Written Answers Nos. 130-145
130. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the Government's policy in relation to the development of infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44643/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Government’s ‘Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas' the government does not support the importation of fracked gas. Ireland is committed to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In future, most of our energy needs will be met by renewable energy which will be the anchor of our energy security.
The sole consideration by this Government of Liquified Natural Gas facilities is in the context of energy security. The Government does not support the commercial import of LNG as the development of infrastructure for the commercial import of LNG would be inconsistent with the decarbonisation trajectory established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, as amended.
The Government policy in relation to energy security is set out in 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report which was approved and published in November 2023. The report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections. However, Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our sub-sea gas imports pipelines and does not currently meet minimum EU standards in this area.
It is in this context only that a state-led Liquified Gas Facility was recommended in the Report.
A state-led strategic gas emergency reserve, operating on a non-commercial basis for use only in the event of an emergency, would provide resilience to the gas system and mitigate against the major consequences for our society and our economy that would arise from a significant gas supply disruption in Ireland.
Gas Networks Ireland are undertaking a detailed analysis of the strategic gas emergency reserve. In parallel my Department are developing the appropriate policy and legislative measures to ensure the facility would provide the resilience to our energy system in a manner that:
does not inadvertently increase gas demand by increasing the supply available on the market;
is compatible with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and
does not support the importation of Fracked Gas.
This work is continuing as a matter of priority; however, it requires additional analysis before returning to Government.
The reasons that additional analysis is required are that a number of factors which informed the original proposal have changed. These include the anticipated timescale delivery of a gas reserve, the impact of interconnection and the potential for further interconnection, the rapid development and installation of batteries and other energy storage, and the new, more ambitious 2040 climate targets being proposed by the Commission. Therefore I have asked my Department to commission analysis on these and on other relevant factors including the potential to rely on oil-fired generation at Moneypoint, increased distillate storage at or connected to existing gas generation, and regulatory moves to transition from gas.
The alternative approaches to energy security solutions could provide significant longer term economic, climate, and security benefits that a floating regasification and storage unit would not provide.
I have asked my Department, when the analysis is available, to make it public for consultation in light of the importance of public participation in environmental decision-making and our commitments in that regard in the Aarhus Convention.
131. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what analysis he and his Department are undertaking or commissioning in relation to alternative means to improving energy security other than a floating regasification and storage unit in the context of Ireland's decarbonisation obligations and plans, and whether the analysis will be subject to public consultation given the importance of public participation in environmental decision-making to which we have committed in the Aarhus Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44644/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department completed a study in 2022 with CEPA on energy security (Technical Analysis of the Security of Energy Supply of Ireland’s Electricity and Natural Gas Systems). The Final Energy security review titled “Energy Security in Ireland to 2030” recommended an additional entry point for gas in the form of a Floating Regasification and Storage Unit (FRSU) to satisfy the N-1 infrastructure standard (i.e. the loss of the largest importing infrastructure, without loss of load). The assumptions underpinning this were based on the period of 2028-2030 being of most critical importance.
The following have subsequently happened/ become apparent:
Actual electricity flows with GB are distinctly different in 2023 and 2024 from that predicted by CEPA (i.e. a prediction that we would be exporting 97% of the time in 2025.)
Battery storage is currently about 3 times that predicted in the CEPA analysis for 2025.
Two interconnectors, with France and UK, are in construction. Two other interconnectors with UK are now in regulatory processes. Proposals are being developed for two further interconnectors with the Continent.
Solar is growing much faster than predicted, and continuing to accelerate.
New, more ambitious 2040 climate targets are being proposed by the Commission, bringing up the question of whether we’ll be taking most or all of the actions which would constitute an alternative to the LNG FRSU anyway.
The timeline for delivery of the FRSU would be 2031, and given the potential difficulty through the development process, this could be optimistic.
Therefore, I have asked my Department to update the analysis to consider the issues above and also the following
• Further additional policy options, e.g. regulation to phase out the use of fossil heat for less than 200 degrees in industry by 2035 and for commercial and residential buildings from 2045. The context for these regulatory steps includes both the energy security risks associated with the use of gas in the Irish context, and emissions.
• The retention as an available backup of Moneypoint in oil-fired mode for longer than previously anticipated.
• The potential to increase the feasibility of distillate operation of gas plants including by increasing storage and by connecting power plants to existing storage at suitable locations.
• The potential for the batteries in EVs to be relied on to supply the grid in times of crisis.
• The potential cost savings, should storage and interconnection enable scaling back the peak electricity generation capacity which is currently being procured at great cost.
The analysis requested at this stage is of the potential for these mechanisms, not the detailed working out of how they would be implemented.
