Written Answers Nos. 1045-1064
1045. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the quantity and percentage of plastic bottles that are verifiably recycled here in each of the past three years to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36296/18]
View answerThe EPA is the competent authority for the collation of national waste statistics and it reports annually on Ireland’s performance against the recycling and recovery targets set out in the EU Packaging and Waste Packaging Directive. However, there is no specific target set for plastic bottles within the Directive and therefore data relating to plastic bottles is compiled in conjunction with data for all other plastic packaging items. Published recycling quantities and percentages for all packaging waste and for plastic packaging generated in Ireland for the last 3 reporting years, i.e. 2014-2016, is tabulated below.
|
- |
Waste generated tonnes |
Recycling tonnes |
Recycling Percentage |
||||||
|
WASTE |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
All Packaging |
969,423 |
983,384 |
991,298 |
662,158 |
664,119 |
663,791 |
68.3 |
67.5 |
67.0 |
|
Plastic Packaging |
276,309 |
282,148 |
275,510 |
97,824 |
95,890 |
98,238 |
35.4 |
34.0 |
35.7 |
Although I do not have the quantity and percentage of plastics bottles that were recycled in Ireland in each of the past three years, the EPA is currently finalising a national waste characterisation study, which is due for completion by the end of 2018, and this will provide a more comprehensive analysis of this and other waste streams.
Repak, the national packaging compliance scheme, which manages the collection and recycling of approximately 80% of all packaging on the Irish market, reported the following to me for their membership:
Plastic Bottle Recycling
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Repak Members Tonnes Placed on the Market |
32,914 |
35,664 |
39,466 |
|
Repak Recycled Tonnes |
26,359 |
23,660 |
27,092 |
|
% Recycling Rate of Repak Member Tonnes |
80% |
66% |
69% |
1046. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirements placed on employers to ensure that with respect to waste generated by their staff in the workplace recycling is maximised and residual waste is minimised; the locations such requirements are published; the way in which they are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36297/18]
View answerWaste management in Ireland is primarily regulated under the Waste Management Act, 1996. Section 32 of that Act requires any person who produces waste to ensure that the waste is managed appropriately, including through arranging for the collection of the waste by an authorised operator. The waste hierarchy is defined in section 21A and establishes a priority order which is the cornerstone of both EU and national waste management legislation and policy, whereby prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery of waste are prioritised over the disposal of waste. Supplementary secondary legislation such as the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations, 2009, together with specific local authority bye-laws, all reflect the waste hierarchy and complete the legislative framework in this regard. The inspectorate staff of the local authorities and/or the Environmental Protection Agency is charged with oversight. Notwithstanding the above, employers, indeed all waste producers, are encouraged and supported to prevent waste. My Department currently supports the following workplace initiatives:
- The EPA’s Green Business programme offers a free service that helps business identify savings through waste prevention and reducing water and energy use. The service includes advice on how to build staff engagement in successful environmental management;
- The EPA’s Green Teams Recognition Scheme (www.greenteams.org ) has developed formal accredited training for workplace green teams; and
- The three Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are working directly with business and Local Enterprise Offices to improve environmental behaviours in the work place.
My Department has also funded a range of measures to support better recycling at household level which is equally applicable to the workplace, including:
- recyclinglistireland.ie – promoting a standardised list of items that can be put in the recycling bin;
- a ‘Master Recycling’ programme which is being rolled out to 650 workshops nationwide; and
- www.brownbin.ie - shows the public how to use the brown bin properly.
1047. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the agencies and-or authorities that have responsibility for national campaigns on waste minimisation, prevention and general information for the public on these matters; the recent steps taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/18]
View answerMy department works in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and the local authority regional waste management offices on a range of national waste prevention and minimisation measures. The National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP) is funded by my department and led by the EPA. The NWPP has been operating since 2004 and delivers a suite of initiatives and supports to reduce wasteful consumption of material, water and energy resources by changing behaviours in businesses, farms, households and the public sector. For businesses, it delivers programmes that stimulate resource efficiency and the circular economy. The 2017 Annual Report which details the programme's activities and achievements was published in recent months and is available at http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/waste/prevention/reports/EPA_NWPP_Ministers%20Report%202017_web.pdf .
