Written Answers Nos. 91-131
91. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the effects of lightning on wind turbines has been investigated; if in particular sulphur hexafluoride can escape into the atmosphere if a turbine is struck by lightning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37726/23]
View answerSulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) is a gas which is used globally as an insulate throughout the electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems, including in switchgear equipment in some wind turbines.
In Ireland, wind turbines are governed under the 2008 European Communities (Machinery) Regulations (S.I. No. 407/2008) and the Health and Safety Authority ensures compliance of products with harmonised EU requirements.
The use of fluorinated greenhouse gases, including the use of Sulphur Hexafluoride in electrical switchgear, is governed at EU level by Regulation (EU) No 517/2014. A proposed updated version of this regulation is currently in negotiation at EU level and is being progressed through the European Parliament.
92. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he is in a position to sign off on an agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37810/23]
View answer108. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what progress has been made on signing off on the promised pension increases for An Post workers; if he can clarify the timeframe for this, given the length of time retired workers have been waiting to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38105/23]
View answer114. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update in relation to the payment of pension increases due to postal workers since January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38157/23]
View answer146. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the proposed pay and pension increases for An Post workers; when these payments will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38592/23]
View answer167. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the arrears in pension payments for former employees of An Post, following a recent Labour Court decision; his plans to expedite this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38869/23]
View answer192. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications pursuant to a Labour Court Recommendation (details supplied), for a status update on the process to increase pensions in payment to all pensioners in the An Post Superannuation Scheme; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39218/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 108, 114, 146, 167 and 192 together.
In relation to the payment of proposed increases to An Post Pensioners, I received a recommendation from my officials on 25 August and granted my consent on 28 August to the payment of an increase of 2% to the An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2023 and to the payment of separate increase of 5% effective from 1 January 2022 and 1% effective from 1 July 2023 in line with a Labour Court Recommendation.
The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 8 September 2023. An Post has been made aware that consent has now been granted.
93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department have considered introducing an obligation on existing data centres to use the excess heat produced for local district heating systems. [37816/23]
View answer94. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department have considered introducing obligations on new data centres to build heat export ability at the time of construction to supply district heating to local communities. [37817/23]
View answer95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of excess heat being produced by data centres; and the percentage of excess heat being used in district heating systems. [37818/23]
View answer105. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will put in place a plan to use the excess heat generated from data centres in Clonshaugh to heat homes in the area through district heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38007/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 94, 95 and 105 together.
District heating is a proven technology that can help decarbonise the built environment, diversify fuel sources for heat, and improve quality of life. A key principle underpinning the drive to expand the use of district heating is to promote the development of systems that incorporate suitable renewable energy and waste heat sources.
The use of waste heat from data centres offers the potential to provide low carbon heat for district heating schemes, as evidenced by the Tallaght District Heating Scheme (TDHS) which is the first large-scale district heating network of its kind in Ireland. The TDHS uses waste heat from a data centre to heat public sector buildings. When fully operational the scheme will provide low carbon heat to public sector, residential and commercial customers.
However, district heating requires sufficient heat demand density to make it economically viable. It is likely that district heating projects will, at least initially, begin to emerge in high density urban areas. Localised heat mapping will play a role in determining the viability of implementing district heating in a given area.
The National Heat Study included analysis of waste heat being produced by Data Centres, and that analysis is available online (District Heating and Cooling | National Heat Study | SEAI)
Following Government approval, the District Heating Steering Group Report, which sets out a pathway for expansion of district heating, was published in July of this year. In publishing this Report, the Government recognises the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals. My Department has now begun work to implement the recommendations arising from the Report and these recommendations set down the future policy direction for district heating.
One of the key recommendations from the Steering Group Report is the need to bring forward legislation to underpin the district heating sector and my Department is currently working on developing that legislation. This will include proposals to mandate the supply of waste heat to district heating companies by industrial facilities whose total rated energy output is above a specific threshold where technically and economically feasible.
96. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can clarify who is responsible for waste management in apartment complexes; the minimum requirements for apartment complex waste management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37827/23]
View answerWaste Collection Companies must hold a waste collection permit in order to collect waste in line with the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended. Waste collection permits are issued by the National Waste Collection Permit Office.
