Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 16 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 545-560

Electricity Grid

Questions (545)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

545. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the cost of an NC5 non-batch application will be removed; if the requirement for a planning application in order to make the application will be removed; and the guidelines and guidance on the costs of making the connection. [41963/18]

View answer

Written answers

The management of connections to the electricity grid, including processes and connection charging rules, is a matter for EirGrid and ESB Networks under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation Utilities (CRU), which is an independent statutory body.

I understand that the CRU has been reviewing the existing grid connection policies to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Following on from a public consultation in November 2017, the CRU published its decision in March 2018 on a revised set of grid connection rules, the Enduring Connection Policy Stage 1 (ECP-1).  ECP-1 constitutes the first step in revising the existing connection policy, allowing the first of a set of more regular batches of connection offers. As the system cannot, at present, accommodate all the projects seeking to connect, this decision first allows those ‘shovel ready’ projects (i.e. with planning permission) to get a connection offer, ahead of less mature projects.  ECP 1 also prioritises connection of new, more flexible technologies able to provide specific system services currently required by the system operator and makes a number of other changes including a revised schedule of application fees.  

On 31 August 2018 EirGrid and ESB Networks published the final list of applicants that meet the criteria to be processed as part of the first ‘batch’ of offers under ECP 1. It is expected that any future changes to connection rules will be consulted on by the CRU before any decisions are made.

Question No. 546 answered with Question No. 535.

Warmer Homes Scheme Eligibility

Questions (547)

Joan Collins

Question:

547. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a person (details supplied) is not eligible for the SEAI better energy warmer homes scheme. [42130/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  The Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria.

In reference to the case raised by Deputy Collins, officials in my Department have been in contact with the SEAI and I have been informed that the applicant applied for works under the Scheme in 2017 but as the walls would not have been insulated the applicant did not proceed with the works at the time.  In June this year the Scheme was expanded to include insulation of solid walls.  As the applicant did not have any previous work carried out under the Warmer Homes Scheme I would advise the applicant to contact SEAI on 1850 250 204 to make a new application, and note that proof of eligibility will be required also.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (548)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

548. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be rolled out in an area (details supplied). [42142/18]

View answer

Written answers

In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan.

The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:

- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process. 

- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 

- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

There are 31 premises in Deenes, 16 of which fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention, while 15 are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.

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. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. Evaluation of the final tender submission is ongoing and will be allowed the time required.  On conclusion of the evaluation, my Department will make a recommendation on whether to appoint the bidder as preferred bidder and I will bring the matter to Government for decision. 

Under a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017, eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. Approximately 175,000 of the committed premises have been passed as of Q2 2018.

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.

Waste Management

Questions (549)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

549. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if support for the once-off collection and recycling of farm tyre waste in the remaining counties where a collection service has not taken place will be provided; if the sustainable and environmentally friendly management of this waste stream will be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42143/18]

View answer

Written answers

In 2017, my Department made available funding of €1 million to local authorities to deal with the clean-up of existing stockpiles of tyres illegally dumped across the countryside. This was done to support the introduction of a new compliance scheme for tyres and waste tyres from 1 October 2017. The new full compliance scheme to deal with Ireland's chronic waste tyres problem, which is operated by Repak ELT with a registration and reporting role for the Producer Register Limited (PRL), is funded by a visible Environmental Management Cost (vEMC) on the sale of new tyres. The new compliance scheme provides the assurance to drivers and consumers that their old tyres will be disposed of responsibly by the retailer when they buy new tyres.

At that time, the Minister also indicated that he would look at the issue of old tyres on farms and €700,000 was recently allocated to remove tyres from farms. Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG), the national farm plastics recycling compliance scheme, agreed to undertake the removal of tyres from farms through 4 bring centres around the country. The collections, which were chosen because they represent a good geographical spread, began on Saturday 29th September at Cootehill Mart, Co. Cavan. Collections also took place in New Ross Mart, Co. Wexford on Tuesday 9th October and Athenry Mart, Co Galway on Saturday 13th October. The 4th bring centre collection will take place in Gort Drum Mines, Monard, Co. Tipperary on Saturday 20th October next.

