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Tuesday, 10 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 305-320

Electricity Generation

Questions (305)

Robert Troy

Question:

305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate Ireland's target figure for electricity exports in megawatts, which is central to the UK-Ireland intergovernmental agreement under development (details supplied). [52566/13]

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Written answers

The figures referred to by the Deputy which relate to the various Gate processes and those in the queue awaiting connection agreements, are under the Commission for Energy Regulation's Group Processing Approach for the treatment of generation facilities seeking access to the Irish electricity grid. These projects are aiming to supply the domestic Irish market and contribute to achieving 40% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020, as part of our overall legally binding target of 16% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

As regards projects of a significant scale specifically for renewable export, it is important to note that any wind energy export project must await the conclusion of an Inter-Governmental Agreement, the development of the Renewable Energy Export Policy and Development Framework and the obtaining of the necessary consents from An Bord Pleanála for the project. The Memorandum of Understanding on energy co-operation, signed in January of this year by the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Edward Davey MP, and I, sent a strong signal of our shared interest in developing the opportunity to export green electricity from Ireland to Britain and will result in completion of consideration of how Irish renewable energy resources, onshore and offshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both countries. An agreed programme of work to this end, including a full technical and economic analysis, is underway with the ambition to settle on an Inter-Governmental Agreement in 2014. A key objective, from an Irish Government perspective, is to realise the potential for investment, jobs and growth. The amount of energy to be procured by the United Kingdom and the mechanisms for sharing the resultant economic benefits, including an appropriate return to the Exchequer, are among the matters to be addressed ahead of signing any Inter-Governmental Agreement.

Energy Conservation

Questions (306)

Dara Calleary

Question:

306. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the supports, including financial assistance, that are available to the owner of an hotel who wants to improve the energy efficiency of their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52604/13]

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Written answers

Hotels are able to receive grants to improve the energy efficiency of their business through the Better Energy Community Programme. This programme, launched in 2013, provides Exchequer funding to support energy efficiency projects within local communities. It encourages innovation and pioneering partnerships between public and private, domestic and non-domestic, commercial and not for profit sectors. All applications to the scheme in 2013 were evaluated on the basis of the competitive assessment. Higher scores were awarded to projects with more than one partner and that displayed technical innovation. Some hotels received funding as part of partnership projects and hotels who received funding did not apply on their own. There is Exchequer funding of €7 million in place to continue the scheme in 2014 and it is anticipated that the call for applications will open in the first quarter of next year.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) also provides advice and training for businesses on ways to reduce their energy bills through the SME support Centre. A wide range of activities including energy assessments, small business training, EnergyMap training and a number of networking events are provided. The Advice Mentoring and Assessments (AMA) programme has recorded annual savings of over 10% being generated by the participating businesses year on year. To participate, businesses can register online on the SEAI website (www.SEAI.ie).

Electricity Transmission Network

Questions (307)

John Halligan

Question:

307. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he first became aware of certain proposals being made by EirGrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52752/13]

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Written answers

EirGrid’s Grid25 Programme, launched in 2008, is the most important investment in Ireland’s electricity transmission system for several generations.Grid25 will take several years to complete and it represents an investment of €3.2 billion. It involves extensive work throughout the country, including building 800km of new power lines and upgrading 2,000 km of existing lines – double the size of today’s grid. The Grid25 project will reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels by putting the infrastructure in place to enable us use our own natural resources, help us create less carbon waste and enable us reach our renewable energy targets by 2020. Details of the Grid25 programme and the individual projects are available on the EirGrid website at www.eirgrid.com.

Electricity Transmission Network

Questions (308)

John Halligan

Question:

308. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the regular contact between his Department and EirGrid during the initial consultation period; if he is closely monitoring the outpouring of adverse public reaction to the EirGrid proposals, which have been seen across the country in the potentially affected areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52753/13]

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Written answers

I am aware that many people are concerned about the impact that new transmission lines and other energy infrastructure can have on the landscape, the environment and on local communities. I have, therefore, repeatedly said that it is essential that Grid25 and other energy infrastructure plans are taken forward on the basis of the best available knowledge and informed meaningful engagement on the impacts and costs of the various options.

In delivering the Grid25 programme, EirGrid must: - undertake and communicate well-informed, objective and authoritative analysis, thorough impact assessment and pre-planning consultation, in arriving at optimal routes, technology choice, design and costings:

- address and where possible avoid any human, environmental or landscape impact in delivering the best possible engineering solutions for our small and still isolated electricity system;

- adhere to national and international standards on health, environment, biodiversity, landscape and safety as an intrinsic part of the planning process.

