Written Answers Nos. 162-183
162. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify when the Annex of Actions to the Climate Action Plan 2023 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10872/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the implementation plan for the Climate Action Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10881/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.
The Annex of Actions for Climate Action Plan 2023 contains additional and supplementary detail regarding the actions identified in the Plan to support the delivery of Ireland's climate goals and emissions reduction targets. This includes steps to support delivery, timelines, outputs, action leads, and other stakeholders.
The Annex will facilitate the implementation of the 2023 Climate Action Plan by supporting the reporting and monitoring processes that will track the Government's progress in delivering the actions set out in the Plan.
Following an extensive cross-Government engagement process, it is expected that the Annex will go to Government for approval shortly, and will be published as soon as possible thereafter.
164. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes on an annual basis from 2015 to 2022; if he will provide a breakdown of works undertaken under those schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra165. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of live applications for the better energy warmer homes scheme; the average waiting time for an application to be assessed, both countrywide and by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10883/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications for the SEAI warmer homes grant; the current average length of time persons are waiting for SEAI warmer homes grant works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10886/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 165 and 168 together.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (WHS) delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty.
There are currently over 12,000 homes on the Warmer Homes Scheme work programme. Over 9,900 applications were received in 2022 and a further 2,000 have already been received in 2023 to end February. This includes homes that are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; have completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting the initial survey of their home.
For homes completed in 2022 the average time from application to completion was 26 months. This was an improvement of 1 month on the average waiting time for homes completed in 2021. The monthly target of an average of 400 completions has been met since June 2022. For 2023, an unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme which will deliver 6,000 additional home upgrades.
The table below shows the number of homes completed and the average cost per home since 2015. As is evident from the table, spending under this scheme has ramped up significantly in recent years. The investment per home is providing a deeper upgrade and a significant improvement in energy performance. As such, it is of much more benefit to the homeowner.
|
Year |
Homes upgraded |
Average cost per home |
|
2015 |
6,645 |
€2,600 |
|
2016 |
6,839 |
€3,000 |
|
2017 |
6,549 |
€3,450 |
|
2018 |
5,218 |
€6,757 |
|
2019 |
3,138 |
€12,671 |
|
2020 |
1,510 |
€15,350 |
|
2021 |
2,123 |
€17,100 |
|
2022 |
4,438* |
€22,000 |
*Includes homes completed as close out of Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme.
166. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes upgraded to BER B2 under SEAI retrofitting schemes on an annual basis from 2015 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10884/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed on an annual basis from 2015 to 2022 in existing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10885/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a number of schemes in place to support homeowners to upgrade their properties. Since 2000, these schemes have supported over 490,000 homeowners to upgrade their homes to some extent, representing nearly one home in four across the country. The vast majority of these upgrades were “shallow” upgrades, typically comprising one or two measures.
In February 2022, Government launched a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. 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 (up from 30%-35% grants in 2021)
- establishment of a network of One Stop Shops offering a start-to-finish project management service for the NHEUS, including access to financing, for home energy upgrades.
- aligning many of the grant supports available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme to the NHEUS.
- amending the construction rule for grant support for installation of heat pumps to allow for homes built and occupied before 2021.
- a significant increase in grant support for the instalment of an air to water heat pump from €3,500 to up to €6,500 as well as provision of a bonus payment of €2,000 to homeowners undertaking a deep retrofit with a heat pump under the NHEUS or the Community Energy Grant Scheme.
Demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes was exceptionally high in 2022 and as the figures below highlight, there was an increase when compared to 2021 levels:
- 27,200 home energy upgrades were supported in 2022, compared to 15,246 in 2021, representing a 79% increase year-on year.
- Of these, 4,438 free energy upgrades were delivered under SEAI energy poverty schemes, compared to 2,398 in 2021, representing an 85% increase year-on-year.
- Over 50,000 applications were received in 2022 which is up 150% on 2021 levels and points to the pipeline of activity for 2023.
