Written Answers Nos. 81-103
81. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans that are in place to reduce the waiting time for employment permits to be issued for non-European Union citizens; if additional staff will be employed to deal with the backlog; if a decision on all applications can be made within a four-week timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26306/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year, impacting on processing times. From the start of January to the end of December 2021, some 27,666 applications were received, representing a 69% increase over the same period in 2020 (16,293) and a 47% increase on 2019 (18,811), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. 16,275 employment permits were issued in 2021, and a total of 17,968 applications processed, which represents a significant volume of activity.
The increased demand was also driven by the extension of categories of employment permits following the Review of the Occupational Lists in October 2021. Processing times were also impacted as a result of the HSE cyber-attack which had a direct effect on employment permit applications associated with the July 2021 Doctors rotation, which had to be processed manually.
From the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic all employment permit applications for medical personnel have been expedited in order to assist the State to respond to the threat of Covid-19.
My Department and I recognise the impact delays in the processing times for employment permits has for businesses and their workers. An internal plan of action has been implemented which has increased resources and implemented more efficient methods of processing applications in the permits system. Hundreds of doctors have already been removed from the employment permits system. The processing team has trebled in size and daily output has more than tripled compared to 2021 levels.
Since the implementation of this plan, the Employment Permits Unit has made positive progress by reducing the number of applications awaiting processing from about 11,000 in January 2022 to under 6,000 today, despite further strong growth in demand in 2022. As new staff were trained on Critical Skills and Intra Corporate Transfer Employment Permits, processing times for those permits have fallen from 21 weeks to 6 weeks. The Department aims to maintain these times for all of Q2, on the assumption that demand remains at current levels.
The Employment Permits Unit is now coming to the end of processing the bulk of the 3,000 additional General Employment Permits applications made available to the meat and horticultural sectors, following the last review of the Occupational Lists, in addition to normal processing workload. Within the last two weeks processing times for General Employment Permit applications for Trusted Partners fell from 22 weeks to 16 weeks. Processing times for General Employment Permit applications from Standard applicants fell from 22 weeks to 18 weeks last week and should continue to fall, with processing times considerably reduced by the end of Quarter 2.
82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of investigations, internal or external, commissioned by his Department into instances in which Departmental documents or information was leaked to the media, which were commissioned or conducted in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; the nature of such leaks and investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26335/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not commissioned or conducted any such investigations during the period in question.
83. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a nursing agency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26440/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Employment Agency Act 1971, an employment agency operating in Ireland must hold a licence to carry out its business. If an employment agency has a premises in the state, it must obtain a licence. An employment agency operating outside Ireland will be subject to regulation, if any, of the jurisdiction in which it is located. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), on behalf of the Department, deals with applications for employment agency licences. The licence is renewed on a yearly basis at an annual fee of €500.
An applicant for a licence must, in the opinion of the Minister, be a person of good character and repute. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment verifies this by means of two independent references vouching for the good character of the applicant and by means of a Vetting Disclosure from the Garda Síochána National Vetting Bureau that there is nothing in their records that would render the applicant unsuitable to hold an employment agency licence.
Further information regarding the license application process can be found at www.workplacerelations.ie.
It is an offence for an employment agency to carry on business without an employment agency licence. Under section 10 (1) of the Employment Agency Act, 1971, as amended by section 19 of the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003, a person guilty of an offence under the Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a Class C fine not exceeding €2,500 and in the case of a continuing offence to a further Class D fine not exceeding €1,000 a day.
84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will request a concise update from the IDA and his Department in regard to when the new 39-acre land bank in north Drogheda will be serviced and ready to house prospective businesses considering the significant lack of alternate sites in the Drogheda area and the ongoing need to create local large-scale employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26455/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021, IDA Ireland acquired two landbanks in Co Louth. The land acquisitions, with a combined total of 149 acres, situated at the townland of Killally, in Dundalk and Mell in Drogheda form part of IDA’s long term strategic plans to position Louth and the wider Mid-East region to compete for FDI investment.
Both sets of lands have been added to the IDA marketing database. There is a review underway with respect to further servicing considerations and best positioning of the landbanks in respect of potential FDI investment opportunities. As regards lands in Drogheda, a concept review for an Advanced Building Solution (ABS) is progressing with the objective to deliver same in the term of the current IDA Strategy.
