Written Answers Nos. 524-541
526. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of actions taken to tackle climate change since February 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43355/18]
View answerA number of significant policy initiatives have been undertaken by this Government since February 2016 to address climate change.
Ireland's first National Mitigation Plan, which the government published in July 2017, is a whole-of-Government Plan, reflecting, in particular, the central roles of the Ministers responsible for the four key sectors with the most significant contribution to national emissions: Electricity Generation; the Built Environment; Transport; and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use. The Plan provides a framework to guide investment decisions by Government in domestic measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In January of this year the government published Ireland’s first statutory National Adaptation Framework which represents our national policy response to the challenges posed by the impacts of climate change. Seven Government Departments, with responsibility for twelve priority sectors, are currently preparing sectoral adaptation plans for submission to Government for approval by 30 September 2019 in line with the requirements of the Climate Act 2015.
Building on these strategies, the publication in February of the National Development Plan reaffirms the Government’s commitment to transitioning Ireland to a low carbon, climate resilient economy and society. Reflecting the strong commitment of Government on this issue, almost €22 billion will be directed, between Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, to addressing the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. This means that well over €1 in €5 spent under the National Development Plan (NDP) will be on climate action and this capital investment will enable us to deliver a significant reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions over the period to 2030.
My Department is also working closely with other relevant Departments and Agencies on the preparation of a National Energy and Climate Plan. This work has, in turn, been informed by work undertaken to prepare the Energy White Paper, the National Mitigation Plan, National Adaptation Framework and National Development Plan. An initial consultation on the preparation of Ireland's draft National Energy and Climate Plan is taking place from 9 October until 12 November. I intend that the draft Plan, once completed, will be the subject of a separate public consultation.
In accordance with the Climate Act 2015, the Government must also prepare and submit to the Oireachtas an Annual Transition Statement. In support of this written Statement I, as well as other relevant Ministers, intend to provide an oral report to each House. This process ensures that responsible Ministers are directly accountable to the Oireachtas to ensure real progress is made in reducing emissions in their respective sectors. I expect to be in position to lay the 2018 Annual Transition Statement before the Oireachtas shortly.
528. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will release the pricing review of the metropolitan area networks; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43357/18]
View answerAs stated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 552 of 16 October, 2018, the Department is engaging with the Management Services Entity (enet) in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the Review and the Review will be published shortly.
529. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of freedom of information requests his Department has received regarding a concession agreement with a company (details supplied); the number granted; the number refused; the number granted following the intervention of the Office of the Information Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43358/18]
View answerMy Department received eleven FOI requests in relation to the Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and to the Concession Agreement with enet who manage the MANs on behalf of the State, in the period from 1 January 2012 to 16 October 2018.
Of these, four requests were part-granted and five were refused, as provided for within the exemption provisions of the FOI Act. Two FOI requests are currently being processed.
The decision in relation to one request received in 2015 was the subject of an appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner, and is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings.
530. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of freedom of information requests received regarding the national broadband #plan; the number granted; the number refused; the number granted following the intervention of the Office of the Information Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43359/18]
View answerMy Department received fifty-four FOI requests regarding the National Broadband Plan and related matters in the period from 1 January 2012 to 16 October 2018.
Of these, three were withdrawn, while two requests were granted, seventeen requests were part-granted and fifteen requests were refused in accordance with the relevant provisions of the FOI Act. Seventeen FOI requests are currently being processed.
The decision in relation to one request received in 2015 was the subject of an appeal to the Office of the Information Commissioner, and was upheld by that Office.
531. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the rationale for the continuation of a review (details supplied) of the national broadband plan and the tendering process in parallel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43360/18]
View answerThe conclusion of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention procurement process and delivery of high speed broadband is a priority commitment for this Government.
On 17 October 2018, the Taoiseach requested a report from the NBP process auditor to be presented within three weeks. The terms of reference for this report specify that the process auditor is not required to consider any substantive issues relating to the bid submitted by the bidder in the NBP procurement process. The focus of that report is separate to and independent of the evaluation of the final tender received from the remaining bidder on 18 September. Accordingly, the evaluation of that final tender by the NBP Evaluation Team, which commenced in September, is continuing in parallel.
532. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of all meetings which took place between representatives of the national broadband plan tender team and bid teams; the issues discussed; if he will release the minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43361/18]
View answerIn reply to Question No. 248 on 18 October, to the House last week, with respect to the nature of the "Competitive Dialogue" procedure used in the NBP Procurement process, I described the confidential nature of the process and indicated that it is not proposed to publish details of meetings held as part of an on-going procurement process. Maintaining confidentiality is necessary and normal practice to protect the integrity of procurement processes.
533. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan Bill; and his plans to pass this Bill in advance of awarding the national broadband plan contract. [43375/18]
View answerOn 24 July 2018 Government approved the priority drafting of the National Broadband Plan Bill 2018. My Department is developing this legislation in consultation with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office.
The NBP Bill is included in the Priority Legislation programme for the current Dáil Session 2018.
534. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the roll-out of electric car chargers in a town (details supplied). [43377/18]
View answerThe majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes 77 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. There are currently charging posts at three locations in Mullingar. As each charging post consists of two charging points, this gives a total of six charging points in the town. In addition, there are fast charging stations located nearby on the N4 near Ballinaleck, the M6 near Kilbeggan and the M4 near Johnstown Bridge. Fast chargers are vital to overcome ‘range anxiety’ and are generally focussed around the national road network.
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, involved examining how best to support the development of the electric vehicle charging. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focused on electric vehicles, is now complete and the progress report is available on my Department’s website.
Arising out of the work of the Taskforce a support scheme is in place to support electric vehicle charging at home, the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. My Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.
It is also important to note the role of the Climate Action Fund. The first Call for Applications, which was launched in July, includes provision for supporting electric vehicle charging networks along with a range of other project types. The deadline for applications has now passed and I can confirm that 97 applications have been received. An assessment process of these applications is currently underway.
535. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that he has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43388/18]
View answerI have had no meetings with the person identified by the Deputy.
536. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the public consultation on a roadmap for improving energy efficiency in the rental sector, as committed to in A Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, has been carried out; the process and timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43426/18]
View answer542. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the pilot scheme set to be introduced to provide energy efficiency grant supports to landlords or approved housing bodies that choose to participate in HAP was commenced; if so, the details of the pilot scheme; the way in which it works; the number of landlords and approved housing bodies, respectively, engaged in HAP that have applied for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43514/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 542 together.
The Government's Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016-2019, contains an action to examine the impact of introducing minimum thermal efficiency standards for rental properties. Research indicates that rental properties are twice as likely to be E, F or G rated on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale. However, rental properties present a particular challenge in terms of energy efficiency upgrades owing to the split incentive issue. A split incentive occurs where landlords meet the cost of improvements, while tenants would reap the benefit, so neither party is motivated to upgrade the dwelling. This is why there is currently under-investment in improving the energy performance of rental properties.
Grants for energy efficiency, funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), are already available to landlords. Improving the energy efficiency of rental properties will deliver multiple benefits, including improved living conditions and health outcomes, enhanced asset value and reduced energy bills. However, in identifying the appropriate policy interventions the priority has also been to ensure that the approach taken to address energy poverty will also not adversely impact the housing supply situation.
To find a way forward that supports action in the two critical policy areas of energy poverty and housing supply, options for improving energy efficiency in the rental sector will be consulted on as part of the new Long Term Renovation Strategy. Ireland must produce a new Long Term Renovation Strategy under the new EU Energy Performance in Buildings Directive and the consultation process for this must start in early 2019.
538. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the planned roll-out of high-speed fibre broadband to 115,000 premises in Ballinasloe, Roscommon town, Manorhamilton and a further six towns in County Donegal, as launched on 7 September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43463/18]
View answerIn September 2017 enet/SSE announced a project to bring high speed broadband to 115,000 homes and businesses across the West and North West of Ireland on a commercial basis. No change was made to the High Speed Broadband Map as a result of this intended roll out. My Department understands that these premises no longer feature in enet/SSE's commercial roll out plans. The 115,000 premises referenced by the Deputy are predominantly in the AMBER area of the High Speed Broadband Map and will therefore be served by the State-led National Broadband Plan intervention.
539. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce measures to restrict access by children to pornography on smart phones; if Internet service providers have a role to play in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43468/18]
View answerThe Government's Action Plan for Online Safety 2018-2019, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 11 July 2018, contains 25 actions to be implemented or substantially progressed by the six sponsor Departments before the end of 2019. These Departments are the Department of Justice and Equality; the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation; the Department of Health; the Department of Education and Skills; and my own Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The actions contained in the plan cover a range of activities including education and awareness raising, communicating with the public, putting in place robust oversight and consultative structures, and legislative measures.
Action 20 provides for the establishment of a National Advisory Council for Online Safety which will provide advice to Government on online safety policy issues, identify emerging issues where Government intervention may be warranted, and provide input into the eventual renewal of the Action Plan. The Council’s membership is drawn from key stakeholder groups, including industry and NGOs.
Action 17 provides for the implementation of the revision to the Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which has been negotiated for the past two years in Brussels and the text of which will be finalised and published in November 2018. Member States will be required to put in place by means of co-regulation, a method of ensuring that Video Sharing Platform Services (VSPS) established in their jurisdiction have specific measures in place to ensure that users, but especially minors, are protected from harmful content.
Much work remains to be done on the definition of a VSPS, including the issuing by the European Commission of detailed guidance on how the definition should be interpreted by Member States, and the nature of the co-regulatory system to be established. These issues are being examined in the context of the preparations of the implementation of the revised Directive, which is required to be implemented 21 months from the date of its publication.
My Department will conduct a public consultation on how Ireland should approach the implementation of the revised Directive in the coming months.
540. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a response to a query to the SEAI (details supplied) will be answered in view of the fact the matter has been ongoing for a number of months. [43475/18]
View answerMy Department funds The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Measures are carried out by SEAI in the basis of the findings of surveys of each home and the scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures at no cost to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty, who meet the defined eligibility criteria. Measures currently available under the scheme include attic and wall insulation, draught proofing, lagging jackets and low energy light bulbs, single glazed window replacement and heating system replacement. The measures are carried out free of charge.
In reference to the case raised by Deputy Shortall, officials in my Department have been in contact with the SEAI and I have been informed that the applicant applied for the Scheme and had a survey carried out on 7 February 2018. I understand that the surveyor, on the day of initial inspection, explained the results of this survey to the applicant. Upon receiving a subsequent complaint from the applicant, SEAI carried out a review of the applicant’s survey to ensure all recommendations were correct at the time of survey. The applicant was then contacted by phone on 31 May 2018 by SEAI and was informed that the survey recommendations were correct.
SEAI operates a dedicated Customer Service helpline (1850 250 204) for the general public that can also answer queries in relation to application status and provide updates to homeowners.
541. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43480/18]
View answerThe operation of a mine in Ireland is subject to three statutory consents: a State Mining Facility from my Department; Planning Permission from the Local Authority and an Integrated Pollution Control Licence (IPC) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As the State Mining Facility consent authority, my Department is responsible for ensuring that Lease/Licence conditions are adhered to and that the relevant mine is operated in line with best practice and with all legal and regulatory obligations.
In relation to the recent developments at Magheracloone, officials from my Department's Exploration and Mining Division (EMD) have an oversight responsibility with regard to the company’s management of and response to the mine collapse. EMD have engaged an independent expert consultant to assist in assessing reports and any technical solutions submitted to them by the company to that end.
EMD officials have been continuously liaising with the company and the other statutory consent authorities as part of this process to ensure a consistent and co-ordinated effort to effectively minimise disruption, remediate damage already caused to the extent possible, and provide all necessary assurances in regard to the future operation and safety of the facility.
The review and investigation underway is utilising a range of technical expertise and is now at an advanced stage. The various parties are aware of the implications of recent events and are working towards an acceptable outcome that takes account of the concerns of the local community and the paramount objective of securing the safe operation of the facility, recognising that this is a business which has provided employment in the community since 1936.
