Tuesday, 18 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 62-78

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (62)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

62. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to improve the provision of broadband in County Meath. [53182/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest.

Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high-speed broadband in Meath has increased by over 11,700, a 23% increase.

In total, the number of premises in Meath with access to high speed broadband is almost 63,000, 74% of total premises in Meath. Another 2,400 will be served by eir's planned rural deployment. The remaining almost 20,000 homes, schools and businesses in Meath will be connected under the government’s National Broadband Plan.

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 or Eircode.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (63)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets as set by the EU and UN; if alternative energy sources have been sufficiently enhanced to meet the challenges ahead without damaging the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53154/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision, which put in place binding annual emissions targets for each year between 2013 and 2020 for sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System, Ireland must achieve reductions of 20% relative to 2005 levels of emissions.

The actual trends show that under the influence of the economic crash Irish emissions were below target ceilings in the years 2013 to 2015 inclusive. However, as recovery took hold it became clear that we had not broken the link between economic recovery and emissions, which rose significantly above the target ceiling in 2017.

The latest projections, published in May 2018 by the EPA, indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by the Effort Sharing Decision could be on aggregate 17 million tonnes, or 5%, above the cumulative target for the period. However, more worryingly, the 2020 levels are projected to be only between 0% and 1% below 2005 levels by 2020. This puts us in a very bad starting position to meet our 2030 targets.

The EU system does not fix separate targets for different sectors. The Effort Sharing Decision allows Member States to meet their targets using unused emissions allowances from earlier years, or through purchasing allowances from other Member States or on international markets. Ireland has certain accumulated credits already acquired. However, I am advised that Ireland will need to purchase allowances to meet projected shortfalls in 2019 and 2020. My Department currently estimates the costs of this requirement to be in the region of €6m to €13m, depending on the price and final quantity of allowances required.

The recently agreed Effort Sharing Regulation sets out binding annual emission targets for EU Member States in the period 2021 to 2030, with Ireland’s target in 2030 to achieve a 30% reduction in emissions relative to 2005 levels.

I have recently secured Government approval to prepare an All-of-Government Plan, which will set out the actions to be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change, and to set out how Ireland will at the very least meet its targets for the period to 2030.

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Questions (64)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

64. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role that local authorities will play as applicants or project partners in the seven projects recently announced under the climate action fund. [53202/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Local Authorities have been major players in the recent competition for support from the Climate Action Fund. Among the seven successful projects, two Local Authorities are the lead applicants and, in respect of another, 27 different Local Authorities are participating as project partners.

Local Authorities have also been involved in a number of the 90 applicant projects which were not successful on this occasion.

The two District Heating projects, that are led by Local Authorities, have the potential to heat the equivalent of up to 60,000 homes and deliver major improvements in energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

The 27 Local Authorities are participating in a public lighting efficiency project to retrofit all remaining 326,000 non-LED public lights in their areas, which could save in excess of 300,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over a ten year period.

The sponsors of the unsuccessful projects will be invited to a workshop in the new year with the aim of encouraging further development of the ideas.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (65)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

65. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband tender process; when all homes and businesses in County Donegal will have access to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest.

Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high-speed broadband in Meath has increased by over 11,700, a 23% increase.

In total, the number of premises in Meath with access to high speed broadband is almost 63,000, 74% of total premises in Meath. Another 2,400 will be served by eir's planned rural deployment. The remaining almost 20,000 homes, schools and businesses in Meath will be connected under the government’s National Broadband Plan.

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 or Eircode.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.

North-South Interconnector

Questions (66)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

66. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the potential surplus of supply that would be generated by the North-South interconnector to 2027; the reason for disparities between 2017 estimates and 2018 estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52950/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Generation Capacity Statement 2018 covers both Northern Ireland and Ireland, and is produced jointly between the System Operator for Northern Ireland and EirGrid. This is in line with their regulatory requirements to publish forecast information about the power system including an assessment of the balance between supply and demand. The Generation Capacity Statement is updated on an annual basis to ensure adequate capacity is available in the market on an all-island basis and to plan accordingly. The generation portfolio changes over time and the Generation Capacity Statement is a snapshot in time based on the best available information provided by the generators at the time of compiling.

The increase in Northern Ireland generation capacity shown from the 2017 to the 2018 generation capacity statements is likely to be temporary in nature as the main increase is from the assumed continued availability of the coal fired Kilroot generating units and two of the older Ballylumford units. The long term continued operation of these generators needs to be viewed in the context of the decarbonisation of the industry. EirGrid’s expectation is that a combination of better outcomes from the next round of capacity auctions, coupled with the delivery of the North South interconnector, will allow for the closure of carbon intensive units in the medium term.

