Written Answers Nos. 103-123
103. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider making it mandatory that if a home is to be retrofitted, it will be checked for swifts and bats nesting; if such is found, if nesting boxes are put in place after a roof is retrofitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Retrofit Plan published last year as part of the Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out the Government’s approach to retrofitting 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide. In February, as part of the delivery of the Retrofit Plan, the Government approved a package of supports including a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) providing increased grant levels of up to 50% (up from 30%-35%) of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard.
These supports address the barriers to undertaking deeper energy retrofits reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. The SEAI have established a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a new, start-to-finish project management service for the NHEUS, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
Breeding and resting places of protected wildlife are afforded protection under the Wildlife Acts and EU law. Therefore, disturbance to protected wildlife or their breeding/resting places may be an offence. SEAI has published a set of Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications which all contractors registered with SEAI are required to comply with. As set out in that document if there is evidence of species of wildlife present in the attic space to be insulated, the Contractor should consult with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for advice on how to proceed and if there is evidence of bats or bat roosts to consult with Bat Conservation Ireland.
104. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the outputs of the Tellus programme; the impact of not having the data if the programme is discontinued; the purposes for which the data is used; the specific Government Departments that also utilise the data and the purposes for which they use it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tellus survey is a national airborne geophysical and ground geochemical survey managed by Geological Survey Ireland, which is a division of my Department. The data collected are used to help our understanding of the soils, rocks and natural stream waters in Ireland and are used across a number of different sectors. The survey is currently at 80% completion for airborne geophysics and nearly 70% completion for soil geochemistry. This coverage has taken 10 years to achieve. The full benefits of the survey data will not be realised until national coverage is completed which will then support national-scale product development and policy linkages.
105. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the considerations that are being given to reform or amend the auction mechanisms under the renewable electricity support scheme in relation to onshore and offshore wind energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the outcomes of the latest auction under the renewable electricity support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28041/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. Renewable energy projects compete under the RESS in auctions for support for a period up to 16.5 years under a two-way floating feed in premium meaning that renewable generators will be required to pay back to electricity customers when market prices are high.
I recently announced the provisional results of the second RESS auction (RESS 2) which is expected to deliver approximately 414 MW of onshore wind and 1,534 MW of solar energy, a potential increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation. Compared with 2020, the International Energy Agency estimates that the overall investment costs of new utility-scale PV and onshore wind plants are from 15% to 25% higher in 2022. While RESS 2 bid prices were higher than the first auction, renewable energy delivered under the scheme will pay back to consumers when wholesale electricity prices are high through the Public Service Obligation Levy. RESS 2 bid prices are also fixed over the lifetime of the support with no increases from indexing to inflation.
A roadmap of future auctions which sets out the indicative timelines and volumes for onshore and offshore auctions over the coming decade, and provides clarity for developers in relation to when they need to have their projects 'auction ready', was published in December 2021. This roadmap will be updated later this year. A detailed design process is underway for the next two auctions in this roadmap, for the first Offshore auction (ORESS 1) and the third onshore auction (RESS 3). These designs will be developed taking account of lessons learned from the first two RESS competitions.
107. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s efforts to bring the price of electricity down through the use of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. Renewable energy projects compete under the RESS in auctions for support for a period up to 16.5 years under a two-way floating feed in premium meaning that renewable generators will be required to pay back to electricity customers when market prices are high. I recently announced the provisional results of the second RESS auction (RESS 2) which is expected to deliver approximately 414 MW of onshore wind and 1,534 MW of solar energy, a potential increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation.
While bid prices were higher than the first auction, owing mainly to international inflationary pressures in input costs, renewable energy delivered under the scheme will pay back to consumers when wholesale electricity prices are high through the Public Service Obligation Levy. RESS 2 bid prices are also fixed over the lifetime of the support with no increases from indexing to inflation.
Renewable energy delivered under the RESS will shield consumers from high prices, reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels in the context of the phasing out of Russian energy imports across the EU and contribute to communities across the country. More broadly, renewable energy generation such as wind and solar lowers wholesale electricity prices during periods when they are generating power.
108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the listing of one-stop-shop providers through the national retrofit scheme. [28043/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently launched National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme introduces a new, highly customer centric, way to undertake home upgrades. SEAI registered One-Stop-Shops provide an end-to-end service for homeowners. This includes surveying; designing the upgrades; managing the grant process; helping with access to finance; engaging contractors; and quality assurance. The Scheme offers unprecedented grant levels, increased from around 30% to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump.
