Written Answers Nos. 145-167
146. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33973/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Ag Obair Le Chéile – a comprehensive action plan for 2022 arising from our Statement of Strategy Le Chéile 23 - my Department is committed to developing its organisational capacity and invest in staff to ensure they are equipped to meet future challenges. Embracing and implementing a Blended Working policy is part of my Department's key strategic actions and represents an opportunity to transform how the Department works and delivers results for the citizen. It is envisaged that Blended Working will facilitate and drive the Department and staff to deliver on the Department's vision as set out in our Statement of Strategy Le Chéile 23 for a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland.
There were 490 staff employed by my Department on 31 May 2022, with a 478.08 full time equivalent.
From 16 March 2020 staff were encouraged to work remotely to the greatest degree possible in line with public health restrictions. As public health guidance evolved, working arrangements changed with some staff working from the offices at times when urgent business needs required and public health guidance allowed. Ensuring the health and wellbeing of our staff while maintaining public services in the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic was paramount.
Following engagement with staff, my Department began new working arrangements to facilitate a transition to Blended Working on 21 March 2022. Staff are encouraged to work remotely at home for 2 days each week and 2 days from the Department’s offices. The fifth day is discretionary, and staff may either work from home or from the office based on the business needs of the Department. The working arrangements apply to all staff regardless of assigned office location, however, in line with business needs, there are a small number of roles where blended working is not feasible and staff work fully on site. In general, fully remote working is not available unless under medical or reasonable accommodation needs, in line with medical guidance. To ensure the health and safety of all staff when working from home and in the office, ergonomics training and assessments have been made available and the working arrangements are supported by comprehensive training, guidance and communications. These working arrangements will remain in place until September when the Department's Blended working policy will be rolled out, in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working, published 31 March 2022.
147. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider providing additional assistance towards the cost of installing a heat pump in cases in which homes are reliant on solid fuel for heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) committed to reducing emissions from the residential sector to between 3.5 - 4.5 Mt CO2eq. by 2030, from 7 Mt in 2018. As part of the achievement of this reduction, the CAP 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. As part of the implementation of the Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan, the Government recently announced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills and lower emissions. This includes home that are reliant on solid fuel for heating. Included in these measures was the establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering significantly increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with heat pump.
The Government is clear that it is important that households that want to take a step-by-step approach to upgrading their homes should also be supported. In this regard, the Better Energy Homes Scheme supports homeowners to take a step-by-step approach or self-manage their project with increased grant amounts of between €3,500 and €6,500 for a heat pump.
The grants which have been made available aim to maximise emissions reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants focus on first increasing energy efficiency and then switching to electric heating with a heat pump. Following significant preparatory analysis the grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
148. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that his Department plan to take to assist with the repair of the home of persons (details supplied); when the work will commence; if assurances will be provided to them that they will not be made liable for any remedial work carried out to their home to reinstate the damage caused by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33994/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been put in place to address the damage caused to homes as a result of persons employing contractors and builders listed on the SEAI website whose work has subsequently been substandard and resulted in damage and substandard work to the homes of persons when done as part of the retrofit scheme; and the damages or court action, if any that has been initiated against a person (details supplied) as a result of complaints and subsequent site inspections of work carried out by their firm including the work that they carried out on the home of persons. [33996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that despite commitments that he has made to persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath to ensure that the remaining remedial works on their home have not yet been implemented resulting in this couple having to remain living in alternative accommodation; the reasons that the SEAI has yet to arrange for work to be completed on their home that has been badly damaged as a result of the work carried out by a company; if his Department has plans to compensate this couple for the serious distress, expense and inconvenience they have experienced since employing an SEAI listed contractor to carry out work to retrofit their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofit contracts that have been awarded to a company (details supplied) since the commencement of the retrofit scheme; the number of complaints that have been raised regarding the work carried out by the company and its contractor; the due diligence that was carried out by the SEAI on this contractor before awarding them millions in State funding for the retrofit scheme; the reason that in February in 2021 the decision was taken to terminate all contracts with the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 150, 152 and 153 together.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications for retrofit projects under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
149. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofit funded schemes that have been awarded to a company (details supplied) since the pilot scheme commenced in 2017, by county; the number of complaints that have been made by householders who have employed contractors and builders listed on the SEAI website including the company during the 2017 to 2022 period by county; the annual spend incurred by the State to reinstate the damage caused to homes by work carried out by contractors listed on the SEAI website and allegedly qualified for working on the retrofit scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications for retrofit projects under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes is an operational matter for the SEAI. As Minister, I have no function with regard to individual grant applications. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
151. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the qualifications that a building firm must have to be listed on the SEAI website; the criteria that a builder and contractor must meet to be listed on the SEAI website; if this provides a guarantee that the listed contractor will meet the minimum statutory building guidelines relevant to the retrofit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33997/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process to register as an SEAI approved contractor is open to any contractor that agrees to adhere to SEAI standards, guidelines, procedures and codes of practice. 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; and,
-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.