Under the permit conditions, household waste collectors are obliged to provide a separate receptacle for each waste fraction, namely residual, recyclables and where appropriate, food and bio-waste. Waste from apartments is considered to be household waste and the permit conditions for household waste collection apply.
In addition, all local authorities have also introduced waste bye-laws governing the segregation, storage and presentation of household and commercial waste in their functional area. These bye-laws set out a number of specific provisions for the owners/ management companies of multi-unit developments such as apartment complexes, please see final-waste-presentation-bye-laws-jan-2020-v7.pdf (fingal.ie) for an example of such bye-laws.
Enforcement of waste regulations, waste bye-laws and waste collection permit conditions are a matter for the relevant local authority, who have significant powers under the Regulations to secure compliance by all parties.
A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020-2025, contains some 200 measures which will be delivered on a phased basis over the lifetime of the Plan, including a number of specific commitments in relation to waste collection for apartment dwellers, as outlined below;
• Working with relevant stakeholders to improve waste segregation in apartment complexes;
• Making the provision of an organic waste bin mandatory as part of a waste collection service for all households;
• Developing a quality waste management assurance scheme for businesses - including apartments serviced by management companies;
• Working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make regulatory changes in planning and tenancy laws to ensure apartment dwellers are provided with infrastructure to support food waste segregation.
97. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposed workings of the new bottle and can deposit return initiative; where vending machines will be situated to collect the returns and pay out the redemption deposit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37830/23]
View answer98. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if research has been conducted to understand whether the proposed policy in relation to the bottle and can deposit retention scheme will favour large brand retailers as opposed to small owner operator businesses which will likely not have the financial capacity to contribute to purchase and maintenance of redemption vending machines; what concerns this gives rise to within his Department in terms of competitive advantage favouring the large scale multiples; how his Department proposes to level the playing field in terms of this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37831/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.
The Government is introducing a national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to encourage more people to recycle drinks containers. DRS works by charging anyone who buys a drink a small deposit for the plastic bottle or can that it comes in. The customer gets this money back when they return the drinks container to a retailer or other collection point to be recycled.
Regulations to establish a national DRS were signed in November 2021 and, in July 2022, I approved Deposit Return Scheme Ireland (trading as Re-turn) as the DRS operator. Re-turn is a not-for-profit, industry-led body representing beverage producers and retailers. The planned go-live date for DRS is 1st February 2024.
Retailers will play a vital role in DRS and are obliged to charge the consumer a deposit for every drink sold, to take-back the empty drink container and refund the deposit to the consumer when it is returned for recycling. Retailers have two options when offering take-back services:
• Manual collection where retailers will store returned containers in bags or similar.
• Automated collection through the use of reverse vending machines (RVMs). RVMs can be purchased or leased.
The decision on whether to install an RVM or operate a manual collection system lies fully with each retailer. RVMs can be installed in or at a retail premise and planning exemption regulations were signed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Housing in May 2023 to make it easier for retailers to install RVMs.
All retailers will receive a handling fee from Re-turn for participating in the DRS. Handling fees are intended to offset the cost of collection infrastructure, retail floor space, staff costs and security. The level of handling fee payable is determined by Re-turn and is subject to independent, third-party verification.
In addition to handling fees, a number of other supports are in place to assist small retailers, including exemptions from take-back services and financial support for installation of RVMs. Details of these supports, as well as other useful information to help retailers prepare for DRS, is available at re-turn.ie/retailer/.
99. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the cost of joint advertising with a national supermarket chain (details supplied); if his Department had sight of the advertisement campaign ahead of it being published; if he has policies in relation to subsidising the advertising initiatives of private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37837/23]
View answer100. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what policies are in place in relation to the use of Government branding in the advertising campaigns of private companies; if these policies were implemented in relation to an advertising campaign launched by a supermarket chain (details supplied). [37838/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
My Department does not subsidise the advertising initiatives of private companies.
The 2023/2024 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Champions programme is a non-funded Government initiative developed to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to the SDGs and integrate them into their work and activities.
