Written Answers Nos. 86-102
86. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the required establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to ensure the enforcement of the new air-quality regulations across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9536/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action his Department is taking to assist SMEs to reduce carbon emissions in 2023; if further financial supports to assist SMEs is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9776/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment has responsibility for the sectoral emissions ceilings for both industry and commercial buildings. My Department, through schemes administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), provides various supports to enterprises, which can assist the sectors (including SMEs) in increasing their energy efficiency and lowering their carbon emissions. A summary of the existing support schemes administered by SEAI is set out in the table below. There has been a high uptake by SMEs, in particular, of the community energy grants and the support scheme for energy audits.
|
SEAI Scheme |
Description |
Budget 2023 |
|
Community Energy Grant |
Grant support for cross-sectoral projects, including homes and non-domestic applicants. Typically 60% of funding is for the non-domestic sector. |
€68,000,000 |
|
Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) |
Supports SMEs (€2,000 voucher) to carry out professional energy audits, thus encouraging implementation of energy saving measures identified. |
€2,180,000 |
|
Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) |
SEAI assists the companies on energy improvements. Best practice guidance is shared among LIEN members on how to manage energy performance. |
€717,000 |
|
Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) |
A certified program for a systematic energy efficient approach to design, construction, and commissioning new investments and upgrades at the earliest stages of the business life cycle. |
€7,500,000 |
|
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) |
A grant (of up to 30%) to support investment in renewable heating systems using heat pumps. An operational support tariff over 15 years for new installations or installations that currently use a fossil fuel heating system and convert to using biomass or anaerobic digestion heating systems. |
€3,940,000 (€3.5m current and €440,000 current (grant)) |
|
Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme |
Provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to a maximum of €2,400 for installations of up to 6kWp. |
€2,200,000 (€200,000 current and €2m capital) |
|
Energy Academy |
Online resource -access to high quality energy training |
€100,000 |
The Schemes are kept under regular review to ensure their effectiveness. There is a clear imperative for the commercial and industry sectors, including SMEs, to accelerate activity to reduce carbon emissions and in that context there is active consideration of whether further financial supports from SEAI to assist SMS are needed.
There are a broader range of enterprise supports (funded from a variety of sources) available to assist businesses. Further information on the broader supports can be found on the “Climate Toolkit for Business” website www.climatetoolkit4business.gov.ie/next-steps-and-further-information/.
88. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rate of taxation the Government plans to set above the minimum rate of 33% outlined in the Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854, in relation to the windfall tax that will be applied to 2022 profits of fossil fuel production companies; if consideration will be given to ring-fencing a portion of the revenue for the local communities most impacted by the Corrib gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9880/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a windfall tax will be applied to the 2022 profits of electricity companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9879/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 109 together.
On 22 November, 2022, the Government approved the introduction of measures to address windfall gains in the energy sector through the implementation of Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices.
The Government approved the placing of a cap on market revenues in the electricity sector which will operate from December 2022 to June 2023.
The Government has also approved the implementation of the temporary solidarity contribution which will apply to fossil fuel production and refining for the years 2022 and 2023. Taxable profits which are more than 20% above the baseline period from 2018 to 2021 will be subject to the temporary solidarity contribution at a rate of 75%.
While the Government has not yet determined how best to distribute the proceeds collected from the cap on market revenues and temporary solidarity contribution, these proceeds must be used in line with the requirements of the Council Regulation. These requirements, including the need to be non-discriminatory, are unlikely to allow the proceeds to be allocated only to a specific area of the country.
My Department is currently developing the legislation required to implement the cap on market revenues and the temporary solidarity contribution.
89. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 8 November 2022, the details of any engagement he has had since November 2022 with Galway City and County Councils with regard to supporting and promoting efforts at local government level on climate action; the details of any engagement he has had since November 2022 with the Atlantic Seaboard North CARO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9836/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action. It sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan within 12 months from when I formally issue a request to the sector to begin the preparation of such plans. I will issue this request shortly.
In order to increase the capacity of Local Authorities to support the preparation and delivery of the local Climate Action Plans, I allocated €3.5m in 2022 to support the Local Authorities to secure staffing resources. My Department issued a letter to the Chief Executive of each Local Authority, including Galway City and Galway County Councils, on the 26 October 2022 informing them of the provision of these resources. I will be writing shortly to all Local Authorities informing them of their 2023 allocation.
Beyond this, I have had no direct engagement with Galway City or Galway County Councils in relation to supporting and promoting efforts at Local Government level on climate action.
My Department continues to support and work with the four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) on a regular basis, in particular through participation in the National Local Authority Climate Action Steering Group and the CARO Management Group.
The CAROs work with Local Authorities to coordinate, facilitate and monitor implementation of local climate actions undertaken under existing local Adaptation Strategies and the Climate Charter, and assist in the preparation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plans.
90. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the number of retrofits in 2022; the measures being taken to ensure an increase in take-up in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9947/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan includes a target to reduce emissions from the residential sector by retrofitting the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a building energy rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by the end of 2030.