I have asked my Department, when the analysis is available, to make it public for consultation in light of the importance of public participation in environmental decision-making and our commitments in that regard in the Aarhus Convention.
132. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to tackle the issue of illegal dumping in Kildare; whether the barriers in relation to CCTV have been overcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44680/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Waste Management Act, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to illegal dumping lies with the local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate awareness, enforcement and clean-up actions in relation to illegal dumping taking account of local circumstances.
My Department provides significant support to the local authority sector in their efforts to tackle illegal dumping. Almost €18m has been provided to the sector under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was first introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies. €2.84m was provided in support of the ADI in 2023, while a further €3m has been allocated in support of the Initiative in 2024. Kildare County Council received €72,303 under the ADI scheme in 2023.
My Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7m was provided to local authorities under the scheme in 2023 with a similar amount allocated for 2024. €309,800 was provided to Kildare County Council under the scheme in 2023.
The legislation allowing for the installation and usage of CCTV for litter and waste enforcement purposes required that the Local Government Management Agency submit to the Minister for approval, separate Codes of Practice for the operation of CCTV schemes under the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act and a further Code of Practice for the use of "mobile recording devices" (e.g. drones) under the Waste Management Act. These Codes of Practice were approved in January 2024 and the relevant sections of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act were commenced on 15th February 2024.
It has been open to all local authorities since that date to begin the process of putting the required procedures in place to allow for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant use of CCTV and other mobile recording devices to combat litter and illegal dumping.
133. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to install a heat pump, broken down by post-BER rating and by SEAI scheme, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44730/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the heat pump targets as outlined in the long-term renovation strategy (details supplied); the progress made in meeting these targets; the percentage of these targets reached in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44732/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together.
Ireland’s Long-Term Renovation Strategy, submitted to the European Commission in 2020, sets a target to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2030. The Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan published in 2021, subsequently set targets to install 45,000 heat pumps existing dwellings by 2025, and 400,000 by 2030
Heat pumps are one of the most challenging technologies to implement at scale in the existing residential sector, though new builds are predominantly using them. Data from SEAI shows that in the period 2019 to end-September 2024, almost 171,000 property upgrades have been supported. Of these, over 13,000 have installed a heat pump, mostly under the SEAI part-funded, demand-led schemes. In addition, data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows that an additional 4,863 heat pumps were installed under its Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme in the period 2021-2023. The 18,000 heat pump installations represent 40% of the 2025 target and 4.5% of the 2030 target. It is important to note that the number of heat pump installations was impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19.
SEAI advise that under the residential and community retrofit schemes almost all homes retrofitted that include a heat pump achieved a post works Building Energy rating of B2 or better.
There has been significant year-on-year growth in the number of heat pumps installed in recent years. Last year’s total of almost 6,000 heat pumps represents a 44% increase on 2022 and a 430% increase on the number installed in 2019. This growth has resulted from a range of measures set out in the National Retrofit Plan including:
• New and redesigned SEAI schemes with enhanced grant rates of up to €10,500 available for heat pumps when a B2 energy rating is achieved;
• Changes to SEAI scheme rules to make the process of accessing heat pump grants easier for homeowners;
• Measures to expand the supply chain;
• An €8 billion budget allocation to support retrofit and heat pump installations to 2030; and
• A focus on installing heat pumps within the Local Authority Retrofit Programme.
It is clear from the 2025 heat pumps target and the annual financial allocations set out in the National Retrofit Plan that the first half of the decade is focused on growing both demand for heat pumps and the necessary supply chain with a further significant acceleration from 2026. Increasing the uptake of heat pumps among homeowners is a top priority of my Department and as such, further policies and measures will be introduced on an annual basis in order to support the achievement of these targets. The Deputy may wish to note that Budget 2025 committed to a reduction in the VAT rate for the installation of heat pumps reduced to 9% - the lowest rate allowable under the VAT Directive.
The specific data sought by the Deputy on the average cost to install a heat pump broken down by scheme for the period 2020 - 2024, is not routinely reported to the Department by SEAI. Therefore, I have asked SEAI to reply directly to the Deputy with the information in so far as it is available as soon as possible.
135. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that some firms registered on the SEAI website one-stop shop have gone into liquidation while in the middle of home energy upgrades on customers’ homes, with customers at the loss of this investment (details supplied), with no adequate measures or protections in place for customers who are left with unfinished upgrades to their homes, with huge increased costs to have the works completed by other firms; the comeback customers have, if any, in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44736/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration and management of applications for retrofit projects under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. However, SEAI has confirmed that it is currently actively engaged with the homeowner in question. SEAI has also confirmed that the company in question is not a registered One Stop Shop and operated under the Deep Retrofit Scheme, which closed to new applications in 2019.