Champions have been selected from across the public, private, community, voluntary, youth and NGO sectors and are represented by larger, national organisations and smaller, community groups. In order to support awareness of the SDGs, branding has been developed to promote the spirit and objectives of the SDGs. Guidance on the appropriate use of the Champions logo has been provided to the Champions and is kept under review.
The use of branding in SDG Champions' messaging and outputs is important in raising the profile of their work towards achieving the SDGs, as well as for promoting the Goals themselves. Unified branding also helps to reinforce that we are all working together towards a common goal, achieving a more sustainable future.
101. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will comment on the fact that no equitable process has been agreed by which full-time residents in mobile homes can access the electricity credit that all other households have benefitted from where it is their primary residence, despite previously indicating that a process would be brought in to address this inequity, and taking into account that referral to an exceptional/additional needs payment is not a solution as the applicants cannot show engagement with an energy supplier and are ineligible if they have any modest savings which is clearly an inequity where households with extraordinary wealth have benefited from the credits to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37882/23]
View answerThe Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme payment used the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure that all domestic electricity accounts, including those with pre-pay meters, could receive direct support. This method was used to ensure that payment could be automatic, without the need for application, means testing or approval.
While credits were applied to each domestic MPRN, there are cohorts, including occupants of mobile homes which share a commercial connection, that did not receive the payment. However, other supports have been made available for those struggling to pay their bills. Budget 2023 introduced a range of once-off social protection measures, including additional lump sum payments for recipients of Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Increase, the Working Family payment, and the Carer's Support grant, as well as further support to those in receipt of long-term disability payments.
In relation to the availability of support under the Additional Needs Payment, operated by the Department of Social Protection, this can be provided in any circumstance where the Community Welfare Service Officer is satisfied that the need exists, and that the person concerned cannot meet that need from their own resources.
Where applications are received for assistance under Additional Needs Payments with regard to energy costs, it is an operational requirement that the Community Welfare Service Officer check that the person has engaged with their energy supplier in the first instance.
The applicant will need to provide evidence of the charge/bill for electricity, how this payment is made and how the applicant can budget to meet the costs from their own resources going forward.
The Government is working towards completing the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan, monitoring the efficacy of existing supports, and exploring further measures to support consumers in the context of Budget 2024.
102. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policy of his Department to ensure that Irish-based businesses and SMEs, in particular, are not prevented from tendering for Government and State business; the measures that he has put in place to ensure that Irish businesses are supported in tendering for Government or State business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37894/23]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to ensuring that it meets its obligations under the National Public Procurement Policy Framework including all national and EU procurement laws, guidelines and Government circulars. This includes measures to support and encourage participation by Irish based businesses and SMEs in the tendering process, such as:
• The eTenders website. www.eTenders.gov.ie is a central facility for all public sector contracting authorities to advertise procurement opportunities. The site is managed by The Office of Government Procurement (OGP). All government Departments are required to advertise all competitive procurements in excess of €50,000 on e-Tenders. All suppliers can register, free of charge on this site and will receive notifications when new opportunities in their field have been advertised. Tender documents are usually available to download from the site. The site provides a comprehensive notice search and help functions and also provides information on procurement rules and guidelines;
• The OGP Request For Tender (RFT) templates encourage SMEs to apply for large contracts through interalia subcontracting to other SMEs, where they do not have the capacity to do the work alone;
• Circular 05/2023: “Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement” was recently published by The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. The circular replaces Circular 10/2014 and has been developed with a view to encouraging public bodies to adopt measures that will further enable SMEs to compete for public contracts. It provides for interalia:
• An increase to the threshold at which all contracts for goods and services must be advertised on eTenders from €25,000 to €50,000 (exclusive of VAT);
• Enhanced measures that public bodies should take to promote transparency;
• The specific measures that public bodies should take to promote SME participation;
• A reminder to public bodies of their obligations around the use of central procurement arrangements;
• A reiteration of the role that eTenders, the national e-tendering platform, can play in promoting SME participation; and
• Updated guidance for insurance levels for supplies and general services.
103. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to reopen a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37908/23]
View answerThe Salmon Hardship Scheme closed in 2008 with all funds expended. There are currently no plans to revisit such a scheme.
