Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 3 Feb 2021

Written Answers Nos. 39-65

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (39, 40)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

39. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an annual update on the implementation on the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was made between 2016 and 2019; if so, if a copy will be provided; and if not, the reason. [5996/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

40. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the social policy and public service reform division received annual progress updates from Ministers responsible for energy poverty between 2016 and 2019; if so, if a copy of same will be provided; and if not, the reason. [5997/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. I propose to take Questiosn Nos 39 and 40 together.

The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in 2016. The Strategy set out several actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society. The focus of the strategy was on high impact actions which aimed to make a real difference to the lives of those in energy poverty.

Good progress has been made under the strategy including:

- Free upgrades were carried out in over 23,000 lower income homes under the main SEAI energy poverty schemes;

- A consultation on energy efficiency in the rented sector has also been completed which has informed changes to energy efficiency grant schemes with further recommendations to follow later this year;

- Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased dramatically over the period from €15 million in 2015 to over €109 million for 2021.

- The allocations for retrofit of social housing have also increased significantly with an allocation of €65 million for 2021.

At the time of its launch, the Strategy was accompanied by a report on the level and extent of energy poverty in Ireland. This study looked at what the typical household has to spend on energy to keep their home heated and compared that to household income. This report found that in 2016, 28% of households in Ireland could be in or at risk of energy poverty.  The ERSI published reports in 2019 and 2020 which calculated the current level of energy poverty. In 2020 the ESRI calculated that the proportion in or at risk of energy poverty had reduced from 28% to 17.5%. These rates align closely to the level of basic deprivation experienced in Ireland.  A separate ESRI study suggested that energy poverty is primarily a function of inadequate resources to cover living costs rather than simply an energy issue.  In addition under the Survey on Income and Living Conditions, the proportion of people who report that they are unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, has fallen from 9% in 2015 to 4.9% in 2019.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform publishes an annual Public Service Performance Report. My Department provides input to this report annually in relation to the number of lower income households supported to improve their energy efficiency. The Department of Social Protection also provides input in relation to the number of households in receipt of income supports and the impact on the rate of poverty.  The Report is submitted to Government for information and is published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.  

Looking forward, the Programme for Government commits to providing €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofit programme targeting all homes but with a particular focus on the Midlands region and on social and lower income tenancies.  This is in addition to €3.7 billion to support our retrofit targets in the National Development Plan.  €109 million in exchequer funding has been provided tis year to support lower income households to retrofit their homes.  This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation for energy poverty schemes and means that almost half of the total residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government. Recommendations aimed at improving the targeting of energy poverty schemes at those most in need will be finalised soon. 

The Programme for Government also commits to ensuring that increases in the carbon tax are progressive by spending €3 billion on targeted social welfare and other initiatives to prevent fuel poverty and ensure a just transition.  As part of Budget 2021 the Fuel Allowance will increase by €3.50 to €28 per week.    

A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed this year.  Alleviating energy poverty will also be a key consideration for the National Retrofit Plan which will be published this year.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (41, 77)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his engagements with a company (details supplied) in relation to the acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5037/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

77. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work being carried out to speed up the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in view of the fact that some persons have reported that their jobs may be on the line due to their subpar internet access in rural areas. [5789/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 77 together.  41 and 77 together.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. The Programme for Government commits to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date.

NBI has established a dedicated team to investigate acceleration of the rollout from its current contracted schedule of seven years. All possible alternative network providers are being considered and substantial work has been completed by this team to date with further actions scheduled over the coming months. Part of this work includes an assessment of the potential to utilise the ESB Network for certain areas and this work is on-going. The technical feasibility of whether the ESB network is compatible with the NBI solution has been the primary focus and NBI has undertaken site surveys and developed a detailed design for a pilot area using the ESB network, with the aim of establishing from this pilot exercise, the feasibility of using the ESB infrastructure on a broader basis.

Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (42)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

42. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his engagements with National Broadband Ireland in relation to delays to the National Broadband Plan due to Covid-19; the details of measures to mitigate delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5038/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department engages with NBI on an ongoing basis across all aspects of the project including the impact of Covid-19 on delivery of the project. Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, NBI has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by NBI that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across 26 counties have been surveyed. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork and Cavan. Technical testing and validation will be undertaken prior to a wider release of the areas.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 22 January 2021, 255 sites have been installed by NBI. In addition, school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use through this initiative. An acceleration of this aspect of the project was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.

While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as welll as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible.

Just Transition Fund

Ceisteanna (43)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

43. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the expenditure priorities of Ireland for the EU Just Transition Fund in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1390/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The EU Just Transition Fund will be used to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the low carbon transition in the most affected regions across the EU by, for example, supporting the re-skilling of workers, helping SMEs to create new economic opportunities, and diversification of economic activity.  Ireland has secured an allocation of €77 million from the EU Just Transition Fund for investments over the period 2021 to 2027.  In accordance with the relevant EU legislation, Ireland must now prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan, for approval by the European Commission, in order to secure access to its EU allocation of funding. This Plan will set out Ireland’s proposed investment priorities as well as targeted sectors and regions.  Work on this plan has commenced in my Department and this work will be supported by technical assistance under the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme, which will assist in the development of the evidence base to inform the selection of investment priorities for inclusion in the Territorial Plan. I envisage that this work will be completed in the first half of this year. 

Remote Working

Ceisteanna (44)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

44. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the impacts of Covid-19 on energy poverty and lack of access to working-from-home communications infrastructure are being evaluated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1391/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, published in 2016, sets out a number of actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society.  Research undertaken by the ESRI shows that the proportion of households in or at risk of energy poverty has reduced from 28% to 17.4% over the lifetime of the strategy.  Research also shows that the proportion of people who report that they are unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, has fallen from 9% in 2015 to 4.4% in 2019.     Improving the energy efficiency of a home can protect households from energy poverty. Budget 2021 provided €221.5 million in capital funding for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.  Of this amount, €109 million is allocated to provide free upgrades for lower income households.

Working from home may result in increased bills for some households. Employers can pay their employees up to €3.20 per day to cover the additional costs of working from home. If employers do not make this payment employees can claim for allowable costs.

Protections are also in place for those falling into difficulty with their energy bills.  This includes a moratorium on all disconnections of domestic customers that took effect on 8 January, 2021 and will remain in place for the duration of current Level 5 restrictions.

More generally income supports including the Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits Package are available from the Department of Social Protection to help households with the costs of heating their homes.

In relation to access to working-from-home communications infrastructure the National Broadband Plan will ensure that a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve premises located in the Intervention Areas. Work to deliver on this is underway. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years

I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 21 December 2020, over 153,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and the first fibre to the home connections are connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 21 December 2020, 241 sites have been installed by NBI.

National Postcode System

Ceisteanna (45)

Paul McAuliffe

Ceist:

45. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an Eircode was deactivated at a property (details supplied). [5147/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, manages the National Postcode System, Eircode, on behalf of the State. Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing building addresses, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 128,700 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.

An Post have informed my officials tha they have updated the property address data, which was deactivated, on their systems and this information should then be issued from An Post GeoDirectory to Eircode. In addition, Eircode has advised my officials that they have raised a case with An Post GeoDirectory in relation to this address.  My Department has also requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this property address.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (46)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

46. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan in County Cork. [5220/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed including. There are some 79,424 premises located in the Intervention Area in County Cork of which 16,132 have been surveyed. Surveys have been completed in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon and Kilpatrick, with surveys underway in Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Pre-build works are underway in  Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork and further construction works are ongoing which will be followed by technical testing and validation to be undertaken prior to a wider release of the area. Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 22 January, 255 publicly accessible BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. BCP’s connected in Cork are Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. 

Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Education as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/. 

