Written Answers Nos. 121-144
121. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline a detailed timeline for the delivery of the Digital Connectivity Strategy; if he will provide an update on the National Broadband Plan in view of this new initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62562/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government of Ireland’s National Digital Strategy (NDS), Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, is helping to drive the digital transition across the economy and society, to the benefit of all.
The Government is committed to a fast-paced digital transformation for the country. The availability of high-speed, reliable, digital connectivity will support the delivery of Ireland’s economic and social ambitions and will position Ireland at the forefront of European and global digital developments.
Last week my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets, including that:
- all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028
- all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
-digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023.
Through the commercial investment by the telecommunications industry, digital connectivity will be delivered across the vast majority of the State; this will be complemented by the State through the National Broadband Plan. The Government remains committed to roll out the National Broadband Plan, and is ensuring an agile and responsive approach to the delivery of this key large scale project with €2.7 billion committed to the Plan in what is a constantly evolving environment.
As of 02 December 2022, NBI advise that 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/.
Eir has committed to rolling out fibre to a further 1.6 million premises, bringing their fibre deployment to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO is currently completing the first phase of its fibre deployment and to date has passed more than 430,000 premises with gigabit services and it has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 320,000 premises. Virgin Media is offering 250Mbps as a standard offering with 500Mbps and 1Gbps available to many of their customers across the more than 1 million premises that they cover. Many other network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks.
122. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the better energy warmer homes scheme; and if he is considering adding additional measures to the scheme such as solar panels and heat pumps. [62858/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administer schemes delivering free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. Since 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported. So far this year over 4,000 homes have received free upgrades under SEAI energy poverty schemes at an average cost of €18,750 per home.
Earlier this year, the SEAI launched a pilot to inform the appropriate approach to increasing the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installed under the Warmer Homes Scheme. It is intended that this pilot will continue into 2023.
Solar panels are not currently provided under the free upgrade scheme. However, grants are available separately for the installation of solar PV and solar thermal panels in homes.In addition, as part of the response to support consumers under the National Energy Security Framework, SEAI will introduce a targeted scheme for the installation of solar PV panels for vulnerable customers/households. SEAI has indicated that it is currently finalising the scheme following consultation with key stakeholders including the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU), ESB Networks (ESBN), the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), and publication of the final details will follow this process.
123. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the District Heating Steering Group will finalise its first set of recommendations; if he plans to publish those recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62789/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDistrict heating is a key pillar of Government policy to promote decarbonisation of the heat sector and contribute to security of supply, and its development is underpinned by the findings of the National Heat Study.
My Department established the District Heating Steering Group this year to consider the rollout of district heating in Ireland and the regulatory framework required to protect consumers. It is chaired by my Department and its membership is drawn from a range of relevant organisations.
The Steering Group met ten times in 2022 and has been examining issues around the structures necessary for the development of the sector. The Steering Group is now finalising its Report, which will include a summary of the work undertaken and its recommendations as to the best way to facilitate rollout of district heating.
The Steering Group's recommendations centre on the key thematic areas that have been identified as integral to the development of the sector: planning, research, finance and regulation. Working Groups, reporting to the Steering Group, have conducted detailed analysis of these issues. Once received and considered, the Report will be published.
124. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the past five years, indicating the specific funding programme and heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe voted funds that were allocated to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in each of the years 2017 to 2022 is set out in the following table.
|
YEAR |
PAY €000 |
PENSION €000 |
NON-PAY €000 |
CAPITAL €000 |
TOTAL €000 |
|
2022 |
16,499 |
3,238 |
7,990 |
2,786 |
30,513 |
|
2021 |
16,122 |
3,238 |
8,496 |
2,586 |
30,442 |
|
2020 |
15,794 |
2,949 |
9,766 |
2,586 |
31,095 |
|
2019 |
15,416 |
2,914 |
9,579 |
2,586 |
30,495 |
|
2018 |
14,420 |
2,890 |
9,186 |
3,686 |
30,182 |
|
2017 |
13,353 |
2,853 |
7,686 |
2,686 |
26,578 |
My Department does not disaggregate funding allocations beyond the categories above. The funding of expenditure incurred in relation to specific programmes is an operational matter for IFI, in which neither I nor my Department have any role.