My Department is well advanced in setting out a comprehensive revised policy for the Inland Fisheries sector which will be subject to consultation. It is intended that options for salmon conservation will be included among a wide range of issues and there will be an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the consultation and to potential policy initiatives.
104. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide detail on how the NISA wind turbine project will be affected by the newly established SPA for birds in the area; to detail any assurances which have been given to the NISA wind turbine project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37959/23]
View answerThe North Irish Sea Array (NISA) was awarded a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) by my Department with a commencement date of 23 December 2023. This allowed NISA, along with the 5 other MAC-holding projects, to (a) participate in Ireland's first offshore wind auction, the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1), and (b) to apply for development permission (planning permission) from An Bord Pleanála. NISA is one the four projects successful in ORESS 1, and is therefore one of the most advanced offshore wind projects in Ireland. All individual offshore renewable projects are required to comply with all relevant applicable provisions of European and national environmental law, including for environmental assessment. The Maritime Area Planning Act 2021, provides for project level environmental assessments of specific proposals, including offshore renewable energy projects. At this project level, offshore renewable projects will be subject to full environmental assessment by An Bord Pleanála during the maritime planning permission application where the specifics of the development and area in question will be considered. This includes applicable requirements relating to AAs and EIAs and to marine areas designated as Special Protection Areas under EU Birds Directive.
106. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the Irish reserves of oil and gas; the locations and way in which they are held; if there are plans to expand such reserves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38064/23]
View answerIn respect of oil, Ireland is required, under its membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Union, to hold strategic oil reserves equivalent to 90 days supply.
The National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, is the State Agency with responsibility for ensuring that Ireland meets its obligations in relation to maintaining a minimum of 90 days reserve stocks of petroleum products which may be utilised in the event of a physical shortage of supplies.
NORA's current holding amounts to 90 days supply of strategic oil stocks with 75% of stock held on the island of Ireland with the balance stored in other EU countries. NORA does not intend to expand their reserves as they are currently meeting the 90 days obligation.
All locations where NORA store oil on the island of Ireland and in the EU can be found on the NORA website at www.nora.ie/.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, my Department, in conjunction with NORA and the oil industry assess the oil supply situation in the commercial markets on an ongoing basis.
Around three quarters of our natural gas is imported from Great Britain via two interconnectors with the remaining gas being supplied from indigenous sources. There are currently no gas storage facilities operating in Ireland or national gas reserves.
My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply and the forthcoming Energy Security Package will be published shortly. The Review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050.The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable and secure, as well as in line with Ireland’s climate targets and statutory carbon budgets. Underpinned by these objectives, the review considered the risks to supplies, and a range of mitigation measures, including the need for additional capacity of indigenous renewable energy but also energy imports, energy storage, fuel diversification, demand side response and renewable gases (such as hydrogen).
107. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any circumstances SEAI grant supports are available for households which have had solar panels installed but the application had not been submitted before work commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38069/23]
View answerThe Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) provides capital grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for domestic applicants for Solar PV, with grant amounts up to a maximum of €2,400.
Since 2018, the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for almost 27,800 homes, with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout 2022.
In 2022, the SEAI received 16,819 applications to the Domestic Solar PV programme, which resulted in grant support for 10,017 homes, at a cost of €24.4m and a total installed capacity of 46.5 MW. This is a substantial increase on the numbers from 2021 when 4,077 homes were supported, and 16.3 MW installed.
The MSS was allocated €29.4m in Budget 2023 and as of the end of July, 10,552 applications have been supported. With such continued strong levels of demand seen since the start of this year, in conjunction with Government's decision to reduce the rate of VAT on the supply and installation of solar panels to 0%, it is expected that application levels will exceed initial projections.
All applicants must ensure grant approval is received from the SEAI prior to installation work commencing. It is not possible to apply for a grant for work already underway or complete, as costs incurred prior to grant approval are ineligible. SEAI’s Solar PV Grant requires that a homeowner applies for and is approved for the grant before works are started. This is the case for all SEAI domestic grants. This Programme is funded by the Exchequer and SEAI is bound by governance rules in paying out financial supports. SEAI is obliged to apply these rules equitably to all applicants.
