Written Answers Nos. 172-197
172. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will list the job title and Department of all those who attended COP 27 as part of the Irish delegation. [61704/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI led Ireland’s National Delegation at the COP27 Conference and participated at the continuation of the high-level segment during the second week of the conference.
The Department’s delegation consisted of myself as head, 2 advisors, and 7 officials (1X Assistant Secretary, 1X Principal Officer, 1X Assistant Principal Officer, 3X Administrative Officers, 1X Legal Advisor). In addition, Ireland’s first national climate youth delegate, selected by the National Youth Council of Ireland, was also a member of my Department’s delegation. There were 42 members of the wider Irish delegation which included the Taoiseach and officials from his Department, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and officials from their Department, and officials from the Department of Finance, the Department of Health, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The national delegation also included representatives from relevant State Bodies and Agencies including personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency, Met Éireann, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Officials from the Irish Embassy in Egypt who were already based in the country also attended the Conference. My Department does not maintain records of the titles of officials in attendance from other Government Departments or Agencies; such information can be obtained directly from the relevant Department or Agency.
In parallel to the negotiations, my engagements at COP27 focused on supporting Ireland’s climate priorities, which include 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.
173. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to recent polling (details supplied) which shows that the upcoming latte levy would make 33% of the public spend less on takeaway teas and coffees; if he is concerned at the impact that this will have on business and employment in a precarious sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to recent polling (details supplied) which shows that 63% of the public believe that the latte levy should not apply to either certified-recyclable or certified as compostable paper cups; if he intends to include recyclable or compostable paper cups in the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61900/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 185 together. A public consultation on the draft regulations to introduce a levy on single use disposable cups was recently carried out by my Department. A Regulatory Impact Analysis accompanying the consultation cited independent nationally representative surveys which report a high rate of public approval for a single use disposal cup levy. The RIA concluded "such findings are uncommon for policies that may introduce additional consumption cost, and signal a clear, strong and sustained level of public support for change in Ireland."In addition, studies of public attitudes to single use plastics by the EPA between 2019 and 2021 have shown there is strong support for policy incentives relating to the reduction of single use plastic products, with 92% supporting improved education, 73% supporting a ban on their production & sale and 64% supporting the introduction of a levy at the point of purchase.In total, the Department received 2,371 responses to the consultation. A wide range of views on the application of the levy to compostables was registered by the public and industry in particular. Regardless of the materials used, disposable cups are single use and wasteful of resources and will be subject to consumption reduction measures.Overall, responses from the public are positive and, along with those received from industry and other stakeholders, will be considered before I sign the regulations.
174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the supports or arrangements that have been made to ensure that persons in rented accommodation who do not have a MRP number can get access to the electricity support grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This 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). The first payment has been made with the second due in the January/February billing cycle and the final payment in March/April. The estimated cost of this scheme for over 2 million domestic electricity accounts is €1.211 billion.The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts 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). This includesaccounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN)to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application.ESB networks, the electricity distribution system operator will operate the scheme by virtue of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESBN will make payments to the individual energy suppliers, who will then credit individual domestic electricity accounts. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is charged with oversight of the scheme.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.Along with the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme Budget 2023 also introduced measures including: - €400 lump sum payment to Fuel Allowance recipients
- €200 lump sum payment for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase
- €500 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting Working Family Payment
- Double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children
- €500 cost of living payment for people receiving Carer's Support Grant will be paid in November
- €500 lump sum cost of living disability support grant will be paid to all people receiving a long term disability payment
175. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes an annual report each year which outlines the progress made towards realising the Department’s vision of a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland. The 2020 and 2021 reports are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/86651-annual-report-2020/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/92514-annual-report-2021/
The 2022 Annual Report will be published during 2023. Key achievements for 2022 include:
- Approval of carbon budgets by the Houses of the Oireachtas;
- Approval of sectoral emissions ceilings by Government effective from 28 July 2022;
- Overall delivery rate for Climate Action Plan 21 measures that were due to have been completed by the end of Q3 was 77%
- New solid fuel regulations introduced on 31 October 2022;
-A new package of enhanced retrofit supports was launched in February 2022 with almost 41,000 applications for support received (up 152% year-on-year) and over 18,400 home energy upgrades completed (up 59% year-on-year);
- 1836 MW of renewable generation was successful in the second RESS auction - a total of 75 projects;
- The Maritime Area Consent (MAC) application window opened in Q2 with provisional decisions advised to the first batch of offshore wind farm applicants in Q3;
- The National Energy Security Framework was published outlining measures connected to energy security across the electricity, gas and oil sectors and sets out a ‘whole-of-Government’ response to the challenges posed to energy security and energy affordability;
- The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 was signed into law in July 2022;
- The Deposit Return Scheme Ireland was launched in November 2022;
The first National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap, setting out a series of actions to ultimately halve our food waste by 2030, was published in November 2022;
- Progress continued in the delivery of the National Broadband Plan which is on track to have 102,000 premises passed by end Jan 2023; and
- The capacity development of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) continued with the Director appointed in January 2022 and the NCSC on target to complete appointment of 45 staff by early January 2023.