I can confirm that there is regular contact between EirGrid and my Department on a range of issues, as is usual between the shareholder and any state company.

Question No. 309 answered with Question No. 300.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (310)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

310. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a breakdown of the annual infrastructure and capital expenditure by his Department on a regional basis and a county basis during the past five years. [52796/13]

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Written answers

The total capital expenditure by my Department from 2008 to the end of November 2013 is set out in the table. Generally, expenditure in my Department is not allocated at county or regional level.

Table: Capital Expenditure by Sector - 2008 to end November 2013

-

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 (end Nov)

Sector

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

Communications

51,667

43,834

56,166

13,291

10,020

5,767

Broadcasting

2,431

900

1,800

3,510

1,085

920

Energy

30,975

71,179

95,583

98,252

69,816

40,439

Natural Resources

12,727

8,244

8,596

6,698

7,059

5,866

Inland Fisheries

1,453

1,253

1,457

1,242

1,273

4,259

IT Capital and Office Equipment.

1,108

638

503

448

948

467

Totals

100,361

126,048

164,105

123,441

90,201

57,718

While an overall breakdown is not available on a county or regional basis, the Deputy may wish to refer to Parliamentary Question Numbers 9969/13 of 26 February 2013 and 51729/13 of 3 December 2013 which gives regional breakdowns of expenditure on Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) Projects from 2004 onwards and the number of schools that avail of the 100Mbps to schools project respectively.

Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann

Questions (311, 312)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

311. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha an ndeachaigh an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha i gcomhairle le hÚdarás Craolacháin na hÉireann i dtaca le leasú éigeandála a thairiscint i dtaca leis an Acht Craolacháin 2009 chun nach féidir le UTV (nó le hiarrthóirí eile ar cheadúnas craolacháin) buntáiste a bhreith ar an Acht Craolacháin 2009, ar reachtaíocht é atá easnamhach, trí cheadúnas a fháil a fhágann nach bhfuil dualgas orthu i leith chultúr agus theanga na hÉireann, ná i leith táille a d’fhéadfaí a ghearradh orthu faoi mar a ghearrtar ar RTÉ, TG4 nó TV3 faoi láthair, faoi mar a luaigh Bob Collins, Cathaoirleach Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann, agus é ag labhairt leis an gComhchoiste Oireachtais um Iompar agus Cumarsáid, Dé Céadaoin, an 13 Samhain 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [52812/13]

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Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

312. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha i bhfianaise an méid a bhí le rá ag Cathaoirleach Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann ag an gComhchoiste um Iompar agus Cumarsáid, Dé Céadaoin, an 13 Samhain 2013, cad é atá beartaithe a dhéanamh lena chinntiú nach féidir le craoltóir lasmuigh den dlínse ceadúnas craoltóireachta a fháil sa dlínse seo gan dualgas a bheith air i leith chultúr agus theanga na Gaeilge ná i leith táille a íoc le hÚdarás Craolacháin na hÉireann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [52865/13]

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Written answers

Pléifidh mé le Ceist Uimh. 311 agus 312 le chéile.

Comhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách is ea Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann a bunaíodh faoin Acht Craolacháin 2009 agus atá freagrach as ceadúnais a thabhairt do Chraoltóirí. Tá aidhmeanna Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann leagtha amach in Alt 25 d’Acht 2009 a fhorálann, faoi Alt 24, go mbeidh an tÚdarás neamhspleách le linn dó a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh. Dá réir sin, níl aon fheidhm agamsa mar Aire, ceadúnais a eisiúint, agus is faoin Údarás amháin é sin a dhéanamh de réir a chuid aidhmeanna.

Ba mhaith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil mo chuid Oifigeach ag ullmhú Bille Leasaithe Craolacháin le foilsiú sa bhliain 2014. Lorg mé agus fuair mé ionchur ó Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann faoi roinnt forálacha. Níor lorg Bord Craolacháin na hÉireann áfach, leasú ar Alt 71 den Acht a dtagraíonn an Teachta dó.

Renewable Energy Incentives

Questions (313, 314)

David Stanton

Question:

313. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the current supports available to encourage domestic on-farm and commercial microgeneration; his plans for future supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52933/13]

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David Stanton

Question:

314. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made by Sustainable Energy Ireland with their analysis on the costs of varying levels of support for microgeneration technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52934/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.

