Written Answers Nos. 145-157
145. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to liaise with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in relation to supports required for older energy customers to access paperless billing online. [44154/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is charged under statute with the promotion of the interest of users of electronic communications services, and in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(d) of the EU Framework Regulations with addressing the needs of specific social groups, including the elderly in particular. On the issue of bills, ComReg recently published a consumer news alert on its website on the issue of paper vs paperless billing. In essence, where a customer cannot reasonably access an alternative billing medium, they may request that they receive paper bills free of charge.
146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of wind farms, and the total megawatts of wind power for each, that are contracted under the older renewable energy feed-in tariff schemes, in tabular form; if the energy companies that own these wind farms contracted under the REFIT schemes are obliged to refund via the PSO the excess price achieved for their wind energy compared with their contracted price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44184/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff (REFIT) schemes offer a guaranteed price to generators of renewable electricity. Under the terms and conditions of the REFIT schemes, REFIT payments are made to the electricity supplier with whom the REFIT applicant has entered into a REFIT Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
The suppliers pay the generators on the basis of the PPA contract between the two parties. The PPA price must be at least equal to the relevant REFIT reference price for the specific technology category. Unlike the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) there is no obligation to refund the Public Service Obligations (PSO) if the wholesale electricity price is higher than the REFIT reference price. The REFIT PPAs are commercial agreements between the suppliers and the generators which determine the allocation of any market revenues above the reference prices between the counterparties.
Details of the projects supported by the PSO, including under the REFIT schemes, are published via amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (Public Service Obligations) Order 2002, S.I. No. 532/2021 - www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/532/ - contains details of all the projects currently supported.
147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that a mobile phone service operator might not send a data usage warning to a customer roaming outside the European Union in view of the obligation on mobile phone service operators to send customers a data usage alert when roaming outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44198/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding telecommunication services, including mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent regulator. All telecommunications operators are obliged to make customers aware of any roaming charges they could incur, if and when, they use mobile devices outside of the EU. ComReg regulates and monitors compliance in the area of roaming alerts to consumers to ensure that operators abide by these obligations.
A consumer may complain to a provider firstly and may subsequently bring the matter to ComReg's attention under their consumer complaints guide, see the following link: www.comreg.ie/media/2021/05/ComRegConnects_Complaints_Guide_En.pdf ComReg also has information for consumers in relation to roaming on their website (www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/roaming), including tips on how to avoid inadvertent roaming.
150. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the long-awaited review of Ireland's energy security will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44244/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department intends to launch a public consultation on the energy security of supply review in the coming weeks. This review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies and is examining a range of measures (including the need for additional capacity to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases – such as hydrogen). The public consultation will help inform the review and the outcome of the review will be brought to Government for its consideration.
151. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits and home energy efficiency upgrades across all Government schemes completed on an annual basis from 2006 to 2021; and the level of funding allocated and drawn down for retrofits and home energy efficiency upgrades across all Government schemes on an annual basis from 2006 to 2021, in tabular form. [44259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a number of schemes in place to support homeowners to upgrade their properties including: the Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; the Community Energy Grant Scheme, the One Stop Shop Development Scheme and the Solar PV Scheme. Since 2000, these schemes have supported over 465,000 homeowners to upgrade their homes to some extent, representing nearly one home in four across the country.
The information sought in the Question in respect of 2017-2021 is provided in the table below. The remaining information sought dating back to 2006 is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and resources.
152. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected spend by the SEAI in 2022 on the solar electricity grant; the amount that was budgeted for this scheme in 2022; the amount that is available in 2023; the projected number of installations in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44260/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Solar PV scheme offers grants to homeowners towards purchasing and installing Solar PV panels in their homes built pre 2021 to generate renewable electricity. All homeowners, including landlords, whose homes were built and occupied before 2021 can apply.
The table below sets out the allocated budget for 2022 and the likely spend and level of installations to year-end as currently projected by the SEAI. The data shows the significant level of interest in this Scheme.
|
Solar PV Scheme |
|
|
Budget 2022 |
€14m |
|
Projected Spend in 2022 |
€26.2m |
|
Projected Installations in 2022 |
6,600 homes |
As a very popular demand led scheme SEAI can allocate resources from its overall allocation to meet this increased demand.
Matters pertaining to 2023 targets and budgets are currently under discussion as part of the Estimates process
153. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that the solar electricity grant is capped at a maximum of €2,400; the reason for capping the grant; the estimated projected cost in 2023 of doubling the cap to either €4,800, €5,000 or €10,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44261/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaximising consumption of self-generated electricity will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs and shorten the payback period for the investment. In addition, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from all electricity suppliers. A tax exemption applies to income up to €200 per annum received by domestic micro-generators from their suppliers by way of the CEG.
