Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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60. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address concerns that costs and inefficiencies are creating a reduced ability among owners of agricultural land to progress the installation of solar panels that have the potential to reduce emissions and increasing the supply of green energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10174/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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On 15 February, I signed the Regulations transposing Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive, which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations allow the CEG tariff to become available for micro-and small-scale generators so that they will receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value. The Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale electricity generators in Ireland, including solar PV. The Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS), approved by Government on 21 December 2021, will provide capital grants for new domestic and small non-domestic installations, including for farmers. Businesses, including farms, who install new larger installations can avail of a Clean Export Premium tariff which will provide a fixed tariff for 15 years for electricity exported to the grid. The scheme design will be published shortly and supports will be introduced on a phased basis this year.The Climate Action Plan 2021 also commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale generators, i.e. above 50kW but smaller than those supported by the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.

For grid-scale installations, including solar PV, supports are available under the RESS, which provides a guaranteed fixed price, determined through a competitive auction, for a period of up to 16.5 years. The second RESS auction which is due to take place in 2022 includes Evaluation Correction Factors which provide for a slight competitive advantage for solar PV projects on taking into account system costs of technologies.

Other financial supports available for solar energy projects include tax based incentives for the development of renewable technologies such as the Accelerated Capital Allowances Scheme and the Employment and Investment Incentive as well as improvements for farm enterprises supported by the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).

Planning requirements for solar PV installations on agricultural land are primarily a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That Minister is expected to bring forward revised Regulations this year to reduce barriers to solar PV adoption. In addition, ESB Networks (ESBN) recently began trialling an updated and simplified grid connection process for micro-generators in the 12-50kW range. Under the Climate Action Plan 2021, ESBN will commence a similar trial for connections in the 51-200kW range later this year, further reducing barriers to solar PV adoption.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the eligibility criteria for the free energy upgrade scheme have changed from houses built before 2006 to houses built before 1993; if so, the number of houses this measure will exclude from this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low income households who are most at risk of energy poverty.  It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 143,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme.  In 2021, the average cost of the energy efficiency measures provided per household had increased to €17,100. A budget allocation of €109 million has been provided for this scheme this year. This will support an increase in the number of free home upgrades, from an average of 177 per month in 2021 to 400 per month this year, helping to reduce waiting times and to deal with the Covid impacted backlog.

In changes recently announced by Government, for the first time, applications will now be accepted from qualifying homeowners who previously received supports under the scheme, but who could still benefit from even deeper measures. The Scheme eligibility criteria will also be extended to include those in receipt of the Disability Allowance for over 6 months and have a child under 7 years. The Scheme will also target the worst performing properties first, by prioritising homes that were built and occupied before 1993 and have a pre-works BER of E, F or G. Existing applications will not be affected by this change in focus and owners of homes built after 1993 and with a higher BER rating may still apply as per the full eligibility criteria below.

1. Must own and live in your own home;

2. Home was built and occupied before 2006;

3. Must receive one of the following welfare payments:

- Fuel Allowance as part of the National Fuel Scheme;

- Job Seekers Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age;

- Working Family Payment;

- One-Parent Family Payment;

- Domiciliary Care Allowance;

- Carers Allowance and live with the person you are caring for, or

- Disability Allowance for over six months and have a child under seven years of age

Further details with respect to the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme are available at www.seai.ie.