Following Government approval, the SEAI registration portal opened for companies to apply to be a One-Stop-Shop, building on the preparatory work already undertaken. SEAI are focused on engaging organisations capable of professionally managing all aspects of a One Stop Shop service. Therefore, the registration process, for this new service, is necessarily robust.
The SEAI advise that five One Stop Shops have now been registered and all 5 are registered as National providers of services and can be found listed on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/registered-providers/. The SEAI is actively working with other applicant organisations to support them through this registration process.
It is expected that the One-Stop-Shops will be distributed across Ireland, with a considerable number offering services nationwide through their network of contractors throughout the country. Other One-Stop-Shops will likely work within geographic regions. This will ensure that every home can benefit from the One-Stop-Shop service on offer.
109. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that the Electric Ireland micro generation scheme is only for residential properties and not open to business properties; the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government in December 2021 and will be published shortly. On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations allow the Clean Export Guarantee tariff to become available for micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. The phased introduction of supports has already begun with the commencement by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, with grant levels up to €2,400, the removal of the minimum BER requirement and increasing eligibility for homes built before 2021. The SEAI will extend the solar PV grant to the non-domestic sector for installations up to 6.0kW in July this year. 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. Any residual exported electricity will be eligible to receive the CEG tariff. 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 Clean Export Premium (CEP) will be €0.135/kWh in 2022, fixed for 15 years. It is expected that the Clean Export Premium (CEP) will be implemented further to a public consultation on an Implementation Plan by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Quarter 3 this year.
Question No. 110 resubmitted.
112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of air quality monitoring stations on offshore islands that are being monitored by his Department; their locations and when they will come online; the new monitoring stations that will be installed until the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28149/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is operated, maintained and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rather than my Department. However, my Department has provided funding for a significant upgrade to the network in recent years and, as a result, the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 102 today.
All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. Details of the locations of all monitoring stations currently in operation, along with real-time and historic data from each station, can be found at the EPA-operated website, www.airquality.ie. This website shows there are currently no monitoring stations on offshore islands.
The final expansion of the network will be completed this year and will increase the number of official stations to 116. I have no function in determining the location of new monitoring stations. The EPA decide on the most appropriate locations based on best practice and EU requirements, and questions in relation to proposed sites may be addressed to them directly.
114. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport when the RSA will update its Covid regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27254/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the driving test. As this is an operational matter for the RSA, this question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
115. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider bringing forward measures to make public transport more pet-friendly; if Iarnród Éireann can be encouraged to facilitate passengers who wish to bring all types of dogs on trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27269/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding relating to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.
The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
116. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport when Kishogue train station will open to the public; the cost of this; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann (IÉ), Kishogue station.
I am informed by the NTA that extensive work is needed by IÉ before Kishogue Station can be brought into use, including meeting present day accessibility and systems requirements which are above and beyond the original requirements.
The investment will total circa €3.8 million and it is anticipated that the station will become operational for the public in 2023.
117. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered the need for more pet-friendly policies on public transport in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27347/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for decisions in relation to those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the need for more pet-friendly policies on public transport in Ireland, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
118. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to current reliability issues with the real-time passenger information system for buses in Dublin, particularly with buses operated by Bus Átha Cliath; if his Department has had contact with the National Transport Authority and-or Bus Átha Cliath in relation to such reliability issues; the steps that are being taken to ensure that the issues are resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27360/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding relating to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.
The issue raised in relation to real-time passenger information is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
119. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department have undertaken any discussion with the NTA and NCT operator to reduce test delays in the Dublin area, which are currently taking up to 12-weeks for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engages in corporate governance monitoring and oversight of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on an ongoing basis and is apprised of matters relating to roadworthiness testing in this context. However, the operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the RSA, and accordingly I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
With regards to the National Transport Authority, which has statutory responsibility for the small public service vehicle (sPSV) Suitability Test and sPSV Driver Entry Test, I am assured that no excessive delays have been noted in respect of either test.
120. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú den Aire Iompair cén gníomh atá déanta ag a Roinn maidir leis an dátheangachas ar sheirbhísí de chuid Bhus Bhaile Átha Cliath agus de chuid soláthraithe iompair eile chun a chinntiú go bhfuil cothromas ann idir Gaeilge agus Béarla ar a gcuid seirbhísí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27410/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar Aire Iompair, tá freagracht orm as beartas agus as maoiniú foriomlán maidir le hiompar poiblí; áfach, níl baint agam le hoibríochtaí iompair phoiblí ó lá go lá. Tá freagracht reachtúil ar an Údarás Náisiúnta Iompair (NTA) as soláthar seirbhísí poiblí iompair do phaisinéirí a chinntiú go náisiúnta agus as cinntí maidir leis na seirbhísí sin i gcomhar leis na hoibreoirí iompair ábhartha.
