Written Answers Nos. 101-124
101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that restrictions on replacement oil or gas boilers as early as 2025 will impact on families that cannot easily switch to a heat pump replacement, which requires a great deal of ancillary works to the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44850/22]
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 install 600,000 heat pumps in homes by 2030, of which 400,000 will be in existing homes. The Government recently announced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, offers increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical B2 home energy upgrade with heat pump. Homes that take a step-by-step approach can avail of grants of up to €6,500 for the replacement of fossil fuelled boilers with heat pumps. Full details on the range of SEAI supports available can be found at www.seai.ie.
The National Energy Security Framework (NESF), outlines that a National Policy Statement on Heat will be developed this year, based on the outcomes of the National Heat Study, including a key focus on the decarbonisation of our building stock and the development of district heating. The National Heat Study highlights that the Government must decide when the appropriate time to phase out new fossil fuel boilers in homes is. The NESF under Response 17, sets out a commitment to develop proposals for regulatory and policy options to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuel heating throughout our building stock. This will allow all sectors of the economy adequate time to plan this phase-out, and to give the heat pump industry retrofit sector adequate time to scale up capacity. This work is underway and is being led by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Government has no plans to ban replacement boilers in the short term and is aware that this will need to be done in a manner that protects the most vulnerable in society. Fossil fuel heating is the most expensive form of heating which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. CAP21 has signalled that the Government will publish a high level phase-out plan in the next Climate Action Plan. A consultation is currently open on the plan and a further public consultation will be completed on any specific heat policy.
102. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the operation of one-stop shops in relation to the retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44860/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, Government announced an enhanced package of measures to support the uptake of home energy upgrades. This included a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard and establishment of a network of registered One Stop Shops to offer a start-to-finish project management service, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades. Under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme, the One Stop Shops will provide a seamless and integrated service for homeowners with no visible handovers of customer communication or relationships within the home energy upgrade project.
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.
There are 11 One-Stop-Shops registered with the SEAI and a 12th is expected to be announced shortly. In addition, SEAI continues to actively work with other applicant organisations to support them through this registration process and it is expected that up to 20 One Stop Shops will be in place by the end of this year. Details of all the One-Stop-Shops can be accessed at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/one-stop-shop/registered-providers/.
Figures for the end of August show 962 applications have been submitted to the SEAI for Home Energy Assessments and 556 Applications for Home Energy Upgrade works. The high demand for the scheme means there is a strong pipeline of works for the rest of this year and into 2023.
Overall demand across all of the SEAI retrofit schemes has been exceptionally high to date this year. Figures for the end of August show over 30,400 applications have been received to SEAI which is a significant increase on 2021 volumes. To the end of August, 13,406 home energy upgrades have been completed across the SEAI residential and community schemes. This marks an increase of almost 70% on the same period in 2021.
Latest SEAI projections indicate that approximately 26,000 home energy upgrades will be delivered this year.
103. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the efforts to strengthen Ireland’s cyber-security through the National Cyber Security Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44871/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44876/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 to 106, inclusive, together.
The increase in international wholesale gas prices has continued to be driven to unprecedentedly high levels by the volatility in the international gas market caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As set out in the National Energy Security Framework (NESF), the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is leading consultations with business and industry to understand the specific impacts on different business sectors in Ireland, and to hear their concerns and perspectives on the appropriate and most effective tools for policy action. In addition, the nationwide Reduce Your Use campaign is a key part of the Government's wider approach under the NESF. The public information campaign gives practical advice on how people and businesses can save money by promoting and encouraging energy efficiency and will focus on how we can reduce heating and electricity usage in homes, workplaces and public sector buildings Reviews of existing business energy efficiency and renewable heat support schemes, funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), have been carried out and are currently being considered. The aim of these reviews is to increase uptake of existing business supports to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which provision is being made to ensure the continuity of electricity supplies during the forthcoming winter; if all available wind farms are connected or will be connected to the grid on-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44896/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Regulation of Utilities, which has a statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of Actions, published in September 2021, contains a number of both demand-side and supply-side mitigation measures to address the forecasted shortfall. These actions include; procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid-scale batteries; and improved demand side measures. On 27 June 2022, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website.
Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.
EirGrid and ESB Networks project that the volume of new renewable generators connecting to the grid this year will surpass previous annual connection rates and it is critical that this pace of delivery continues.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which energy storage is currently available to meet any perceived shortages over the next twelve months; the action that is proposed in the event of supply shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44897/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy storage encompasses a broad range of technologies with distinct characteristics and capabilities, including speed of response and storage capacity, that provide a variety of critical services to the all-island power system. Maintaining security of supply while integrating greater levels of renewable generation will require a very high penetration of variable electricity on the Irish grid, with increased storage capacity providing a low-carbon substitute for high greenhouse gas emitting power generation fuels, such as peat and coal. EirGrid has reported that a number of battery projects have been contracted via two mechanisms: SEM Capacity Auctions and DS3 Systems Services. There is currently approximately 500MW of short-duration batteries on the all-island system providing system services, as well as 292MW of pumped hydro storage. The Commission of Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. The CRU, assisted by Eirgrid and my Department has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures to address the forecasted shortfall.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which electricity generation now relies on onshore and offshore generation methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44898/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently only one offshore wind farm operating in Ireland, Arklow Bank and it has an installed capacity of 25.2 MW. As a result, the contribution of offshore wind is currently relatively small and is reported together with the onshore wind figures. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland reports annually on total electricity generated and electricity generated by wind in its Energy in Ireland publication, the latest edition available here: www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-publications/energy-in-ireland/.
The Energy in Ireland report is updated on an annual basis and published in the last quarter of the year. The report is published one year in arrears, therefore official figures for 2021 will be available in the report to be published in December of this year.
In 2020, wind generation accounted for 36.1% of all electricity generated in Ireland. Provisional estimates provided to my Department by EirGrid indicate that approximately 31GWh of electricity was generated in Ireland in 2021, of which approximately 35% was generated from renewable sources. The majority of renewable electricity was generated from wind, which provided approximately 31% of total electricity generated.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which onshore or offshore electricity-generating projects are in the course of construction or planning at present; when they will become operable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 and annex of actions sets out a roadmap to deliver on Ireland's target of a 51% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 including a suite of measures and actions to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80%. In 2022, my Department will continue to drive the delivery of renewable energy sources in line with our targets and identified actions.The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship policy to deliver on the Government’s target of up to 80% renewable electricity by the end of the decade. The RESS is an auction-based support scheme which invites grid-scale renewable electricity generation projects to compete to receive a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate.Supported technologies include onshore wind, solar and hybrids (co-located wind, solar, storage), as well as offshore wind projects through dedicated offshore auctions. It will also allow Ireland to take advantage of new technologies as they emerge.Over 1GW of new wind and solar generation are being developed under the first onshore RESS auction in 2020, RESS 1. The first RESS 1 projects have now reached commercial operation with further projects to reach commercial operation throughout 2022, with the remainder expected to reach commercial operation before the end of 2023 at latest.The second onshore RESS auction has secured a further estimated 1.5GW of renewable generation to deliver by the end of 2025. A roadmap of future auctions which sets out the indicative timelines and volumes for onshore and offshore auctions over the coming decade, was published in December 2021.The Climate Action Plan 2021 also commits to achieving at least 5GW of offshore wind by 2030. The Government has recently agreed to increase our ambition in offshore wind energy, moving from 5GW to 7GW, with the additional 2GW earmarked for the supply of green hydrogen, a strategy for which is under development.The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) will be established in early 2023. In the interim, the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 provides the legal authority for the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Communications to assess Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of pre-qualified offshore renewable energy projects. A significant milestone was reached this year, with the receipt of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from this first phase of offshore renewable energy projects. Decisions on the first MACs will be issued this year, allowing successful projects to apply for planning permission from An Bord Pleanála. This will mark an important step towards reaching our 2030 climate targets.My Department recently held a consultation on the criteria for the second batch of offshore projects required to meet our offshore energy targets, with a decision on these criteria to be taken later this year.
111. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is considering the installation of solar panels in schools as a form of energy for schools for heating and water and as a potential cost-saving initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44935/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo facilitate switching to renewable energy sources I brought forward the final design of the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) which was approved by the Government in December 2021. The MSS is targeting support for 380MW of installed micro-generation capacity, to contribute to the revised target of up to 5.5GW of solar renewables under the Climate Action Plan and the recent Government agreement on sectoral emissions ceilings. Micro-generation has an important role to play as it creates opportunities for domestic, school, farming and small commercial customers to take the first steps towards investment in renewable technologies, by generating and consuming their own electricity, which can play a role in shaping electricity demand and decarbonising homes and businesses.The MSS will provide capital grants for non-domestic applicants, such as schools, for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW primarily for self-consumption, with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. This will be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and will become available to the non-domestic sector for installations up to 6.0kW by the end of September. In addition, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from most electricity suppliers, offering the opportunity for new and existing micro-and small-scale generators, including schools, to receive payment for excess renewable electricity that they may export to the grid.
The SEAI in partnership with the Department of Education, are also working on the Pathfinder programme to improve energy performance of schools and are trialing retrofit and renewable heat solutions. Further details can be found on the attached links:www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/building-retrofit/pathfinder-programme www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/building-retrofit/partnerships/.
112. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will confirm a date to authorise the payment of an agreed 2% increase to An Post pensioners, effective from 1 January 2022; and if he is unable to expedite the payment, if he will meet with members of an organisation (details supplied) in order to address their concerns laid out to him in correspondence dated 23 June 2022 [44941/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received a recommendation from my officials on 1 September and granted my consent on 2 September to the payment of an increase of 2% to An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2022. The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 7 September. An Post has been made aware of this and has communicated with the Group of Unions.
An Post formally sought Ministerial approval on 4th May of this year, in accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), to increase pensions and deferred pensions (for members of the An Post superannuation scheme) by 2% per annum with effect from 1st January 2022 and up to a further 2% per annum with effect from 1st January 2023.In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA’s views on the proposal were sought. This is to inform the business case required under DPER Circular 16/2021 (setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for providing the increases). The process is required to ensure good governance. On 9 August NewERA provided a recommendation on the proposals and my Department is obliged to be satisfied that the business case is justified, before the relevant approvals are formally sought from DPER. NewERA and the Departments worked as quickly as possible to finalise their assessment, in accordance with the governance requirements. This is the same procedure that must be followed for any State body. In relation to the proposed increase for 2023, neither my Department nor DPER is legally permitted to grant pre-approval for a pension increase at this point. An Post has accordingly undertaken to submit that request in 2023 with the appropriate financial and actuarial reports required for further analysis.When this is received the same process will have to be followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials again being required for the 2023 proposed increase prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the topics that are being examined by the consumers, vulnerable households’ and businesses’ subgroups of the Energy Security Emergency Group; the latest proposals they have submitted to the Energy Security Emergency Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44946/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to coordinate a response to the impact of the war in Ukraine on the energy system in Ireland, my Department established the Energy Security Emergency Group which includes a number of subgroups. A key role of the Energy Security Emergency Group is the implementation of the National Energy Security Framework which was published by Government in April. The National Energy Security Framework sets out the national response to the impacts of the war in Ukraine on the energy system in Ireland and broadly sets out the work programme for the subgroups. The Consumer and Vulnerable Households, and Business subgroups have examined the challenges facing domestic and business consumers. They have also considered a range of potential policy options and measures that could mitigate the impact on consumers. This work will inform the development of a comprehensive package of measures to support consumers and businesses as part of Budget 2023.