In Ireland, while there is a surplus of plant currently, this surplus is expected to be reduced by the growth in demand and some notified plant closures. By 2024, the absence of the second North South Interconnector has serious implications for the management of supply adequacy. Supply adequacy in both jurisdictions is supported by the North South Interconnector and the figures contained in the most recent capacity statement should not affect the project timelines. The North South interconnector is expected to be operational in Q3 2023.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (67)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

67. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being taken to address the ongoing broadband blackspots in parts of County Galway including Castleblakeney, Williamstown, Kilkerrin and Mountbellew; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52779/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The NBP aims to provide access to high speed broadband to all premises, including those in the areas referenced by the Deputy. My Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows those areas of Ireland 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 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 areas 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.

Premises in the areas referred to by the Deputy fall into all of these categories. Information on the status of specific premises is available on my Department’s website by entering the relevant Eircode into the Map.

To address mobile phone blackspots, officials in my Department and in the Department of Rural and Community Development are actively engaged with local authorities and mobile phone operators to identify priority blackspots and take action to resolve this issue. Both Departments have worked with a pilot group of local authorities to identify the issues associated with local blackspots.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (68)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

68. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed in his Department with expertise in climate change. [51837/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department currently has a total of 69 staff assigned to climate and energy policy functions, across eight separate divisions. This staff complement has significant experience in developing and implementing climate and energy policy at international, EU, national, regional and local levels.

In addition to its own staff, the Department also has access to scientific and technical advice in agencies under its aegis namely the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to assist it in delivering on Government climate policy objectives.

The Department and its agencies also have access to external specialist resources where required.

Energy Efficiency

Questions (69)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

69. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has met the SEAI and an agency (details supplied) on the programme of deep retrofitting for municipal and private dwellings; and if a funding programme will be developed that will accelerate the decarbonisation of public buildings and private dwellings. [53136/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I have met with the CEO and Chair of SEAI and we have discussed a range of issues. I have not met with the Tipperary Energy Agency.

The Deep Retrofit Pilot Programme is funded by my Department and operated by the SEAI. It is investigating how to create a scalable offering for the deep retrofit of Ireland’s homes, while building consumer demand and contractor capacity. Funding of up to 50% of the costs is available for homes that achieve an A3 Building Energy Rating post retrofit. The pilot programme will help inform how we can make deep retrofit attractive and available to individual homeowners on a larger scale post 2020, and critically, will help Ireland move away from fossil fuels to clean renewable heating systems, such as solar and heat pumps.

Under the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy a structure is in place to allow the SEAI and OPW to provide guidance and support to senior managers to identify the projects and investments that can help achieve the target of 33% improvement in energy efficiency. The project pipeline being developed includes a significant retrofit programme.

I have recently received a mandate from Government to begin the preparation of a new All of Government Plan to bring about a step change in our climate ambition over the next decade, and beyond. As this is developed I will be looking at how we can further step up our activity in the area of deep retrofit and energy efficiency in general.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (70)

James Lawless

Question:

70. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the terms and conditions of the broadband tender reflect growing international concerns about the surveillance and espionage potential of such equipment with particular reference to recent decisions in the United States of America, New Zealand and Australia to forbid certain providers access to certain telecoms infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52783/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage, with my Department concluding its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018.

While details of the final tender submission are confidential to the procurement process, I understand from public statements by the bidder that Nokia has been nominated as a key technology partner. Should a contract be awarded, I further understand there will be strict governance and monitoring procedures to ensure best international practice is followed in respect of all elements of the network and it’s day to day operation, including best practice in respect of ensuring the services delivered are highly reliable and resilient. The contract sets out clear performance targets which must be met in this regard. These will be reported and measured on a monthly and quarterly basis throughout the 25 years of the contract to ensure compliance.

I would also note that operators are obliged to take measures to manage risks to the security of their networks and services and ComReg has a role in ensuring compliance in this regard.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (71)

Clare Daly

Question:

71. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to curtail the increase in illegal dumping linked to the rising cost of domestic waste collection charges. [52791/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

In line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection were phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018.

My Department established a Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group (PMG) to monitor pricing developments for household waste collection services during the phasing out of flat rate fees. The PMG has met each month since September 2017 and has considered fifteen months of pricing data trends. The PMG has indicated that, in the vast majority of cases to date, charges have remained stable. Detailed data is available on www.dccae.gov.ie.

The response from communities across the country to the national anti-dumping initiative demonstrates that the majority of citizens treasure and respect our environment and manage their waste responsibly. Since its introduction in 2017 funding of €3.3M has been provided to support over 400 projects to combat illegal dumping including- clean-up operations; household bulky waste initiatives; awareness campaigns; surveillance operations and SMART enforcement equipment for waste enforcement officers.

My Department is also supporting the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities in commissioning a report on unauthorised activity in the waste sector in Ireland. It should also be noted that, under new bye-laws, local authorities are establishing registers which record the details of households which are using the services of an authorised waste operator- whether a kerbside collector, or civic amenity facility. Local authorities may use this information to target households which appear not to be managing their waste correctly or who appear to be using the services of an unauthorised operator. This data will support a number of awareness, education and enforcement programmes already initiated by individual local authorities.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (72)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

72. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has met with a company (details supplied) regarding the roll-out of broadband under the agreement previously reached; and if he has raised the issue of towns not being serviced by such a deal despite being included. [53135/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I have not met with representatives of eir since my appointment.

