Written Answers Nos. 166-189
166. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of climate officers in local authorities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff allocated to climate projects in local authorities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of investment made to climate projects by each local authority in the State in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57883/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement with local authorities with regard to climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made by local authorities with regard to climate action plan implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of funding for local authorities with regard to climate-related projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 167, 168, 188, 189 and 190 together. 166, 167, 168, 188 and 189 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan (LA CAP), within 12 months from when I formally issue a request to the sector to prepare such plans. The request is to be made not later than 18 months after the commencement of the Act. LA CAPs will include both mitigation and adaptation measures. My Department is finalising statutory guidelines detailing the approach Local Authorities are to take in the development and implementation of LA CAPs.
I recognise that Local Authorities need support in the delivery of LA CAPs, and I have allocated €3.5million to secure new resources in 2022. I will continue to provide funding to the sector over the coming years. My Department issued a letter to the Chief Executive of each LA on 26 October 2022 confirming the provision of these resources. These resources include the establishment of Climate Action Teams, including Climate Action Coordinators and Climate Action Officers. Service Level Agreements will shortly be signed between my Department and each LA defining the allocation of resources and reporting requirements. In addition, Climate Action Community Officer roles have been funded separately under the Climate Action Fund, Community Climate Action Programme.
Local Authorities are at different stages of recruitment for all the roles outlined above. Officials from my Department meet regularly with the Local Authority National Climate Action Steering Group (LANCASG), which fall under the auspices of the City and County Managers Association (CCMA).
169. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a special windfall tax on excess profits from energy companies given the decision by the European Commission to impose such a tax. [57258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of the €300 billion approved by the European Union to accelerate the green transition that will be available to Ireland; if it is a competitive process; and if his Department has identified projects which could avail of this fund. [57259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission published the RePowerEU plan in May. This is a plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition. While the Commission announced an overall package of €300bn, the plan proposes the provision of an additional €20 billion in grant funding to be made available through the existing Recovery and Resilience Facility to finance investment in diversifying the energy mix of EU Member States. Further funding is available primarily through additional loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. In October, EU Finance Ministers reached agreement at ECOFIN on the Council’s position on the RePowerEU proposal, including the allocation of grant funding among EU Member States. Ireland would be able to apply for additional grants worth circa €90m under the proposed methodology.
The Council agreement allows negotiations to commence with the European Parliament, with the European legislation necessary to provide for such funding not expected to come into force until early 2023.
At that point, Ireland can choose to update its National Recovery and Resilience Plan to include a RePowerEU chapter and projects eligible for any additional grant funding that may be available, taking account of Commission guidance due to be published next year.
In the interim, my Department is considering potential proposals for funding under this mechanism with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. Similar to the development of Ireland's current National Recovery and Resilience Plan, funding decisions are a matter for Government.
I would note that Ireland’s current National Recovery and Resilience Plan, supported by circa €915m in grants, was approved by the European Commission and the Council in 2021, and is currently being implemented. The objective of the plan is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery effort, in a manner that complements and supports the Government’s broader recovery efforts.
171. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that persons with a domestic turbine can feed access energy into the grid; and the way that households that have been feeding energy into the grid for a period of time can receive payment for same. [57265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that create an obligation on all 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. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Decision on an interim enabling framework for the CEG which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology - details are provided at the attached link Remuneration of Renewables Self-consumers for exported electricity - Commission for Regulation of Utilities (cru.ie) Micro-Generators who wish to become eligible should register for an export grid connection from ESB Networks (details are provided at the attached link Micro-Generators (esbnetworks.ie) ) and have a smart meter installed, where applicable.
The CRU has decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis. Payments will be backdated to the date of eligibility or the 15th February 2022 (the date the regulations were enacted), whichever is the latest.
The CRU has asked suppliers to communicate their decision to their customers on when initial CEG payments will be made at the earliest opportunity. The CRU advises customers to contact their supplier to obtain information on their suppliers' CEG tariff arrangements.
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.
172. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or any officials from his Department or from bodies under the aegis of his Department travelled to the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference; the number who travelled; the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57313/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI led Ireland’s National Delegation to COP27 for the continuation of the high-level segment during the second week of the conference from Monday 14 to 20 November. Ireland’s Delegation included representation across several Departments and Agencies, I was accompanied by two Advisors and eight officials from my Department. Officials are engaged across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to a number of priority areas for Ireland including loss and damage, science, gender and climate finance. I represented the EU in the loss and damage negotiations which were seen as critical to the successful outcome of this COP and a key issue for Ireland.
