Written Answers Nos 276-286
276. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to introduce post offices in large supermarket chains; if he will consider allowing a local shop to operate a post office in certain cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20207/14]
View answerMatters relating to the post office network, including the location of post offices, are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. However, I have referred the matter to the company for direct reply to the Deputy.
278. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding spent or distributed by his Department or related agencies in each of the past three years to encourage and assist persons in the uptake of renewable energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20306/14]
View answerGrant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department, are the main source of funding available to the public for adopting renewable energy. The Better Energy Programme, which principally provides funding for energy efficiency measures, also provides grants for the installation of solar panels. The Renewable Heat Deployment Programme (ReHeat), Greener Homes Scheme and the CHP Deployment Programme, previously provided grants but are now closed and residual payments were made in 2011. Since 2011, SEAI has administered the Electric Vehicles Grant scheme which provides grants of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of new electric vehicles. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles.
The principal supports for the deployment of electricity generation from renewable sources are the current REFIT and former AER schemes which are not subsidised by the Government. These are funded through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy, which is paid for by all electricity consumers. The supports for biomass CHP under REFIT 3, along with the requirements of Part L of the Building regulations, contribute to increasing the uptake of renewable heat. Details of the grants provided through SEAI for renewable energy for the years 2011 to 2013 (excluding energy efficiency grants) are set out in the following table.
|
- |
2011 (million euro) |
2012 (million euro) |
2013 (million euro) |
|
ReHeat Programme (residual expenditure) |
0.332 |
0 |
0 |
|
CHP Deployment (residual expenditure) |
0.376 |
0 |
0 |
|
Greener Homes (residual expenditure) |
4.590 |
0 |
0 |
|
Better Energy (Solar grants only) |
0.934 |
1.742 |
1.292 |
|
Electric Vehicles |
0.198 |
0.768 |
0.242 |
In terms of supporting renewable transport fuels, the Biofuel Obligation Scheme has, since 2010, obliged all road transport fuel suppliers to include a certain proportion of biofuel in their overall fuel mix.
It is also noteworthy that the ESB, through its ecars programme, is continuing to roll out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points to support the uptake of electric vehicles. ESB Ecars also promotes the use of electric vehicles and just recently launched the Great Electric Drive to give 26 members of the public and six commercial organisations the opportunity to trial an electric car for up to four months each.
279. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding provided since 2011 to assist with the cost of energy retrofitting of homes and public buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/14]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the Better Energy Programme. This includes the Better Energy Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Area based programme and the Better Energy Communities programme.
Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Ratings. Better Energy Homes is a demand-led programme. The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, including the area-based scheme, delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty.
The SEAI also administers the Better Energy Communities programme that supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities in the community sector. The Areas and Community-based schemes were amalgamated in 2014 with an Exchequer allocation of €13.5m. The call for applications for 2014 was announced in February and closed for applications on 30 April.
The Better Energy Workplaces Scheme, which funded new approaches for implementing sustainable energy upgrades to existing facilities in the public, commercial and industrial sectors closed in 2012. The Scheme has been replaced with the National Energy Services Framework, supported by the Energy Efficiency Fund, designed to stimulate innovative energy efficiency projects in the commercial and public sectors.
The following table provides a breakdown of the €203 million in grant funding provided by the SEAI for each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 to assist with the cost of energy retro-fitting of homes and public buildings.
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
- |
€M |
€M |
€M |
|
Better Energy Homes |
57.6 |
28.9 |
13.2 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
21.4 |
20.5 |
17.5 |
|
Better EnergyWarmer Homes Area Based |
- |
4.1 |
6.9 |
|
Better Energy Communities |
- |
1.8 |
7.8 |
|
Better Energy Workplaces |
10.9 |
12.7 |
- |
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he had any communication with or received any information from ComReg in regard to the quality of broadband and mobile telephony throughout the country with particular reference to the need to achieve high-quality services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20360/14]
View answerThe Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) publishes quarterly data reports on developments in the electronic communications market on a national basis. Its report to the end of 2013 states that 35% of customers had contracted for marketed fixed broadband services of 30 Mbps or higher compared to 20% a year earlier, 18% of customers had contracted for broadband speeds between 10 and 30 Mbps compared to 11% a year earlier and the proportion of customers contracted for speeds between 2 and 10 Mbps and less than 2 Mbps fell from 61% and 7% in December 2012 to 41% and 5% respectively at end 2013.
