Written Answers Nos. 22-41
22. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the duration of the draft net season for Loughros Mór fishery, County Donegal, will be re-examined ahead of the 2025 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38773/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the national authority for the protection, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource that the scientific advice for the operation of salmon fisheries in 2025 is currently being prepared by the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) and will be available in the coming weeks.
In recent years, marginal surpluses which have been identified for the Owenea/Owentocker rivers have necessitated restriction of the traditional commercial draft net fishery season on the Loughros estuary fishery from 1st to 21st July.
Opening of the commercial salmon draft net fishery on the Loughros estuary, and the duration of the season to apply in that case, will be reviewed in light of the pending scientific advice and available harvestable surplus as may be identified for these rivers in 2025 in order to ensure protection of this valuable resource.
23. 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 heading B of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38495/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra24. 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 heading A of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38496/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra25. 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 heading C of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38497/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra26. 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 heading D of the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, in tabular form. [38498/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 24, 25 and 26 together.
The 2024 allocations for each of the four programme areas in my Department as set out in the Revised Estimates are detailed in the attached table and are available at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2024
27. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review correspondence (details supplied); and if these items are returnable under the scheme. [38513/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a compliance matter for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) operator, Re-turn, I have no function.
However, I understand that Re-turn is engaging with the affected producer currently to address what is a labelling issue. The consumer can obtain a refund of the 15c deposit by returning the empty container to any retailer who operates a manual collection system. Should the consumer have any issues with a retailer accepting the container they should contact Re-turn at enforcement@re-turn.ie .
28. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to address concerns around energy storage systems (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38562/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details supplied by the Deputy reference lithium-ion batteries (Li-BESS), which have a variety of uses and are categorised into the following categories: mobile phone; sensor and radio communication device batteries; light means of transport batteries (batteries used in wheeled vehicle, like an electric scooter), such as those referred to; electric vehicle batteries; and industrial batteries. Lithium-ion batteries used for large grid-scale, front of meter battery electricity storage systems fall under the industrial battery definition.
Electricity storage systems, including Li-BESS, are critical in providing flexibility to the Irish electricity system. Electricity storage systems increase the volume of renewable electricity on the grid as well as providing grid efficiency functions.
Chapter 4 of the Energy Storage Policy Framework provides an overview of the existing safety and regulatory framework in place for grid scale electricity storage systems, including battery electricity storage systems (BESS) in the European and Irish contexts. The chapter also provides the roles and remits of various regulatory authorities and organisations in relation to standards, planning, construction, licencing, and safety of grid scale electricity storage systems in Ireland.
29. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost in 2025 if the budget for the National Cyber Security Centre increased by 40%. [38612/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated cost of increasing the National Cyber Security Centre’s 2025 budget allocation by 40% over the 2024 budget would amount to an additional €6.7 million in funding.
30. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason residential apartments (details supplied) are being charged a commercial rate for gas heating supplied by a district heating systems; if there is a legislative basis for this practise; if the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will investigate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38632/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra32. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the heat and built environment taskforce is investigating the reason residential apartment blocks availing of a gas-based district heating system are being charged commercial supply rates rather than residential supply rates; if not, whether his Department is taking any measures in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38634/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 32 together.
Communal heating schemes are generally localised, involving apartment complexes or residential housing estates. In communal heating systems, end users are supplied with heat, rather than fuel. The heat supplier is responsible for purchasing the fuel. Due to the scale of fuel purchase, these entities are charged a commercial rate for gas. Therefore, end users are charged a rate based on the commercial rate being charged to the heat supplier. Historically the commercial rate charged for gas has been lower than the residential rate.
Gas retail markets in Ireland are commercial, liberalised, and competitive, and operate within national and European regulatory regimes. Responsibility for the regulation of the gas market is solely a matter for the independent regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), and the CRU ceased setting gas prices in 2014. Price-setting is a commercial and operational matter for energy suppliers, with no regulatory approval involved.
The District Heating Steering Group (DHSG) Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023 contains a range of recommendations setting the future policy direction for development of district heating. As part of its work, the DHSG asked the SEAI to carry out a research project to assess how a typical communal heating system operates in Ireland, the options to retrofit low carbon heat sources including indicative costs, and to make recommendations for both existing and future heat networks in Ireland. The published report contains a number of recommendations for a specific communal heating system for the short to long term, and also contains recommendations for group/communal heat networks generally and for policymakers.