In parallel to the negotiations my engagement at COP27 focused on supporting Ireland’s climate priorities, which includes promoting greater ambition, accelerating a shift away from fossil fuel dependence and calling for increased climate finance, with improved accessibility and quality of adaptation finance going to the most vulnerable. As part of the commitment to provide €225 million per year in climate finance by 2025, a more than doubling of our support, I announced a funding package of €24m at COP27 to support climate action in developing countries. This includes new funding of over €18m, including €1 million to the Special Climate Change Fund to support adaptation action in Small Island Developing States, €11 million for the Global Environment Fund, €1 million to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and €5 million to the Global Shield Against Climate Risks to protect the most vulnerable from climate loss and damage (part of €10million announced by the Taoiseach on 8 November). I also participated at membership meetings of high-level coalitions, including the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), the High Ambition Coalition and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. My Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations
In relation to associated travel and accommodation costs, final details are not yet available, as these are still being collated. Details will be finalised in the coming weeks .
173. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Government policy on the import, regulation and use of HVO fuel and his position on the use of HVO fuel as an alternative to kerosene for home heating. [57390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rural and urban standing charges on electricity bills; the reason for the difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57396/22]
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 electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, including the matters raised by your question, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. I understand, electricity customers are allocated to a Distribution Use of System (DUoS) Group (DG). Urban customers are in DG1, while rural customers are in DG 2. This is done and set out as part of the connection agreement. All electricity users pay a DUoS charge, which is set by the CRU and paid through electricity bills. The charge for rural customers is higher than urban due to factors such as population dispersal. Details of these charges are set out in the following CRU Decision Paper: CRU202291-Tariff-Review-2022_2023-Response-and-Decision-Paper-FINAL.pdf
The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply .
175. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Commissioner for the Regulation of Utilities engaging with energy providers on the prevention of electricity theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received any reports from the Commission of the Regulation of Utilities on electricity theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together. The theft of electricity is a very serious matter from both a safety standpoint and as a distinct criminal offence in accordance with the Energy (Misc. Provisions) Act 2012. The theft of electricity adds to the cost of electricity for all customers.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 the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The CRU has responsibility for, inter alia, safety and theft matters.ESB Networks, who are the Distribution System Operator, undertake revenue protection related work in accordance with the obligations placed upon them by condition 7 of their Distribution System Operator (DSO) licence. ESB Networks are accountable to the CRU in respect of the fulfilment of their obligations under their DSO licence.The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question. Such queries can be submitted to oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
177. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received any reports from the Commission of the Regulation of Utilities on gas theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to theft of gas are an operational issue for Gas Networks Ireland and for the Board and management of that company, which is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I, as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, have no statutory function in such matters and therefore I have not received any such reports from the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. However, in such a case there may be an element of overlap between Gas Networks Ireland and the work of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The CRU has responsibility for safety matters and it would appear that the theft of gas and / or tampering with a gas meter are issues which may give rise to serious safety concerns. As the Deputy will be aware the CRU is accountable to the Oireachtas and not to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. I have therefore received no reports from them in relation to this matter. The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question. Such queries can be submitted to oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
178. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to install fibre broadband in a location (details supplied). [57530/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to in the Question are 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
Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further.
179. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the country’s electricity that he envisages solar panels could provide; when this can be achieved; if he will consider fully grant aiding the provision of solar panels to increase the country’s security of electricity supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has set an ambitious target to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80% by 2030. As part of the agreement on the sectoral emissions ceiling during summer 2022, the Government announced an increased target of up to 5.5 GW of solar PV generation by 2030. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on Ireland’s renewable electricity targets. The first RESS auction is expected to deliver circa 1,000 MW of new renewable generation (c. 579 MW of which is solar), an approximate 15% increase in Ireland’s current renewable energy generation capacity, by the end of 2023.
The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held this year and is expected to deliver an increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation by the end of 2025. At the end of October, my Department published a consultation on the design of the third RESS auction (RESS 3), which will take place next year.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) offers support to domestic and non-domestic applicants for renewable installations up to 50kW, including through capital grant supports. The MSS aims to support the installation of an estimated 380 MW of new micro-generation (primarily Solar PV) by 2030, which would generate over 300 GWh of renewable electricity per annum.