Electric Ireland has been offering a feed in tariff for domestic microgeneration since February 2009. No other electricity supply company has to date chosen to enter the domestic market and to offer a microgeneration feed-in-tariff on a commercial basis, although the Commission for Energy Regulation invited them to do so. In addition, no company has opted to offer, on a commercial basis, a feed-in-tariff for microgeneration to the commercial and industrial sectors.

Currently, a number of supports are available for commercial micro and small scale generation. All renewable electricity generating technologies can avail of tax relief on capital directly invested in renewable energy assets under Section 486B of the Tax Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 (as amended). This allows an investor to claim the lesser of 50% of all capital expenditure (excluding lands) or €9.525 million for a single project. Investment by a company or group under this scheme is capped at €12.7 million per annum. Corporate investors in renewable energy projects can claim tax relief on equity investment in capital assets. Other tax based support measures include the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme which allows individual investors to obtain income tax relief on investments in renewable energy in each tax year. This scheme supersedes the previous Business Expansion Scheme. It provides a minimum tax relief of 30% with an additional 11% accruing at the end of the third and final year if the business has expanded to employ a designated number of people (or if the investment was used for R&D). The scheme has an investment cap of €750,000 and is thus suited to commercial small scale generation projects. An Accelerated Capital Allowance scheme also allows companies to offset the cost of investment in qualifying renewable energy generation technologies against their tax liabilities in Year 1 rather than over a more prolonged period of years, thus aiding their cash flow.

Analysis of the potential of microgeneration, using technologies such as solar and small scale wind and hydro, has been carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). During 2011 and 2012 SEAI carried out microgeneration field trials, a final report on which was submitted to my Department earlier this year. A progress report on Ireland's National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), as required by the EU Renewable Energy Directive, is currently being completed. The findings of this progress report will provide a suitable context for reviewing the potential for cost effective support of microgeneration, and whether any such support should be tariff, or non-tariff, based.

Capital Programme Expenditure

Questions (315)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

315. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the €22 million in capital funding recorded as not spent under the expenditure profile at end November in the most recent analysis of gross Voted expenditure Exchequer figures, the reason for the underspend; if he will provide a breakdown of the capital projects or outlays that have not commenced as yet, as per the profile; if any of the €107.2 million in total capital carryover in Government moneys for 2012 relates to his Department; the amount of same; if it has been spent; on what it has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52950/13]

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Written answers

I can confirm that there is an Capital underspend of €22 million against expenditure profile to the end of November. Profiled expenditure including capital carryover was €79.631m against actual expenditure of €57.675 million. This is mainly due to lower than anticipated expenditure in a number of programme areas as set out in the following table. The figures to which I refer include capital carryover of €10.4 million which was allocated to Sustainable Energy Programmes.

Programme

Amount

Reason

Information and Communications Technology Programme

€10.4m

The majority of underspend relates to the Postcodes Project and in particular the time required to complete the procurement process to appoint a Postcode Management Licence Holder. Contract negotiations have commenced and the contract should be finalised shortly.

Sustainable Energy Programmes

€3.1m

Due to the timing of payments under the Better Energy programme. Expenditure is expected to be closer to target by year end.

Energy Research Programmes

€6.7m

There has been a lower than anticipated uptake on demand led research schemes.

Mining Services

€1.5m

Underspend is due to the time required to complete the procurement process for remediation of Avoca Mines; expenditure is delayed until 2014. Work at Silvermines is delayed pending finalisation of land acquisition.

Total

€21.7m

-

Warmer Homes Scheme Applications

Questions (316)

Michael Lowry

Question:

316. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under the warmer homes scheme, applicants can now avail of cavity wall insulation where previously this option was not available; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many previous applicants now feel aggrieved that they could not avail of wall cavity insulation; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will allow previous applicants to reapply to avail of this option. [52991/13]

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Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to homeowners who are vulnerable to energy poverty free of charge to the customer. Since commencement of the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme in 2000, the technical specifications have been amended and improved upon on a number of occasions. The services offered have evolved and the technical standards have improved as increased Exchequer funding has been allocated to the scheme.

All homes delivered from 2011 onwards have been offered Cavity Wall services where technically possible. The scheme aims to deliver energy upgrades to the highest technical standards available at any given time. The aim is to deliver services to those in energy poverty who have received no services previously. There are currently over 3,000 homes on a waiting list requesting energy upgrades who have not received services previously and must be dealt with. It is therefore not currently anticipated that homes will be revisited where services have been previously provided to them under the scheme.