Based on data available to my Department, the table below shows the number of SEAI supported retrofits to a BER of B2 or better and the number of heat pump installations supported by SEAI between 2017-2022.
|
- |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
SEAI supported retrofits to BER B2 or better |
3 |
214 |
2,360 |
3,129 |
4,345 |
8,481 |
|
SEAI supported heat pump installations |
1,200 |
1,640 |
1,972 |
2,269 |
It is important to note that local authority retrofits and heat pump installations are in addition to the figures provided here. Furthermore, figures for B2 retrofits in 2017 and 2018 supplied in the table above relate only to the Deep Retrofit Programme. Data in relation to any B2 retrofits under other SEAI supported schemes for those years is not available.
My Department is working with SEAI to build on the strong performance of 2022. A record €356 million in funding has been allocated to SEAI for residential and community retrofit for 2023 to support the delivery of 37,000 retrofits this year.
169. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the low-interest loans to enable homes to retrofit will be available; the number of grant applications awaiting the finalisation of this rate before progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10887/23]
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.
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. It is anticipated that the scheme will provide a lending portfolio of up to €500 million when it is finalised.
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.
As the specific features of the loan guarantee scheme are still under development there are currently no grant applications awaiting finalisation of the scheme. Detailed research undertaken by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland indicates a significant level of interest in the availability of the loan by homeowners and following roll out of the scheme all related grant applications will be progressed accordingly.
170. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have applied for SEAI solar grants; the number of homes that have been approved for solar for each year since its inception, up to and including 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10888/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was approved by Government in December 2021, in order to support Ireland’s ambitious targets for micro-generation installations, under the Climate Action Plan. The MSS provides supports to both domestic and non-domestic applicants, in the form of grants which are available through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to a maximum of €2,400. Prior to the introduction of the MSS, the SEAI had been operating a "pilot" Solar PV grant scheme since 2018. To date SEAI has received over 34,000 applications in total for solar PV grants, supporting over 19,000 homes during this time. In 2022 alone, the SEAI provided €24.4m in grants towards the installation of 46.5 MW of Solar PV capacity. A breakdown of the number of homes that have applied and have been approved for SEAI Domestic solar PV grants for each year since its inception is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of Applications |
|
2018 |
249 |
|
2019 |
3,676 |
|
2020 |
3,609 |
|
2021 |
7,084 |
|
2022 |
16,819 |
|
2023 |
2,950 |
|
Total |
34,387 |
171. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the development of the small-scale generation support scheme; the policy measures that will be included in this proposal; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10889/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2023 commits to the development of a Small-Scale Generation Scheme (SSGS) to support non-domestic renewable electricity generators above 50kW, but smaller than those supported under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms, public buildings, and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
The scheme proposes to support applicants, including renewables self-consumers, to install renewable electricity generators up to 1MW, with 100% Renewable Energy Community (REC) projects to be supported up to 6MW.
Through my Department’s continued engagement with RECs, there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based nature of RESS. The SSGS is not anticipated to include an auction process and is therefore expected to offer a simpler route to market for community projects and boost community participation in the Government’s renewable energy ambition.
Following a consultation process on the high-level design of the SSGS undertaken in Autumn 2022, my Department is progressing the scheme design and I expect to launch the SSGS later this year.
172. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of State contracts awarded in the past ten years for the provision of broadband and telecommunications projects; the value of each contract and the name of the successful bidder; the details of the level of Government oversight in each project; if this oversight extended to main subcontractors involved in delivering each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2019, my Department signed a contract with National Broadband Ireland, in respect of the National Broadband Plan State intervention.
Name of Project: National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention contract in respect of the rollout of the high-speed broadband network under the State intervention.
Value of the contract: Maximum possible cost to the State will be €2.7 Billion over 25 years
Name of the successful bidder: National Broadband Ireland (NBI). 3009 Lake Drive, Citywest, D24 H6RR
To protect the State's investment and ensure that the NBP milestones and deliverables are met, the contract has been designed to include extensive protections, quality checks, together with comprehensive reporting and monitoring obligations.
