Written Answers Nos. 1454-1474
1454. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1922/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process issues were identified with the Natura and Protection of Watercourses from Bovines actions. Department officials are examining these issues with a view to resolving and further processing the application for 2016 payment at the earliest opportunity.
1455. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1923/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received 85% payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the prepayment checking process in respect of the 2015 balancing payment, issues were identified with the Commonage and Protection of Watercourses from Bovines actions. Department officials are examining these issues with a view to resolving and further processing the application in respect of the 2015 balancing payment.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, the application of the person named will be processed in respect of the 2016 Scheme year.
1456. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1924/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process issues were identified with the commonage action. The checks also indicated that the person named is participating in another EU funded scheme and requires further investigation to protect against double funding. Department officials are examining these issues with a view to resolving and further processing the application for 2016 payment at the earliest opportunity.
1458. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a plot of blanket bog (details supplied) which was deemed eligible for the single farm payment has been deemed ineligible for the basic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1940/17]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 2 May 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. The person named was not selected for an eligibility inspection prior to this. This inspection identified an over-declaration in area which equated to 146% of the area determined. As the person named does not currently hold any BPS entitlements, no payment is due under the 2016 BPS scheme. Furthermore no payment is due under the 2016 ANC Scheme given the extent of the over-declaration.
The person named was notified of the findings of the inspection on 28 November 2016 and of their right to seek a review of the inspection findings. To date no such request has been received.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agricultural Appeals Office within 3 months.
1459. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments due to a person (details supplied) will issue immediately; and the reason for the delay. [1949/17]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by Change of Registration Details of Herd Number.
As the herd number shown had been changed to a farm partnership name after the submission of the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application, it was necessary to have a Declaration of Undertaking form completed in order to allow the transfer application to be processed.
A letter issued with a Declaration of Undertaking form to the person named on the 11th November 2016. The completed Declaration of Undertaking form has since been returned to my Department. The application has now been finalised and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue in the coming days.
1461. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual cost related to the clean up and restoration process due to fuel laundering - extracting the green dye from diesel - due to the environmental consequences and waste pollution related to the extraction process in each of the years 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41024/16]
View answerOver 1,000 incidents of diesel laundering waste dumping have been dealt with by local authorities to date. My Department has provided funding of €5.5 million to local authorities for the substantial costs associated with such disposal over the period 2011-2015. The overwhelming majority of the clean-up operations have taken place in the border counties of Louth and Monaghan.
The illegal deposition of the waste material arising from diesel laundering activities presents the local authorities with major difficulties as the task of cleaning up the material needs to be dealt with to avoid threats to the environment. The laundering process requires the use of chemicals such as sulphuric acid and bleaching agents and results in a waste by-product, a tar like chemical compound or sludge, with the potential for environmental pollution, particularly in relation to watercourses.
Details of the amounts provided by my Department for the period 2011 to 2015, on a per county basis are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Louth County Council €'000 |
Monaghan County Council €'000 |
Cavan County Council €'000 |
Donegal County Council €'000 |
Total €'000
|
|
2011 |
939 |
90 |
- |
- |
1,029 |
|
2012 |
1,319 |
347 |
23 |
- |
1,689 |
|
2013 |
693 |
151 |
- |
41 |
885 |
|
2014 |
706 |
601 |
- |
- |
1,307 |
|
2015 |
236 |
353 |
- |
- |
589 |
|
Total |
3,893 |
1,542 |
23 |
41 |
5,499 |
In April 2015, the UK and Ireland both introduced a new fuel marker, and there has been a significant decline in the number of incidents and tonnages of fuel laundered waste arising as a consequence. A complete solution to this problem must necessarily involve continued effective and co-ordinated enforcement of the law from both a revenue and a waste management perspective. In that context, my Department continues to liaise with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the local authorities, and the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities to seek to identify more effective enforcement solutions and these engagements will continue.
1462. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress which has been made with plans for the fish counter on the River Barrow. [41058/16]
View answerI have been informed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that significant time and resources have been spent to date on the planning and development of a robust, sustainable and effective solution to the challenge of quantifying migratory fish population numbers in the River Barrow system.