The timely provision of appropriate, cost-effective property and infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of Multi-National Companies (MNCs) remains essential to winning Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). IDA’s regional property programme ensures the continued supply of land, buildings and infrastructure in regional locations to meet the needs of current and prospective clients. A robust property and infrastructure ecosystem can be the key differentiator in winning FDI projects. IDA Ireland is pleased to have acquired these two landbanks enhancing the offering in the Mid-East. Over the last five years, IDA’s Regional Property Programme enabled the winning of capital-intensive projects of significant scale to regional locations. IDA will continue to work with commercial property developers and Local Authorities to market other property solutions across all regions where they exist.”
The FDI performance in the Mid-East Region, which comprises counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, has been strong over the past five years with employment growing among IDA clients within the Engineering & Industrial Technologies, Medical Technologies, Technology, International Financial Services and Life Sciences sectors. There are 103 IDA Ireland client companies in the Mid-East Region employing 18,894 people directly and an additional 15,115 indirect jobs supported. IDA Ireland client employment in the region grew by 5% in 2021 with an additional 933 net jobs created. In recent years, IDA Ireland supported companies including WUXI, Wasdell, Almac, PCI Pharma Services, Amazon Web Services and Simply NUC who have announced investments and expansions for Co. Louth which has driven the demand for property solutions.
Over the last 2 years there have been 6 company announcements in Co. Louth, including Becton Dickinson, Prometric, Hiab, ITRenew, Simply NUC and TrustLabs Inc.
85. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an energy company (details supplied) has increased energy prices by 313% to customers in a multi-unit development in Sandyford, County Dublin who are tied into a single energy company and cannot shop around; if this is allowed; the steps that the customers should take in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that current energy prices have impacted on customers in local energy schemes. However, prices are not capped in Ireland and the position of successive Governments, for almost 20 years, has been that competitive energy markets result in greater choice for consumers and businesses. Gas and electricity retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive, while the contracts into which Owner Management Companies may enter are of limited duration, further to the Multi-Unit Developments Act, 2011.
However, this Government recognises the potential to make use of renewable and waste energy to heat homes and businesses as part of a range of measures to reduce carbon emissions and district heating is one technology that offers the potential to diversify fuel supply used to heat the building sector. The Climate Action Plan 2021 contains actions that will provide a solid basis for the appropriate expansion of district heating in Ireland, including the establishment of a Steering Group to oversee the rollout of district heating and ensure that a robust governance framework is put in place. These actions will also ensure consumer protection, in accordance with legislation.
The Steering Group will also ensure that there is a robust governance framework in place and develop a regulatory framework, along with any legislation that may be required. Considerations in this regard will also encompass legacy district heating schemes that are already in operation in Ireland.
86. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has issued a decommissioning notice for the Kinsale gas pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25678/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProduction ceased at the Kinsale and Seven Heads gas fields in July 2020 and two earlier phases of the decommissioning project were granted on 26 April 2019 and 26 February 2022. A consent application in respect of the next phase of decommissioning was received by my Department on 14 October 2021 and is under consideration by my Department. A decision on the application, once made, will be posted on the gov.ie website and will be posted in a national newspaper.
87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an amendment will be made to an Eircode address (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25697/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all 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, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement. My officials have made contact with An Post and Capita and requested that they investigate changing the individual’s address. An Post have advised my officials that the individual's address has been amended on the An Post database. An Post have advised my officials that the individuals revised address data has been recorded in the latest An Post database which An Post GeoDirectory release to Eircode on a quarterly basis. Updated address information will be provided to Eircode by An Post GeoDirectory and made available by Capita on the Eircode Finder (https://finder.eircode.ie/#/) .
88. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide grants for conversion to hydrotreated vegetable oil from kerosene to enable the de-carbonisation of old housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe SEAI published the National Heat Study on 22 February 2022. The study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwelling and business types. This included the use of liquid biofuels including HVO, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks. The Study, which was prepared at my Department’s request, contains detailed analysis which will now facilitate the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050. I also expect to be in a position to seek a Government decision in the near future in relation to the introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation. It would be expected that any Renewable Heat Obligation would place an obligation on the suppliers of fuel that is to be used for heating to ensure a certain proportion of that fuel is renewable. The level of renewable energy that would have to be supplied would be based on a proportion of the fossil fuels supplied. There are a range of renewable energies that could be used to meet the obligation including bioliquids.
89. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration support scheme will be established; and when microgenerators will begin receiving payments. [25815/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe phased introduction of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) has begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. Under the MSS there is no minimum post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) requirement and homes built pre-2021 are eligible.The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will extend the solar PV grant to the non-domestic sector for installations up to 6.0kW in July this year.The Government, in the recently published National Energy Security Framework, announced a number of additional measures including a new targeted €20 million scheme for the installation of Photo Voltaic (PV) panels for households that have a high reliance on electricity for medical reasons.In February I signed the Regulations (SI 76 of 2022) that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. I am that some suppliers have advertised their CEG tariff, and eligible micro-generators will start receiving CEG tariff remuneration from 1 July.Businesses that use a large amount of electricity will benefit most when they maximise self-consumption from their own micro-generation. The financial business case for micro-generation for these high electricity users is already strong.New installations greater than 6kW up to 50kW will be eligible for a Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff per kWh exported from their electricity supplier. The CEP will be €0.135/kWh in 2022, fixed for 15 years. It is expected that the CEP will be implemented further to a public consultation on an Implementation Plan by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Q3 this year.
90. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if each State body (details supplied) is exempt from obligations under the Climate Amendment Act 2021 given that they are exempt from freedom of information under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, in tabular form. [25816/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently seeking legal guidance on this matter and a full response will be sent to the Deputy in due course.
91. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the data required (details supplied) for a social impact assessment is collected as part of the warmer homes scheme under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's 2020 inconclusive social impact assessment in tabular form. [25817/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes scheme is only available to people in receipt of certain qualifying payments from the Department of Social Protection. The means tested payments provide an indication of the income of those households. The qualifying payment for each applicant is collected under the scheme. The Building Energy Rating provides information in relation to the amount of energy needed to run a home. Building Energy Ratings are collected both before and after works are carried out on the homes receiving works under the scheme, and provide an indication of the household energy use both before and after those works.
92. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of VAT paid on solar panels in schemes administered by his Department.. [25819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers grants under the Micro Generation Support Scheme in relation to Solar PV on behalf of my department. The MSS domestic solar PV grant scheme commenced on the 16th February 2022. Domestic applicants can apply to the SEAI for a grant towards the cost of installing solar PV equipment, up to a maximum of €2,400. Solar PV is also one of a range of measures funded under the SEAI Communities Energy Grant Scheme which makes grant funding available to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications, including from community organisations. Up to the end of February this year, the SEAI has supported the installation of Solar PV for 9,674 homes and 380 community projects representing over 76MW of installed capacity from over 200,000 solar panels. In 2021, 16.5 MW of solar PV was installed under the domestic solar PV scheme comprising 4,078 installations, saving 4,339 tons of lifetime CO2 emissions. Applications from domestic households in Q1 2022 have increased by 300% from the same period in 2021, and the amount of grant support provided has increased by 100%. I have provided a budget of €14 million and so far this year 4,926 applications have been supported at a cost of €3.67 million. In relation to VAT rules, these are a matter for the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (www.revenue.ie). I am informed that the current rate for solar PV retail products is the standard rate of 23% and the rate on Solar Supply and Install is 13.5%. Grant amounts available through the SEAI take account of costs inclusive of VAT.
93. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 10 May 2022, if he will outline the programme, proposed outputs and timeline for the pilot to achieve B2 retrofits in the warmer homes scheme. [25820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to move the Warmer Homes scheme away from the installation of fossil fuel boilers, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot commenced on schedule in Q1 2022. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is selecting approximately 100 homes for the Heat Pump Pilot and a further 277 homes for the B2 pilot. Suitability for the pilots will be determined using a desk-based approach of examining pre-works BER ratings and survey data. Homes that are not suitable for a heat pump will be considered for upgrade to a B2 rating. The purpose of the “B2 and Heat Pump pilots”, is to gather evidence that will inform the development of the appropriate process and approach to the delivery of an increased number of B2 upgrades and heat pump installations under the Warmer Homes scheme. It is also anticipated that both pilots will identify any operational, contractual, or technical gaps to be addressed as well as any other related dependencies.