My Department, as the contracting authority, manages all of the elements of contract governance. My Department has a core team of civil servants and seconded experts, which is augmented by specialist external services to effectively manage the contract. These include technical, commercial advisory, business process and legal services.
A governance structure has been established within my Department to monitor contract compliance and includes the NBP Senior Management Team and a number of NBI Engagement Groups.
173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will arrange for the appropriate official within the Department to make contact with a school (details supplied) to organise a discussion on greenwashing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11023/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department leads out on a number of policy initiatives which aim to address the challenge of greenwashing.
A central pillar of the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) is increasing awareness of climate change based on evidence and promoting climate literacy and improving people’s capacity to act.
€230,000 is provided in annual funding to An Taisce to run the Green-Schools Programme which operates in over 94% of schools nationwide and promotes climate literacy from a young age in a engaging and interactive way, as well as providing participants with practical tools to make changes in their daily lives and involve them in delivering solutions in their communities.
At the centre of the Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy is the ambition to raise awareness among households, businesses and individuals about the circular economy and how it can improve their lives, and the provision of supports to businesses and enterprises to become more sustainable.
An official from my Department would be happy to accept the invitation to engage on these policy areas and will contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.
174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if houses that have outer leaf repairs carried out under the Mica redress scheme will qualify for SEAI home energy efficiency schemes grants, if it is the case they are prohibited from applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11029/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Government decision of the 30 November 2021 to significantly enhance the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, the Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June, 2022. The Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23 July, 2022. The Act provides “for the payment of grants for the remediation of certain dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in their construction”.
The FAQ on the Enhanced Grant scheme published in October 2022 states that “Work is underway with SEAI to ensure as seamless as possible entry for DCB homeowners to existing SEAI grant schemes.”
In this regard, officials from my Department are working with the SEAI, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and local authorities to ensure that DCB Scheme homeowners can also access SEAI supports in a streamlined and seamless manner.
It is anticipated that proposals resulting from this process will be finalised shortly.
175. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a service operated by a company that previously worked in collaboration with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to reports that users of the service who do not wish to continue with a new paid, private subscription have requested their original heating controls be reinstated, but have been refused this by the company; and if he will outline the options open to them to pursue a satisfactory resolution. [11098/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS), places legal obligations on large energy companies (‘obligated parties’) to deliver energy savings. The SEAI administer this scheme. Obligated parties may choose to obtain energy savings from several sources, while ensuring that in doing so the energy savings they deliver, or obtain to report against their targets, meet all of the requirements in place, including those set at EU level.
It is my understanding that some obligated parties under the EEOS have engaged with the service provider referred to by the Deputy to deliver energy savings against their targets in the past. However, neither SEAI nor my Department has any involvement in the commercial agreements and arrangements that obligated parties enter into with third party service providers in delivering their targets under the EEOS. Furthermore, neither SEAI nor my Department has any involvement in the contractual agreements in place between homeowners and private service providers.
176. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the current contract for the provision of handling emergency calls services is due to expire; and the amount his Department spent on this service in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [11216/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) is currently operated by BT Communications Ireland limited and the current contract is due to expire in November 2025.
The ECAS is funded entirely through the Call Handling Fee. This is a fee payable by the presenting telephone network operator and/or the telephone call service provider whenever a customer on their network calls the ECAS. My Department had no expenditure on the ECAS service in 2022 and 2023.
177. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what work has been done by his Department to ensure that those whose principal private residence is a mobile home on a shared services site will get the Government energy credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11248/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices has had on households and has prioritised action across Government to support people to stay warm and well through this winter. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). The first two payments have already been made to accounts and the third is being credited by suppliers to accounts from 1 March. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion. The payments apply to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process. Despite this advantage, the scheme does have limitations. While one credit is applied per domestic MPRN, there are cohorts such as households on commercial connections, that did not receive the payment. Officials from my Department are examining this matter to determine if a solution can be developed. Any customer that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, including customers on a Pay As You Go meter who have a need for financial assistance to facilitate their continued energy supply. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses. The Energy Poverty Action Plan provides for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023, including people on PAYG meters. Officials from my Department are working with colleagues from other relevant Departments to get this fund up and running. The fund will provide a further safeguard in addition to the supports from suppliers and the Additional Needs Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is also available to provide budgeting advice and advocacy support.
178. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of single-journey plane flights he has taken in each year in his duties as a Minister and a Deputy since the foundation of the Government; and if he will provide details of the destination for each flight. [11257/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in the Question is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
179. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department supports the use of gender-neutral pronouns in the drafting of legislation or policies initiated by or originating in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11269/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan. My Department remains committed to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination, and in providing an inclusive work environment. As part of the ongoing development of the Department's organisation, people and culture, an equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and action plan is currently being developed for implementation later this year.
180. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends to develop energy independence through policy measures and empower local communities in towns and villages across the country to develop local grids through solar farms or wind turbines that can supply households and reduce their exposure to energy hikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11288/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra181. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends to develop large-scale strategic renewable energy projects that will benefit local communities and people in the area and be reflected in their household bills; the potential of renewable energy projects in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11289/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Government has set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030. Increasing the share of indigenous renewable electricity on the network is a key factor in ensuring the security of supply and insulating consumers from the volatility of fossil fuel markets.
In order to increase wind and solar generation on the grid, my Department is delivering a regular programme of auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). The RESS supports communities in a variety of ways including through a separate category for community projects and a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme.
The first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 1) was held in 2020 and as a result of that pathway being provided for renewable developers, 2022 was a record year for the connection of renewable electricity capacity to the grid. More RESS 1 projects are expected to connect to the grid throughout 2023. The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held in 2022, with the successful projects in that auction representing a nearly 20% increase on current renewable electricity generation capacity. Projects from RESS 2 will start to connect to the grid between the end of this year and 2025.
Officials in my Department are currently working on progressing the next two RESS auctions, RESS 3 for onshore renewables, and ORESS 1 (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) for offshore wind, with both expected to be held later this year.
Community participation is a key aspect of the Government's renewable energy ambitions. Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the competitive, auction based schemes. To simplify and boost community participation in the energy transition, consideration is being given to providing support for eligible community projects through the Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSGS) which is due to be launched later this year. The SSGS is not anticipated to include an auction process and is expected to provided a simpler and more sustainable support for community participation.
Finally, my Department does not hold information in relation to the potential for renewable energy projects in individual counties. I would direct the Deputy towards individual County Development Plans, where more information in that regard may be found.
182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is the case that the windfall tax on electricity companies operating here will apply only from 1 December 2022 to 30 June 2023; if there is provision in the Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 to apply the tax retrospectively to account for the super-normal profits prior to that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11366/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a specific timeline for the introduction of a windfall tax on the extraordinary profits of energy companies; what he expects the tax to raise in its first 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11261/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 185 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.
This includes the introduction of a temporary solidarity contribution which will apply to the fossil fuel production and refining sectors for the years 2022 and 2023.
It also includes a cap on market revenues in the electricity sector which will apply for the period December 2022 to June 2023. The Council Regulation does not provide scope to extend the cap on market revenues prior to this period.
It is estimated that the two measures will result in proceeds of between €280 and $600 million being collected. The majority of these proceeds are expected to be collected in 2023. It should be noted that the level of proceeds collected from these measures will be dependent on many variables, such as the cost of wholesale gas over the coming months.
My Department is currently developing the legislation required to implement the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues. A general scheme of a bill is expected to be brought to Government for approval in the coming weeks.
183. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the area of land covered by gorse and heather and so on that has been burned nationwide; how many tonnes of CO2 have been released into the atmosphere from the period 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023; if this CO2 is included in agriculture emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11399/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question. The burning of vegetation, such as gorse and heather, is governed by the Wildlife Act which is a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