There are a number of technical factors involved in such projects and key among those factors is site selection. A number of sites have now been investigated for suitability and a shortlist of locations has been developed in conjunction with experts in the field.
I am advised that IFI is planning to go to tender for procurement of specialist third-party services during Quarter 1 of 2017 for the production of a River Barrow Fish Counter Feasibility Study. This study will aim, inter alia, to examine current best international practice developments in scientific freshwater migratory fish counting technology and how the unique set of circumstances and challenges in relation to installation and operation of a fish counter on the River Barrow Catchment can best be met.
It is envisaged that this study and report will provide critical enabling recommendations to take the project to the next stage in planning, subsequent procurement and ultimately implementation on the ground.
1463. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the introduction of an outright ban on the sale and distribution of smoky coal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41368/16]
View answerThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990. Following a public consultation process it was extended in 2012, and now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide. The ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels and has had the effect of significantly improving public health; research indicates, for example, that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone.
Given its positive impact on the nation's health, I am committed to extending the ban nationwide. This process necessarily involves discussion and consultation with a wide number of stakeholders, including with the European Commission, relevant Departments and agencies, the residential fuel industry, and the general public. Preliminary discussions on issues that may arise in connection with the proposed nationwide ban have already taken place with some of these stakeholders.
My Department is currently developing the first ever national Clean Air Strategy which will provide the strategic framework for a set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions and improve our air quality. The strategy will also impact a wide range of other national policies that are relevant to air quality such as transport, energy and agriculture. The issue of residential home heating is a key feature of the strategy and a consultation process on the strategy will commence shortly. I would expect that the strategy will be published by the end of 2017 and will, inter alia, indicate a timeline for the nationwide extension of the ban on smoky coal.
1464. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that the tail grates at the Millrace Tailrace, Bunclody on the River Slaney satisfies the habitats directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41574/16]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that the gratings at the Millrace Tailrace, Bunclody on the River Slaney are in compliance with the appropriate legislation viz Section 123 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959.
I would be happy to arrange a detailed IFI briefing for the Deputy on the fish passage issues, challenges and remedial actions in the area.
I understand that compliance of the broader installation with EU requirements, including the Habitats Directive, would be a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in the first instance.
1465. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to prevent the significant and organised poaching occurring on the River Slaney; if Inland Fisheries Ireland has significant staff to prevent poaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41575/16]
View answerThe principal functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) include the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. In delivering this function, IFI adapts development, protection and environmental/conservation practices to maximise the return on state investment in policing, conserving and developing the resource.
IFI adopts a wide-ranging protection strategy and delivers an associated broad protection programme on the River Slaney system encompassing coastal (from Arklow to Bannow Bay), estuarine and freshwater (main channel and tributaries) environments.
Protection measures are delivered through the operation of highly trained, skilled and experienced inland fishery protection and surveillance teams (enabled through deployment of state-of-the-art technology and supporting infrastructure) on a 24 hour, 365 day basis.
The implementation of proven traditional work practices has been augmented by the increasing use of new innovative approaches such as kayak and bike patrolling, dog assisted patrolling and covert surveillance using advanced digital technologies. These innovations have assisted in deployment of protection resources and have delivered significantly improved efficiency and effectiveness on the River Slaney system and at a national level. A total of 3,283 person hours were spent on protection patrolling alone in 2016 which included kayak, foot, bicycle and vehicle patrols on the main channel of the River Slaney and its tributaries.
IFI has established a wide-ranging network of stakeholders who liaise with staff regarding possible illegal activity on the River Slaney system. IFI has also experienced year on year increases in reports received to its 24 hour emergency telephone hotline. IFI staff respond to, and act on, all valid communications and information relating to poaching on the River Slaney system received via the 24 hour emergency telephone hotline and other communications and information sources. All this facilitates pre-emptive action by Fisheries Protection Teams when a potential threat is identified.
In the case of serious infringements of fisheries legislation, IFI initiates prosecution proceedings. Prosecutions were initiated in respect of 3 incidents for serious breaches of fisheries legislation since 2013. In addition, a system of “Fixed Charge Notices” also facilitates enforcement of fisheries legislation without recourse to the Courts process. This system has enhanced the regulatory capacity of IFI and has improved levels of compliance nationally. Eight Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to individuals relating to infringements of fisheries legislation on the River Slaney system since 2013.