In the mobile market ComReg reports there were 4.45m active 3G SIMs in Ireland at end 2013 compared to 4.34m at end 2012. The number of smartphone and tablet users increased to 2.6m at end 2013, an increase of 9.2% compared to Q4 2012. These figures include SIMs capable of providing access to advanced data services such as web/internet content, online multiplayer gaming content, video on demand (VoD) or other equivalent advanced data services. ComReg will measure 3G and 4G access separately in future reports as the number of 4G users increases following the launch of 4G services in 2013.
The continuing increases in the number of customers accessing broadband services at higher speeds and the growth in the number of users of high speed mobile services and handsets is indicative of the ongoing and substantial investment by the commercial sector in next generation fixed and mobile electronic communications services.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he continues to receive information from An Post with particular reference to the future of the service in its entirety and the utilisation of its network of post offices and sub-post offices, including counter services throughout the country and the adaptation of additional suitable services for inclusion in the An Post portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20361/14]
View answerBoth my Department and I are in regular contact with An Post, including in relation to the future of the post office network. I have been supportive of An Post's attempts to diversify its income streams. In that regard, An Post has made much progress including the transfer of Aviva Ireland’s branch office personal business insurance business book to One Direct as well as an extended range of AIB services. The opportunity to pay Local Property Tax through the post office network has also been secured.
I brought the issue of the provision of additional public sector business to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. The Committee had its initial consideration of the matter at its meeting on 28 April and agreed to my proposal for a whole-of-government review of the scope for putting additional public services in the post offices. This will be undertaken over the coming months with the aim of a final report, based on the responses made by Departments, being made to the Cabinet Committee in September. In addition, I have written to my Government colleagues, including the Minister for Social Protection, to encourage them to consider what assistance their Departments might be able to give for the stimulation of new business for the post office network.
I see a strong future for the network by using its existing strengths to remain a significant player in the provision of Government, financial and other services. Securing the future viability of the post office network in the longer term will entail the network continuing to modernise, as it is doing, to provide the services that its customers require. Any such developments would need to be subject to competition and public procurement requirements as appropriate.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree to which ongoing oil, gas and other mineral exploration continues; the number of licences issued and activated in each of the past six years to date; the number of positive or commercially viable discoveries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20362/14]
View answerDetails of all Prospecting Licences can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas, which I am obliged to lay before the Houses under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999. The last such report was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2013. This report is available on my Department’s website at www.dcenr.gov.ie. The number of Mineral Prospecting Licences granted in each year between 2008 and 2014 are set out in the table.
Prospecting Licences Granted during period 2008 – 2014
|
Year |
Prospecting Licences (Minerals) |
|
2008 |
91 |
|
2009 |
66 |
|
2010 |
93 |
|
2011 |
98 |
|
2012 |
102 |
|
2013 |
142 |
|
2014 |
50 (to April 30th 2014) |
With regard to non-Petroleum minerals, there are 643 mineral Prospecting Licences currently held by 48 companies. Once issued, all licences are active.
While no new commercially viable deposits of minerals have been discovered in the past ten years, there have been some encouraging results, particularly in Counties Limerick and Clare. However, it is too early to determine whether these results will lead to identification of commercially viable deposits.
Details of all Authorisations granted under the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 can be found in the six-monthly report to the Oireachtas. The last such report was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2013. This report is available on my Department’s website at www.dcenr.gov.ie. The table sets outs the Authorisations granted in the years 2008 to the end of April 2014.