176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in relation to the treatment of vulnerable users and the charging of these customers for meter readings. [61668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue referred to in the question is an operational matter appropriate to Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to operate, develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas to all customers connected to the network.GNI is a commercial State Body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I, as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, therefore have no function in relation to this matter.
177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the ESB announcement that a 50% price hike in its rates for electric vehicle charging that will come into effect on 20 December 2022 for EV drivers who charge on the public network (details supplied); if he and or his officials were consulted on the price rise by ESB for EV charging rates; and if the Commission for Regulation of Utilities was consulted and or engaged with the ESB in respect of same. [61740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the 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.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
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. I announced that a new residential charging grant is in development which will focus on providing neighbourhood and residential charging solutions, particularly in areas where off-street charging is either limited or not possible. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and updates on the residential charging grant is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
ESB eCars have informed my department that unfortunately, sustained higher wholesale energy costs throughout Europe means that they continue to experience a very substantial increase in the cost of wholesale electricity, which must be passed onto their customers. ESB eCars have endeavoured to keep their prices under constant review in the coming months.
It should be noted that more charge point operators are coming onto the market in Ireland and each operator sets its own competitive prices. My department has no role in setting fees for charging on the public network.
I can confirm that ESB notified my department on 18 November of the impending price increase.
I have no function in the pricing of electricity, which falls within the remit of he Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) as Ireland's independent energy and water regulator.I have asked CRU to contact the Deputy directly over this matter.
178. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the reduction in wholesale energy costs will be reflected in domestic energy customers' bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61742/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe setting of electricity prices in Ireland is a commercial matter for energy supply companies. These companies 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 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. The CRU is accountable to the Oireachtas.The Government will continue to take action at National and EU level to support customers to meet their energy bills and to stay warm and well this winter.
179. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the decision by domestic waste collection operators to increase their standing charges and lift fees; if he is concerned of the impact of these increases; and if he intends to take steps to prevent or mitigate these increased charges particularly for vulnerable and low-income customers. [61782/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No 113 of 20th September 2022. The position is unchanged.
180. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made on climate action since 27 June 2020. [61783/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, published in October 2020, set out a climate ambition which has since been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law in July 2021. The Act commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The significantly strengthened legally binding framework under the Act, with clear targets and commitments set in law, will help ensure that Ireland achieves its climate goals and obligations. Establishing these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.Within this strengthened framework, several important milestones in climate action have been reached. In November 2021, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2021, which identifies the measures, actions and policies required to achieve our emissions reductions targets, while also setting out indicative ranges of emissions reductions across each sector of the economy. This was followed by the publication of an accompanying Annex of Actions, which sets out the detailed measures and actions, with timelines included, that are required to drive delivery of the Plan. By the end of Q3 2022, 77% (542 of 708) of Climate Action Plan 2021 measures due for completion had been delivered.Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was approved by Government in February 2022, and subsequently adopted by the Oireachtas in April 2022. My Department then engaged with relevant Departments and Agencies, as well as members of the Climate Action Modelling Group, to prepare sectoral emissions ceilings within the limits of the agreed carbon budget programme. These sectoral emissions ceilings were approved by Government in July 2022.This year’s annual update of the Climate Action Plan (‘Climate Action Plan 2023’) is currently being developed, an as the first such plan to be developed under the provisions of the 2021 Act, it will reflect the targets set in the carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings.
181. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the cost to households has been considered as part of the new deposit return scheme in cases in which a person will pay an additional cost for plastics and cans while also paying for household waste collection which is increasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61787/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA national Deposit Return Scheme was launched on the 28th November this year and will become operational to the public from February 2024.Deposit Return Schemes encourage people to return empty drinks containers for recycling. They work by charging anyone who buys a drink a small deposit for the plastic bottle or can that it comes in. They get this money back when they return the container to be recycled. As the deposit is refundable, deposit return will result in no additional cost to households.
