Written Answers Nos. 190-203
191. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that persons who are on invalidity pension are not included as eligible to benefit from the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57895/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes Scheme offers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners who are most at risk of energy poverty. Eligibility for the Scheme is linked to receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments, outlined on the SEAI website. They are kept under ongoing review with the Department of Social Protection to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department. I understand that the Invalidity Pension is a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance, which is a means tested payment. Fuel allowance, in turn, is a qualifying payment for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Households can contact the Department of Social Protection to check whether they meet the relevant criteria.
All information on the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/free-upgrades-for-eligible-homes.
192. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding programme for the SEAI community grants in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Communities Energy Grant Scheme is part of the Government's National Retrofit Programme aimed at upgrading building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage, thereby reducing fossil fuel usage, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The Scheme supports cross-sectoral and community-oriented partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits.
Demand for the CEG Scheme has been very strong since the launch of this year’s Call for Projects in March. To date, 17 contracts with a grant value of over €42 million have been issued by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and a further 7 applications are currently under evaluation within the SEAI. All of which points to a strong pipeline of works under the scheme for the remainder of this year and into 2023.
Budget 2023 included an exchequer capital funding allocation of €337.3 million for the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes, including the Solar PV scheme. Of this allocation, €291 million is being provided from carbon tax revenue.
This overall allocation is the highest ever and means that the Community Energy Grant Scheme will have a record budget allocation for 2023.
The final details of the funding allocations to each SEAI scheme is currently being finalised as part of the 2023 SEAI business planning process.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed broadband will be available to a person (details supplied) given that their house appears to be the only one not included in service available to other houses in the locality; the efforts that will be taken to rectify this issue in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57900/22]
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.
I understand that officials from my Department have been in contact with you previously regarding this matter and that your constituent's contact details, with his agreement, were passed to Openeir who are responsible for resolving this issue.
194. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a person (details supplied) will receive the electricity credit payment; the way that persons using coin operated meters will receive the electricity credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57912/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion and will be provided to my Department through a Supplementary Estimate.The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process. This mechanism allowed payments to be made automatically to 2,138,939 domestic electricity accounts, over 99.36% of eligible accounts, under the first scheme which operated between April and June of this year.While the majority of residential tenants will hold their own domestic electricity accounts, and therefore receive the credit directly, others could have tenancy agreements where tenants pay their actual share of each bill and, in those cases, will benefit from the payment because the amount of the bill will be reduced by the amount of the payment. A small proportion could have other arrangements in place whereby electricity costs are part of the rental cost. Where tenants have a dispute relating to tenancies including any terms relating to electricity payments, these can be referred to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) for dispute resolution. As there is not data set identifying this cohort, increasing awareness of entitlements of existing social protection measures, which include provision for help with household bills, is an important way of supporting people in this situation.
195. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to make grants available to SMEs to ensure that their websites are accessible for those with disabilities; if it will become a requirement of the trading online voucher scheme that websites are accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57987/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which local authority tenants can be supported and encouraged to install PV panels on the roofs of their houses in order to reduce energy costs; the permission or otherwise that is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS), the Sustainable energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers capital grants for both domestic and non-domestic applicants for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW with grant levels up to a maximum of €2,400 available. In addition, suppliers are now required by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to offer a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff to new and existing micro-and small-scale generators, so that they receive payment for excess renewable electricity that they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will invest a further €85 million as part of the Local Authority Retrofit Programme in 2022. Approximately 36,500 local authority homes will be retrofitted in the next decade under the Local Authority Retrofit Programme. These homes will be brought to a B2/cost optimal standard with a heat pump. This programme of work will not only benefit Local Authorities in assisting them in the upgrade and maintenance of their housing stock but will also directly benefit householders with an enhanced level of comfort and lower fuel costs. Further information would be available from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.
The forthcoming recast version of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the negotiation of which is led the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, includes provisions around optimising the solar energy generation potential of new and existing buildings, including Local Authority housing.
197. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that a person would be ineligible for energy efficiency upgrades, such as attic and wall insulation, if they choose not to upgrade their heating system; the way in which his Department can include persons who use home heating oil in the retrofitting programme in order to help towards their household bills whilst also helping tackle climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58059/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Full details of the broad range of options available, the measures included, target cohort and criteria are set out on the SEAI website.
This year, demand and delivery across the range of SEAI retrofit schemes has been exceptionally high. As of end of October:
- Almost 41,000 applications for support have been received – a 152% increase on the same period last year.
- Over 18,400 home energy upgrades have been completed – a 59% increase on the same period last year.
- Over 3,600 homes been upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes – a 122% increase on the same period last year.
- Almost 6,000 homes have been upgraded to a BER of B2 or better – a 79% increase on the same period last year
My Department is working with the SEAI to build on this strong performance with a robust pipeline of activity planned for the rest of the year and into 2023 and beyond.
198. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review a matter regarding a landline (details supplied). [58065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra199. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way in which he intends to support the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a replacement fuel in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58464/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a bioliquid, which when used in the transport sector is referred to as a biofuel. HVO bioliquid is also used as renewable energy for heating and power generators.
Biofuels are a core transitional technology relied upon for the medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the road transport sector, accounting for 1.1MT CO2eq of the transport sector decarbonisation target to be achieved by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. In 2021, approximately 246m litres (7.6 PJ) of biofuel, including HVO, was placed on the market.
The Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy Statement 2021 sets out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan (CAP21) targets and European obligations concerning sustainability and GHG reduction criteria for renewable energy in transport. The policy sets out that the renewable transport fuel blending obligation (RTFO) rate, provided for under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, will be increased annually to achieve a blend of E10 (i.e., 10% bioethanol in petrol) and B20 (i.e., 20% biodiesel in diesel) by 2030. Additional supply of HVO will be critical in ensuring the B20 by 2030 target is met.
One of the key challenges for increasing the supply of biofuels, including HVO, is ensuring sustainability and availability. My department recently published a biofuel study report estimating the projected consumption of biodiesel, including HVO, of between 570-730m litres under a B20 by 2030 blending scenario. There is potential for indigenous production to scale up to between 435m and 735m litres of biodiesel/HVO in 2030, but with low recoverable feedstock supplies (potential for 70m litres of biodiesel from indigenous feedstock) reliance on imported feedstocks (UCO and tallow) will continue to be high.
Supply of UCO is limited and additional demand for it will impact on its cost and may heighten the risk of fuel fraud in global supply chains. To combat this the EU is introducing more rigorous verification requirements including an EU database for all biofuel supply. In this regard, my department engages with the European Commission on an ongoing basis, including through the working group on sustainability, set up under the Renewable Energy Directive.
200. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure that residents of Terenure and other areas will be adequately serviced by public transport for the two-year period between the removal of the number 17 bus and the introduction of the A4 route, during which time there will be no transit between Terenure, Nutgrove and Dundrum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57269/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
201. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request the NTA to make staff travel free to all transport workers on all forms of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57278/22]
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 issue of free travel for employees falls within the terms of employment offered and therefore would be a matter for the individual public transport operators.
202. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to D1 licence holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe holder of a category D1 licence can drive a vehicle designed and constructed for up to 16 passengers, in addition to the driver, and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres.
If a person wishes to drive a vehicle designed to carry more than 16 passengers, they must obtain a category D licence.
The vehicles which may be driven under each licence category are set out in Directive 2006/126/EC. Accordingly, I am not in a position to change these requirements.
203. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 8 November 2022, if he will provide an update on the provision of EV chargers specifically for Thurles, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57306/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, continues to be available and 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. Tipperary County Council have submitted an application under this scheme which includes a request for four charge points in Thurles. This application is still going through the approval process.
ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. A new scheme for neighbourhood charging is in development expected to launch in 2023.
In addition, ZEVI is also currently working in partnership with a number of Local Authorities on pilot programmes for EV charging this year. Tipperary County Council is welcome to contact the ZEVI team if it would like to put forward a pilot EV charging project for consideration in ZEVI’s pilot programme.
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 are provided by a number of charge point 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.