Petroleum Exploration Licences Granted during period 2008 – 2014
|
Year |
Offshore Petroleum Exploration Licences |
Licensing Options |
Petroleum Prospecting Licences |
|
2008 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
2009 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
2010 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
2011 |
9 |
3 |
|
|
2012 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
2013 |
5 |
5 |
9 |
|
2014 (to 30th April) |
6 |
1 |
There have been no commercial discoveries of oil or gas within the territory of the State in the last five years. With new company entrants in 2013 it is evident that that there is significant and growing capacity in the sector demonstrating that exploration in the Irish offshore is moving in the right direction.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the relevant legislation in respect of oil, gas and other mineral exploration to give an adequate return to the Exchequer while, at the same time, creating sufficient incentive for exploration to continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20363/14]
View answerThe report published by the former Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture in May 2012 contained a number of recommendations in respect of the fiscal and regulatory framework applying to oil and gas exploration in Ireland. In subsequent Dáil debates I stated my intention to seek further independent expert advice on the “fitness-for-purpose” of Ireland’s fiscal terms, such expert advice to focus on what level of fiscal gain is achievable for the State and its citizens and, equally important, on the mechanisms best suited to produce such a gain.
In March of this year my Department appointed Wood MacKenzie to provide expert advice on the fitness for purpose of Ireland's fiscal terms for oil and gas exploration, development and production. It is expected that Wood MacKenzie will shortly complete their assignment and their report will help inform future decisions.
Minerals exploration is regulated through a system of prospecting licences and exploration data is made available free of charge to incentivise exploration activity. The evidence presented by the number of active mineral prospecting licences indicates that the minerals development legislation is adequate in regard to the incentivisation of interest in minerals exploration activity. In the event of a commercially viable discovery being brought into production, companies are entitled to have the allowable exploration expenditure set-off against their tax liability. It has also been possible to agree a satisfactory return to the exchequer from on-going mining activities within the existing statutory framework. I do propose, however, to publish a new minerals development bill this year that will consolidate, modernise and further streamline the exploration and mining regulatory process.
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which adequate levels of alternative electricity generation facilities have been identified in order to comply with existing or anticipated EU regulations with particular reference to the control of emissions in line with national and international guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20365/14]
View answer286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which alternative energy generating sources such as wind, wave or other alternatives have been identified with particular reference to the need to develop non-fossil sources to the maximum; if he will outline any development in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.
The overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. Ireland is currently heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. While it is acknowledged that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix for some time to come, progress is being made towards increasing the share of renewable energy in our generation portfolio. The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources. Provisional figures for 2013 show that 20.5% of electricity demand was met from renewables.
To date wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. Provisional figures for 2013 indicate that 16.4% of electricity demand was met by wind generation. At the end of 2013, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was 2,300 MW. It is estimated that a total of around 4,000 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to meet its 40% renewable electricity target. Currently, over 3,000 MW of renewable generation has taken up connection offers under the Gate 3 grid connection programme.
With regard to other renewable energy technologies, my Department is currently in the process of finalising a national bioenergy strategy, which will be published shortly. It will set out the actions required to optimise the contribution that energy from biomass could make to the achievement of the 2020 renewable energy target for Ireland.
Furthermore, the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), which I published in February this year, identifies the opportunity for Ireland of realising the potential of our offshore energy resources for increasing indigenous production of renewable energy, thereby contributing to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improving the security of our energy supply. The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out for the OREDP found that it would be environmentally sustainable for 4,500 MW of offshore wind and 1500MW of wave and tidal devices to be developed in Irish waters in the period to 2030.
EU Member States are currently considering an energy and climate change framework for 2030 in pursuit of a low carbon economy by 2050. Following the recent publication by the European Commission of its proposal for a 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, my Department is undertaking analysis to establish the scale of the contribution Ireland can make to the achievement of the proposed EU renewable energy target of 27%, while also ensuring that any action taken would not give rise to unintended consequences, particularly from a competitiveness perspective.