IFI has established a specific e-mail address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
125. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the National Broadband Plan. [62691/22]
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 over 25,800 premises are connected to the high-speed broadband network. 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 SCPs. 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/.
126. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the national clear air strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62475/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA public consultation on the draft Clean Air Strategy was undertaken during the period March to May of this year and over 100 submissions were received. The strategy is now being reviewed and updated to reflect both the outcome of the consultation process and policy developments which have occurred in the intervening period that impact on plans to improve the quality of our air.
Given the health imperative associated with the burning of solid fuels for domestic heating purposes, the introduction of the new solid fuel regulations was prioritised. The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022) have introduced minimum quality standards that apply to all 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. These regulations are a central plank of the Clean Air Strategy, which will now be published early next year.
The strategy will outline how we will enhance and protect the air we breathe, and set out a pathway, based on a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures, that will tackle all sources of air pollution. As such, it will also need to consider the impact of the forthcoming Climate Action Plan and new proposals at EU level for a revised Ambient Air Quality Directive.
127. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grants that are available to support individuals, businesses, public organisations and community groups to install solar panels. [61735/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is targeting support for 380MW of installed micro-generation capacity by 2030, including over 60,000 small microgeneration connections less than 6 KW and 10,000 connections between 6 kW and 50 kW.
The first phase of the scheme, consisting of a Domestic solar PV grant, commenced in February 2022. The second phase of the scheme, announced on 22nd September, saw Solar PV grants being extended to the non-domestic sector, for installations up to and including 6 kW. This includes businesses, public organisations and community groups. Both grants are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and are up to a maximum of €2,400.
This new phase of the scheme provides an opportunity for small businesses to reduce their electricity bills. Moreover, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises of these microgenerators is now eligible for an export payment; which further supports the investment.
Since the introduction of the Domestic Solar PV grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply and are forecasting the numbers for 2022 to be more than double the application levels seen in 2021. It is envisaged that applications from businesses will also show strong demand. While the overall level of interest in the grant schemes indicates that the MSS is working well, its operation and effectiveness will be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary.
The final phase of the MSS will involve the introduction of a Clean Export Premium (CEP) feed-in tariff, to support non-domestic applicants for installation sizes greater than 6kWp up to 50kWp. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will consult on an implementation plan for the CEP tariff in 2023.
128. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the European Commission will formally adopt the Territorial Just Transition Plan and the accompanying programme, which will provide essential funding to the midlands. [62472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that have been put in place by his Department to help midland communities transition away from fossil fuels; the amount of funding available and drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61793/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 141 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. [62782/22] of 14 December 2022. The position remains unchanged.
129. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when work on the Celtic interconnector cable will commence. [62460/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Celtic Interconnector is a 575 km electricity interconnector that will connect the Irish and French electricity grids from East Cork to North-West France, and is being jointly developed by EirGrid and French Transmission System Operator, RTÉ (Réseau de Transport d’Électricité). With a capacity of 700MW, the interconnector will be in a position to provide electricity for some 450,000 homes.
The Celtic Interconnector will provide a reliable high-capacity electricity link between Ireland and France that will have significant benefits for electricity consumers in Ireland. The project will see the return of direct electricity interconnection with the remainder of the European internal energy market, leading to expected increased competition and lower wholesale prices in Ireland. It will also enhance security of electricity supply and facilitate increased capacity for renewable energy here via export access to the mainland European markets. A Final Investment Decision for the Celtic Interconnector was reached in November this year, with the final construction and finance contracts subsequently signed by EirGrid and RTÉ on 25 November 2022. Construction is currently scheduled to commence in Spring 2023, with the objective of the interconnector being completed and energized in 2026.
130. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the consultation on private wire direct-line renewables will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62474/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 includes a commitment to review the policy position on the development of private networks/direct lines (Action 115). A consultation paper on policy options for private wires was due to be published in Q1 of this year. Unfortunately, the consultation was delayed. However, work on progressing this matter is ongoing within my Department and officials are currently engaging with parties within industry as part of the consultation formulation process. It is envisaged that the consultation will be published by early next year.
