booked flights and holidays and have now chosen not to travel in view of the continued public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16480/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

113. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the position of the family and the effort being made in the interest of public health; if he can advise regarding the refusal of the airline to refund the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16724/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

125. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering compensation and or refunds for those persons who have booked flights and holidays and have now chosen not to travel in view of the continued public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16474/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

135. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that airlines are refusing to issue refunds to customers that have cancelled flights for July and August 2020; if the airlines will be instructed to issue refunds or credit notes to these customers who have cancelled flights on the basis of the advice to avoid all non-essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16514/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

143. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if guidance will be provided to persons who have booked overseas travel in cases in which the country to which they are travelling is not on the green list and the airlines and or tour operators are refusing to offer compensation or credit for deferrals or cancellations. [16596/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 113, 125, 135 and 143 together.

As things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law.

Evidently the existing consumer protections and legal obligations on airlines and the broader travel sector did not envisage the current circumstances of mass cancellations and stringent travel restrictions. That has, not surprisingly, put the entire system under immense pressure and it is causing real difficulties for people and businesses. I understand that the main Irish airlines have been offering the option to rebook in circumstances where a flight occurs but people are not able to present because of Government advice. That said, I am mindful that the options put forward by airlines may not be fair or workable for customers in all instances.

There has been considerable engagement with the airlines including around consumer rights issues. Clearly, if the industry is seeking to secure State financial support to help it through the current period - which is one of the recommendations from the Aviation Taskforce - then a commitment to fairness and clarity on consumer rights will have to be offered in return, at the very least.

Proposed Legislation

Ceisteanna (106)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

106. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to publish a general scheme of a Bill to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to legislate for e-scooters and e-bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16528/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I intend to legislate for eScooters in accordance with the Programme for Government. This will involve identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way that it doea not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic Law or Road Safety in general. The Government's current legislative priorities are the necessary measures to manage the Covid 19 crisis and to address its social and economic consequences.

There are two types of e-bikes both of which are already provided for in existing legislation. Pedal assisted electric bikes with a maximun speed of 25kph are treated as regular bikes. Pedal assisted electric bikes with a maximum speed of greater than 25kph are treated as low performance mopeds which require the appropriate licence, tax and insurance.

Cycling Facilities

Ceisteanna (107)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

107. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of and timeline for delivery of proposed segregated cycle routes (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16529/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including cycling infrastructure.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (108)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

108. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will be announcing specific measures to help the tourism and hospitality sectors. [16581/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government will shortly publish a series of immediate actions to support the economy - the "July Stimulus". In this context the Government will, among other things, consider further additional measures that may be needed to support the tourism and hospitality sector.

My Department has liaised with other Government departments and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs. The Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including tourism businesses as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.

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