The Government approved the final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) targeting 380MW of new renewable generation to contribute to an overall target for solar PV of 5GW by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. The scheme design was supported by detailed economic and policy analysis which informed a public consultation on the draft design in January 2021 and is available at www.gov.ie. Targeting the grant scheme, including removing the minimum BER requirement and including homes built up to 2020, ensures that the grants available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of micro-generators possible and ensures efficient use of scarce public financing. Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in early 2022 applications levels are up 250% year on year.
The scheme is currently offering capital grants of up to €2,400 to domestic applicants through the SEAI domestic Solar PV scheme. The scheme is targeting the following in 2022.
|
Year |
Maximum Grant € |
No of Applications |
Budget € million |
MW Installed |
|
2022 |
2,400 |
6,600 |
13 |
20 |
Included in measures targeted at consumers under the National Energy Security Framework (NESF) announced by Government is a fully funded scheme for medically vulnerable people with high electricity usage to install rooftop solar PV. The Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is currently working on this €20m scheme with key stakeholders and I expect publication of the details on the SEAI website in near future.
155. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will extend the use of Eircodes to land holdings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44325/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid post-town, postal address and verified geo-locations. The underpinning property information required to assign an Eircode is provided by authoritative sources, namely An Post who collect 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.
Eircodes, as postal infrastructure, are assigned to properties that are identified by a postal address and geo-location and as such not assigned to other features, such as land holdings.
156. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports available to renters to assist them in improving the BER rating of their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44328/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments in the National Retrofit Plan, the Government launched a package of significantly enhanced supports available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners, non-corporate landlords and Approved Housing Bodies to undertake home energy upgrades.
Examples of key measures include
- The establishment of the new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offering increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with a heat pump (up from the current level of 30-35%).
- Establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a hassle-free, start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- A special enhanced grant rate, equivalent to 80% of the typical cost, for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households, to urgently reduce energy use as part of the Government’s response to current exceptionally high energy prices.
I recognise that rental properties can present a specific challenge for energy efficiency improvements. This is an issue found in most countries where the incentives to invest in energy upgrades can be misaligned between landlords and tenants. Therefore, homes, built and occupied pre-2011, and owned by non-corporate landlords are eligible for these new measures, in addition to grants for individual measures available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme. This will mean that the national housing stock is upgraded, emissions will reduce and tenants get lower energy bills and a healthier, more comfortable place to live. It is also intended that non-corporate landlords will be able to avail of the planned low-cost loan scheme for retrofit when it is launched. Furthermore, the Housing for All Strategy which is being led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage includes a commitment to introduce minimum energy standards for rental properties from 2025.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he is taking to address rising energy costs for households. [44337/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe unprecedented increase in international wholesale gas prices have continued as result of the volatility in the international gas market driven by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the on-going war. These gas increases feed directly through to retail electricity prices as the wholesale price of electricity correlates strongly with the price of gas.
The Government is acutely aware of the impact on consumers of high electricity and gas prices, and has introduced a range of measures to mitigate their impact. Under the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, a payment of €176.22 was made to domestic electricity accounts between April and May of this year at a total cost of €376,923,830.58. The scheme was part of a €505m package of measures, which included increases in the Fuel Allowance which brought the total payment to €1139 for the 2021/22 winter compared to €735 in winter 2020/21 and a reduction in VAT on electricity bills from 13.5% to 9%. On foot of Response 6 of the National Energy Security Framework, on 25 August, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) announced enhanced consumer protection measures to be implemented by electricity and gas providers ahead of the coming winter. This means that from 1 December 2022 until 28 February 2023 no domestic customers can be disconnected while vulnerable customers cannot be disconnected from 1 October 2022 until 31 March 2022. This is in addition to the existing protections for vulnerable customers registered as being critically dependent on electrically powered assistive devices who cannot be disconnected for reasons of non-payment at any time. On energy efficiency, the Government supports are considerable. Earlier this year the government 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. A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times. Responsibility for the regulation of the retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the CRU under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. CRU ceased price setting for electricity and gas in 2011 and 2014. Therefore, the setting of prices and charges is a commercial matter for individual supply companies. The Government has already put a €2.4 billion package of measures in place to support people to meet the cost of energy and continues to monitor this unprecedented and evolving situation closely to inform ongoing consideration of further action, particularly in the context of the imminent Budget 2023. The best long-term approach for Ireland to insulate consumers from volatility on international wholesale energy markets is to invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and expand interconnection with European and neighbouring markets and deepen internal market integration.
