Written Answers Nos. 200-224
200. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the remedies and penalties in the legislation establishing the clean-export guarantee scheme for non-compliance by energy providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50135/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on suppliers to offer the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment for excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. Responsibility for the regulation of the Electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for the implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. More information is available on the CRU website (CRU.ie) under Clean Export Tariff. I am aware that suppliers have published a range of CEG tariffs from €13.5c/kWh up to €20c/kWh which allows customers to shop around and switch suppliers to obtain the best rates for selling and purchasing electricity. I am also aware that the CRU expects all suppliers to put in place measures to make the first payment to customers at the earliest opportunity and had anticipated that some suppliers may have already made the first payment, with others indicating that payment measures will be in place by later in this year. However, it is important to note that regardless of which supplier you have, micro-generators will not lose out while payment systems are put in place as payments to customers will be backdated to when they either became eligible or to 15 February 2022. In this regard, it is important for customers to contact their suppliers. I also understand that the CRU intend to undertake a review of the Interim CEG arrangements after one year.
201. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the protections which will be extended to pay-as-you-go energy customers to prevent disconnections this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to serious concerns raised by a person (details supplied); if any policy can be added to the review framework for persons without electricity meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50158/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can give an assurance that any of the gas coming into Ireland is not fracked gas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50164/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that householders and bill payers in a development (details supplied) have not received the energy credit and appear to remain outside of the current eligibility criteria for the scheme; his plans to address this matter on a policy basis; if a mechanism is being developed to retrospectively provide credit to such householders who did not obtain the benefit of the previous credit round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50169/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update in relation to the Avoca remediation project; the projected funding that will be provided in view of Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA feasibility study for the management and remediation of the Avoca Mining Site was completed in 2008. This feasibility study costed two options for the long-term remediation of the mine site with capital costs of €58.5m and €46m respectively, and both having recurring annual operating costs of about €1million. Under Government Decision No. S180/20/10/0354 of 21 July 2010, the Government decided to proceed with €3million in the most urgent health and safety works and to keep the rest of the Remediation plan under review. To date, in excess of €5 million has been expended on remediation and monitoring costs at the site. The projected funding for the Avoca remediation project in 2023 is €450,000. This funding will provide for ongoing monitoring, maintenance and health and safety works on the Avoca old mine sites. In 2023, the Department also intends to begin reviewing the outstanding remediation plan from the 2008 feasibility study and undertake an update to reflect more recent technological methods and advances in mine site remediation and update projected remediation costs since the last costs were produced in 2008.
206. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that not every household will receive the energy credits promised given that electricity supply companies allocate the credit per MPRN number and those in rented apartments that share an MPRN also have to share the electricity credit; his plans to ensure that every household benefits fully from the energy credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50180/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of contracting companies that are awaiting entry into the "One Stop Shop" under the home energy upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50218/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have been approved for a home energy upgrade under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications of the projects approved under the home energy upgrade the average grant awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50220/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra210. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications of the projects approved under the home energy grade the type of grant upgrade that has been requested more than others under the home energy upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208, 209 and 210 together.
In February this year, Government approved the establishment of the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS). This 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.
There are 12 One Stop Shops registered and SEAI is supporting another 10 organisations through the registration process. Once a company successfully passes the two-stage registration process and the SEAI recommendation is approved, an appointment letter is issued to them.
Under the NHEUS, homeowners engage an SEAI registered One Stop Shop (OSS) to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Homeowners and their OSS agree a contract whereby works must be completed by the OSS within 12 months. To date, 645 homes have been approved for One Stop Shop home energy upgrade grants. This points to a strong pipeline of works for the coming months under the scheme.
The cost of bringing an individual home to a Building Energy Rating (BER) B2 is determined by a number of factors including the size and type of home as well as the starting condition of the home. The Department estimates that the cost can range from €14,000 to €66,000.
The types of works applied for, and the grant support available, under the Scheme are informed by the Home Energy Assessment undertaken by the One Stop Shops. Most recent figures from SEAI show the average OSS home energy grant offer is €20,500, however it is important to note that this average may fluctuate depending on the applications submitted to the SEAI. Feedback from the SEAI shows that measures most requested to date are windows, doors and heat pumps.
211. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a loan guarantee scheme to support access to finance for retrofitting has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland and the European Investment Bank to develop a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme. The scheme is part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and will be co-funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and Exchequer funding. It will also be backed by a counter guarantee provided by the EIB. The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme. This will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords and make comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. This approach will signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy as well as increasing the volume of retrofit activity within the State. It is anticipated that the Scheme will provide a lending portfolio of up to €500 million.
Significant progress has been made to date with the "Invitation for Pre-Qualification Stage" to identify interested "On-Lenders" concluded and the "Invitation for Award Stage" underway. This is an important milestone in the development of the scheme as it will determine how much of the guaranteed loan portfolio will be allocated to each "On-Lender". It will also set out the interest rate pricing approach under the scheme. It is expected that the loans under the guarantee will be available early next year.
212. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process by which the feed-in tariff for the microgeneration support scheme is set; his view on whether the Regulator should have a role in setting prices; his further views on whether income from the power generated should be taxed given the imperative to bring more households into the scheme and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50256/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe underlying principle, and primary advantage of microgeneration, is self-consumption of your own electricity. This is how microgeneration can help consumers shield against electricity costs. While there is potential for payment for any excess electricity, export is an additional benefit. Maximising consumption will also shorten the payback period for their investment. Responsibility for the regulation of the Electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas. The CRU published a decision for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff in December 2021, which outlines arrangements for implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis which must be reflective of the market, or wholesale, value of the electricity, in line with the requirements of Article 21(2)(d) of the recast Renewable Energy Directive. It is important to note that a key aspect of the eligibility criteria for the CEG is that microgenerators must meet the definition for ‘renewables self-consumers', as per the Renewable Energy Directive. This places a focus on generating electricity for one's own consumption and thereafter with an entitlement to receive remuneration for excess electricity fed into the grid. This remuneration is different to the retail electricity market and the prices a domestic electricity consumer is charged by their supplier. Retail prices take account of the cost to purchase electricity on the wholesale market, while covering the operational costs of the company, as well as the network charges required for use of the electricity grid. As such, retail electricity prices and CEG remuneration tariffs cannot be compared on a like for like basis. In budget 2022, the Minister for Finance announced an exemption from income taxes for remuneration from the CEG for domestic consumers, up to a maximum of €200 per annum; which is expected to cover the majority of annual remuneration from the CEG tariff in 2022. CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
213. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50339/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides at least one comfortable and private room in each office with relevant facilities for the purposes of breastfeeding and expressing breast milk. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
214. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing system is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s 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.
215. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if there is a policy regarding the appropriate use of domestic flights in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department. [50120/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a dedicated Policy on all matters relating to official travel by staff of the Department and its Offices, including air travel. The Policy is framed on the relevant circulars and advice from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and reflects the general principle of achieving efficiency and value for money and minimising travel and subsistence costs. The Policy is regularly reviewed. The last such review was completed in March of this year.
In respect of the Agencies that come within my remit, they are statutorily independent in their functions and this is an operational matter for them.
216. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase the fine for parking bus lanes in line with doubling of the fixed-charge penalty for parking on footpaths, cycle lanes or bus lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49464/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am happy to confirm to the Deputy that the fixed charge penalty for the offence of parking in a bus lane was doubled from €40 to €80 earlier this year. This increase, which came into operation at the same time as similar increases in the penalties for parking on footpaths or cycle tracks, is in recognition of the fact that the obstruction caused by bus lane parking delays commuters and undermines significant State investment in sustainable transport infrastructure.
217. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the areas in which the funding that was allocated in Budget 2023 for BusConnects and MetroLink will be spent on. [49473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Budget 2023 expenditure allocation for carbon reduction and public transport is €1.53 billion, as announced on 27 September. Officials in my Department and the transport agencies are now working to agree more precise programme and project-level allocations for 2023, and these will be available in the Revised Estimates Volume before the end of the year. Once allocations are set, the exact activities that are expected to be funded in 2023 will be known.
In the case of BusConnects Dublin, activities by the National Transport Authority (NTA) are expected to include the continued rollout of the network redesign, submission of planning applications for the remaining core bus corridor schemes, purchase of new low and zero emission buses and, dependent on planning, the beginning of construction of the Clongriffin to city centre core bus corridor.
Planning, design and public consultation will also continue for BusConnects Cork and BusConnects Galway.