The pilots will also allow the SEAI to maximise the energy savings for each home involved as well as increasing the quality of life for the inhabitants.
16 homes have been upgraded with heat pumps to date and to the end of April 2022, 40 homes have been upgraded to a B2 or Better.
SEAI will continue to report on progress to my Department on a monthly basis until all homes selected for the pilots have been completed.
94. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown of the cost of retrofitting a dwelling to B2 under the better energy community grant scheme. [25821/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.
A total of 356 homes were retrofitted under the Community Energy Grant Scheme under its 2021 Call for Projects. Homes upgraded ranged across privately-owned dwellings; social housing; and fuel poor homes. Under the 2021 Scheme, grants of up to 50% of project costs were provided.
The SEAI advise that the full data for 2021 is still being collated, but that based on information currently available, the average gross cost to retrofit a dwelling under the Community Grant Scheme in 2021 was €46,470. A total of €7.1 million was provided in grant support under the Scheme to domestic projects last year which equates to an average €20,000 in grant support per home.
95. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average depth of retrofit of each retrofit scheme in 2021 and in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25822/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the number of installed oil and gas-boilers from both the warmer homes scheme and the warmth and wellbeing scheme for the years 2016-2022, in tabular form. [26224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of funds spent on installed oil and gas boilers from both the warmer homes scheme and the warmth and wellbeing scheme for the years 2016-2022, in tabular form. [26225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have received retrofit works from both the energy-efficiency obligation scheme and the retrofit schemes operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland per year for the years 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [26227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the number of dwellings that were assessed for a heat pump for the years 2019 to 2022; and the number of dwellings that failed to pass that assessment for the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [26230/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 105, 106, 107 and 110 together.
The information requested in the Questions is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal or carbon equivalent and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes 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 programmes worldwide.
The SEAI determines the depth of retrofit on a home by the post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) achieved following retrofit works. The post works BER ratings achieved by retrofit scheme in 2021 and 2022 are set out in the table below.
Building Energy Rating (BER) by Retrofit Scheme by Year
|
SEAI SCHEME |
A1 |
A2 |
A3 |
B1 |
B2 |
B3 |
C1 |
C2 |
C3 |
D1 |
D2 |
E1 |
E2 |
F |
G |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.17% |
2.43% |
13.09% |
17.72% |
16.56% |
14.01% |
12.22% |
9.26% |
6.31% |
2.95% |
2.84% |
2.43% |
|
2022 |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.33% |
0.83% |
2.50% |
11.01% |
19.35% |
17.01% |
14.35% |
12.68% |
8.51% |
5.59% |
2.50% |
3.00% |
2.34% |
|
Better Energy Warmth and Wellbeing |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
4.72% |
22.83% |
28.35% |
19.69% |
10.24% |
11.02% |
1.57% |
0.79% |
0.79% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
|
2022 |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
5.56% |
25.00% |
26.39% |
18.06% |
12.50% |
8.33% |
1.39% |
1.39% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
1.39% |
|
Better Energy Homes |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
0.48% |
2.48% |
8.65% |
3.25% |
7.27% |
17.44% |
17.74% |
14.25% |
10.79% |
7.97% |
4.95% |
2.37% |
1.12% |
0.72% |
0.52% |
|
2022 |
1.00% |
4.09% |
8.99% |
4.36% |
8.49% |
17.67% |
18.48% |
13.12% |
9.67% |
6.13% |
4.59% |
1.63% |
0.54% |
0.73% |
0.50% |
|
Solar PV |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
1.57% |
2.60% |
6.12% |
15.12% |
19.77% |
20.19% |
13.27% |
10.17% |
10.14% |
0.42% |
0.22% |
0.12% |
0.12% |
0.10% |
0.05% |
|
2022 |
2.76% |
3.51% |
7.55% |
15.58% |
19.42% |
20.03% |
12.68% |
8.77% |
8.50% |
0.47% |
0.27% |
0.20% |
0.07% |
0.20% |
0.00% |
|
National Homes Retrofit |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
0.75% |
6.21% |
36.15% |
37.27% |
19.63% |
||||||||||
|
2022 |
2.27% |
11.36% |
36.36% |
36.36% |
13.64% |
||||||||||
|
Deep Retrofit |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
100.00% |
||||||||||||||
|
2022 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Communities Energy Grants |
|||||||||||||||
|
2021 |
100.00% |
||||||||||||||
|
2022 |
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased significantly to €17,620.