114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to ensure security of energy supply to vulnerable patients including those on oxygen and dialysis given the warnings regarding power outages and shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44952/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid. The CRU supported by Eirgrid and my Department currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures to address the tight margins during winter 2022/2023. On 27 June 2022, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website. Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.
ESB Networks who own and operate the electricity grid have a vulnerable customers policy in place, which is available on their website. Vulnerable customers include those who need vital electrical medical equipment on a daily basis. In accordance with the policy, ESB Networks maintain a Vulnerable Customer Register based on information from all electricity suppliers to ensure they can endeavour to contact after these customers if a power outage occurs in their area.
In addition, the Supplier Code of Practice on Disconnections provides that “a supplier may not cut off any vulnerable customer who is registered as a Priority Services Customer” . Elderly vulnerable customers who have difficulties with payment of bills may not be cut off during the winter months (November to March).
115. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider increasing grants for the installation of solar panels in domestic settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44977/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is targeting 380MW of new renewable generation capacity to contribute to an overall revised target for solar PV of up to 5.5GW by 2030, under the Climate Action Plan and the recent Government agreement on the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings. The scheme design was supported by detailed economic and policy analysis, as well as a public consultation, prior to its approval in December 2021. Grants are currently available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic installations, up to a maximum of €2,400 and will also be expanded to the non-domestic sector for installations up to 6kW before the end of September. Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply and are forecasting the numbers for 2022 to be more than double the application levels seen in 2021, under the previous domestic solar PV grant scheme. By also removing the minimum BER requirement and including homes built up to 2020 within the scheme, this delivers energy savings for the widest range of homes possible, whilst also ensuring efficient use of scarce public financing.
While the level of interest indicates that the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.
It should also be noted that maximising consumption of self-generated electricity will provide the most benefit to offset rising electricity costs and shorten the payback period for the investment in the installation of solar panels. Moreover, the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff is now available from all electricity suppliers, offering the opportunity for remuneration for any excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
116. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the number of properties surveyed, passed and connected by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including over 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 2 September 2022, over 88,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 75,500 premises passed across 23 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with or exceeding projections.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 708 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date and the high-speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs.
Some 430 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
117. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Clare; the number of properties that have been surveyed, passed and connected in the county in tabular form; the details of the National Broadband Plan regarding the areas that remain to be surveyed and passed for the remainder of 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45006/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 2 September 2022, over 331,000 premises are design completed and over 88,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties. NBI has further advised that over 75,500 premises are passed with a high speed fibre broadband service across 23 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with or exceeding projections. NBI has advised that in County Clare there are currently 1,726 premises passed with a high speed fibre broadband service and available for immediate connection.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Clare through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie , which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie/reps.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 708 BCP sites have been installed by NBI, as of 2 September 2022, and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Clare 7 public BCP’s have been installed by NBI to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/.
In County Clare 23 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
118. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government’s position regarding the operation of Moneypoint Power Station in view of Ireland's ongoing energy security challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The security of supply programme of actions contains a number of both demand-side and supply-side mitigation measures to address the forecasted shortfall. These actions include: procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid scale batteries; and improved demand-side measures. Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.
In line with the Governments policy statement on security of electricity supply published in November 2021 it is appropriate that existing conventional electricity generation capacity, including existing coal, should be retained until the new conventional electricity generation capacity is developed in order to ensure security of electricity supply.
Conventional capacity will only operate if and when needed, with renewable energy and efficient gas-fired power stations always being supplied to the market first. This approach will minimise the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring continued security of electricity supply.
119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if assistance will be offered in relation to an internet issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45064/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, my Department is not permitted to displace commercial investment by intervening in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these State aid rules. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
A representative of the nursing home referred to in this question has been engaging with my Department's NBP Customer Service team on this issue and the matter is currently under examination. The NBP Customer Service Team will continue to correspond directly with the nursing home representative in the interim.
120. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will extend the submission period for observations and objections to the granting of a prospecting licence (details supplied). [45123/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999 require 21 days' public notice of the Minister’s intention to grant a prospecting licence and for the receipt of any submissions. In practice and in line with Environmental Impact Assessment Directive guidance, this public consultation period is extended to thirty days for the receipt of submissions. This public consultation was open from 3 August 2022 to 3 September 2022. The thirty-day public notice of the intention to grant the prospecting licence in question was published on gov.ie, local newspapers, the Kanturk and Kenmare Garda Stations, Cork and Kerry County Council offices and in the office of the Geological Survey Ireland.An extension to the completed thirty-day public consultation is not being considered by my Department.
121. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of prospecting licences that he has granted since taking office, including the locations covered by each licence. [45125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEighty-nine Prospecting Licences have been granted since I took office in June 2020. These Prospecting Licences are located in Counties Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford. Information on Prospecting Licences is available in the six-monthly reports to the Oireachtas on Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland, accessible on gov.ie and the Oireachtas Library. Prospecting Licence Area information is also available on a publicly available online map viewer www.gov.ie/en/service/2f592-map-viewer/.
122. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on introducing a windfall tax on energy companies in order to provide support for households and SMEs experiencing substantial energy bill increases. [45126/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that pay for utilities using pay-as-you-go credit or pre-pay meters. [45175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the regulation of retail electricity and gas markets was assigned to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under the 1999 Electricity Regulation Act and subsequent legislation. As part of its statutory role it is a function of CRU to regulate the market including consumer protection.
The CRU advise that currently there are approximately 260,000 residential electricity Pay-As-You-Go customers out of a total market of 2.165 million residential electricity customers, and approximately 118,000 residential Pay-As-You-Go gas customers out of a total market of 692,000 residential gas customers.
Furthermore, the CRU has a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members oireachtas@cru.ie.
124. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when a decision will be made on the proposed transfer of the Clare assets of Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council; if the Government will provide financial supports to facilitate such a transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraShannon Group informed the Department in Summer 2020 that it was necessary to consider a comprehensive and radical adjustment to its structure to secure the long-term future of the Shannon Heritage business and its employees. Government noted, inter alia, the intention of the Group to explore the potential to transfer the business of key heritage sites, where appropriate, to the relevant local authority, which was considered the most achievable option to secure the future of the heritage assets and employees.
Shannon Group has had extensive engagement with the relevant local authorities since early last year. Shannon Heritage ended their management contracts with An Post and Fingal County Council for sites in Dublin on 31 December 2021 and the transfer of the business and employees took place without issue. King John’s Castle was successfully transferred to Limerick City and County Council on 4 April. I would like to acknowledge the extensive preparation and cooperation between Shannon Group and Fingal County Council, Limerick County Council and An Post for the smooth transfer of these sites.
I can advise the Deputy that Shannon Airport Group continues to engage with Clare County Council in relation to the proposed transfer of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle, and Cliffs of Moher Retail Outlet.
The Department is engaging regularly with both parties with a view to progressing the transfer preparations. As part of its engagement with Shannon Airport Group, Clare County Council identified a funding gap for which it sought government assistance to enable it to take over the sites. In response to this, in May of this year, my Department established an inter-departmental working group to consider the funding options. The group included the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the OPW, and the Department of Tourism Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.
To date, the working group has met three times, and identified a number of ways to support a transfer. My Department has also met with Clare County Council and Shannon Airport Group and has asked both to continue their engagement and consider the package of measures identified by the inter-departmental working group, with a view to reaching agreement on a transfer.
Once the remaining issues around the transfer are resolved, Shannon Airport Group will be in a position to seek the formal consent of the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to execute the transfer of the Shannon Heritage business and the relevant heritage sites and this will be done with the agreement of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I would like to assure the Deputy that Government recognises the importance of these heritage sites to the mid-west region, and that this Government will continue to support Shannon Airport Group to ensure that the transfer of the Shannon Heritage business and heritage sites will proceed as planned with a view to ensuring the long-term viability and success of the business.