1466. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department will be making the warmth and well-being scheme available in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/16]
View answerThe Warmth and Wellbeing scheme is a pilot initiative being delivered under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The scheme intends to demonstrate the positive effects that making their homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the health and wellbeing of people in energy poverty who are living with a chronic respiratory condition.
As it is a pilot scheme, eligibility is limited. The operational area for the scheme was selected as Community Health Area (CHO) 7, following consultation with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE). This CHO encompasses Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City and Dublin South West. Within CHO 7 the need to build capacity in the local public health and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) teams, and establish communications on the pilot with the local community, meant that further narrowing of the area was necessary and Dublin 12 and 24 were selected as the initial operational areas.
In light of the progress made on building capacity in 2016, and with the additional resources I have made available to the scheme for 2017, it will be possible to expand the pilot scheme to cover Dublin 8, 10 & 22. It will also be possible to include families with young children, which it is hoped that the scheme can also show a positive impact on school attendance and social inclusion.
The pilot scheme will run for a further two full years through 2017 and 2018. In parallel with the scheme’s delivery, an independent research project is in the process of being commissioned by my Department, which will assess the impact the scheme is having. At the conclusion of the scheme and with independent evidence on its effectiveness, the potential for a wider rollout will be considered.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is available on a nationwide basis to low income households who are at risk of energy poverty. More information on this scheme is available on SEAI’s website at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html.
1467. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is establishing a renewable energy group in order to mitigate the potential of fines from the EU in missing the 2020 targets; his plans to include the Renewable Gas Forum Ireland in this renewable energy group in view of the fact that it has the knowledge, competence and expertise to advise, assist and implement actions to assist in managing the risk while greatly reducing the deficit in reaching the 2020 targets (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1186/17]
View answerThe EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter transport target also being legally binding.
While good progress has been made to date, with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland advising that 9.1% of Ireland’s overall energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources, meeting the 16% target remains challenging.
The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy including the Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariff schemes which support the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies including hydro, biomass combustion, biomass combined heat and power, landfill gas and onshore wind.
My Department is also developing proposed new Renewable Electricity and Heat support schemes to assist us meeting our targets. It has been the consistent policy of my Department to seek input and consult on the development of schemes, and further opportunities will be provided in relation to the proposed schemes that I have mentioned above. The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported - will be subject to Government approval and State aid clearance from the European Commission.
In addition to our onshore wind resource, bioenergy, solar, offshore wind and other technologies may play a role in diversifying our renewable generation portfolio over the period to 2030.
In the transport sector, Ireland aims to meet its renewable target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution. A further increase to the obligation rate in the Biofuels Obligation Scheme came into effect from 1 January 2017, with a rate now of 8% by volume.
The Renewable Energy Directive provides a comprehensive framework for Member States to work towards achieving individual and EU renewable energy targets including mechanisms for countries to work together such as statistical transfers, which allow Member States to meet their targets by purchasing credits from Member States that overachieve on their renewable targets.
More generally, meeting our energy and our climate obligations requires a whole of Government approach and a National Mitigation Plan focused on putting in place the necessary measures to address the challenge to 2020 will be submitted to Government for approval by June 2017. The focus of my Department is on implementation of the range of actions set out in the Energy White Paper that will enable our transition to a low-carbon economy, and while all options will be kept under review, it is not my intention to establish any new group at this stage.
1468. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if additional funding is being provided to either Cavan or Monaghan county councils to combat illegal dumping in view of the fact that county councils do not have the resources at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1831/17]
View answerIn accordance with section 59(1) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, each local authority is responsible generally for the supervision and the enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Act in relation to the holding, recovery and disposal of waste within its functional area. Local authorities have specific powers under sections 55 and 56 of the Act to require measures to be taken, or to take measures directly, to prevent or limit environmental pollution caused or likely to be caused by the holding, recovery or disposal of waste, and to mitigate or remedy the effects on the environment of any such activity.