Waste prevention at regional and local level is a collaboration between Regional Waste Management Offices and local authorities. Local authorities fund the operation and staffing of their respective Offices in addition to an annual grant from my department.
Each of the Regional Waste Management Offices has a full time Waste Prevention Officer who is dedicated to delivery of local waste prevention measures and works with key local authority staff such as Environmental Awareness Officers.
The Regional Waste Management Offices are engaged in a number of current public information campaigns on waste minimisation and prevention, including:
- recyclinglistireland.ie – a standardised list of items that can go into the recycling bin;
- A ‘Master Recycling’ programme, in partnership with environmental NGOs, is being rolled out to 650 workshops nationwide;
- A dedicated website, www.brownbin.ie, to show the public how to use the brown bin properly and reduce food waste; and
- Reuse Month – an annual nationwide campaign in October to promote reuse amongst householders and businesses.
Further information on the work being undertaken by the three Regional Waste Management Offices is available at:
http://www.curwmo.ie/
http://emwr.ie/
http://southernwasteregion.ie/
1048. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position in his Department and the organisations under its aegis that have arrangements in place for lo-call numbers or 1800, 1850 and 1890 phone numbers for members of the public to contact his Department or organisations under its aegis; the number of these that are completely free to call to persons who use mobile phones and may incur major bills phoning such organisations; if the situation will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36394/18]
View answerMy Department operates a 1890 LoCall option (1890 44 99 00 ), along with its standard telephone access line (01-6782000), which allows members of the public who wish to call my Department’s offices to choose the option most suited to their circumstances. Details of these telephone numbers, together with advice that the rates charged for LoCall numbers may vary among service providers, appear on my Department’s website. These contact details are also displayed on Departmental correspondence and publications. The cost of calls to these telephone numbers will be reflective of the rates charged by the caller’s service provider.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency, and my Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy in the matter.
1049. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans in relation to a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36479/18]
View answerIt must be stated that the operation of mail centres is an operational matter for An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have any direct function. Nonetheless, I have been monitoring the situation with mail centres carefully and I have asked An Post to keep me fully informed on this issue.
1051. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the specific actions he is taking and their associated timeframe to deal with the excessive waste generated by single use plastic products; the annual reduction targets for single use plastic products envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36530/18]
View answerOn 28 May 2018, the EU Commission published a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. This draft legislation proposes new EU-wide rules to target the 10 most prevalent single-use plastic (SUP) products found on Europe's beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear, which together account for 70% of all marine litter. The proposal includes:
- proposed bans on certain plastic products, including, cotton buds, plastic cutlery and straws;
- setting targets for both reducing the use of certain plastics (including coffee cups) and the collection of certain SUPs such as plastic drinks bottles;
- placing obligations on producers of SUP items to help cover the costs of their waste management and clean up through the establishment of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes.
The full text of the legislative proposal which sets out all the measures contained therein is available at the following link:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/single-use_plastics_proposal.pdf
The Commission has indicated that this proposal should be treated as a priority by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in order to deliver tangible results within a short timeframe.
Nationally, I am engaging in a range of initiatives, including commissioning a study to explore how we can achieve the 90% target for plastic bottles sought by the Commission in the proposed SUP Directive. I am cognisant, however, that the Commission has warned of the risk of market fragmentation when Member States take measures in an uncoordinated manner, which differ in scope, focus and ambition level. Therefore, my immediate focus is to work closely with the Commission and my EU counterparts to ensure this proposed Directive is progressed as soon as possible.
1052. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount by which Ireland will fail to meet the 2020 greenhouse gas emission targets (details supplied); the level of fines bugeted for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36531/18]
View answerI refer to the answer to Questions Nos. 1004, 1007 and 1023 of 12 June 2018. Ireland’s commitments under the second period of the Kyoto Protocol, (2013-2020), will be discharged via the 2009 EU Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC (ESD). The ESD established annual emission limits for the period 2013 to 2020 for each EU Member State. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. This is jointly the most demanding 2020 reduction target allocated under the ESD, and one shared only by Denmark and Luxembourg. The latest projections of greenhouse gas emissions, published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in May 2018, indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by the ESD could be between 0% and 1% below 2005 levels by 2020.