Energy Policy

Ceisteanna (47)

Francis Noel Duffy

Ceist:

47. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered expanding the criteria for free home energy grants to those who are not eligible for the fuel allowance or other assistance but unable to pay for the upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/21]

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. Budget 2021 provided €109 million in capital funding to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million of this funding allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation and is the highest ever budget for this scheme. The scheme is currently available to households in receipt of:

- Fuel allowance under the National Fuel Scheme;

- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);

- Family Income Supplement;

- One-Parent Family Payment;

- Domiciliary Care Allowance;

- Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected in order to maximise the impact of the resources available to the scheme. They are kept under ongoing review with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department. It is important to note that households in receipt of other DSP allowances may also qualify for a fuel allowance payment. The fuel allowance is means tested and is therefore aligned to the income of the household.

Funding is also available for people who do not qualify for the Warmer Homes scheme. Budget 2021 provided €112.5 million in capital funding for the other SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. These schemes can cover a portion of the cost of energy upgrades.

My Department is engaging with the relevant Government Departments and agencies in relation to measures that could further reduce the financing cost of retrofit for homeowners.  There is also engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on funding requirements as part of the NDP review.  

The Deputy may wish to note that there are other grants and schemes available from Government if there is an urgent need. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Aid for Older People Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.

Environmental Policy

Ceisteanna (48)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

48. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the burning of peat briquettes will cease. [5271/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to “extend the Smoky Coal ban to new towns and over the term of government move towards a full nationwide ban”. However, the provision of additional data from our enhanced National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme and Environmental Protection Agency funded research projects also indicates the extent to which other solid fuels, such as peat and wet wood, contribute to localised high levels of particulate matter and other pollutants during the heating season.   It is, therefore, appropriate that we consider a new approach to the broader regulation of all solid fuels, expanding our ambition with the objective of achieving greater reductions in air pollution levels. The next step in this process will be a public consultation which will seek views in relation to the national application of the regulations currently applied to bituminous coal, as well as informing the development of appropriate regulatory controls for other residential solid fuels.

This will be an opportunity for all parties - consumers, retailers, producers and industry, to consider the issues, input to the process at the earliest stage, and to consider alternatives as appropriate.

National Postcode System

Ceisteanna (49)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

49. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the provision of the correct Eircode for Steeple House, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5298/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, manages the National Postcode System, Eircode, on behalf of the State. Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 128,700 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.

In relation to the property address provided, an Eircode has been assigned to this property and is published on the Eircode Finder website. 

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (50)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budget allocated to each retrofit scheme (details supplied) in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5353/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested in the Question is set out in the table below.

  

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

€’000

Capital

Current

Capital

Current

Capital

Current

Capital

Current

Capital

Current

Better Energy Homes Scheme

€16,000

€1,181

€18,712

€1,181

€24,000

€1,700

€22,000

€1,500

€21,000

€1,500

Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme

€16,273

€417

€21,200

€417

€24,000

€1,000

€24.217

€660

€52,817

€650

Better Energy Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme

€4,000

€0

€8,000

€100

€8,000

€125

€7,000

€125

€6,000

€125

National Retrofit Programme (One Stop Shop Development Scheme)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Community Energy Grants (formerly Better Energy Communities)

€18,737

€310

€21,100

€350

€23,000

€350

€23,000

€500

€22,000

€500

Better Energy Finance Scheme 

€800

€350

€800

€350

€800

€350

€800

€350

€800

€350

Solar PV

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

€2,000

€200

€6,500

€200

Sustainable Energy Communities 

€0

€200

€0

€200

€0

€200

€0

€200

€0

€200

Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED)

€1,000

€0

€2,500

€0

€10,000

€550

€6,000

€550

€5,500

€550

Support Scheme for Renewable Heat

N/A

N/A

€3,000

€0

€6,000

€800

€5,000

€800

€1,500

€800

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (51)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a maximum amount a person or household is allowed claim in various grants from the SEAI in one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5354/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department funds a range of SEAI administered grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The SEAI retrofit schemes offer partial grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency improvements for people at risk of energy poverty.  Guidelines for each scheme is available on the SEAI website - www.seai.ie. The Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme provide a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty.  The types of energy efficiency upgrade recommended for a home is determined by an SEAI survey that considers factors including the age, size, type and condition of the property. There is no maximum value associated with these upgrades but the  measures available and the conditions for recommendation are published in the scheme guidelines.  Risk and complexity are taken into account when assessing each home and recommending particular interventions.