I bhfianaise fhreagracht an Údaráis sa réimse seo, tá ceist shonrach an Teachta maidir le dátheangachas ar sheirbhísí Bhus Átha Cliath agus soláthraithe iompair eile curtha ar aghaidh agam chuig an NTA le freagra díreach a fháil uirthi. Cuir m’oifig phríobháideach ar an eolas le do thoil mura bhfaigheann tú freagra laistigh de dheich lá oibre.
121. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he has made any provisions to include livestock hauliers under the licensed haulage support scheme given that they have previously been exempt from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27489/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European and Global oil markets are currently volatile, due to the conflict in Ukraine exacerbating pre-existing market shortages, primarily of diesel. This has caused a spike in the price of crude and in the price of refined products on the retail market.
On 15 March 2022, Minister Ryan and I proposed to Government an emergency support measure – the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme. The Scheme will provide support of €100 per week for eight weeks for each eligible heavy goods vehicle (HGV) authorised on the licence of a road haulage operator as of 11 March 2022.
The Scheme is being administered by the Department of Transport. Application forms have been provided directly to all licensed hauliers by email using the email address held on file by the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit in Loughrea.
On 19 May 2022, Minister Ryan and I announced the extension of the closing date for receipt of completed applications for the Scheme to 6 June 2022. I can confirm the Scheme will not be extended beyond this date and that the current eligibility requirements, principally that applicants must hold a valid road haulage operator licence, will not be revisited.
In deciding on a targeted scheme, the Government considered that the licensed haulage sector is a specific case for several reasons, primarily that the sector is of national strategic importance as a critical enabler of a functioning supply chain, bringing essential supplies into and around the State, supporting key infrastructure and enabling the maintenance of economic and social activity. While this is true for some other operators also, in addition I am informed that fuel represents up to 40 per cent of cost inputs for road haulage operators. The sector is highly exposed to fuel price fluctuations and is more limited than others in terms of its ability to absorb such cost shocks. Also, licensed operators must hold a licence, employ a qualified Transport Manager and meet stringent financial standard requirements. Exempted operators, including those carrying livestock, are not required to hold a Road Haulage Operator Licence.
More generally, the Government has acted to offset the rising cost of fuel through the reduction in Excise on fuels - a reduction of 20 cent on petrol and 15 cent on diesel fuel. While this measure (announced in early March 2022) was originally proposed to last until 31 August 2022 the Government has extended it out to Budget Day 2022. This measure provides assistance to all citizens and businesses to help mitigate the impact of recent fuel price increases.
In general, however, it should be noted that the causes of the current fuel price pressures are not within the control of Government and are being directly influenced by external factors, including the Ukraine crisis. Unfortunately, we must accept that it will not be possible to fully insulate citizens and businesses from the impact of these fuel price increases.
In light of this, it is important that businesses now engage with their customers on the need for the prices for their products and services to reflect the increasing costs.
The Government has limited resources but through the Excise measures, as well as the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme, it has responded to help to ease the impact of these price increases.
122. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport when he will complete his consideration of a request from the Dublin Port Company, in line with the provision of the Dublin Port superannuation scheme 1996, for his consent to a 2.5% increase in pensions in payment and in deferment under the scheme and if he will address the delay in concluding this matter. [27552/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsideration of this issue is nearing completion and it is intended that a letter will issue shortly from my Department to Dublin Port Company advising them of the decision on the Company's request for a pension increase.
123. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if she plans to include drugs found in the car of a driver as a reason to impose a driving ban on a driver. [27585/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a general rule, the Road Traffic Acts impose penalties for traffic offences rather than other offences, such as possession of illegal substances. They do of course provide for driving disqualifications where a person is actually under the influence of an intoxicant.
However, I would draw the Deputy's attention to section 27 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Under this section, a person may receive a driving disqualification in the case of a 'crime or offence in the commission of which a mechanically propelled vehicle was used.' If for example a person was dealing drugs and using a car as part of that crime, it would be open to the court to issue a driving disqualification.
I have no plans to amend this legislation.