While this is very disappointing, it is not surprising given the recent pace of economic growth, and the consequent increases in emissions from the agriculture and transport sectors in particular. The projected shortfall to our targets is further exacerbated by both the constrained investment capacity over the past decade due to the economic crisis, and the extremely challenging nature of the target itself. In fact, it is now accepted that Ireland’s 2020 target was not consistent with what would be achievable on an EU wide cost-effective basis.
The ESD includes a number of flexibility mechanisms to enable Member States to meet their annual emissions targets, including provisions to bank any excess allowances to future years and to trade allowances between Member States. Using banked emissions allocations from the period to 2015, Ireland is projected to comply with its emissions reduction targets in each of the years 2013 to 2017. However, cumulative emissions are projected to exceed annual targets for 2018, 2019 and 2020, which will result in a requirement to purchase additional allowances. While this purchasing requirement is not, at this stage, expected to be significant, further analysis is ongoing to quantify the likely costs involved, in light of the final amount and price of allowances required.
1053. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that businesses in counties Cavan and Monaghan are suffering, students cannot access high speed Internet in many areas to complete their studies and public services are also impacted due to poor broadband service. [36578/18]
View answerThere are approximately 42,000 premises in Cavan. Approximately 17,000 (40%) fall within the AMBER area of the High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie and will therefore be served under the State led Intervention. Approximately 20,000 (49%) premises are in a BLUE area and will be served by commercial providers, while approximately 5,000 (11%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment. Of the approximately 32,800 premises in Monaghan, approximately 15,600 (48%) are in the AMBER area, approximately 15,500 (47%) are in BLUE and approximately 1,700 (5%) are in LIGHT BLUE area.
Information on the categories of specific premises can be accessed on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie by entering the relevant eircode.
Information on eir's rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie. A copy of the Commitment Agreement underpinning eir's rural deployment plan is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie. eir continue to pass premises as part of this deployment. As of Q2 2018, eir passed more than 5,600 premises in Cavan and over 3,200 premises in County Monaghan with further premises to be passed as part of the rollout in these counties.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its closing stages.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services. Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen.
These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx
1054. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the upcoming renewable electricity supported scheme will include technology specific auctions in particular to enable development of solar photovoltaic generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36614/18]
View answerThe high level design of the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) was approved by Government in July 2018 and the scheme will now proceed through the EU State Aid approval process. It is expected that the first renewable electricity auctions will take place under RESS in 2019. The RESS has been designed to deliver Ireland’s contribution towards an EU-wide renewable energy target of 32% out to 2030, within a competitive auction-based, cost effective framework. The RESS will deliver a broad range of policy objectives including: the provision of pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects; broadening the renewable electricity technology mix and increasing energy security, energy sustainability and ensuring the cost effectiveness of energy policy.
The scheme will provide for a renewable electricity (RES-E) ambition of up to a maximum of 55% by 2030 subject to determining the cost effective level which will be set out in the draft National Energy and Climate Plan.
The new scheme will be defined by a series of renewable electricity auctions, where the most cost effective projects within an auction structure will receive financial support in the form of a premium, in addition to the price they receive from the market. In addition to this competitive, cost effective framework, the use of certain ‘levers’ such as near term delivery dates and ‘single technology caps’, will accelerate the broadening of the renewable technology mix, particularly in light of falling costs for a number of renewable technologies.
An important consideration in developing and expanding renewable energy support schemes is that a careful balance must be struck between the subsidy to renewable generators, whether they be large or small, and the additional costs to pay for these schemes that are transferred to electricity bill payers. Proposals for all such schemes must be subject to robust economic appraisal.
Finally, in July I launched a pilot support scheme for micro generation, targeting domestic customers and solar PV, with an emphasis on self-consumption and battery storage.
1055. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason he is delaying publishing the studies in relation to the North-South interconnector; the timeframe for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36658/18]
View answerIn 2017 I commissioned two studies designed to address the main points of the motions passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann as well as key concerns expressed by the parties opposed to the development of the North South Interconnector as an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. The second study is focused on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context. Both studies are now completed and have been submitted to me. I expect to bring both reports to Government in the coming weeks and will publish them as soon as possible thereafter.