Pre-installation approval for solar PV grants helps ensure that installations are carried out by a registered installer following the SEAI’s Installer Code of Practice; available at https://www.seai.ie/publications/SPV-Code-of-Practice.pdf. The Installer must certify that the solar PV system installation has been designed, installed, tested, and commissioned in accordance with this code of practice, and other relevant codes, standards and building regulations.
109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the brief given to a firm (details supplied) to advise on Climate Action Plan 2023; how much the firm was paid for its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38109/23]
View answer111. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a firm (details supplied) is contracted to undertake work to inform Climate Action Plan 2024; if so, if he will detail same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38111/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 111 together.
McKinsey and Company have been engaged by my Department to provide technical support services to inform, assist, and support the preparation of Climate Action Plan 2024.
In 2022, in relation to Climate Action Plan 2023, McKinsey and Company was contracted to:
• Provide technical support services to (i) inform, and assist, in the preparation and delivery of Ireland’s sectoral emissions ceilings and (ii) identify the plans, policies and measures required to achieve these ceilings
• Underpin sectorial targets with measures and actions
• Set-out the updated governance/ approach to annual climate planning
• Provide additional technical support to to allocate the unallocated savings from the Sectoral Emission Ceilings as part of CAP23
In 2022, the firm was paid a total of €1,150,000 (Ex Vat) in relation to the above.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications also has contracts with UCC, UCD, UoG, EnvEcon and the ESRI under a Climate Action Modelling Group (CAMG). These external research organisations are contracted to the Department to undertake analysis and modelling to help inform and support Ireland's climate policy.
The CAMG also provided technical support to inform and support the preparation of the Sectoral Emission Ceilings and ensure that CAP23 reflected and was aligned with the emission reduction pathway set out by the ceiling. This arrangement has continued in respect of CAP24.
110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide in tabular form the external research or reports commissioned by his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the stated objective of each; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38110/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to respond to concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of energy companies purporting to use 100% renewable sources and where they actually get their energy from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/23]
View answerThe electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on his Department's work with the Department of Education to arrange a scheme for the 2023 budget commitment for the provision of up to 6kW photovoltaic panels on all schools; what progress has been made to date on the development of the scheme; what the scheme's provisions are; if 100% funding will be provided; when the scheme will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38131/23]
View answerMy Department is continuing to work with the Department of Education to develop the scheme which was announced in the context of Budget 2023. It is expected that the scheme will open shortly with the publication of its provisions, including funding arrangements.
115. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he finds it satisfactory that the NBI is unable to give an indictive timeframe for when works will be completed to allow properties to avail of e-fibre broadband (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.- [38210/23]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
While NBI do publish indicative connection timelines for the large majority of premises within the Intervention Area, it does take some time for new builds, such as the premises the Question refers to, to appear on NBI’s map as all new eircodes must go through a quarterly update from the national Geodirectory and an assessment of new eircodes is required to determine whether they will be connected commercially or whether it is necessary for NBI to provide a connection. Where NBI are required to connect new premises they must carry out survey and design work and sometime additional build. Once NBI have ascertained this information then they can then schedule the necessary works to provide connectivity to any new premises in the area.
Officials in my Department have contacted NBI to enquire if there is any further information available as to when the premises in question can expect to be enabled for fibre. NBI have advised that they expect to carry out the required works at some point between October and November of this year, 2023. Once these works are completed, your constituent should then be in a position to place an order for high speed broadband from any retail service provider operating in that area.
In December 2022, 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.
The National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standard to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38227/23]
View answer117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standards, broken down by county, in tabular form, to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38228/23]
View answer118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standard, broken down by county, to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38229/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 117 and 118 together.
The National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.
My Department funds a number of schemes to support households to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. SEAI administer these schemes on behalf of my Department. To promote and incentivise the achievement of these targets, in February 2022, the Government launched a package of significantly enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades.
The tables attached set out for the first half of 2023:
a breakdown of retrofits completed per scheme, by post BER standard; and
a breakdown of retrofits completed per scheme by post BER standards, broken down by county.
SEAI has published quarterly reports for the first two quarters of 2023 which are available on their website and provide detail in relation to the retrofits carried out under SEAI schemes in the first half of the year. A report for the third quarter will be published in October.
