Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 161-170

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (161)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

161. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the avenues available to customers of State retrofit schemes who have complaints in relation to sub-standard work that has been carried out on their homes; the level of oversight in place to monitor work that has been carried out; the level of oversight in place to ensure the level of work and materials used are of sufficient quality to justify the expense incurred; if his attention has been drawn to situations in which homeowners have not had their complaints treated with the seriousness deserved by contractors involved and by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; the way that such complaints are addressed and resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10474/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

As the retrofit industry transforms to accommodate much higher levels of output in line with our national targets, quality must be maintained at a high level to ensure value for money for the tax-payers and to sustain consumer confidence and demand. Contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:

- NSAI S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings

- Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents

- The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines

- NSAI Agrément certificates

- Irish, British or European Standards Guides

A Declaration of Works must be signed by both the homeowner and the contractor certifying completion of works. Post-works Building Energy Ratings are also carried out by independent BER assessors.

In addition, contractors are required to demonstrate their tax compliance and insurance cover and cooperate with the scheme's Quality Assurance programme. The Quality Assurance programme has been designed by SEAI to maintain high standards of contractor workmanship; build consumer confidence; monitor health and safety; and ensure proper governance of the spending of public money. Regular inspections of works are undertaken on a risk-based approach in accordance with international best practice. When sub-standard works are found, contractors are required to rectify the works to the satisfaction of the inspector, at no cost to the homeowner.

As part of SEAI’s Code of Practice all contractors are required to resolve complaints. If a customer is not satisfied with the works completed, contractors must make every reasonable effort to resolve the complaint to the customer’s and SEAI’s satisfaction.

The SEAI deals with all complaints received appropriately and this informs the risk-based approach to inspections. The case by case review of any complaints may inform desk based investigations and/or site visits where deemed appropriate. SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure is in place. If after following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (162)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

162. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the excessive use of different legal entities and vehicles which has increased legal, accounting and other costs in relation to the funding, ownership, control and corporate structure of National Broadband Ireland (details supplied); and his views on whether restrictions should be applied on the number of layers that can be used in such a corporate structure. [2515/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract, which was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November 2019, is a comprehensive and detailed document. To protect the State’s investment and to ensure that the NBP milestones and deliverables are met, the contract was designed to include extensive protections, quality checks, reporting and monitoring obligations.On the matter of ownership of NBI, Metallah Limited is the 100% owner of the shares in the capital of NBI, save for the special share of the Minister, which does not provide ownership rights. While there are other legal entities in the structure, I am advised that this is common practice to facilitate investment in large scale critical infrastructure projects of the scale of the NBP. NBI is required to deliver key specific delivery milestones before subsidy claims can be submitted. Subsidy payments, relating to capital costs, can only be drawn down once these milestones are fully achieved and independently verified. The ownership structure remains as it was at the signing of the contract with NBI.I am satisfied that the governance structure put in place through the NBP contract and by my officials will provide the necessary oversight to manage the contract and to ensure NBI’s compliance with its contractual obligations, including those regarding ownership.

Air Quality

Ceisteanna (163)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

163. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the proposed establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to support consistent enforcement of the new air quality regulations across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9326/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

As outlined in the Programme for Government, I gave a commitment to develop an enhanced co-ordinated approach to air quality enforcement to support the work of the Local Authorities in enforcing all air quality legislation under their remit.

Officials from my Department and the Local Government Management Agency are now working together on the assessment of the sector and the requirements to ensure the most appropriate and cost effective enforcement structure is put in place.  

This structure will establish the provision of enhanced co-ordination, expertise and advice to support consistent implementation of all air quality legislation across the country. I have secured funding of €1.2 million for 2022 to for the provision of additional supports in this regard.My Department is fully committed to supporting Local Authorities in their enforcement work and has already commenced work with the sector to develop guidance and training, and the sharing of best practice.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (164)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

164. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide further details on the efforts to accelerate the roll-out of the national broadband plan; the steps that are being taken to address the current delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10459/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, I am advised by NBI that, as of 11 February 2022, over 300,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 157,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 16 counties and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 22 counties.

NBI has implemented a number of measures to help lessen the impact that these challenges have had on the rollout including:

- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month;

- Bringing in additional NBI resources;

- Earlier procurement of material used in the build stages; and

- Bringing in additional subcontractors

The Department is currently working with NBI to agree an Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) which will recalibrate the targets for 2022 and beyond to take account of the knock on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and other delays to the Programme.

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (165)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

165. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is making provision for experimentation in the roll-out of the energy upgrade programme so that the impact of different approaches can be tested to find the approach that attracts the maximum level of participation. [9461/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Retrofit Plan aims to achieve the equivalent of 500,000 homes retrofitted to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing premises to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit targets in the world. The achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery as well as the development of new approaches and innovation.