The Better Energy Homes scheme aims to improve energy efficiency by providing grant support for energy efficiency upgrades to homeowners. Fixed amounts are available for a range of measures. The maximum that a home can receive in grant funding through this scheme is currently €12,450.

Under the Solar PV scheme a homeowner can receive a maximum of €3,000 towards the cost of Solar PV and battery storage.

The Community Energy Grant scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area - homes, including those at risk of energy poverty, community facilities and businesses.  The maximum grant per house depends on the home type as follows:

Home type

Percentage

Private energy poor

Up to 80%

Private non-energy poor

Up to 35%

Local authority homes

Up to 35%

Private rented homes

Up to 35%

Housing Association homes

Up to 50%

The National Retrofit (One Stop Shop Development) scheme is designed to encourage the development of one-stop-shops for retrofit and to engage groups of private households, registered housing associations/Approved Housing Bodies and Local Authorities that wish to participate in delivering energy efficiency upgrades, specifically in domestic buildings.  The scheme will facilitate larger, more efficient aggregated projects and will bring benefits for homeowners and the supply chain.  The maximum grant per house depends on the home type as follows:   

Home type

Percentage

Private

Up to 35%

Local authority homes

Up to 35%

Housing Association homes

Up to 50%

Private non energy poor (Midlands strand)

Up to 35%

Private energy poor (Midlands strand)

Up to 80%

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (52, 53)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount each of the top ten persons and households claimed from the SEAI using various grant schemes in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5355/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons and households that claimed more than €20,000 in various grants combined from the SEAI in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5356/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.

Given the nature of some SEAI programmes, whereby homeowners do not make an application directly but instead apply through a project co-ordinator, the data requested by the Deputy is only available through a manual analysis of files for each historical project and project co-ordinator. 

The information will be compiled by the SEAI and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. 

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (54)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

54. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of engagements he and or his officials have had with ComReg and the EU Commission in respect of the extent to which his Department and National Broadband Ireland is intervening in the intervention area in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [5359/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Broadband Plan was subject to an EU State Aid decision. Over the period of the NBP procurement process, I am informed that there was regular dialogue involving my Department and DG Competition, culminating in the submission in late 2019 of a formal State Aid notification by Ireland and of the formal approval by the EU Commission. In 2020, I understand that DG Competition wrote to my Department on two occasions with regard to communications the Commission had received from operators regarding the NBP mapping process and in response, my Department submitted detailed information to DG Competition on two occasions. My Department also engages on an regular basis with the Broadband Competence Offices Network established by DG Connect with respect to the rollout of high speed broadband in general, including with respect to the NBP. As regards interaction with COMREG on NBP related matters, there was an Expert Group established between the Department and ComReg for the duration of the NBP project up to the conclusion of the procurement process, to address matters related to the NBP strategy and procurement, relevant to ComReg, as and when they arose. The NBP is also a standing item on the regular update meetings involving my Department and the ComReg Commissioners.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (55)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

55. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the price per connection paid to National Broadband Ireland in respect of connections made in the intervention areas; and the capital subsidy in addition to the fee per connection. [5360/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 22 January 2021, over 166,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed and build work is ongoing in Counties, Cavan, Cork, Galway and Limerick, with the first connections recently made in Carrigaline, Co Cork.  

NBI may charge retail service providers a maximum of €100 per connection to the NBP network. The NBP contract provides that an element of the approved subsidy will be paid to NBI when connections to premises have been made and are verified. The precise details of the amount to be paid to NBI per connection has not been released as this would not be in the public interest, where this information is considered commercially sensitive and could impact on sub-contractor pricing negotiations.