A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in 2017 to monitor the cost of residential waste collection to households in Ireland and to report on pricing trends. In the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy we have committed to expanding the role of the PMG to monitor more of the market and to examine whether fair and transparent pricing is consistent in the market.
182. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of his Department’s investigations of the HSE cyberattack in May 2021; if a foreign power was involved; the measures that have been taken to prevent such an incident from reoccurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61790/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cyber Security Centre has a broad mandate to lead in the management of major cyber security incidents, provide guidance and advice to citizens and businesses, and manage cyber security related risks to key infrastructure and services. In July 2021, arising out of a capacity review commissioned prior to the HSE incident, the Government agreed a number of significant measures to support the continued growth and development of the NCSC, including the expansion of staffing to at least 70 by end 2024. These measures also include the development of a dedicated HQ facility, and legislation to grant the appropriate mandate and authority to the NCSC to fulfil its important functions.
Earlier this week I launched a consultation on the Mid-Term Review of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 which will inform further steps to develop the NCSC, support the continued development of the Irish cyber security sector, and further enhance the cyber security and resilience of essential services. I would invite all interested parties to review the consultation paper and share your insights to inform our priorities for the remaining years of the Strategy.
The NCSC led the national response to the Ransomware incident that affected the HSE in 2021, and shared a wide range of information on the tools, tactics and procedures used by the criminal groups involved. Since that time the NCSC has continued to work closely with the HSE in establishing systems to prevent incidents like this from occurring again.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) does not comment on operational matters.
183. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will introduce financial supports for residents reliant on district energy systems in the form of one-off energy credits or a direct subsidy covering the difference between the average domestic rate and the commercial rate of gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61803/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe heating schemes in question are group heating schemes which are apartment blocks or housing developments that are supplied with heat rather than fuel and, in such cases, it is the heat supplier that is the purchaser of the fuel used. Therefore, where gas is being used, a commercial tariff is applied due to scale of purchase.
While commercial rates have generally been lower than domestic gas rates, recent increases in energy prices have led to a sharp increase in commercial gas rates in particular. However, commercial gas prices respond more quickly to the market than domestic prices.
Longer term the issues facing these households will be found in the development of a consumer protection regulatory framework and in the transition to renewable sources of energy to heat buildings, and steps are being taken by my Department to ensure that the framework is put in place and the transition continues.
To help alleviate the impact of the rising cost of living, the Government has already put in place a series of measures, with funding of €2.4 billion available. A further package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion was announced in Budget 2023, including the Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme II. While not all consumers use gas, electricity is supplied to all households, therefore, the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit payment is being applied to domestic electricity accounts as a universal support to all households.In addition to supports for energy costs such as the Household Benefits Package and the Fuel Allowance, people can apply to the Community Welfare Service (CWS) for assistance with essential costs that they cannot reasonably be expected to meet from their income.
184. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made on broadband provision since 27 June 2020. [61810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 and which came into effect in January 2020, 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 NBI that, as of 02 December 2022, over 112,200 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 101,700 premises passed across 25 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 exceeding projections.
Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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. As of 02 December 2022, 823 SCP sites (280 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 543 schools) have been installed 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 BCPs and the Department of Education for school SCP’s. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/ .
My Department worked with NBI to agree an Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) which recalibrated the targets for 2022 to take account of the knock on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and other delays to the programme. The revised target is 102,000 premises passed by the end of January 2023 (cumulative).
186. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the business supports that are in place or planned for independent fuel merchants as Ireland transitions away from fossil fuels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61944/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 has set out, in law, Ireland's objective to transition to a climate neutral economy by 2050. This will require a transition away from fossil fuels, in a manner that is fair and just. The transition will also bring a number of additional benefits to society, including in relation to improved human health and air quality. To further progress this transition, I have signed new Solid Fuel Regulations, which came into force on 31 October this year and introduced minimum quality standards that now apply to solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This is 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. Some previously imported products may not meet these new standards. In September 2021, I announced that the regulations would come into effect for the 2022/2023 heating season. I made the announcement at that time in order to allow retailers sufficient time to run down existing stocks and plan accordingly for the introduction of the new regulatory framework. No new support measures have been introduced for coal merchants as a result of the new regulations. Over the past year, officials from my Department have been working with retailer representative bodies to support the transition to the new regulations, and we have run an awareness campaign for a number of months to inform retailers and producers of their responsibilities. More information for retailers can be found at: www.gov.ie/cleanair/The Government has put in place a comprehensive package of financial supports, through Budget 2023, to help households mitigate the increased cost of energy this winter. In addition, the National Residential Retrofit Plan provides financial supports for those wishing to retrofit their homes and switch from using fossil fuels to using renewable energy sources to heat their homes, with additional supports for those least able to pay. The retrofit industry offers new opportunities for employment, and the Government is encouraging new entrants into this sector by offering opportunities for upskilling and retraining.
187. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of biomethane injection points by Gas Networks Ireland; if he will provide an outline of the planned injection point locations; the capacity of those injection points; the climate risks that have been identified with the sources of feed for anaerobic digestors; and the risks that have been identified with the target of 5.7 TWh of biomethane production by 2030. [61968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGNI opened Ireland’s first purpose-built renewable gas injection facility Cush, Co. Kildare. Once flowing at maximum capacity, the Cush facility will have the capability to supply renewable gas to the equivalent of 11,000 homes. GNI is expected to begin construction of a second large-scale renewable gas injection facility in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. With planning approved and technical design underway and, when operating at full capacity, this facility will have the potential to inject enough renewable gas into the gas network to heat the equivalent of up to 64,000 homes. GNI has also developed a Green Gas Certification (GGC) scheme for Ireland in partnership with other Irish and European agencies to provide a reliable method of tracing and verifying renewable gas origin and support the growth of a biomethane market in Ireland.
As part of its decision on the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, Government agreed to the introduction of an obligation on the heat sector to include renewable heat by 2024, and the production of up to 5.7Twh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030.
The National Heat Study identified biomethane as a competitive, cost-efficient path to achieving our climate ambitions, and direct replacement for natural gas. This level of ambition will require a variety of agriculture-based feedstocks, and the production of these feedstocks to support emissions reductions will be required to meet strict sustainability criteria. As we look to change the way we source our energy, sustainability must remain a key consideration to ensure we avoid negatively impacting on land use and food security.
An all-of-government approach is being taken to reach the 5.7Twh target, and my Department, together with Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, is developing a National Biomethane Strategy. A project working group to develop the National Biomethane Strategy will be established shortly under the auspices of the Heat and Built Environment Task Force. This project working group will carry out extensive analysis, paying particular focus on production in a sustainable manner.
188. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the 2023 guidelines for the better energy communities scheme will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the dates the 2023 better energy communities scheme is to be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62161/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions 188 and 189 together. The 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.
The Community Energy Grant Scheme guidelines for 2023 will be updated shortly to reflect the changing environment and ensure that the programme continues to target and support our communities. It is intended that the new guidelines will be in place in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the SEAI has confirmed that the Community Energy Grant Scheme remains open to applications from interested organisations.
The SEAI advise that live updates are available for project coordinators for the Community Energy Grant Scheme on the SEAI web site: www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/project-criteria-and-funding/grant-tracker/?__toolbar=1.
190. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current procedure and upcoming changes to the regulation surrounding the burning of old scrub and bushes off agricultural land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62164/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009, the burning of household, garden, commercial or industrial waste is not permitted. An exemption under the legislation, which has allowed farmers, as a last resort following strict application of the waste hierarchy, to dispose of waste generated by agricultural practices by burning has been extended on several occasions. However, it was never intended that this exemption would extend in perpetuity, and it is anticipated that the current exemption, which expires on 1 January 2023, will be the final such extension. My Department has engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on this matter and they have commissioned a feasibility study which will examine alternative measures to the burning of agricultural green waste within the Irish context and assess the practicality of such alternatives. The study, due for publication later this month, will help inform appropriate policy actions to establish alternative measures to burning on Irish farms.
The issue of air pollution and the associated health impacts caused by this practice is well established and is addressed in the draft Clean Air Strategy developed by my Department, which was open for public consultation until 3 May of this year. The final Clean Air Strategy, intended for publication in 2023, will provide the high-level strategic policy framework necessary to identify and promote the integrated measures across government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner ambient air while delivering on wider national objectives.
191. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the recent doubling in costs of wood pellets; his views on whether this is a matter which needs to be addressed urgently given the efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of households with wood pellet stoves; and if any measures are to be introduced which will see an immediate reduction in the cost of wood pellets. [62167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in the setting of retail prices for wood pellets. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine provides financial assistance to the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme, which is an all-island scheme established to increase consumer confidence in wood fuel products sold in Ireland. Forest owners and forestry contractors, through sustainable forest management practices, produce renewable fuels such as firewood, wood chip, wood pellets, and wood briquettes. These fuels are certified to ISO and EU standards through the Scheme, and the production of indigenous wood biomass has a crucial role to play in helping Ireland meet renewable energy targets through fossil fuel substitution to generate heat and electricity.The Climate Action Plan 2021 acknowledges the need for the solid biomass resource capacity to double in the next decade, and the need to support the mobilisation of timber for utilisation in the processing and biomass sector. The Government will continue to encourage policies, steps and measures to increase the use of wood and wood products in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
However, in terms of reducing the carbon footprint of domestic heating, the National Heat Study, published in February 2022, found that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for domestic heating systems, with district heating also identified as a competitive option that can be widely deployed.
192. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that some 700 national schools that have been assigned to NBI for the provision of broadband; the costs for these schools in relation to same given that NBI has not provided fibre connectivity to the vast majority of schools and is providing connectivity via wireless technology (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that 700 national schools have been assigned to NBI for the provision of broadband; his further views on the costs for these schools in relation to same given that NBI does not have fibre connectivity to the vast majority of schools that have been allocated to NBI and is providing the connectivity via wireless technology (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together. Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) are a key element of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. Government and NBI have agreed to accelerate the rollout of high-speed broadband to 679 schools across the State. This will ensure that by early next year all schools across the State will have the necessary infrastructure to carry out their critical day to day educational activities unimpeded by poor broadband. While all schools in the NBP Intervention Area will be passed by the fibre network over the course of the seven year build programme, the aim of the SCP project was to use alternative technologies to ensure a high speed broadband service of at least 150Mbps to every primary school in the Intervention Area by early in 2023 at the latest. According to the Department of Education, most of these schools being connected through the NBP have never had a broadband service or have had a very poor broadband service to date. The NBP schools project will ensure that the children attending primary schools in rural Ireland are afforded the same education and learning opportunities as children attending primary schools in urban areas. As of 2 December 2022, 514 schools have been installed by NBI, and 29 have been installed by other operators, as agreed with the Department of Education. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
194. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if retrospective energy credit will be paid to those Traveller families who were eligible for the first round of payments but missed out because they pay their bills directly to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the energy credit will be paid to the 1,054 Travellers living on official local authority halting sites, who are in basic service bays/transient halting site bays, sharing permanent halting site bays, and sharing basic service bays/transient halting site bays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62274/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the energy credit will be paid to the 330 families in unauthorised provision who are actively seeking accommodation from their local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62275/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 194, 195 and 196 together.
Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households and throughout 2022 introduced a €2.4 billion package of supports and as part of Budget 2023 has introduced a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion. This 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). The first payment has been made with the second due in the January/February billing cycle and the final payment in March/April. The estimated cost of this scheme for over 2 million domestic electricity accounts is €1.211 billion. This is in addition to the first Electricity Costs Benefit Scheme which cost €377 million.
The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts 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). This includesaccounts with pre-pay meters. The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN)to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application. The advantage of the scheme is that it uses the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to identify all domestic electricity accounts and ensure payments are made directly and automatically to those accounts without using means testing, application or approval. Despite this advantage, the Scheme does have limitations. As a result there are cohorts that did not receive the payment. A particular cohort, identified since the first Scheme, includes a number of traveller households who use Local Authority accommodations and who were unable to access the credit. In this situation, the MPRN is registered to the Local Authority and supplies multiple households. This group is identifiable through their use of Local Authority accommodation. In approving the second Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, Government also approved funding for this group, including provision for payment to be made to these families in respect of the first scheme. My Department has worked with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) on this matter and provided the funds to individual Local Authorities to enable them to make the necessary payments to families in their areas.
197. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if provision has been made or will be made for credible floating offshore wind projects to be expedited on a par with traditional fixed bottom technology in phase 2 projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2020 Programme for Government committed to a target of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity in Ireland’s maritime area by 2030. This target was affirmed in the 2021 Climate Action Plan and is required to meet the target which will be contained in the updated 2023 Plan, that up to 80% of Ireland’s electricity will be sourced from renewables by 2030.In addition, earlier this year, the Government agreed to target the delivery of an additional 2GW of offshore wind for the production of green hydrogen in order to create the necessary environment to develop a hydrogen industry.
The offshore renewable energy goals will be achieved over two phases and these phases will also establish the building blocks for a long-term sustainable offshore renewable energy industry in Ireland. During the second phase of this work programme, we will see the continued development of fixed wind turbine wind farms, but as the technology becomes more commercially viable, we expect floating wind to be developed in our deeper, rougher seas. Supports for floating wind will be put in place and we expect to see the first floating projects taking shape as part of Phase 2. A policy statement will be published shortly to guide developers and decision-makers, however it will be a matter for the new maritime regulator, MARA, and An Bord Pleanala to consider the credibility of applications for offshore development, regardless of the technology utilised.
