Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of WTE and THE staff, by grade, in the SEAI, in tabular form. [54989/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 December 2023
Ceisteanna (149, 153, 155, 157, 158, 165)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the SEAI with climate action expertise; if there are plans to recruit more; and the average cost per WTE and HTE per grade, in tabular form. [55005/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff in the SEAI dedicated to supporting the generation of community renewable energy; the total cost per post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55008/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan of the SEAI; the total number of positions that have been filled per grade in 2023; the total number that remain outstanding per grade; when he expects these positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55010/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the workforce plan for the SEAI in relation to its mandated role to provide support to renewable energy communities; the total staffing costs per grade; the estimated cost to double this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55011/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDarren O'Rourke
Ceist:165. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report the workforce plan at SEAI; the staffing costs at the SEAI; the staffing levels; the full year cost to recruit one WTE per staffing level; and the full year cost to recruit one HTE per staffing level. [55028/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 153, 155, 157, 158 and 165 together.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established under the Sustainable Energy Act of 2002. The Authority is a body corporate with functions and responsibilities as set out under Section 6 of the Act, which include inter alia promoting and assisting;
• environmentally and economically sustainable production, supply and use of energy,
• energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy,
• the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
• minimising of the impact on the environment of the production, supply and use of energy,
• research, development, and demonstration of relevant technologies.
The SEAI also has a role to provide advice, information and guidance to the Minister, Government Departments and agencies, energy suppliers, and energy users.
SEAI is funded by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Transport. In 2023 the Agency’s total budget allocation is just under €600 million.
SEAI is key to informing, supporting, implementing, and delivering Government energy policy and the Climate Action Plan. The programmes administered by SEAI have a major impact on the Irish economy through home and community energy upgrades, business supports, research and innovation funding, and Electric Vehicle (EV) grants. SEAI has also been designated as the National Retrofit Delivery Body. In this role, the SEAI act as the lead agency in driving the delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit targets.
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides the front-end customer service.
SEAI continue to enhance their staffing levels consistent with the scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced in recent years under the Climate Acton Plan and National Retrofit Plan. It is anticipated that the funding provided to the SEAI will bring staff levels close to 235 by the end of 2023, in line with their Workforce Plan 2021-2023.
A new workforce plan was submitted by SEAI to my Department in June 2023. This is currently under consideration by my Department .
In relation to the specific questions raised by the Deputy in relation to staffing numbers and recruitment, this is an operational matter for the SEAI. I have asked the SEAI to respond directly to the Deputy to provide the specific data sought as soon as possible.
Additionally, SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie
Question No. 150 answered with Question No. 146.