It is critically important that works supported by SEAI schemes are completed in line with the respective scheme terms and conditions including in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents. Accordingly, a contractor or builder must meet the following criteria to be listed on SEAI's website:
• Contractors must complete a SEAI Contractor Registration form and provide all necessary documents confirming competency for measures being registered for. Details can be found here: www.seai.ie/sites/default/files/publications/Domestic-Technical-Standards-and-Specifications.pdf
• Contractors must complete a Declaration of Insurance form and provide a valid Tax Clearance Certificate
• Contractors must attend a mandatory Onboarding Training session held by SEAI. These sessions are held once a month and a Contractors activation on the SEAI website is dependent on attendance.
• In order to remain SEAI registered, Contractors must remain insured at all times, tax compliant and carry out works to the standards set out in SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications (DTSS) document as well as NSAI’s S.R. 54:2014 – Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.
SEAI has a number of controls in place, including a targeted, risk-based inspection approach to oversee the quality management of registered contractors, and this can include various sanctions up to and including de-registration. Furthermore, in 2023 SEAI set up a new quality team looking at how quality can be further optimised. SEAI also continuously reviews standards, specifications and registration requirements and engages with Educational Training Boards (ETB) regarding relevant courses and course content.
136. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and businesses in County Roscommon that have had National Broadband Ireland rolled out to them. [44764/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and businesses in County Roscommon that are waiting for National Broadband Ireland to roll out to them. [44766/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 138 together.
Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month.
I am advised by NBI that over 304,606 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection, which is over half the premises in the Intervention Area. Over 102,651 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In the Deputy’s own county of Roscommon over 12,710 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 14,194 available to order/pre-order, with 3,896 premises now connected. A further 6,290 premises in Roscommon will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Roscommon and can be monitored vianbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
137. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and businesses in County Galway that have had National Broadband Ireland rolled out to them. [44765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and businesses in County Galway that are waiting for National Broadband Ireland to roll out to them. [44767/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 139 together.
Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month.
I am advised by NBI that over 304,606 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection, which is over half the premises in the Intervention Area. Over 102,651 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In the Deputy’s own county of Galway over 21,897 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 23,589 available to order/pre-order, with 7,764 premises now connected. A further 18,103 premises in Galway will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Galway and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether solar panels are covered under the “fully funded energy upgrade scheme” administered by SEAI and funded by his Department; if they are, the number of solar houses provided with solar panels in each of the past five years; if not, if it is intended to extend the scheme to cover them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44781/24]
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.
While Solar PV is not currently offered as a standard upgrade under the scheme, SEAI data indicates that in a small number of homes (fewer than 10) 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.
Homes built prior to 2021 are eligible for part funded grants for Solar PV. Further details can be found on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie.
141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by his Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table beneath.
|
Year |
No. of Phones issued |
Total Cost |
|
2022 |
192 |
€110,054 |
|
2023 |
205 |
€155,952 |
|
2024 (to date) |
125 |
€171,748 |
142. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the revaluation of deferred benefits for An Post pensions will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44923/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the revaluation of deferred benefits for An Post pensioners will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45103/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.
The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
143. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he was aware that boilers done through grants are only available for ‘bunded’ boilers; the reason this is the case; and what report was done to include these in the mandate for boiler repairs. [45020/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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.
SEAI grants for homeowners are focused on those measures which will be most effective in reducing energy use and reducing our carbon emissions. In order to move away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems, grant supports under the part-funded schemes are available for installing heat pumps in place of fossil fuel heating systems, rather than for replacement or repair of gas or oil boilers systems.
Contractors operating under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Contractor Code of Practice and Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications as well as best practice and technical guidance documents including:
• NSAI S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings
• The System Supplier/Product Manufacturer Guidelines
• Irish Agrément certificates
• Irish, British or European Standards Guides
• Building Regulations and associated Technical Guidance Documents, including Technical Guidance Document Part J which sets out requirements for the installation of heating systems.
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 currently be funded, in order to comply with Building Regulations requirements where a major renovation is taking place. Ireland is working to implement the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which is being led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Under this Directive, Member States cannot provide financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels from 1 January 2025. Any applicants to the Warmer Home Scheme that have been informed prior to end December 2024 that they will receive a heating system upgrade will not be affected.
In order to move the scheme away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems where the Building Regulations are triggered comply with the EPBD; and 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.
144. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he last spoke formally with the CEO of An Post. [45044/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