Waste Management Regulations

Questions (550)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

550. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the development of a waste regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42144/18]

View answer

Written answers

The findings of the recent CCPC report must be studied with care and diligence to ensure that consumer well-being is protected and that our environmental goals are met.

The CCPC Report recommends that existing national waste management policy, as set out in "A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland" would be reviewed. This review should take account of:

- the CCPC report, including its recommendation on the role of an economic regulator for household waste collection;

- the on-going work of the Price Monitoring Group;and

- the finalisation of the European circular economy waste and plastics legislation framework.

The review will inform the development of a future national waste management policy, including our environmental goals, regulatory and market structures, and policy instruments and tools.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (551)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

551. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of meetings and the dates of meetings at which he met representatives of a company (details supplied); if minutes of these meetings were taken; if he will release these minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42145/18]

View answer

Written answers

I have had no such meetings with the consortium named by the Deputy.

Metropolitan Area Networks Programme

Questions (552, 559)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

552. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date for the publication of the review of State-owned fibre networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42146/18]

View answer

Timmy Dooley

Question:

559. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a review conducted of the metropolitan area networks will be published; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42323/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 559 together.

The Review of pricing and access arrangements of the Metropolitan Area Networks has been finalised by Analysys Mason Consultants. My Department is engaging with the Management Services Entity (enet) in relation to implementation of the recommendations of the Review and the Review will be published shortly.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (553, 554, 555)

Noel Rock

Question:

553. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown of supports on offer to renewable energy start-ups here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42223/18]

View answer

Noel Rock

Question:

554. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the percentage of the energy matrix which is renewable energy, that is, wind, water and solar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42224/18]

View answer

Noel Rock

Question:

555. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase the renewable energy infrastructure here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42225/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 to 555, inclusive, together.      

The main support for start-up companies seeking to grow their business comes though the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation and their agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.

In terms of supports for energy there are several programmes funded from the Exchequer and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The Better Energy Communities (BEC) Scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. Upgrades can take place across building types to reduce energy use and costs, Partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers, and leverage considerable additional private investment. The BEC supports renewable energy projects as well as energy efficiency projects.  In 2018, 37 projects have been approved funding totalling €22m.

The Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme provides the first step for communities in learning how to develop local partnerships to manage and conserve their energy before they apply to the Better Energy Communities Scheme.  A SEC aims to be energy efficient, to use renewable energy where feasible and to develop decentralised energy supplies. The community can include all the different energy users in the area including; homes, sports clubs, community centres, churches and businesses. Over 200 community groups have signed up to the SEC network since it was launched in 2015 and are availing of technical support and mentoring from SEAI. In 2018, 17 Sustainable Energy Community projects have been offered grants totalling €2.44million, to enable them to carry out smaller energy projects as identified in their Energy Master Plans.

Turning to offshore renewable energy there are a range of supports available to developers in bringing their devices from prototype to full scale commercial viability.  Exchequer support for ocean research, development and demonstration has been provided to the sector in recent years and was increased under the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP).  The Department’s multi-annual ocean energy development budget was increased by €21.3 million, covering the period 2013 to 2017, which brought the total cumulative funding to €31.05 million.  This funding supports the development of the test facilities in counties Mayo, Galway and Cork, and the Prototype Development Fund (PDF). The PDF supports innovation by providing funding to offshore renewable energy development projects.

Since 2009, the Fund has supported 110 projects. 18 projects are currently being funded, with a further 6 being evaluated by SEAI and 10 that have already been completed in 2018. A further €4.75 million has been allocated to Ocean Energy development in 2018.

Finally, the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Fund invests in innovative energy projects which contribute to Ireland's transition to a clean and secure energy future. The SEAI RD&D Funding Programme aims to:

- Accelerate the development and deployment in the Irish marketplace of competitive energy-related products, processes and systems

- Support solutions that enable technical and other barriers to market uptake to be overcome

- Grow Ireland's national capacity to access, develop and apply international class RD&D

- Provide guidance and support to policy makers and public bodies through results, outcomes and learning from supported energy projects.