119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fossil fuel boilers installed per scheme by post BER standard to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38230/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date in 2023, 3,434 homes were upgraded at an average cost of €24,000 per home.
The upgrades that will be recommended for a property will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. For each eligible home, SEAI’s technical surveyor will determine which upgrades can be installed and funded.
Heating systems upgrades are recommended under the schemes in cases where:
• There is no heating system in place, and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
• Where the existing heating system is obsolete and the home is receiving an attic and/or wall measure,
• Where statutory ‘Major Renovations’ obligations apply: A Major Renovation is triggered when more than 25% of the area of the building is being externally and/or internally insulated, then the existing heating system must be appraised for replacement. This is legally required under the Building Regulations, Part L 2019.
• It should be noted that the Warmer Homes Scheme is the only scheme administered by SEAI where installation of a new gas or oil heating system can be funded. To date in 2023, 861 homes have received heating system replacements. Of these, 822 were oil or gas boilers and 39 homes had heat pumps installed. A breakdown of these homes by post-works BER is not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department.
• In order to move the scheme away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems where these Building Regulations are triggered, and to provide more extensive upgrades with decarbonised heating systems under the scheme, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot is gathering evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under this scheme.
120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait to retrofit fit a home broken down by scheme and by post BER standard to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38237/23]
View answerThe National Retrofit Plan sets out the Government's approach to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets of upgrading the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and installing 400,000 heat pumps to replace older, less efficient heating systems by 2030.
My Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These include the fully funded Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme and a number of part-funded schemes - the Better Energy Homes Scheme, the Solar PV Scheme, the Community Energy Grant Scheme and the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme (NHEUS) which was established last year. This allows homeowners to choose the best home upgrade option to suit their particular needs.
• 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. For home upgrades completed under this scheme in Quarter 2, 2023 the average cycle time from application to completion was approximately 19 months, this is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022.
• 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 immediate 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. Figures from SEAI show that under the Better Energy Homes Scheme the average cycle time for applications completed is 5.4 months. For the Solar PV Scheme, the cycle time is 4.9 months.
• 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 the Community Energy Grant scheme within 12 months. The average waiting time for the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme up to the end of Quarter 2 this year was 4.7 months.
• I wish to advise the Deputy that due to the extensive amount of administrative work required, it is not feasible to collate the average wait to retrofit fit a home broken down by scheme and by post BER standard.
• A more detailed overview of the Q2 2023 performance on the residential and community energy efficiency schemes is available at: SEAI-Retrofit-Quarterly-Report-Q2-2023.pdf.
121. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm the sources of ammonia emissions that are calculated in the State; if land spreading is calculated as part of emissions monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38263/23]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Ireland has overall responsibility for national air emissions inventories and projections following the establishment of the National Atmospheric Inventory System (NAIS) in 2007. The EPA Office of Evidence and Assessment (OEA) performs the role of inventory agency in Ireland and undertakes all aspects of inventory preparation and management, and is responsible for the submission of the results to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP).
Guidelines for Reporting Emissions and Projections Data under CLRTAP specify the scope, methodologies, formats and deadlines for annual inventory submissions by Parties to the Convention. Ireland reports emissions for a range of substances. These substances include nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia (NH3), particulate matter (PM), black carbon (BC), heavy metals (HM) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
The EPA are the appropriate point of contact for more detailed information.
122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise the engagement his Department has had on its role in revitalising the Irish wool industry; if he has engaged with the Minister for Agriculture on this focus from a sustainability and climate action perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38266/23]
View answerThe Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 recognises textiles as a priority sector to effect Ireland's transition to a sustainable and circular economy and provides that the next Whole Circular Economy Strategy will include targets for more sustainable production and consumption of textiles in Ireland.
To advance this work, I have established a Textile Advisory Group which is working to identify opportunities for Government to promote, facilitate and enable circularity in the textiles’ ecosystem and examine the way in which textiles are designed, produced, used, and discarded. The Group consists of relevant industry, community and regulatory representatives. Further information on the work of this Group can be found at - www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/528f7-circular-economy/#textiles.