The table below sets out the combined number of oil and gas boilers installed under both the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Warmth & Wellbeing Scheme for the years 2016 – 2022 (to 25th May 2022).
|
Year |
Warmth & Wellbeing Scheme |
Warmer Homes Scheme |
|
2016 |
27 |
175 |
|
2017 |
256 |
315 |
|
2018 |
355 |
535 |
|
2019 |
246 |
279 |
|
2020 |
69 |
403 |
|
2021 |
92 |
574 |
|
2022 |
51 |
373 |
|
Grand Total |
1,101 |
2,696 |
SEAI does not record the type of replacement boiler in its database.
SEAI have advised that the breakdown of funds spent on boilers is not readily available as the Schemes provide a suite of measures to applicants, and the total costs per home are amalgamated.
The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme is a regulatory requirement on companies who sell a certain amount of energy. Under the scheme these companies are required to achieve a certain amount of energy savings each year. They can do this by working with energy users in the residential, commercial or public sector. They can deliver the energy savings they are required to make through their own programmes or can work with the existing energy efficiency support schemes offered by the Government through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This includes energy upgrades to homes.
In total over 2021 and 2022, 22,110 homes were supported by obligated parties under the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme. Of these, 8,917 also received an SEAI grant under a residential or community grant scheme.
The table below sets out the number of homes supported by both EEOS and SEAI Grant Schemes for 2021 and to date in 2022.
|
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
|
Homes supported by both EEOS and SEAI |
7,570 |
1,347 |
8,917 |
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Since 2000, over 465,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.
One of the requirements for a dwelling to qualify for a grant for Heat Pump Systems is that the energy performance of the dwelling fabric is suitable for Heat Pump System installation.
A home does not fail a heat pump assessment - rather the assessment identifies the elements that require upgrading in the home for the installation of a heat pump. An independent Technical Advisor, who is registered with SEAI, is engaged by the homeowner. The Technical Advisor guides the homeowner on:
- the energy performance of the dwelling;
- the suitability of the dwelling for a heat pump system based on the dwelling’s heat loss; and
- measures necessary to ensure that the dwelling fabric heat loss is lowered to an acceptable level for a heat pump system to perform effectively and efficiently.
The table below sets out the number of heat pump installations by year for all SEAI Grant Schemes.
|
Number of heat pumps installed |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Community Energy Grants |
527 |
484 |
340 |
- |
|
National Home Retrofit Scheme |
- |
- |
781 |
230 |
|
Better Energy Homes Scheme |
462 |
663 |
868 |
379 |
|
Warmer Homes Scheme |
13 |
96. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per month under the warmer homes scheme in 2022, in tabular form. [25823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of completion per dwelling under the warmer homes scheme for each of the years 2019 to 2022. [25824/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.
The information sought is set out in the tables below.
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme |
January |
February |
March |
April |
|
No. of Homes Completed |
193 |
244 |
320 |
376 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme Year |
Number homes completed |
Average cost per home € |
|
2019 |
3,142 |
€12,671 |
|
2020 |
1,524 |
€14,820 |
|
2021 |
2,126 |
€17,620 |
|
2022 (end of April) |
1,133 |
not available |
98. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the value for money of each of the retrofit schemes expressed as estimated CO2 savings per Euro invested in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25825/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) sets out a range of emissions reductions for each sector that together will contribute towards achieving the 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The range of emissions reductions for the built environment published in CAP21 is 44% - 56% relative to 2018 levels and includes direct emissions associated with buildings in the residential, commercial and public sectors.