The primary responsibility for the management of any waste, including costs for removal or disposal, lies with the holder of the waste, i.e. the natural or legal person in possession of the waste, or the producer of the waste. The Waste Management Act imposes a general duty of care on holders of waste, under which a person may not hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause environmental pollution.
My role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated. Enforcement action against illegal waste activity is a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) of the EPA as appropriate.
Notwithstanding this arrangement, my Department encourages a multi-faceted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, as such, provides funding to support the activities of a network of local authority waste enforcement officers. In this regard, since the introduction of the local authority waste enforcement grant in 2003, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils have received €3.04 million and €2.9 million respectively.
In recognition of the particular difficulties border counties have experienced in dealing with diesel laundering waste dumping, my Department has also fully reimbursed the substantial clean-up costs associated with this nefarious practice with payments of €1.9 million being made to Monaghan County Council from 2008 to date.
This year will also see the launch of a new anti-dumping initiative. Its aim is to provide funding for projects tackling illegal dumping including the provision of support for monitoring and surveillance of dumping black spots. Funding will be allocated to projects where community groups and other state agencies work in partnership to clean-up and prevent illegal dumping. I anticipate that this initiative will be launched early this year and further information will be available from the Environment Section of each local authority at that point.
1469. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider the introduction of a container deposit scheme whereby the return of recyclable beverage containers is compensated in order to encourage recycling and reduce beverage container litter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1919/17]
View answerRepak is the approved producer responsibility compliance scheme for packaging in Ireland and is tasked with meeting recovery and recycling targets established under the EU Packaging Directive (94/62/EC). The most recent Waste Packaging Statistics for Ireland published by the EPA in May 2016 show that that Ireland has met and exceeded the overall packaging waste recovery rate and the recycling rate targets since they came into force.
In July 2014, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government published a Review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative Model in Ireland. The aim of the review was to assess the nature and level of the challenges which are currently facing the existing Producer Responsibility Agreements, as well as the forthcoming challenges that are expected to arise in the management of various waste streams. A stakeholder consultation process was also conducted.
As part of this review, a wider examination of issues within the packaging sphere was undertaken and consideration was given to the introduction of a bring back scheme for waste, including beverage containers. The review was asked to consider:
(i) an economic analysis of the possible effects of a packaging levy,
(ii) options on how a possible packaging levy might operate,
(iii) possible alternatives to a packaging levy which would yield corresponding reductions in packaging,
(iv) how a packaging levy might work in tandem with and affect the operation of the compliance schemes, and
(v) an examination of packaging reduction initiatives such as deposit and refund and reverse vending.
The review report did not recommend the introduction of a Deposit and Refund scheme and concluded that to establish such a scheme was inappropriate, in view of the operation of the existing packaging scheme (operated by Repak), and policies concerning household waste collection, plus the high administrative costs of introducing such a system. It is also conceivable that littering could occur where waste bins might be searched for items attracting a refund under any such scheme.
In addition, the review did not recommend the introduction of a packaging levy. The main reason for this decision was that the introduction of a packaging levy was likely to generate a number of regulatory costs to business and the public sector with few identifiable benefits, given Ireland’s very successful packaging recovery and recycling performance to date.
The review report is available at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/Environment/Waste/WasteManagement/FileDownLoad%2C34038%2Cen.pd
f.
1470. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a 2017 workplan for the provision of broadband services in north County Dublin; if he will provide a map of the new areas which will be provided with broadband as part of the national broadband plan in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41179/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area:
The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services and includes most of North County Dublin.
The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The Department is actively monitoring the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE areas to ensure that all premises can get access to services. In this regard, direct feedback from consumers is important and if customers in these areas cannot access high speed broadband services, I would encourage them to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services.
A formal procurement process is now in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The Department will also shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise the intervention area for bidders, taking into account any industry investments that have not materialised and potential other new investments.
The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report is available at the following link: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including North County Dublin.
1471. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans he has developed in his Department to meet the terms of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015. [41217/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the passing of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 marked an important milestone in delineating the national response to climate change. As Minister with primary responsibility for this area, I am determined to pursue a robust, whole-of-Government approach to addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation in Ireland, in conjunction with government colleagues, relevant agencies, stakeholders and citizens.