1056. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding an Eircode issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36753/18]
View answerEircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-location. When a new address is created, for example by a new build or a re-development, An Post GeoDirectory maps this new address and issues an updated version of their GeoDirectory database file to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement. This is done on a quarterly basis. Each new address assigned an Eircode is then published on the free to use Eircode Finder website and a notification letter is issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address. I understand that the premises in question received that Eircode at the start of August 2018. The timeframe for the updated Eircodes to be made accessible to telecommunications companies is a separate process. This is dependent on the contracted agreement each company has with an Eircode data provider, which feeds in new Eircodes at regular intervals. All such Eircode data providers are sourced and contracted by individual telecommunications companies. Once telecommunications companies have new Eircodes in their databases, they should then be in a position to deal with requests to connect customers to their high speed broadband network.
My department understands that the difficulties in this case, as outlined in the correspondence attached to the Question, relate to internal process issues in the company concerned. Operational matters and commercial decisions of private commercial operators, including the updating of their internal databases with new Eircodes, are a matter for these commercial operators and one in which I have no direct function.
1057. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when his Department received the two independent reports relating to the proposed North-South interconnector; when it is planned to publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36757/18]
View answerIn 2017 I commissioned two studies designed to address the main points of the motions passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann as well as key concerns expressed by the parties opposed to the development of the North South Interconnector as an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. The second study is focused on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context. Both studies are now completed and have been submitted to me. I expect to bring both reports to Government in the coming weeks and will publish them as soon as possible thereafter.
1058. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the development of anaerobic digestors on a regional basis. [36765/18]
View answerThe REFIT3 support scheme, which is funded by the public service obligation paid by electricity consumers, has supported the development of anaerobic digestion facilities via a high-efficiency combined heat and power tariff. This scheme closed for new applications on 31 December 2015.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat will provide an operational support for the heat output of anaerobic digestion heating systems. This scheme was approved by Government in December 2017. The operational support is planned to open by the end of 2018, subject to state aid clearance from the EU Commission. The National Development Plan sets out an indicative resource allocation of €300 million for the rollout of the scheme for the period 2018-2027.
Electricity output from anaerobic digesters will be eligible for support under the forthcoming Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. This scheme was approved by Government in July 2018 and will also require state aid approval.
In addition, my Department continues to examine potential options to support biomethane grid injection. If introduced, such a support would incentivise the upgrading of biogas (produced from anaerobic digestion) to biomethane and its injection into the natural gas grid.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and Renewable Electricity Support Scheme will be available nationally and therefore provide the potential to benefit all regions.
1059. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan in terms of the procurement process; the expected roll-out terms, timeframe and completion dates for the remaining homes and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36781/18]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is in its closing stages. Details of deployment plans for the State intervention area will be available following conclusion of the procurement process.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx
1060. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a project (details supplied) will be progressed in view of the fact that such infrastructure would be beneficial for a town needing job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36784/18]
View answer1061. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has contact with its counterparts in Northern Ireland relating to the development of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36785/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1060 and 1061 together.
The routing of gas pipelines or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network are matters for Gas Networks Ireland, a commercial State-sponsored body under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the statutorily independent energy regulator, which conducts consultations on its regulatory decisions.
In relation to bringing gas supply to any new town, such towns are evaluated in accordance with the criteria in the Connections Policy as approved and published by the CRU. This means that the cost-benefit for the connection needs to be positive i.e. the expected revenues over a period of time must exceed the projected costs for the project to be viable. The Connections Policy appraises both domestic and industrial/commercial demand, and so proximity to a major pipeline and a large industrial/commercial gas load tend to be the most significant factors in town appraisals.
The last assessment of this region concluded that it is not economically viable to connect Ballyconnell, or any other areas in Co. Cavan. However, this outcome may change in the future depending on the emergence of significant new demand for gas connections in the locality. I note that the “Gas to the West” project in Northern Ireland is now well into the construction stage, as regards both the high-pressure, cross-country, pipeline and the intermediate-pressure distribution pipelines.
To address the question as to whether network extensions, where economically feasible and in line with our energy policy, could contribute to regional and rural development, I commissioned a study last year on the wider costs and benefits of gas network extensions, to include possible climate and decarbonisation aspects, as well as regional and rural development benefits. As advised to the information seminar organised for stakeholders on the study in January, the study was for the purpose of technical evaluation, analysis and information-gathering. It has since been completed. The results of the study will be presented to me by the consultants in the coming weeks, with a view to developing next steps to inform and feed into future policy development.