The National Residential Retrofit Plan is just one of many measures contained in CAP21 aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment. Other measures announced as part of CAP21 include strengthening the building regulations, supporting the roll-out of district heating, the development of low carbon construction materials and technologies, and an ambitious public sector decarbonisation programme. These measures, in conjunction with the National Residential Retrofit Plan, will contribute towards the achievement of the targeted range of emissions reductions in the built environment.
The table below sets out the Estimated Emissions saved per million euro invested for each retrofit scheme for 2021.
Of course, it is worth noting that the Schemes have significant benefits over and above emission savings. This investment delivers warmer, healthier, and more comfortable homes with lower energy costs.
|
SEAI Grant Scheme
|
Expenditure 2021 €m |
Estimated CO2 Savings ktCO2 for 2021 |
Estimated CO2 savings in kt per Million Euro invested in 2021 |
|
Better Energy Homes |
14.9 |
10.7 |
0.7181 |
|
Solar PV |
9.76 |
4.3 |
0.4445 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
38.08 |
2.4 |
0.0630 |
|
Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot |
3.32 |
0.2 |
0.0602 |
|
Deep Retrofit Pilot |
1.2 |
0.1 |
0.0833 |
|
One Stop Shop Call |
9.7 |
2.4 |
0.2474 |
|
Communities Energy Grant -of which relates to Homes |
21.8 7.2 |
18.7 1.5 |
0.8577 0.2083 |
99. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the procedures that are available to National Broadband Ireland to acquire wayleaves other than by agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed on 19 November 2019 to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area. My Department has no direct role in relation to the matter referred to and any queries regarding same are a matter for NBI. I have issued this query to NBI and have asked NBI to respond directly to the Deputy.
101. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated administrative costs of administering the €200 electricity account credit to domestic electricity customers under the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme; and the total number of households that received this credit. [26007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount that was paid to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities by his Department to administer the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme. [26008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
The Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Act 2022 established a scheme for the making in 2022, of a once-off Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment to each domestic electricity account, having regard to the exceptional rise in energy prices. The credit of €176.22 (excluding VAT) which suppliers began applying in April, will be applied to remaining domestic electricity accounts through May and June, and includes prepay meters.The scheme is operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) and electricity suppliers with oversight by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
Approximately 2.25 million domestic electricity accounts are benefitting from this scheme.
No specific funding was paid to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities by this Department to administer the scheme.
The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. The CRU is accountable to the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.
Under section 9 of the Act, expenses incurred by the distribution system operator and electricity suppliers in relation to the operation and administration of the Scheme shall be borne by the distribution system operator and electricity suppliers, as the case may be.
The Deputy may also wish to note that Frequently Asked Questions are available on gov.ie at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.
103. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland not funding insulation wrap schemes for stone-build houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan and the National Retrofit Plan identify the important contribution the retrofit of buildings needs to make in delivering on our national and international climate goals. My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These schemes are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Grants for protected stone-build structures are available in certain circumstances subject to the scheme eligibility criteria and terms and conditions being met. Detailed information on the grants and eligibility criteria is available at www.seai.ie.
Older stone-build buildings (generally those built up until around the 1940s) usually fall into the category of traditionally built buildings. Such stone-built structures were designed to be vapour permeable. It is important that the materials and techniques used in energy efficiency upgrades of such buildings are suitable for the buildings in question including for use with vapor permeable construction where applicable. For example, a stone wall with lime-based mortar will need a lime-based plaster render to remain vapour permeable. Otherwise vapour becomes trapped leading to problems which can cause harm to the building and its occupants.
SEAI support the insulation of buildings using materials and products which are appropriate and have been determined fit for use in the Irish climate by National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). SEAI has no role in the certification of products used in Ireland but is aware that very old homes which are constructed using stone and lime-based mortar are more complicated to insulate for the reasons outlined above.
To support the proper upgrade of traditional buildings a new technical Guidance Document - “Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings” is being developed led by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. My Department and the SEAI are participating in the steering group overseeing the project. The objective is to finalise the guidance having regard to submissions received in the pubic consultation with a view to publishing it this year. Once available this guidance will be an important resource to support contractors in the appropriate energy efficiency upgrade and renovation of older stone-build buildings while ensuring compliance with the appropriate building regulations.