The recently announced National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme will foster innovation and aggregation in the retrofit sector which will have a positive impact on participation, competitiveness and cost.  Under the scheme, One Stop Shops will be encouraged to bring together groups of homes for aggregated projects. This will help to deliver economies of scale and efficiencies in delivery as well as encouraging the development of new and innovative processes and technologies. The Community Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme also encourages innovative and pioneering partnerships between sectors.

The impact of initiatives will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the SEAI and the Department. A comprehensive evaluation measuring effectiveness and value will also take place in 2023 and will inform future developments.  

Climate Action Plan

Ceisteanna (166)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

166. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has made a request to date to Galway city and county councils for the preparation of their local authority climate action plans pursuant to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act, 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan, within 12 months of the receipt of a request from the Minister; with the request to be made not later than 18 months after the coming into operation of the Climate Act. Local Authority plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, include both mitigation and adaptation measures, and be updated every five years. Local Authorities will liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans. My Department is working with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop appropriate guidelines for the development and implementation of these plans. My Department continues to work with all four CAROs and stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, on a regular basis, in particular through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group which meets regularly. CAROs continue to work with Local Authorities to both facilitate and monitor implementation of local climate actions undertaken under existing local adaptation strategies, and the climate charter developed under the 2019 Climate Action Plan. My Department continues to fund the implementation of the Local Authority climate action training programme. This programme is increasing knowledge of climate change and the need for action among all Local Authority staff, and will facilitate both climate mitigation and adaptation at local level.

Question No. 167 answered with Question No. 152.

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (168)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

168. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide additional details on the one-stop -shop model of the national retrofitting scheme and the way it will work in practice; if it will be ensured that it is not only accessible in digital format; if he will provide further details on the eligibility of persons with vacant or derelict properties to access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10458/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump, up from the previous level of 30-35%.

The scheme introduces a new way to undertake home energy upgrades with SEAI registered one stop shops providing an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying the home; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors to deliver the work; and quality assuring the work.

The one stop shop service is available to homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) whose property or home was built and occupied prior to 2011. Vacant or derelict properties can access the Scheme in line with the scheme guidelines. Other key elements of the Scheme include:

- Homeowners will make applications to the Scheme through SEAI-registered, privately-owned one stop shops.

- Grants will be paid through the one stop shops. This will have the effect of reducing the financial burden on homeowners as they will only be required to fund the costs net of the grant amount.

- Grants are available for Home Energy Assessments; Heat Pumps; Wall and Roof Insulation; Solar PV; Windows and Doors; Ventilation Systems; Project Management; as well as a Launch Bonus.

- Homes upgraded under the scheme must reach a post works BER rating of B2 or better.

- All homes must deliver a minimum primary energy uplift of at least 100 kWh/m2/year.

A new system is being established by the SEAI which will streamline and automate the grant application process. One stop shops will provide homeowners with the appropriate documents in electronic and paper form, as required.

Registration for companies wishing to apply to be a one stop shop is now underway. It is expected that the first one stop shops will be registered within the coming weeks. Homeowners can then make applications for upgrades.

Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 109.

Climate Action Plan

Ceisteanna (170)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

170. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the carbon tax and the current cost of living crisis given previous reports, including the ESRI Statistical Report Series 98 of October 2020. [9608/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The carbon tax is a key pillar underpinning the Government's Climate Action Plan 2021  targets to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050. These legally binding emission targets are set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.

In line with the Programme for Government, the revenue that will be raised from carbon tax will be used to:

- Ensure that the 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;

- Provide €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofitting programme;

- Allocate €1.5bn of additional funding to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way.

In this way the Carbon Tax is being used to fund policy measures that are progressive and support households who are vulnerable to the impact of global energy price increases.

Analysis undertaken at Budget time using SWITCH - the ESRI tax and benefit model, to simulate the impact of the carbon tax increase and the compensatory welfare package, has estimated that the net impact of the combined measures is progressive and households in the bottom four income deciles will see all of the cost of the carbon tax increase offset, with the bottom three deciles being better off as a result of these measures.

Further details on the use of Carbon Tax funds can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7599a-budget-publications/.

The Department of Finance advise that the key drivers of inflation in recent months are 'base effects', the imbalance between global demand and supply that has emerged as economies re-opened, and increases in global energy prices.  The increase in energy prices in Ireland is driven by the spikes in energy prices on the global markets.

The Government has taken action to support households.

Budget 2022 contained a large range of measures to protect households from the rising cost of living, including a personal income tax package worth €520 million and a social welfare package of over €550 million.  In addition to the Budget 2022 measure, the Government has this month approved a further package of measures to the value of €505 million to mitigate the cost of living, including an increase in the energy credit  to €200 including VAT and lump sum payment of €125 on the fuel allowance.