Written Answers Nos. 42-59
43. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading B of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38814/24]
View answer44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading A of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38815/24]
View answer45. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading C of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38816/24]
View answer46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the heading D of the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38817/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 44, 45 and 46 together.
Further Revised Estimates arose from the transfer for marine planning, oversight and governance of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority and foreshore authorisation and management functions to my Department. The revised 2024 allocations for each of the four programme areas in my Department are set out in the attached tables and are available in the Further Revised Estimates at the following link:
Revised Estimates programme allocations
www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2024
47. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update for the wind energy guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38823/24]
View answerI have no function in relation to the matter raised in the Question. Responsibility for the Wind Energy Guidelines (WEGs) is a matter for the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.
48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the regional renewable energy strategies; when these will be translated into county level targets and how this will inform city and county development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38824/24]
View answerThe inclusion of the regional renewable electricity targets in the draft First Revision of the National Planning Framework is a critical step towards achieving Ireland’s national renewable electricity targets. This will deliver a regional balance and distribution of renewable technologies and provide a supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to keep pace with economic growth, protect Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices through the deployment of indigenous wind and solar energy across our regions.
Following the finalisation of the revised National Planning Framework, the three Regional Assemblies will integrate these targets into their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and associated Regional Renewable Energy Strategies. These allocations will then be translated into local authority-level targets that shall be planned for through their city and county development plans.
A Roadmap is currently being developed to support the Regional Assemblies in the development of robust, coordinated, and sustainable onshore Regional Renewable Energy Strategies and is due for completion in Q4 2024.
The finalisation of the revised National Planning Framework and the enactment of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 are critical enablers of the alignment of local development plans with our national renewable energy ambition.
49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the revised methodology for local authority and renewable energy strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38836/24]
View answerThe SEAI are currently undertaking a revision of the methodology for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategy (LARES) which aims to facilitate consistency of approach to spatial planning for renewable energy by local and regional planning authorities, guiding the preparation of renewable energy strategies, and assisting local authorities in developing robust, co-ordinated, and sustainable strategies in accordance with national and European obligations.
The LARES methodology also aims to address common issues encountered with renewable energy resources, technologies, and projects within the forward planning process.
The revised methodology will be hosted on SEAI’s website and will offer a structured approach to developing and implementing a LARES, including in the identification of key renewable energy resources and to effectively engaging key stakeholders through a consistent and planned method . Additionally, it will be accompanied by a series of appendices providing technical support and guidance on areas including estimating regional and local socio-economic benefits associated with renewable energy; determination of renewable energy resource potential; and developing a communications &and engagement strategy.
The SEAI anticipate publishing a draft version of the methodology for public consultation by Q1 2025.
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the renewable electricity spatial policy framework. [38838/24]
View answerUnder the aegis of the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce, officials from my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have been developing a renewable electricity spatial policy approach that provides for the alignment between local plans and national policy to accelerate the delivery of renewable electricity generation and contribute to Ireland's target of 80% renewables by 2030.
A major step forward in this regard is ensuring that regional renewable electricity targets are incorporated into the planning hierarchy and given effect at the strategic level via the draft revision to the National Planning Framework which has recently been subject to public consultation.
This approach will ensure consistency and, ultimately, policy alignment between the Regional Assemblies’ Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and the Local Authority Development Plans. It will also provide for a clear supporting policy framework for Ireland’s electricity supply to keep pace with economic growth, protect Irish homes and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices through the deployment of indigenous wind and solar energy across our regions and help us deliver on our renewable energy and climate targets.
51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on national energy demand strategy and implementation plan. [38839/24]
View answerResponsibility for the National Energy Demand Strategy and regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and subsequent legislation.
CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members at oireachtas@cru.ie, which enables them to raise matters directly to the CRU.
52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the roadmap to phase out fossil fuel heating systems in all buildings. [38840/24]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to develop and publish a roadmap, under the auspices of the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce, to phase out fossil fuel heating systems in all buildings. Progress has been made, with support from the SEAI and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, in developing such a roadmap.
However, the revised Energy Performance of Building Directive (EU/2024/1275) (EPBD), which entered into force in May 2024, requires Member States to indicate the national policies and measures to phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling in their national building renovation plans. Work is underway at present to examine the alignment of the existing body of work undertaken with the more recent requirements of the EPBD.
53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the draft heat Bill to establish regulatory model for district heating. [38841/24]
View answerThe District Heating Steering Group Report, approved by Government in July 2023, contains a suite of recommendations that set the future policy direction for the development of district heating. The Steering Group noted that primary legislation will be required to ensure that developers of district heating projects have the necessary legal powers to operate in the sector, to facilitate regulatory provisions to enable customer protections, and to put in place licensing and consenting provisions for district heating operators.