In accordance with international best practice, regular inspections of works are undertaken on a risk-based approach across all SEAI residential and community energy efficiency schemes.
154. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation to an incident (details supplied); the possible costs to the State as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34088/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 98 of 2 June 2022.
155. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has engaged with energy suppliers regarding the ability of those with solar panels to sell excess electricity back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34131/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent regulator, under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation.As part of its role the CRU published on its website information on the Clean Export Guarantee which is publicly available: www.cru.ie/home/customer-care/clean-export-tariff/#:~:text=The%20Clean%20Export%20Guarantee%20(CEG,electricity%20exported%20to%20the%20grid. Furthermore, the CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members to contact them directly for timely replies: Oireachtas@cru.ie.
156. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he has engaged with energy suppliers regarding a price for excess electricity generated by solar panels that is sold back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent regulator, under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. As part of its role the CRU published on its website information on the Clean Export Guarantee which is publicly available: www.cru.ie/home/customer-care/clean-export-tariff/#:~:text=The%20Clean%20Export%20Guarantee%20(CEG,electricity%20exported%20to%20the%20grid. Furthermore, the CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members to contact them directly for timely replies: Oireachtas@cru.ie.
157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has a strategy for the way that those with solar panels who want to resell excess electricity back to the grid can do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34133/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent regulator, under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. As part of its role the CRU published on its website information on the Clean Export Guarantee which is publicly available: www.cru.ie/home/customer-care/clean-export-tariff/#:~:text=The%20Clean%20Export%20Guarantee%20(CEG,electricity%20exported%20to%20the%20grid. Furthermore, the CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members to contact them directly for timely replies: Oireachtas@cru.ie.
158. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions that the Government is putting in place to increase liquefied natural gas resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans for the construction of a liquefied natural gas strategic storage facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. The National Energy Security Framework, published in April 2022, provides a single overarching and initial response to address Ireland’s energy security needs in the context of the war in Ukraine. It coordinates work connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘Whole-of Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability.
As set out in this Framework, the review of the energy security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems is scheduled for delivery in quarter 3 of this year, following which the results will be submitted to Government. This review is focussed on the on the period to 2030 and will examine the risks to security of supply and a range of potential mitigating option including LNG. The underlying technical analysis is currently being updated to take into account the war in Ukraine.
The Policy Statement on importing fracked gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of this review, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.
160. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the use of infra-red heaters or storage heaters as a means of heating a home by electricity; if his Department has conducted research into the environmental merits of the use of same when compared to traditional fossil fuel boilers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34294/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) committed to reducing emissions from the residential sector to between 3.5 - 4.5 Mt CO2eq. by 2030, from 7 Mt in 2018. As part of the achievement of this reduction the CAP 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. Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government has approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.
To support the overarching policy objectives, the grants available to homeowners are focused towards those measures which will be most effective in reducing energy use, reducing carbon emissions and reaching the targets set out in the Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan. Heat pumps are extremely efficient and very economical to run offering lower energy costs to homeowners as well as reduced carbon emissions.
There are no plans to introduce a scheme to support the installation of infrared or storage heaters.
The 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, 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.
161. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to issue directions and further information to local authorities regarding their preparation of a Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34360/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 was commenced on the 23 July 2021. Section 16 of the Act requires each Local Authority to prepare a climate action plan, specifying the mitigation and the adaptation measures to be adopted by the Local Authority.Local Authorities will have 12 months to complete their individual plans once requested by the Minister, with the request to be made within 18 months of the coming into operation of the Act. My Department is currently working closely with the Climate Action Regional Offices and Local Authorities to finalise a set of statutory guidelines detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of these Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
162. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a smoky fuel ban across Dublin city and cities and towns across the country building on the current Dublin smoky coal ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34441/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain committed to introducing new regulations on the use of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland, as announced last September which builds on the model that currently applies across Dublin and other low smoke zones.The new regulations will introduce minimum quality standards that will apply across all solid fuels, across the entire State, to ensure that the most polluting fuels can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives.The new regulations are necessary as each year some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution.
163. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofitted homes from 2019 annually; and the number of workers associated with the retrofitting of those homes from 2019 annually. [34503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.The number of homes completed for 2019 - 2022 (to end May) is detailed in the table below. The SEAI has advised my Department that approximately 4,100 jobs (Full Time Equivalents) are supported through retrofitting based on 2021 completions.
|
SEAI GRANT SCHEME |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Better Energy Homes |
18,531 |
12,227 |
7,928 |
3,018 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
3,142 |
1,524 |
2,126 |
1,453 |
|
Better Energy Warmth and Wellbeing |
340 |
91 |
146 |
85 |
|
Deep Retrofit |
112 |
196 |
10 |
|
|
Solar PV (Domestic only) |
1,827 |
2,917 |
4,089 |
2,096 |
|
Community Energy Grants |
661 |
656 |
353 |
N/A |
|
Better Energy Finance |
129 |
5 |
- |
- |
|
National Homes Retrofit/OSS |
- |
- |
805 |
251 |
|
TOTAL |
24,742 |
17,616 |
15,457 |
6,903 |
164. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when applications for the Community Environment Action Fund will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent call for applications under the Community Environment Action Fund (CEAF) was made in 2019 as an important support to communities to enable and support local climate action. As a consequence of Covid-19, the completion deadline for all projects funded under that scheme were extended a number of times, most recently to the end of 2021, at the request of the Local Authorities. In addition to the CEAF, I launched the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) in November, 2021 supported by a fund of €60 million from the Climate Action Fund. This Programme is set to run over 3 years. €48 million of this is being provided to Local Authorities to develop partnership projects with local communities to help them build their low carbon communities, with €12 million being allocated to creative projects, climate education, capacity building and learning by doing.The CEAF will be reviewed in 2022 as part of the broader supports to communities in the delivery of climate action.
166. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to Marine Notice 38/2022 in respect of French military exercises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Aviation Authority were advised of a missile/rocket firing exercise by the French military impacting a small part of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the South-West of Ireland and in turn informed my Department.
In line with our responsibilities under the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, my Department published a marine notice based on the information provided to us. Such notices are issued for information purposes for maritime safety and navigation reasons to make mariners aware of any operations taking place, that the Department has been notified of, in order to ensure their safety and should not be construed as conferring rights or granting permissions. As such, the Notices are issued to a broad range of stakeholders such as Shipowners, Fishing Vessel Owners, Agents, Shipmasters, Skippers, Fishers, Yachtsmen and Seafarers.
I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs is in ongoing contact with the French authorities in relation to the matter and that following publication of the marine notice, the French authorities confirmed that no naval vessels were to be present in the Irish EEZ during the exercise.
The Department will withdraw the marine notice once it has been confirmed that the exercises are completed.
167. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the current situation in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann Superannuation Scheme, 1951 (Amendment) Scheme (Confirmation) Order, 2000; if the scheme currently meets the minimum funding standard set out in the Pension Act 1990; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of the scheme have not received a pension increase since 2008 and that the majority of members of the scheme do not qualify for social welfare pensions; if he will examine this issue with a view to ensuring that scheme members receive cost of living increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CIÉ Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the next steps are subject to the outcome from the Hearing.
In relation to pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners, would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