The 2019 Call is expected to open for applications from late Q4 2018. Further details of the RD&D Programme can be found at:

https://www.seai.ie/grants/research-funding/research-development-and-demonstration-fund/

In relation to renewable energy, the 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020, and we have committed to achieve this  through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter target also being legally binding.

The most recent annual data from the SEAI indicates that 30.1% of electricity, 6.9% of heat and 7.2% of transport energy requirements were met from renewable sources at end 2017. Overall, SEAI analysis shows that 10.6% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2017 were met from renewable sources.

Electricity production from wind energy has increased to the point that it accounted for 84% of the renewable electricity generated in 2017. The following table sets out the contributions from the different renewable energy sources in 2017.

Renewables Electricity %

2017

Hydro (normalised)

2.4

Wind (normalised)

25.2

Biomass

1.8

Landfill Gas

0.5

Biogas

0.1

Solar

0.04

Renewables Electricity (overall)

30.1

Electricity generated from biomass accounted for 6% of renewable electricity in 2017. Provisional figures for 2018 up to the end of August show that wind generation has increased by 6.6% while overall electricity demand increased by 2.4%. 

The Government has adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy including the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. In addition, the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), approved by Government in July, is designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030. It is expected that the first renewable electricity auctions will take place under the RESS in 2019.

The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) also launched this year, is open to all non-domestic heat users not operating in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The purpose of the scheme is to reduce the use of fossil fuels within the heating sector.  

Turning finally to energy infrastructure, Ireland’s statutory National Transmission System Operator (TSO), EirGrid, has a key role in planning for the development of renewable energy infrastructure and the electricity transmission system to meet the future needs of society. This involves detailed analysis of electricity demand, electricity supply, electricity storage and interconnection, and locations of electricity demand and supply. A process is currently underway to consider a range of possible ways that energy usage may change in the future, and a series of scenarios are  central to an extensive consultation that is being undertaken, covering four scenarios;  Steady Evolution, Low Carbon Living, Slow Change, and Consumer Action. Details of this process are contained within Eirgrid’s Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios available at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/customer-and-industry/energy-future/.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (556)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

556. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a person (details supplied) cannot have broadband supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42279/18]

View answer

Written answers

The National Broadband Plan High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows that the premises referenced by the Deputy is in a BLUE area, where commercial operators are currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. My Department defines high speed broadband as a service of at least 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.

Where a citizen living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (557)

Robert Troy

Question:

557. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for the roll-out of fibre broadband to Ballymore, County Westmeath. [42282/18]

View answer

Written answers

In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan.

The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:

- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process. 

- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 

- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

There are 136 premises in the townland of Ballymore. 2 fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention, while the remaining 134 premises are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir's planned rural deployment.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. Evaluation of the final tender submission is ongoing and will be allowed the time required.  On conclusion of the evaluation, my Department will make a recommendation to me on whether to appoint the bidder as preferred bidder and I will bring the matter to Government for decision.

Under a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017, eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. Approximately 175,000 of the committed premises have been passed as of Q2 2018.

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.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (558)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

558. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the proportion of the €164 million allocated in budget 2019 that is dedicated to indigenous wind energy for farms, businesses and homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42322/18]

View answer

Written answers

Within the overall funding envelope of €164 million for energy in Budget 2019, the individual programme allocations are still be finalised and will be published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services in December.

  In terms of renewable energy there will be provision for a pilot micro generation scheme which was announced in July 2018 and which will run until the end of 2020. The scheme, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, will initially target homeowners for domestic self-consumption. Grants are available for the installation of solar PV panels and battery energy storage systems. The data gathered during the pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro-generation in Ireland that may be appropriate, as we align with the ambition and requirements of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED) that recognises the rights, entitlements and obligations of renewable self-consumers. The scheme is open to farm households to participate in. Further details are available at: www.seai.ie

Question No. 559 answered with Question No. 552.

Waste Disposal Charges

Questions (560)

John Curran

Question:

560. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress he has made in securing an annual support of €75 for medical incontinence; the way in which it can be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42331/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75 support for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of medical incontinence products. This process has unfortunately taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, not least data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR.  However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

Top
Share