I understand that stakeholders from the Irish wool sector are participating in this process and are attending a series of workshops organised by the Advisory Group.
I would welcome a contribution to our work on textiles from colleagues at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and will arrange for their inclusion in the next phase of our Textile Advisory Group work.
Finally, the European Commission has proposed a new Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR) which will underpin the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. My Department, on a joint basis with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has been involved in the development of this Regulation which is currently being negotiated at EU level and is due to be finalised this year. Ireland is fully supportive of the development and implementation of measures at European level, given the global nature of textile value chains, while ensuring clarity and consistency for regulators, consumers, and businesses across the EU. I anticipate that these developments will also support and benefit the Irish wool industry.
123. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the breakdown in the use of biomass for electricity generation. [38272/23]
View answer124. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of solar activity. [38273/23]
View answer125. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected solar activity by 2030. [38274/23]
View answer126. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of hydroelectric activity. [38275/23]
View answer127. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected hydroelectric activity by 2030. [38276/23]
View answer128. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current level of renewable energy generated by wind, broken down by onshore and offshore. [38277/23]
View answer129. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications of projected level of renewable energy generate by wind by 2030, broken down by onshore and offshore. [38278/23]
View answer131. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current installed capacity of wind power, broken down by commercial and domestic production. [38282/23]
View answer159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s plans to develop solar power as part of Ireland’s 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38672/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 131 and 159 together.
Ireland has made considerable progress in decarbonising our electricity sector, with a major driver for this being the construction of renewable generation projects and their successful integration onto the electricity grid.
2022 was a record year for renewable generation capacity being connected to the grid. The below table sets out the estimated generation capacity for the requested renewable sources.
|
Type of Generation |
Level of Generation |
|
Onshore Wind |
c. 4,562 MW |
|
Offshore Wind |
c. 25 MW |
|
Solar PV |
c. 700 MW |
|
Hydroelectric |
c. 235 MW |
|
Biomass |
c. 9 MW |
Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Government has committed to Ireland achieving 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources and to reach at least 22 GW of installed renewable electricity generation capacity by 2030. The below table sets out the targeted generation capacity for the requested renewable sources.
|
Type of Generation |
CAP23 Target |
|
Onshore Wind |
9 GW |
|
Offshore Wind |
5 GW |
|
Solar PV |
8 GW |
There are no specific targets for hydroelectric or biomass generation.
The Government schemes to help deliver these targets are as follows:
• The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main policy to deliver the onshore renewable electricity generation capacity targets. Projects with a combined capacity 2.8 GW (onshore wind and solar PV) were successful in the first two RESS auctions. The third auction will be held shortly.
• The recent Offshore RESS (ORESS) is the policy to deliver the offshore targets. The recent ORESS1 auction surpassed all expectations, securing an enormous volume of renewable electricity, over 3 GW. This was the first in a series of auctions to procure at least 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
• Onshore and Offshore RESS auctions will continue in line with the published RESS Auction Calendar.
• The Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) allows domestic and non-domestic applicants to receive funding to produce and consume their own electricity.
• The Small-Scale RESS (SRESS) will support renewable electricity generators who are too large for the MSS but too small for the RESS and will provide a similar route to market for community projects. The high-level design of the new Small-Scale RESS (SRESS) was approved by Government a few weeks ago and the scheme is expected to be launched later this year.
130. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current installed capacity of solar, broken down by commercial and domestic production. [38281/23]
View answerIreland currently has approximately 5.2 GW of renewable generation capacity connected to the grid. While the majority of this, circa 4.5 GW, is onshore wind, solar generation is a growing source of electricity and is rapidly transforming Ireland's energy system. There is now over 700 MW of solar generation in Ireland and continued delivery of this technology at scale will be critical to meeting our renewable energy and climate targets.
ESB Networks manages grid connections for solar installations, and records the capacity, as of June 2023, for the following forms of solar PV installations:
- Grid Scale Solar PV plants: 381 MW
- Mini & Small-Scale Generation: 7.4 MW
- Microgeneration: 205 MW
Microgeneration capacity includes both domestic and commercial applications, the most recent figures available do not distinguish between domestic and commercial, these will be available from ESBN shortly.