At the core of the 2015 Act is a statutory recognition of the ‘national transition objective’ – the goal of pursuing a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. In order to facilitate the achievement of the ‘transition objective ’, the 2015 Act provides for the development and submission to Government for approval of national mitigation plans and national adaptation frameworks. In addition, the 2015 Act also established the institutional and governance framework within which these plans can be developed and implemented on a cyclical basis, together with independent advisory and accountability arrangements.
Section 14 of the 2015 Act is the key component of Oireachtas accountability. It provides that an annual transition statement must be presented to both Houses not later than 12 months after the passing of the 2015 Act and not later than each subsequent anniversary of such passing. In accordance with that provision, I arranged for a written annual transition statement to be laid in the Oireachtas library on 7 December 2016, and I made an oral presentation on the statement to Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann on 7 and 8 December 2016 respectively.
The annual transition statement includes an overview of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy measures adopted to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to adapt to the effects of climate change in order to enable the achievement of the ‘national transition objective’, including progress on work relating to the development of the first national mitigation plan and national adaptation framework and related lower tier plans and strategies. The first national mitigation plan and national adaptation framework will be submitted to Government for approval not later than 10th June 2017 and 10th December 2017 respectively.
The annual transition statement also contains a record of emissions set out in the most recent EPA inventory; a projection of future emissions; a report on compliance with EU and international obligations and information on the establishment and early work of the Climate Change Advisory Council. Full details are set out in the document as laid which is also available at http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/CCAEdoclaid071216_114543.pdf.
1472. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide concessions or allowances for families that generate more and unavoidable refuse due to health and medical issues in terms of pay by weight charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41303/16]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
The waste management industry had committed to providing a full weight allowance for the disposal of non-infancy incontinence wear to patients supplied with such products by the HSE if a mandatory pay-by-weight per-kilogramme charging system was introduced for household waste collection.
However, as the waste industry began releasing, in June 2016, its proposed prices under the introduction of a mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure, the Government relayed its concern to the industry regarding the reported escalation of waste bills for customers of certain companies. On foot of this, my Department engaged with representatives of the waste industry to agree a way forward. Therefore, the mandatory pay-per-kilogramme charging for household waste collection was not implemented in June 2016. However, it remains open to a company to continue to offer waste collection on a pay-by-weight basis. Many companies already had a pay-by-weight element to their charging structure before the agreement was reached and many of their customers had opted for this approach.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised pricing system, such as pay by weight, for household waste collection. The review is due to be completed by July 2017. Incentivised pricing aims to encourage householders to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste, to reduce our reliance on landfill for waste disposal in light of the landfill capacity emergencies that occurred in 2016, and also facilitates the industry in providing householders with a range of options to manage their waste costs. The issue raised by the Deputy will be considered as part of the review.
1473. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 154 of 1 December 2016 and 269 of 7 December 2016, the semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department which have absorbed the private pension levy; and the details of the companies which have passed the cost of the levy onto their pension funds. [41355/16]
View answerThe information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. I will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisation.
1474. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the availability of broadband funding for a private enterprise which is important for local employment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41406/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State Intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment in Broadband through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
Currently, approximately 1.4m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband from commercial service providers and investment by the telecoms sector is continuing to expand this footprint.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the current extent of the State Intervention area:
The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process. It is intended that premises within this area will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
My Department has no funding schemes providing grants to individual companies to access broadband in areas where broadband is not readily commercially available. Rather, through the National Broadband Plan, it is pursuing a policy to ensure that broadband is made readily available nationally. The business premise referred to by the Deputy is located in an AMBER area and will be included in the State Intervention under the NBP.
The Department will also shortly update the High Speed Broadband map and finalise the intervention area for bidders, taking into account any industry investments that have not materialised and potential other new investments.
A formal procurement process is now in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. Intensive dialogue with bidders is continuing and the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. This provides for a future proofed solution for the 25 years of the contract and beyond. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best rollout strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network rollout plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed rollout plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report is available at the following link: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Pages/Publication/Report-of-the-Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I recently signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and Agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country.