It is important to note, however, that communal heating systems are generally privately owned and managed, and implementation of any suitable recommendations would be a matter for the relevant parties to decide upon.
My Department is currently drafting the Heads of a Heat Bill to establish a regulatory model for district heating, including communal heating systems, to ensure consumer protections and the delivery of a vibrant district heating industry.
31. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the District Heating Steering Group report of July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38633/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. A District Heating Working Group was established with ensure the implementation of the recommendations from the Steering Group Report. The Working Group reports to the Heat and Built Environment Taskforce and, to date, has met nine times.
The Steering Group noted the importance of establishing a regulatory system for district heating that ensures consumer protection and provides market certainty. 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.
The Steering Group Report also recommended that district heating should develop nationally, under central direction, to ensure standardisation and acceleration of projects. In this regard, a district heating Centre of Excellence (CoE) has been established in the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. As part of its role, the Centre of Excellence is currently formulating an approach to supporting feasibility studies regarding potential district heat projects in candidate areas and will soon begin development of a National Level Assessment to identify suitable candidate areas for the deployment of district heating in Ireland. The District Heat Centre of Excellence, working with other State bodies, will also examine additional financing options to support the growth of Ireland’s district heating sector from other sources, such as the European Union.
It is envisaged that future State funding (2026-2030), particularly with regards to the proposed support of larger district heating projects, will be predominantly financed through the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF). In addition, a review of supports/funding schemes for renewable heat production, such as the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is being undertaken to further align with district heating policy.
33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of grants paid per local authority to householders for solar panels, either on their own or as part of a wider retrofit of domestic dwellings; the total reduction of greenhouse gases estimated to be achieved by this roll out to date; the further steps to be taken to increase the number of solar panels on domestic dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38656/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSolar PV panels are installed under a number of scenarios and are supported under a number of Department funded and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administered schemes.
Supports for Solar PV panels are available under the dedicated domestic solar PV scheme, which currently offers grants of up to €2,100 to all homeowners in homes built before 2021, as well as the Community Energy Grants Scheme and the One Stop Shop (OSS) Service.
The Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) was launched in February 2022 to support up to 380 MW of new micro-generation by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan 21 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme. The domestic scheme has proved enormously successful since its launch, and further aided by the Government decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels, since May 2023.
The success of the MSS has resulted in a saving of 68.4kt CO2e
The table below sets out the number of grants paid per local authority area :
|
Counties |
# Measures Installed |
|
Co. Carlow |
785 |
|
Co. Cavan |
937 |
|
Co. Clare |
1,868 |
|
Co. Cork |
6,933 |
|
Co. Donegal |
1,469 |
|
Co. Dublin |
13,312 |
|
Co. Galway |
3,856 |
|
Co. Kerry |
1,798 |
|
Co. Kildare |
3,464 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
1,465 |
|
Co. Laois |
1,068 |
|
Co. Leitrim |
427 |
|
Co. Limerick |
2,118 |
|
Co. Longford |
408 |
|
Co. Louth |
2,003 |
|
Co. Mayo |
1,528 |
|
Co. Meath |
3,477 |
|
Co. Monaghan |
681 |
|
Co. Offaly |
935 |
|
Co. Roscommon |
947 |
|
Co. Sligo |
1,070 |
|
Co. Tipperary |
2,074 |
|
Co. Waterford |
1,590 |
|
Co. Westmeath |
1,227 |
|
Co. Wexford |
2,452 |
|
Co. Wicklow |
2,659 |
|
Total |
60,551 |
34. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of social houses, broken down per local authority, that have solar panels on them; the steps he intends taking to speed up their provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38657/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Authority social housing energy upgrades are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, Approved Housing Body (AHB) properties are supported under the SEAI National Home Energy Upgrade and Community Energy Grant Schemes.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Local Authority Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (DHLGH) and designed around the Programme for Government's commitment (led by my Department ), that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2/Cost Optimal Equivalent (BER) standard by 2030. 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by DHLGH for those local authority housing retrofits.
Eligible works under the revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The funded measures achieve the B2 or cost optimal equivalent level BER and therefore solar PV installation is not generally supported. However, in certain circumstances, DHLGH funds the installation of 1kWp solar PV for small social housing with a floor area less than 55 m2, with a maximum HLI of 2.6 on a pilot basis. In such cases local authorities are required to cooperate with SEAI as part of research monitoring the performance of heat pumps in these dwellings.