I appreciate that private wires are an issue that is of interest and importance to many stakeholders. Publishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of private wires is a priority for my Department. My officials look forward to engaging with interested stakeholders as they continue to develop this important policy area.
132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date to ensure that areas without mobile phone signals get mobile phone coverage; the discussions that have taken place between his Department and the industry on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis.
Capital investment in network infrastructure over the last 5 years was €3.5 billion for fixed and mobile services enhancing the availability of services, both voice and data, throughout Ireland, including in rural areas. Operators have committed to continued investment programmes in the coming years, estimated to be in the region of €700m per annum. Investment to date in 5G networks has resulted in circa 80% of the population now with access to 5G services.
Obligations in relation to mobile coverage are set out in licences granted by ComReg to the mobile operators and the regulator advises that the current minimum coverage obligations are being considerably exceeded by all operator in relation to mobile coverage.
ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available on their website under coveragemap.comreg.ie) which will help consumers to find the network provider that best meets their needs for where they live, work and travel.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, which was reconvened in December 2021, is delivering on a new three-year work programme to reduce barriers to telecoms infrastructure rollout within the state’s control. Specific actions for delivery in the short, medium and long-term have been identified under three overarching pillars – 1) Planning and Licensing; 2) Improving information and access to Assets and Infrastructure and 3) Improving Consumer Information, Advice and Experience.
134. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the roll-out of high-speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan will reach Kiskeam, County Cork. [62461/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 02 December, 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.
NBI advise there are 81,507 premises in County Cork that will be passed by National Broadband Ireland with high-speed fibre broadband as part of the State Intervention under the National Broadband Plan. To date in Cork over 15,711 premises are passed by the NBP fibre network and available for immediate connection.
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 SCPs. In County Cork 24 BCPs have been installed to date.
In County Cork 85 schools BCPs have been installed to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Kiskeam is located within the Deployment Area (DA) of Rathmore in which the network build is currently in progress. NBI advise that the anticipated date for connection will be between July and September 2023.
135. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the roll-out of broadband in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the progress that will be achieved in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62763/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by NBI that, as of 02 December, 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 in line with, or exceeding, projections.
Over 3,603 premises in County Cavan, and 4,415 in County Monaghan are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and are available for immediate connection.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan and Monaghan through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie.
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. In County Cavan 12 BCPs have been installed to date with 16 in County Monaghan respectively.
In County Cavan 19 schools BCPs have been installed by NBI to date for educational access with 12 in Monaghan. 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/.
The premises passed target for 2023 has yet to be finalised as part of the Final Remedial Plan (FRP).
136. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that his Department plans to support the development of electricity generation by floating offshore wind turbines; the measures that he is putting in place to facilitate this; the associated indicative timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62791/22]
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 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.
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.
137. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the roll-out of National Broadband Plan connections and service in local schools in counties Laois and Offaly; the way that the figures compare to other counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61794/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the intervention area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
Government and NBI have agreed to accelerate the rollout of high-speed broadband to 679 schools across the State. This will ensure that by the middle of 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.
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. In County Laois 9 schools have been installed to date for educational access, with 13 installed in County Offaly. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
138. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the success of the four-day week research project carried out by an organisation (details supplied), University College Dublin and Boston College; and if his Department will provide additional funding for further research in other sectors of the economy to get a holistic understanding of the financial, social and environmental impact of a four-day week across the whole of the economy. [62045/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government welcomed the interim findings of the four-day workweek research project and trial recently announced by the organisation referred to in the Question, UCD and Boston College. T hat trial was nonetheless limited to a small number of participating companies, and further research is required to develop a robust evidence base on this topic.
My Department earlier this year tendered for research which will examine the potential social, economic and environmental implications of a transition to reduced working time, including a four-day workweek. The research will include a focus on impacts such as labour market participation, work-life balance, gender equality and the transition to a low-carbon economy. This research study will be carried out with a view to gathering evidence which will inform any future policy development in this area.