1062. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when it is expected fast charge points for electric vehicles will be installed in Cavan town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36812/18]
View answer1064. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to install fast charge points for electric vehicles in towns throughout counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36830/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1062 and 1064 together.
There are currently charging posts at five locations in County Cavan, including two in Cavan Town. As each charging post consists of two charging points, this gives a total of ten charging points in the county. There are also charging posts at five locations consisting of a total of ten charging points in County Monaghan. In addition, there is a fast charging station located in Monaghan Town.
The National Policy Framework: Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017 to 2030 sets out the need for electric vehicle charging in Ireland. Although the existing capacity of the public charging network is considered adequate, development of infrastructure to meet the growing demand is necessary.
The majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes over 70 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the locations of charging points throughout Ireland is available at https://www.esb.ie/our-businesses/ecars/charge-point-map .
A key aspect of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, involves examining how best to support the development of the public charging network. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focuses on electric vehicles, is nearing completion and has led to an expansion in the supports available for the provision of effective and efficient electric vehicle charging.
In July, I announced the first Call for Applications for the Climate Action Fund which is one of the four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027as part of Project Ireland 2040. The Climate Action Fund will provide at least €500 million to support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets over the next decade. This Call for Applications focuses on funding larger scale projects that are scheduled to commence development in 2019 or 2020. Local infrastructure projects including the provision of electric vehicle charging networks will be eligible to apply. Further information can be found on my Department’s website.
Funding for public charging in local communities can also be accessed through the Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, supports community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area.
Although I cannot provide a timeline for the provision of additional fast chargers in counties Cavan and Monaghan at this point, I expect the supports that are in place, and further proposals that I intend to bring forward later this year, will increase the availability of publically accessible electric vehicle charging.
1063. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to implement to secure the post office network in view of its importance throughout the country with particular reference to the needs of rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36826/18]
View answerAs Minister, I am responsible for the postal sector including the governance of An Post. I am acutely conscious of the value placed by communities in both rural and urban areas on services provided by post offices and am committed to ensuring that a sustainable post office network is available to all our citizens for the medium and for the long term. The post office network has been facing many challenges for some years now with a continuing decline in transaction numbers primarily driven by the move to online payments and online banking, as well as eSubstitution. Standing still is not an option for the network.
In April this year An Post announced a renewed vision for the post office network which centres around the availability of new services in a modernised, revitalised network. The announcement was supported by an agreement reached between An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) executive following months of intensive negotiations, and was subsequently endorsed by 80% of IPU members. In its negotiations with An Post, Postmasters sought both the modernisation of the network and a voluntary redundancy package for those who wanted to leave the business.
The agreement represents a necessary first step in reinvigorating our national post office network and making it a viable sustainable, modern and vibrant network for the future, capable of adapting to the changing environment in which it operates by providing a service that meets the needs of communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.
As part of its strategy for modernising the post office network, An Post has established a dedicated business unit within An Post, An Post Retail. Additional services that An Post propose to introduce through the network include a better range of Government services, financial services and e-commerce services for shoppers and small businesses. There is already a rapid expansion of banking services happening with the Smart Current Account and enhanced foreign exchange facilities. Post offices will have credit card services and will be able to provide loans to small business and personal loans. An Post is committed to ensuring that our post offices will be equipped with the range of services that will attract and retain footfall but these measures are meaningless unless the public use the services provided. Key to the survival of this renewed network is the willingness of all citizens to use it.
Government business is the backbone of the network. In April this year the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection renewed her Department’s contract with An Post to provide pensions, child benefit and other social welfare payments at post offices.
While Government policy is to offer Government services online, there is always likely to be a segment of the population that is not comfortable or proficient accessing online tools or services. The post office network is the obvious choice as the “offline gateway” for citizens with its nationwide network and existing strong relationship with offline citizens. Government funding of €80,000 has been allocated to roll a pilot scheme for Digital Assist which will see 10 post offices equipped to help citizens with online Government interactions. The 10 pilot schemes are being currently rolled out in rural post offices.
In addition, I have secured Government approval to explore how further services might be made available to our “offline citizens”. This would be delivered via a centralised procurement framework. A Working Group comprising representatives across Government Departments is to be established to consider this issue and will report back by the end of year.