Telecommunications Services

Ceisteanna (56)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

56. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount paid to private operators offering wholesale broadband services inside the intervention areas in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [5361/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Intervention Area is a collective of geographical regions where a high speed reliable broadband service is not offered by commercial operators. Consequently the State has contracted National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to build a high speed fibre network in the Intervention Area as part of the National Broadband Plan. The NBP contract commenced in January 2020 and to date approximately €42m has been paid to NBI under that contract.  NBI will provide a wholesale broadband service over its network, which will allow a wide variety of retail service providers to sell services to households and businesses in the intervention area. 

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (57)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

57. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter in relation to retrofitting in the home of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5437/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operate a grant scheme to help domestic customers who install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on homes built and occupied before 2011. Details of eligibility criteria and how to apply are set out on the SEAI website. To date 4,810 applications have received grant support under the scheme with €11.75million spent to date, saving approx. 4.5kT CO2 per annum. €7m of Exchequer funding for the Scheme has been provided for 2021.

The Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation of electricity primarily for self-consumption, letting people sell excess electricity back to the grid by July 2021. A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. Micro-generators will primarily serve their own electricity consumption needs, but they will be able to receive a payment for excess electricity exported back to the grid. The proposed support mechanism is outlined in a public consultation on this Department’s website at www.gov.ie  which is open for submissions until 18th February 2021.

A suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro generators in 2021 in line with Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in March last year, which provides for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development this year. The document is available on the CRU website www.cru.ie

Electricity Generation

Ceisteanna (58)

John Lahart

Ceist:

58. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if customers will be paid for the energy that they create themselves in relation to the proposed microgeneration support scheme; if so, the cost; if there is a surplus generated by the customer, if the surplus will be sold back to the grid; if so, the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5446/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism is outlined in a public consultation on this Department’s website at www.gov.ie  which is open for submissions until 18th February 2021. Micro-generators will primarily serve their own electricity consumption needs, but will be able to receive a payment for excess electricity exported back to the grid. The proposal is to offer a minimum Clean Export Guarantee tariff based on the average wholesale Day Ahead Market (DAM) price to all existing micro-generators. It is proposed that an additional Clean Export Premium tariff will be offered for 15 years to support deployment of new micro-generation installations under the scheme, subject to a

maximum export volume of 30% of what they generate. The tariff amounts will be differentiated by sector based on their viability gaps (i.e. the difference between the installation and operating costs and the savings from self-consumption). The average DAM over the year is estimated to be between €0.04 and €0.06/kWh.

The Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation of electricity primarily for self-consumption, and a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro-generators by 2021 in line with Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive. It is intended that all relevant provisions of the Directive will be transposed into Irish law prior to the transposition deadline of 30 June 2021.    

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (59, 60)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

59. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which is it open to local authorities to remunicipalise domestic waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5459/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

60. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is open to local authorities to use franchising to remunicipalise domestic waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5460/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.

Local authorities continue to be responsible for municipal waste collection within their functional areas. The obligations on local authorities in relation to collecting household waste are set out in section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. In summary, it provides that each local authority shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area. The obligation to collect or arrange for the collection of household waste shall not apply if:

- an adequate waste collection service is available in the local authority's functional area,

- the estimated costs of the collection of the waste would, in the opinion of the local authority, be unreasonably high, or

- the local authority is satisfied that adequate arrangements for the disposal of the waste concerned can reasonably be made by the holder of the waste.

It is open to any local authority to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers. 

Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.

Recycling Policy

Ceisteanna (61)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

61. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the bodies and organisations that will be consulted in the establishment of a deposit and return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5488/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The introduction of a deposit and return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans is a commitment in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which I published in September 2020. Development of the Action Plan was assisted by the deliberations of the Waste Advisory Group - a broad-based stakeholder forum which my Department chairs and which includes members from environmental NGOs, beverage producers, retailers, representatives from the waste industry and regulators. DRS was a specific topic considered by the Waste Advisory Group last year. Since publication of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy , my Department has held a public consultation on design options for a DRS in November 2020. In addition, my officials have held further bilateral engagements with various stakeholders including environmental NGOs, beverage producers, retailers and representatives from the waste industry. These stakeholders will also be part of a sub-group of the Waste Advisory Group which is being established to input to the detailed design of the DRS.