In the case of MetroLink, Transport Infrastructure Ireland will continue tender preparations while the project makes its way through the planning process. It is also expected that the project will be brought to the Government for Decision Gate 2 under the Public Spending Code next year.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects programme and, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the MetroLink project.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed response on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
218. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the flight paths of commercial airlines are prohibited or restricted from flying over Ballyboughal, County Dublin from the new north runway especially given the huge increase in the number of airlines flying over the village since the north runway opened which is impacting on the daily lives of residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49486/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is the State agency responsible for the provision of air traffic management in Irish controlled airspace. Following communication with the IAA, I understand that there are currently no flight restrictions in the Ballyboughal area.
In relation to aircraft noise from aircraft arriving and departing at Dublin airport, the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) within Fingal County Council is responsible for ensuring that noise generated by aircraft activity at Dublin Airport is assessed in accordance with EU and Irish legislation and that the 'Balanced Approach' is applied where a noise problem at the airport is identified.
219. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the regulations or guidelines in place, if any, to ensure that car manufacturers in Ireland install catalytic converters in such a way that prevents their theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to the enforcement of law and the prevention of crime are for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and for An Garda Síochána.
As Minister for Transport, I do not have a role in engagement with manufacturers placing vehicles on the market within the EU or the appropriate vires to intervene in their commercial activities. Legal requirements govern all vehicles placed on the market in EU Member States, including in Ireland. Manufacturers are obliged to meet a set of safety, environmental and conformity of production requirements, known as motor vehicle type-approval, before placing a vehicle on the EU market. Every vehicle produced must be accompanied by a certificate of conformity, in which the manufacturer certifies that the vehicle corresponds to the approved type. The vehicle can be registered anywhere in Europe and Ireland cannot refuse to register a vehicle which has been type-approved without being in breach of our obligations to uphold the free movement of goods in the EU.
The design, manufacture and fitting of catalytic converters and replacement converters are subject to EU type-approval regulations, which apply the standards set out in UNECE Regulations 83 and 103.
220. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the latest data in respect of service disruptions including cancellations of Bus Éireann services in Waterford city and in the south east for the periods of September, August and July 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49532/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the 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 issue raised is an operational matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
221. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the number and value of fines levied by the National Transport Authority on bus, Luas and rail services for contract breaches by each service provider during the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form; the steps that he is taking to improve services for public transport users in the greater Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49566/22]
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 the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. The NTA also has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to fines levied by the NTA on bus, Luas and rail services for contract breaches and steps being taken to improve services for public transport users in the greater Dublin region, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
222. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric charging points that are now operational in public areas in Cork city and County, broken down by fast chargers and ordinary chargers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport his engagement with local authorities regarding the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points in Cork city and County; the level of uptake from local authorities on funding available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for e-car charging points for Cork city and County; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. As you are aware, a draft national EV charging infrastructure strategy, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy for publication later this year.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022.
In terms of progress ESB eCars have:
One hub of 4 High-Powered Chargers with 8 charging bays constructed, with 2 in progress. There is an overall target of 6 sites
One hub consisting of 2 High-Powered Chargers with 4 charging bays completed with a further 10 currently in design/construction.
16 hubs of 1 High-Powered Charger and 1 Fast Charger with 3 charging bays completed with a further 9 currently in design/construction.
Completed the upgrade of 40 Standard 22kW chargers to DC Fast 50kW chargers
Completed the replacement of 250 Standard 22kW AC chargers.
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
On 21st July I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, provides local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. It should be noted that this scheme facilitates the installation of standard charge points.
My Department has committed to reviewing the Scheme to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
Thirteen local authorities have been in touch with SEAI in relation to the Public Points Scheme including Cork County Council. However no application has been submitted to date. Cork City Council have not contacted the SEAI in relation to this scheme.
ZEVI is currently accepting pilot project proposals from interested Local Authorities to trial EV charging infrastructure installations and to assist local authorities to evaluate future charging strategy.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Public charge points in Ireland and provided by a number of chargepoint operators on a commercial basis. ESB eCars is one of these operators and has a significant presence nationwide. In light of ESB eCars role in providing publicly accessible charge points, I have forwarded your question for direct response. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
224. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered allowing taxi drivers to transfer their taxi licence to another driver who is licensed but who does not hold a taxi licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49576/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016.
Accordingly, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