In February last year, the Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The key measures introduced include:
- a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard.
- establishment of a network of One Stop Shops offering a start-to-finish project management service for home energy upgrades.
- aligning many of the grant supports available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme with the NHEUS rates.
- a special enhanced grant rate of 80% for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households in recognition of the importance of high-impact shallow measures.
Demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes was exceptionally high in 2022 as the figures below highlight:
- 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported compared to 15,246 in 2021 - a 79% increase year-on year.
- Of these, 8,481 upgrades were to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better, compared to 4,345 in 2021 - a 95% increase year-on-year.
- Of the overall figure, 4,438 free energy upgrades were delivered under SEAI energy poverty schemes, compared to 2,398 in 2021 - a 85% increase year-on-year.
- Over 50,000 applications received in 2022 which is up 150% on 2021 levels and points to a robust pipeline of activity for 2023.
My Department is working with SEAI to build on this strong performance. A target of 37,000 retrofits has been set for 2023, and a record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI this year for residential and community retrofit to support the achievement of this target.
92. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has concerns surrounding the ability of an organisation (details supplied) to carry out its functions effectively following the removal of current board members on a no-fault basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9950/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have appointed Mr. Tom Barry and Mr. Seamus Neely under Section 18(5) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 to perform the functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) pending the appointment of a new, full Board through the statutory appointments process, with the support of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
This ensures that IFI is in a position to continue to perform its functions effectively.
I intend to appoint new members of IFI, in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, as soon as possible.
93. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the work carried out by the District Heating Steering Group to date; the number of times it has met; when it will complete its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9866/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for the expansion of district heating in Ireland, including the establishment of a steering group to oversee the roll-out of district heating and ensure that a robust governance framework is put in place; if these actions will give consumer protection particularly for residents of apartments who are reliant on this form of heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9849/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 145 together.
The District Heating Steering Group was established further to the 2021 Climate Action Plan to coordinate the roll-out of policies and measures to support the expansion of district heating in Ireland. The Steering Group is led by my Department and includes officials of a range of Government organisations with a wide range of relevant expertise in the sector. The Steering Group met on ten occasions in 2022 and undertook an examination of the necessary actions to facilitate the roll out of district heating in the context of ambitious targets for the sector as outlined in the 2021 and 2023 Climate Action Plans.
The work of the Steering Group has centred on the key thematic areas that are integral to the development of the sector: finance, regulation, planning, and research. Working Groups were formed to conduct detailed analysis of these issues. The Steering Group Report is being finalised with a view to submission to Government shortly.
District heating schemes are large-scale systems that are supplied by one or several centralised or decentralised heat sources and serve multiple buildings and multiple customers. Group, or communal, heating schemes are smaller-scale systems that already supply single buildings or complexes. End users in group or communal heating schemes are supplied with heat rather than fuel and the heat supplier in these schemes purchases the fuel at commercial rates, primarily natural gas.
My Department is currently liaising with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to ensure the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for district heating, which the Government plans to facilitate at scale in Ireland, to include regulation of group heating schemes. The statutory functions of the CRU in relation to regulation of district heating are contained in SI 350 of 2022 and SI 630 of 2022.
94. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the way his Department is supporting the development of offshore floating wind power generation; his ambitions for same, including timescales for the stages of development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9926/23]
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 and made a commitment to develop at least 30GW floating wind beyond 2030.
In addition, in 2022, 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 floating energy and hydrogen industry.
The Government is delivering on our climate and energy ambitions for offshore wind energy through a number of phased developments. The Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II (OREDPII), which is now open for public consultation, is one of the building blocks for developing the enduring regime for offshore renewable energy. This is the long-term vision for how the State will develop on our significant renewable energy potential to deliver benefits for all beyond the immediate 2030 targets. The OREDP II sets out the spatial strategy as to how we will go about identifying the best locations for renewable energy technologies. This includes the potential for floating wind energy in our deeper waters. The maritime area is a shared space and so identification of these areas will be carried out in consultation with all maritime stakeholders.
Other elements of work underway will also inform the development of policy for the enduring or long-term regime for offshore renewable energy. This includes the development of Hydrogen Policy, Interconnector Policy and economic assessments, which are all in development. A draft policy on the Enduring Regime will be ready for consultation by the end of the year.
95. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to reports that the 2021 annual accounts of an organisation (details supplied) has not been presented to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9951/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) submitted its draft 2021 Financial Statements to the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) on 31 March 2022 in accordance with Section 46(3) and (5) of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010.
I understand that the C&AG has not yet finalised the Audit Report on the 2021 Financial Statements and is engaging further with the organisation on this matter.
96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on measures he is taking to ensure sufficient electricity generation capacity for the remaining months of 2023; the estimated capacity and headroom that will be on the system for winter 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9980/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator, and my Department. The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters.
The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures. These actions include: procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid-scale batteries; and improved demand side measures.