An annualised breakdown of the total funding provided and the number of properties upgraded under the Energy Efficiency Retrofit programme of local authority social housing for the years 2013-2023 is available on the DHLGH website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/668c1-energy-efficiency-retrofitting-programme-expenditure-output/
35. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of houses, broken down per local authority area, that have been provided with solar panels under the warmer homes scheme; the steps he plans to take to expedite this roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38658/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the Scheme.
The scheme seeks to reduce the amount of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under Building Regulations. This is in line with the fabric first/energy efficiency first principle and best practice.
SEAI are currently piloting the installation of renewable technologies, mainly heat pumps, where a major renovation is taking place. The purpose of the pilot is to test the capabilities and the suitability of installing heat pumps in the context of energy poverty objectives for the Warmer Homes Programme.
SEAI data indicates that in a small number of homes in the pilot, Solar PV has also been installed with a heat pump, with the aim of providing further insights in relation to running costs and uptake. The learnings from piloting PV installations will also inform the approach to compliance with future changes to the Building Regulations for major renovations under the scheme.
The Deputy may also wish to note that stand alone supports for Solar PV panels are available under the dedicated domestic solar PV scheme, operated by the SEAI as part of the Government’s Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). This scheme currently offers grants of up to €2,100 to all homeowners in homes built before 2021.
36. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason invasive pike culling and removal operations by the Western Regional Fisheries Board and Inland Fisheries Ireland were continued on Lough Corrib special area of conservation in the aftermath of the anomalous Pike Conservation Bye-Law No. 809 (2006) being signed into law, considering that the justifiable practice of invasive pike culling is discrepant with the current bye-law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38667/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the statutory body tasked with the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource in Ireland. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters can be addressed promptly in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
37. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason Lough Arrow special area of conservation (SAC) was closed to angling under the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Ballysadare (Closed Rivers), Bye-law No. C.S. 336, 2024 due to multiple unexplained Atlantic salmon mortalities in the Ballysadare/Ballisodare River, considering that Atlantic salmon do not naturally occur in Lough Arrow and are not listed as a ‘qualifying interest’ for the said SAC by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38668/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll fishing on the Ballysadare system in Co Sligo was suspended on the introduction of the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Ballysadare (Closed Rivers), Bye-law No. C.S. 336, 2024 on 17 July 2024 following concerns about more than 900 unexplained salmon mortalities found in the Ballysadare river.
At that time IFI and partners at the Marine Institute and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine were investigating the salmon mortalities found in the Ballysadare river and in this context had to consider potential disease spread risks to other fish species in the wider catchment. Results of post-mortem analysis to determine the cause or causes of the deaths and associated environmental analyses were not yet available at the time of introduction of the bye-law. Given the absence of results and information and the scale of the salmon fatalities, it was important this byelaw was made as a precautionary measure against any potential disease spread that could occur in the catchment.
The catchment was reopened on 22 August 2024 on the making of the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout Ballysadare (Catch and Release) Bye-law No. 1012, 2024.
38. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his officials in the Inland Fisheries division intend to approve the proposed Western Lakes Management Plan before the Government reaches the end of its lifespan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38669/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department requested that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) prepare a plan for the long-term management of our Western Lakes to deliver on the related Programme for Government commitment.
My officials have been advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that it is intended to shortly bring the Plan to the IFI Board for its consideration. Following IFI Board approval, the Plan would subsequently be submitted to my Department.
39. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to an SEAI warmer home scheme applicant (details supplied) who reports that the proposed works would not be up to the standards in section M of the building regulations; if this application, which has now been rejected, will be inspected by his Department; if assistance can be given to the applicant to carry out appropriate works in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38770/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the Warmer Homes Scheme on behalf of my Department. Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for the SEAI, as Minister I have no role in such matters. SEAI has established a dedicated email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie. Applicants can also contact SEAI at any time to get further information on the status of their application either by email to warmerhomes@seai.ie or by telephone to 01 808 2005. My officials work with SEAI on an ongoing basis, and I understand that SEAI has been in contact with the homeowner in relation to the issues raised.
