Written answers

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of current applicants for the SEAI warmer homes scheme by age profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53453/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, my Department has provided funding for free upgrades to over 143,000 homes under the scheme. €109 million in capital funding has been provided this year to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million of this funding allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation and is the highest ever budget for this scheme. The scheme is currently available to households in receipt of:

- Fuel allowance under the National Fuel Scheme;

- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);

- Family Income Supplement;

- One-Parent Family Payment;

- Domiciliary Care Allowance;

- Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.

The SEAI does not collect information on the age profile of beneficiaries supported.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the renewable energy support scheme will be extended to include offshore wind projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53510/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is currently developing terms and conditions for offshore wind-specific auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). Owing to the specific scale and nature of typical offshore wind farms, dedicated auctions are initially required to support the longer-term potential of this technology in Ireland.

A number of milestones are required before the launch of the first offshore wind auction (ORESS 1) namely the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Bill together with the commencement of subsequent enabling secondary legislation. The Bill is currently in Committee stage in the Oireachtas. This will enable the establishment of the Maritime Area Consent (MAC) process for the first phase of projects which can then proceed to enter the full planning process with An Bord Pleanala.

A public consultation on the draft terms and conditions for ORESS 1 auctions is now underway. The closing date for submissions is 6 December.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the seven representatives from the academic and community sectors who are members of the renewable energy support scheme community steering board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53511/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The community commitments in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) seek to support sustainable community energy projects and ensure that local communities benefit from all RESS projects.

A RESS Communities Steering Board has been established by my Department to advise on the policy and implementation of the community features of RESS. The representatives from the academic and community sectors come from a variety of backgrounds including Sustainable Energy Communities, Public Participation Networks, community energy co-ops, community generators, research and third level institutes and international community energy advocacy.

The members bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from across the community and academic sectors, ensuring a broad range of views are represented and heard. The Board will be decisive in shaping the tremendous opportunity for the development of community energy in Ireland that will be important in achieving a just energy transition and our national energy and climate policy goals.

I will write separately to the Deputy and provide further details of the steering group.

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