Margins are expected to remain tight throughout this year. The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this and next winter and lower peak demand during these periods.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
97. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received a review of the North-South Interconnector; when it will be published; and if he will commission a full independent assessment of the potential undergrounding of the project. [9965/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new North-South Interconnector, which will allow for the flow of 900 MW electricity between Ireland and Northern Ireland, will be critical for improving the operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM). It will also help to facilitate the achievement of the goal of generating up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland's economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.
The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently, the key finding from the International Expert Commission's report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this critical electricity infrastructure.
Notwithstanding this, it was deemed appropriate to carry out a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remained valid. Having requested tenders from a number of grid experts across Europe, two international experts were selected to carry out the study. When the report is finalised and considered by Government, publication will follow in due course.
98. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to tackle the use of the so-called dirty fuels across the country. [9945/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 31 October 2022 I introduced new regulations on the sale of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland. They introduced minimum standards that apply across all solid fuels, to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives.
My Department has engaged extensively and continues to engage with all Local Authorities with regard to enforcement of the new regulations, developing guidance and training, and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities. A workshop for Local Authorities was held last October, in advance of the regulations taking effect, and a further workshop is to take place in March. In addition, a detailed guidance document on enforcement of the new regulations has been developed and circulated to all Local Authorities, and further training will be provided later this year.
I have also made grant funding available to support Local Authorities through a Solid Fuels Enforcement Pilot Scheme to support innovation and enhanced enforcement of the new regulations. We will continue to work with the sector in the coming months to provide further co-ordination and support as appropriate.
99. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan is on track to reach the forecast of 95% of premises having access to high-speed broadband by 2025. [9861/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by NBI that, as of 17 February 2023, over 129,400 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 118,600 premises passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection.
National Broadband Ireland had a target of 102,000 premises to be passed by the end of January and this target was exceeded. NBI is on track to meet or exceed its 2023 cumulative target of 185,000 premises passed. NBI remains confident that it can complete the network build within the 7 year contracted period.
The 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 Digital Connectivity Strategy which is a sub-Strategy of the NDS was published on 9th December 2022. Its ambition is to make connectivity available to everyone, including through the National Broadband Plan, Remote Working Hubs and Broadband Connection Points, with a target of having all Irish households and businesses covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G no later than 2030.
NBI have created 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: nbi.ie/reps.
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 17 February 2023, 864 SCP sites (282 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 582 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/
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/.
100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 8 November 2022, the status of the heat and built environment delivery task force; if the task force has met to date; the membership of the task force; the terms of reference of the task force; if minutes are taken in respect of meetings of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9838/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra101. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of homes that were deep retrofitted in 2021 and 2022; and the total number of homes that installed a heat pump in 2021 and 2022. [9859/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan includes a target to reduce emissions from the residential sector by retrofitting the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a building energy rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and installing 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by the end of 2030.
In February last year, the Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. The key measures introduced include:
- a new National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) providing increased grant levels of up to 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 BER standard.
- establishment of a network of One Stop Shops offering a start-to-finish project management service for home energy upgrades.
- aligning many of the grant supports available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme with the NHEUS rates.
- a special enhanced grant rate of 80% for attic and cavity wall insulation for all households in recognition of the importance of high-impact shallow measures.
- grants of up to €10,500 to support the installation of a heat pump with emitters such as radiators.
Demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes was exceptionally high in 2022 as the figures below highlight:
- 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported compared to 15,246 in 2021 - a 79% increase year-on year.
- Of these, 8,481 upgrades were to a post works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 or better, compared to 4,345 in 2021 - a 95% increase year-on-year.
- Of the overall figure, 4,438 free energy upgrades were delivered under SEAI energy poverty schemes, compared to 2,398 in 2021 - a 85% increase year-on-year.
- 2,269 heat pumps were installed in 2022, compared to 1,972 in 2021 - a 15% increase year-on-year.
- Over 50,000 applications received in 2022 which is up 150% on 2021 levels and points to a robust pipeline of activity for 2023.
My Department is working with SEAI to build on this strong performance. A target of 37,000 retrofits has been set for 2023, and a record €356 million capital funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit to support the achievement of this target.
102. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on his latest announcement regarding a new low-cost State loan to retrofit homes; the expected uptake of this loan in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9940/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund to develop a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme. The scheme is part of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and will be co-funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and Exchequer funding. It will also be backed by a counter guarantee provided by the EIB Group.
The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme and will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords making comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers.
Further, it will signal to the banking sector, new sustainable business opportunities associated with retrofit and the transition to a low carbon economy as well as increasing the volume of retrofit activity within the State.
Regarding potential uptake of the loan, detailed research undertaken by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland indicates a significant level of interest by homeowners, and it is anticipated that the scheme will provide a lending portfolio of up to €500 million.
Significant progress has been made to date, with two open calls for expressions of interest to participate in the scheme completed, and a number of banks and credit unions submitting formal expressions of interest.
The development of this innovative scheme is a complex process involving several stakeholders. Intensive engagement to develop the scheme is ongoing and there has been extensive due diligence between the EIB Group and the Irish banking and credit union sector. All stakeholders are committed to finalising the project and it is expected that the loan guarantee will be in place in the coming months.