Broadcasting Service Provision

Questions (317)

Clare Daly

Question:

317. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the code of practice within which community radio stations are funded by his Department and supposed to deal with volunteer radio producers or presenters; and the steps a volunteer can take if they are dissatisfied with the decision of the station. [53011/13]

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Written answers

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is the statutory independent body responsible for regulation of the broadcasting sector, which includes regulation of the community radio sector, and as such, I, as Minister have no role in this matter. The role of the BAI includes the provision of funding for the sector, by way of the Sound and Vision II Scheme. In addition, through the Sectoral Learning and Development Policy, the BAI provides support in two ways. The first is through the provision of funding support to CRAOL and CTA, the representative agencies for the community radio and television sectors. The second is through the Community Broadcasting Support Scheme, which offers funding to community radio and television broadcasters to conduct internal or external evaluations of their respective services. The completed evaluations are then used by broadcasters to identify and address areas of their operations that may need review or alteration. Neither the Minister nor the Authority have functions in regard to the internal disciplinary or complaints procedures of individual radio stations.

Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 301.

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Questions (319)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

319. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he has taken to undertake the economic analysis of the agricultural biomass-generated biogas supply chain in order to support the co-ordinated development of the sector and to make recommendations on the use of biogas in Government buildings or in Government vehicles; and if a steering group on the biogas sector development has been planned for the foreseeable future. [53061/13]

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Written answers

Academic and industry research suggest that there is a potentially significant role for biogas in meeting our renewable energy requirements as well as contributing to wider Government policy in agriculture, waste management and air and water quality. However, the technologies underpinning the sector are at a relatively early stage of development with the result that there is uncertainty surrounding the cost structure and the supports required to support the sector's development. Therefore, further detailed economic analysis of the biogas sector and its supply chains, from its production from different forms of biomass through to its distribution and use, will be required before any additional supports for biogas and biomethane appropriate to Ireland can be considered. This analysis will be carried forward, taking account of the cross-sectoral benefits that a biogas sector could deliver, in the context of implementing the forthcoming Bioenergy Strategy.

Broadband Services Provision

Questions (320)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding 3G; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53096/13]

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Written answers

Ireland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The market has since developed into a well-regulated market, supporting a multiplicity of commercial operators, providing services over a diverse range of technology platforms. Details of broadband services available in each County can be found on ComReg’s website at www.callcosts.ie.

The State can only intervene to ensure access to broadband services in areas where the competitive market fails to deliver such services, as in the case of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). The area referred to by the Deputy is covered under that Scheme and therefore all fixed residences and businesses located within the area are eligible to avail of the NBS service from "3", the NBS service provider. The broadband service contracted under the NBS is a basic, affordable, scalable product in keeping with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme in September 2007. Under the terms of the NBS contract, the NBS mobile wireless service is required to offer minimum download and upload speeds of 2.3Mbps and 1.4Mbps respectively, subject to a maximum contention ratio of 18:1.

The Government’s National Broadband Plan, which I published in August 2012, aims to radically change the broadband landscape in Ireland by ensuring that high speed broadband is available to all citizens and businesses. This will be achieved by providing:

- a policy and regulatory framework that assists in accelerating and incentivising commercial investment, and

- a State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest.

Since the publication of the Plan, investments by the commercial sector are underway and in some instances have been accelerated in both fixed line and wireless high speed broadband services. With particular reference to mobile telecommunications services, I note that a number of mobile operators have made announcements regarding network upgrades and are rolling out enhanced product offerings, including one operator who has announced its intention to ensure that all of its customer base has access to 3G.

In tandem with these developments, intensive work is underway in my Department to progress a State-led investment to secure the countrywide introduction of next generation broadband access. In order to progress the State-led investment for areas where it is not commercial for the market to invest, a full procurement process must be designed and EU State Aids approval must be obtained. My Department is engaged in a comprehensive mapping exercise of the current and anticipated investment by the commercial sector over the coming years, the results of which will inform the areas that need to be targeted in the State-led investment as envisaged in the National Broadband Plan. Intensive technical, financial and legal preparations, including stakeholder engagement, are ongoing. The procurement process for the approved intervention will be carried out in accordance with EU and Irish procurement rules and it is expected that it will be launched in 2014.

Through the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, I am committed to ensuring that all parts of Ireland have access to high speed broadband, with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in, and maximise the benefits of, a digitally enabled economy and society.

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