Environmental Policy

Ceisteanna (62)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

62. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 20 January 2021, if he will state his explicit commitment to legislate for a ban on oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5489/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On taking office as Minister, I made the Programme for Government commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on the same basis as the decision taken in 2019 by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction, effective immediately. My Department is no longer accepting new applications for exploration licences for natural gas or oil, nor will there be any future licensing rounds in Closed areas. While there is no requirement for legislative underpinning, to ensure maximum clarity I plan to include provisions to put this commitment on a statutory basis as part of the forthcoming Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill.

Energy Efficiency

Ceisteanna (63)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

63. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding in budget 2021 which has been set aside for the establishment and resourcing of the national retrofit delivery office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government and the Climate Acton Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings during this decade.  To assist with the achievement of these targets, €221.5 million in capital funding is being provided this year through my Department’s Vote to the SEAI for residential and community retrofit schemes. This is an increase of €100 million on the previous year and represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation.  Of this amount, €109 million will support free upgrades for lower income households with €112.5 million to be spent on expanding other existing SEAI grant schemes and introducing new and initiatives. It is essential that appropriate structures and governance arrangements are put in place to help us meet our retrofit targets.  For that reason, a further key recent development was the designation of the SEAI as the National Retrofit Delivery Office. 

The details of the funding allocation to the SEAI for 2021 were published in December in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).  The resource allocation to the SEAI for Administration and General Expenses has been increased this year to €18.4 million, an increase of approximately 45% on last year.  This is to support the agency in increasing its capacity, especially to drive delivery of our national retrofit targets, including the new National Retrofit Delivery function.  This process will entail some restructuring within SEAI as well as the expansion of staffing resources both of which are currently underway. 

Electricity Generation

Ceisteanna (64)

David Stanton

Ceist:

64. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the potential for carbon capture and storage technology to facilitate the decarbonisation of the electricity generation sector; the engagement his Department has had in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5494/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a developing technology which has the potential to contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation and industrial activity and can include the following: - The capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at source from electricity generation or industrial activity.

- The transport of the captured CO2 either by pipeline (onshore and/or offshore) and/or by ship.

- The injection of the transported CO2 into a geological reservoir, such as a depleted gas or oil field, for permanent storage.

The National Energy and Climate Plan and the All of Government Plan on Climate Action (Climate Action Plan ) recognise  the need to support further research into the feasibility of CCS deployment in Ireland.

Specifically, the Climate Action Plan (Action 33) mandates the establishment of a CCS Steering Group.  This group was established by my Department in 2019, consisting of relevant Government Departments and agencies and is currently examining the development of CCS technologies internationally and monitoring the progress of CCS research (including for example Ervia’s ongoing CCS feasibility study).

Remote Working

Ceisteanna (65)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

65. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the additional measures he is considering to facilitate long-term working from home in addition to legislating for the right to work from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5519/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government’s strategy on remote working “Making Remote Work – National Remote Work Strategy” was published last month. The Strategy recognises the significant advantages that remote working can bring such as less commuting, more time for family and leisure, fewer transport greenhouse gas emissions, new job opportunities for people who want to live in Rural Ireland and new investment in small towns and villages. Among the Strategy’s main actions are:

- Mandating that home and remote work should be the norm for 20% of public sector employment

- Mapping and investing in a network of remote working hubs across Ireland; and

- Doing what we can to accelerate the provision of high-speed broadband to all parts of Ireland

The Programme for Government commits to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date.

My Department is also involved in the work led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to produce guidance which will assist civil service organisations in developing long term remote working policies.

Barr
Roinn