SEAI operate under a Customer Charter and a complaints and appeals procedure. If after following this procedure an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome, they can ask the Office of the Ombudsman for an independent review of the complaint. Further details are available here: www.seai.ie/customer-charter/.
It is important to note that SEAI apply all terms and conditions for the scheme equally to all applicants. The terms and conditions published as part of the scheme guidelines can be found on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/fully-funded-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/SCHEME-GUIDELINES.pdf.
For each eligible home under the scheme an SEAI technical surveyor will recommend which upgrades can be funded and installed. The SEAI approach is determined by the Building Regulations, incorporating the NSAI S.R.54: 2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings. The upgrades recommended will depend on many factors, including age, size, type and condition of the property. All upgrades installed under the scheme must be compliant with the Building Regulations.
The Deputy may wish to note that Government also has other schemes and supports in place which may be of assistance where there is an urgent need:
• The Department of Social Protection's Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to people who have essential expenses that they cannot pay from their weekly income. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) or the Department of Social Protection. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/4eb45-additional-needs-payment/.
• The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's Housing Adaptation Grants can assist older people to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. Details are available here: www.gov.ie/en/service/6636c-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/.
40. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the transposition into Irish law of the Network and Information Systems Directive II (NIS2) EU Directive concerning cybersecurity; when this is likely to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38792/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant work is ongoing regarding the transposition of the NIS2 Directive into Irish law. The NIS2 Directive is a revision of the NIS Directive, which is currently in force in the State via SI 360 of 2018 and represents a major step forward for cyber resilience in Europe and will enhance cyber risk management across the Union including generating significant improvements in our capacity to respond to major incidents and developing the information-sharing platforms which are proving effective to date.
Separately as part of a number of measures to develop the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is a Division within my Department, the Government agreed in 2021 to establish the NCSC on a statutory basis and provide for related matters including clarity around its mandate and role in general and in relation to other actors in the cyber area. Therefore, transposing of the NIS2 Directive and the additional statutory powers required for the NCSC has been taken forward as a single legislative instrument: The National Cyber Security Bill 2024.
To date, Government has approved the designation of the national competent authorities (NCAs) for each of the sectors set out in the Directive. The NCSC, as the lead national competent authority, has set up and chairs the NCA Forum. This role sees the NCSC acting as a central coordinator providing advice, guidance and support including development of regulatory framework and tools to assist the other competent authorities.
Government also gave approval for the drafting of the National Cyber Security Bill 2024. My Department is currently engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Council (OPC), the Attorney General’s Office and other relevant Government Departments and Agencies on the drafting of the Bill. In tandem my Department is engaging with the Committee on Transport and Communications on the pre legislative scrutiny of the Bill.
Neither I or my officials can pre-empt the outcome or the length of time the legislative process will take, that is a matter solely for the Oireachtas.
However, the ongoing engagement with industry, sectoral entities, and the public administration sector among others, which is being led by the NCSC, will continue throughout the the legislative process and beyond . This is recognised by myself and my Department as a significant pillar of work required to ensure the successful implementation of the legislation in the State
41. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of homes that have had solar panels installed by the SEAI scheme in each of the years 2019 to 2023, and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38812/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average income of households that have had solar panels installed via schemes funded through his Department. [38813/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
The domestic solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme came into operation in February 2022, building on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme, in operation since 2018. Grants are currently available to support domestic solar installations, up to a maximum of €2,100.
Since the introduction of the MSS domestic grant in February 2022, the SEAI have seen application levels rise sharply. This growth has been supported by Government's decision to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the supply and installation of solar panels on domestic premises, as well as the Budget 2024 decision to increase the level of income tax relief from €200 to €400, on income earned by householders via the Clean Export Guarantee, which provides remuneration for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid.
The number of homes that received SEAI Domestic solar PV grants, for the years 2019 to 2023 and until the end of August 2024, is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Applications supported |
|
2019 |
1,822 |
|
2020 |
2,916 |
|
2021 |
4,077 |
|
2022 |
10,017 |
|
2023 |
22.214 |
|
2024 (to end Aug.) |
18,449 |
Access to the domestic solar PV grant is available to all applicants with homes which meet the scheme's eligibility criteria. The SEAI does not collect income details during the grant application process. Therefore, the average income of households which have received grant support from the SEAI for solar PV installation is not determinable.
SEAI has established a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members so that such their 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.