My Department is in the process of finalising the Heads of Bill, and is currently adapting the Heads to take account of legal review and the observations of other Government departments. The proposed Heads will be brought to Government in the Autumn term.
54. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the establishment of a just transition commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38849/24]
View answerThe Government approved the establishment of a Just Transition Commission in April 2024.
I commenced a process to recruit members and a chair for the Commission in May 2024 through a request for nominations from the five pillars of social dialogue, and through a parallel open call for expressions of interest, with the assistance of the Public Appointments Service.
Once this process has concluded, I intend to make appointments to the Commission on the approval of the Government.
The Just Transition Commission will support the Government in its responsibility to ensure, in line with our statutory climate objectives, that Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy is just, and that it endeavours, in so far as practicable, to maximise employment opportunities, and to support people and communities that may be negatively affected by the transition.
In line with the recommendations of the final report of the Just Transition Taskforce, published in May 2024, the Government has agreed that the Commission should be established initially on an administrative basis. Following an appropriate opportunity to evaluate the operation of the Commission during its first term, a decision on any future statutory basis for the Commission will then be made.
55. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rationale for the exclusion by the one-stop shop from grants of replacement of windows and doors on a step-by-step approach. [38937/24]
View answerMy 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.
Grant support for window and door replacement is available under the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme as well as under the Community Energy Grant scheme as part of a whole house upgrade solution. When a homeowner is completing a whole home energy upgrade under these Schemes, the overall fabric of the property is assessed through the home energy survey and assessment. The assessment may recommend particular measures, including windows and doors, to ensure that home achieves a B2 rating or is suitable for installation of a heat pump.
In the Warmer Homes Scheme, poorest performing homes are upgraded and in certain circumstances window upgrades may be recommended following a survey and provided where suitable. Eligibility for the Warmer Homes Scheme requires applicants to be in receipt of certain Department of Social Protection payments.
SEAI schemes do not fund windows & doors upgrades as a single measure. The vast majority of homes in Ireland that have inefficient windows also have walls and/or roofs with low levels of insulation. Upgrading the wall and/or roof insulation would typically be of a greater benefit to a homeowner in terms of energy saving than upgrading windows and so the grants for individual measures are directed towards higher priority measures that are of greater benefit.
My officials engage with their counterparts in the SEAI on an ongoing basis in relation to the operation of the schemes and as part of this will continue to ensure that grant rates and measures available under the various grant schemes are kept under review taking account of evolving science, innovation, technology and other relevant factors.
56. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that Bord Na Móna pays its yearly dividends to shareholders in one lot and not over a space of four years, as is currently proposed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38938/24]
View answerBord na Móna is a commercial State body under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). Bord na Móna is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to DECC.
The schedule for Bord na Mona's dividend payments to members of its employee share scheme is a matter for Bord na Móna, and not one in which I, as Minister, have a role.
57. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he last met the CEO of An Post. [39041/24]
View answerI last met with the CEO of An Post, Mr David McRedmond, on 5 July 2024. Minister Lawless, with special responsibility for Postal Policy in my Department, last met with the CEO on 24 July 2024.
58. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the contact he or any Minister in his Department have had with any minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014; the nature of these contacts, the purpose of these contacts; if a record was kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39069/24]
View answerSince the formation of this Government, I have had one meeting with Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich of the Israeli Embassy on 10th November 2023. We discussed the situation in Gaza.
The Ministers of State in my department (Mr. Smyth and Mr. Lawless) have not had any contact with officials in the Israeli government since the formation of this government.
59. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he, his special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39131/24]
View answerMy Department has a dedicated communications and media relations function who manage public relations and media queries, alongside digital marketing, campaigns, events, and internal communications. My Department may occasionally engage external expertise in communications, public relations and public affairs where specialist or extensive support is required.
The information which the Deputy requested in relation to my Department is outlined in the table below.
|
Consultant/Company |
Year |
Purpose |
Cost |
|
RPS Communications |
2022 |
PR support to help with Tellus geophysical mapping survey - community outreach/information line |
€ 30,095.10 |
|
Kano Communications |
2022-2023 |
PR Support as part of Reduce Your Use Campaign |
€12,746.25 |
|
George Marshall |
2023 |
Review of climate communications and engagement in Ireland |
€48,000 |
|
Communications Clinic |
2023 |
Delivery of media training to senior DECC officials |
€5,400 |
|
DHR Communications |
2023 |
Delivery of strategic communications training for senior officials |
€1,780 |