My officials are in the process of finalising the engagement of a research team to undertake the study, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
139. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that he is supporting the production of renewable fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62790/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the climate crisis and the current energy crisis, we must look to accelerate the delivery of renewable electricity, and the delivery of alternative fuels like green hydrogen and biomethane.
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 introduction of this Renewable Heat Obligation by my Department will support and encourage the production of biomethane, and further increase the use of renewable heat.
A project working group to develop the National Biomethane Strategy will be established shortly under the auspices of the new Heat and Built Environment Task Force. This project working group will focus on, among other things, the types of supports that will be necessary to reach the target.
In July of this year, my Department launched a public consultation on a Hydrogen Strategy for Ireland. The consultation document set out key questions to be responded to, including a number of questions specifically on incentives and supports for the development and deployment of green hydrogen in Ireland.
A substantial number of responses to the consultation have been received and analysis is currently underway with a view to finalising the strategy as soon as possible.
140. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that the timeline in the processing and approval of applications for grant aid for retrofitting of private homes is reduced substantially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that the total number of homes completed for all residential and community energy schemes (including Solar PV) to end of November is 22,880, a 69% increase on the same period last year.
Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, the average cycle time from application to completion is 27.5 months. In recent years, cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, deeper measures have been provided under the Scheme since 2018 which involve more substantive works and therefore take longer to complete. This is evident from the average cost of works provided under the Scheme which has increased from less than €3,450 in 2017 to €18,750 this year.
Progress is being made to address wait times with the latest SEAI data showing that, since June, home completions are meeting the 400 homes per month target, an increase from 177 last year. I want to see even higher output and reduced waiting times and I have asked the SEAI to redouble its efforts on this key Scheme and am providing every support I can to that end. A budget of €148.5 million has been allocated for the Scheme next year with a target of achieving 6,000 fully funded upgrades.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme and Solar PV Scheme are demand-led schemes which require homeowners to procure their own contractor following grant approval from SEAI. This approval process is instantaneous once all requirements for the SEAI grant application portal are met by applicants. Works must be completed within an 8-month period, starting from the date of grant approval.
Under the National Home Energy Home Upgrade Scheme and Community Energy Grant Scheme, homeowners engage a registered One Stop Shop or Project Co-ordinator, respectively, to manage the grant application process and oversee delivery of the retrofit on their behalf. Works must be completed under these schemes within 12 months.
142. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on introducing a moratorium on new data centre connections in the context of energy security and carbon emissions targets. [62759/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s decision on Sectoral Emissions Ceilings means we must reduce electricity emissions to approximately 3 MtCO2eq per annum by 2030 for the electricity sector, the steepest decline of all sectors of the economy. The targets are particularly challenging because of increasing electricity demand, including demand from data centres, and also the electrification of heat and transport.
Our principal tools to ensure our emissions are on track is to use renewable electricity to power our grid and to ensure demand growth is sustainable, flexible and consistent with the legally binding ceiling.
We are already producing over 40% of our electricity from renewable sources and we need to increase this to 80% by 2030 to meet our sectoral emission ceilings.
The CRU have determined in their November 2021 Direction that new data centre connections offers must be based on them having adequate onsite dispatchable generation and or storage as back-up.
In July of this year Government published a ‘new Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy’. The Statement addresses sustainable data centre development to align with Ireland’s renewable energy targets, security of supply, sectoral emissions and climate priorities. The policy is clear that ‘Islanded’ data centre developments, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy.
The forthcoming Climate Action Plan will set out a comprehensive pathway for the decarbonisation of our electricity sector in line with the sectoral emission ceilings.
144. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the progress of the implementation of the local Digital Strategy in each county as detailed under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I do not have a direct role with respect to Local Digital Strategies, the deployment of high-speed fibre broadband networks under the National broadband Plan and through investment by commercial operators, will bring many new opportunities to communities to more fully participate in the Digital economy. Local Digital Strategies will bring a focus to how these fibre networks can be leveraged to the benefit of local communities. My Department has been advised by the Department of Rural and Community Development that 21 of the 31 Local Authorities have published their Local Digital Strategies and it I understand that it is expected that the remaining 10 will have an updated strategy published during the course of 2023.