In addition, a new Solar PV scheme for vulnerable customers registered as being dependent on electrically powered assistive devices, is currently being finalised. This €20m scheme is targeted to provide direct support to over 3,000 vulnerable customers who may have limited opportunity to reduce their demand, providing them with a 2 KW solar PV system and hot water diverter.
My Department is also progressing the design of a Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSG), to support renewable electricity generators above 50kW but smaller than those supported under the RESS. This scheme is expected to become available in 2023.
Grant supports for solar PV installations are also included amongst the measures under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Better Energy Communities scheme. Farmers can also receive grant supports for solar PV for on-farm use under several of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
180. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date that each of the public consultations was launched by his Department; and the date that the results of the consultation were published in tabular form. [57554/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic consultations undertaken by my Department are a matter of public record. Details of these consultations are available on gov.ie
www.gov.ie/en/consultations/?q=&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-the-environment-climate-and-communications#
181. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address legislative matters raised in respect of solar energy in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57611/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the low-cost loan scheme for energy upgrades will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57617/22]
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.
183. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm the recycling policy in relation to PVC and uPVC glass windows; the amount that went to landfill or that was recycled in 2019 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra184. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the types of plastics which are recyclable; the types of these plastics that are currently being collected for recycling for each local authority; the types that have not yet begun to be collected for recycling; his plans and timescales to ensure that all recyclable plastics are collected and recycled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. 183 and 184 together.
Since September 2021, all plastic packaging, including soft plastics, may now be placed in the mixed dry recycling bin.Full details on what packaging materials may be recycled are available at the MyWaste.ie website.
-All packaging being placed on the market must be reusable or recyclable by 2030.
-Supports to increase the use of recycled materials in packaging, including the introduction of a virgin - plastic levy will be examined.
-Reducing over-packaging and packaging waste while driving design for reuse and recyclability of packaging will be central to an ambitious approach we will take with the European Commission.
In relation to PVC and uPVC glass windows the data requested by the Deputy is not compiled by my Department. The EPA is the competent authority for the collation of national waste statistics and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against a range of European waste directive and regulations. These reports are available at National Waste Statistics | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie)
There is currently no specific policy on the recycling of these products which should be disposed of appropriately where repair or reuse is not possible.
185. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the channels through which persons with turbary rights can continue to sell turf; the fines that can be imposed on both sellers and consumers who sell or purchase turf outside of the permissible channels; the financial supports that are available to self-employed persons whose livelihood has been lost through the new regulations on the sale of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new regulations on the sale of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland came into operation on 31 October 2022. They introduce minimum standards that apply across all solid fuels, to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. Under the regulations, those with turbary rights can continue to cut turf for their own use and they retain the ability to gift or sell turf to others, provided this is not done by way of the internet or other media, or from a retail premises (including shops, garages and filling stations, fuel yards, and public houses and other public places).
Prosecutions for infractions of the regulations can be taken by Local Authorities, under the Air Pollution Act and the imposition and extent of any fine would be a matter for the Courts to determine. There are no offence provisions contained in the regulations with respect to the purchase of turf.
No financial supports are planned for any sector distributing solid fuels which are subject to the standards and provisions provided for in the new regulations. I announced in September 2021 that the regulations would come into effect for the 2022/2023 heating season. I made the announcement at that time in order to allow suppliers and retailers sufficient time to run down existing stocks and plan accordingly for the introduction of the new regulatory framework. Over the past year, officials from my Department have been working with retailer representative bodies to support the transition to the new regulations. More information for retailers can be found at: http://www.gov.ie/cleanair/
186. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for the delivery of ORESS 1; the steps that are being taken to ensure that this timeline is met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his plans to ensure the provision of an organic waste bin as part of a waste collection service for all households; his plans to roll out organic bins to the varying types of homes in Dublin such as terraced housing with no front gardens and apartment complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57869/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a number of specific measures to support the expansion of the organic waste collection in the State including making the provision of an organic waste bin mandatory as part of a waste collection service for all households. working with all stakeholders to improve waste segregation in apartment complexes and through changes to waste collection permits, and working with the Local Authority sector, ensuring that every householder and business has access to a reliable, clean and sustainable way of managing food waste. In parallel with drafting the required legislation to introduce incentivised waste collection charging in the commercial sector, my officials are now drafting the legislation necessary to ensure that all households with a waste collection service are provided with an organic waste bin by their waste collection company by the end of 2023.