Ongoing monitoring and oversight of the deployment commitments by eir are regularly monitored by my Department. Under the Commitment Agreement eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. According to data for Q3 2018 submitted by eir to my Department, the company has passed almost 210,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.

The deployment is not funded by the State and it is not planned or directed by my Department in any capacity. eir has indicated to the Department that their deployment schedule has been impacted by storms Emma and Ophelia, and other construction issues. The company has proposed new timelines for its deployment which would see the project completed by mid-2019. Officials from my Department are engaged on an ongoing basis with eir on this proposal.

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 or Eircode.

Where a citizen living in a town or premises that is categorised as Blue is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at [e-mail] with their Eircode, details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband and my Department will seek to enquire as to where the difficulties lie.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (73, 105)

Brian Stanley

Question:

73. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has an alternative model for the national broadband plan if the tender process cannot find a feasible bidder. [53126/18]

Bríd Smith

Question:

105. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his alternative plans for rural broadband in the event that the one remaining bidder is found to be not fit by the procurement process team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53176/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 105 together.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.

I do not propose to speculate on the outcome of the ongoing assessment, which I would ask be given the necessary time to conclude.

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Questions (74)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

74. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the climate action plan; the additional resources Departments will have in 2019 to address climate change; the innovative measures to combat climate change he will introduce during 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51494/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Addressing climate change and our targets to 2030 and beyond is one of the key policy priorities for this Government. Since my appointment as Minister I have secured Government approval to prepare an All of Government Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I will work with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives in electricity, transport, heat, agriculture and other relevant sectors.

The new plan will have a strong focus on implementation, including actions with specific timelines and steps needed to achieve each action, assigning clear lines of responsibility for delivery. It will also be informed by successful approaches in other countries, where such approaches could be adapted for implementation in Ireland. This Plan will build on the previous actions being undertaken in both the National Mitigation Plan and National Development Plan (NDP), and is to be completed in early 2019.

Under the NDP, almost €22 billion will be directed, between Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, to addressing the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. As part of the NDP, the €500 million Climate Action Fund will support the delivery of innovative projects in the public and private sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I recently announced that seven major climate action projects will share €77 million in funding, leveraging a total investment of €300 million, in the first round of applications to the Fund. These projects will support decarbonisation across the transport, heat, electricity and agriculture sectors, and demonstrate the types of investments we need to make.

The specific resources available to Departments in 2019 are a matter for each individual Minister in the context of the annual estimates process. The 2019 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) is to be published by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the coming days; I understand that a new report on climate related expenditure across whole of Government will be published in tandem with the 2019 REV.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (75)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

75. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the commitment to provide high-speed broadband to each house and business in County Donegal; the deadline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52784/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest.

Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high-speed broadband in Donegal has increased by over 16,000, a 34% increase.

In total, the number of premises in Donegal with access to high speed broadband is over 64,500, 63% of the premises in Donegal. Another 3,124 will be served by eir's planned rural deployment. The remaining 34,000 homes, schools and businesses in Donegal will be connected under the government’s National Broadband Plan.

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 or Eircode.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.

National Broadband Plan Data

Questions (76, 82, 91, 98)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

76. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the completion of tenders submitted for the national broadband plan. [53177/18]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

82. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan. [53134/18]

Bobby Aylward

Question:

91. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the commencement of works on the ground under the national broadband plan and the measures contained within same to ensure rapid roll-out of broadband services for rural areas, rural communities and regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53185/18]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a contract will be signed for the national broadband scheme, which will bring high-speed broadband to over 500,000 premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52793/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 82, 91 and 98 together.

The NBP aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.

The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. When this Government came into office, this had risen to 52%. Today, 74% of premises can access a high speed broadband service.

Commercial operators have invested over €2.75bn in upgrading and modernising their networks over the past 5 years, and further investments are planned.

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. According to data for Q3 2018 submitted by eir to my Department the company has passed almost 210,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment.

The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.

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.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (77, 89)

John Curran

Question:

77. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding programme he plans to provide to facilitate the provision of necessary infrastructure in order to reach the set target of ending the sale of cars powered just by fossil fuels by 2030 in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53203/18]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

89. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address range anxiety and to develop a network of electric vehicle chargers nationwide that would support 500,000 electric vehicles. [53197/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 89 together.

The National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland was published in May of last year. It set out the ambition that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emissions capable. The National Development Plan, published in February of this year, raised this ambition such that no new non-zero emission cars would be sold in Ireland post 2030.

Realising this ambition will require a range of policies and measures across Government. These will need to include fiscal interventions to dissuade people from purchasing fossil fuel powered cars and incentives to support the uptake of electric vehicles. Incentives currently available include a purchase grant, VRT relief, benefit-in-kind tax relief, a grant for the installation of home chargers, a grant for the use of electric vehicles as taxis and reduction in tolls for electric vehicles.

The National Development Plan provides a total allocation of €200m for the period up to 2027 to support the uptake of electric vehicles. This funding will be allocated as part of the annual estimates process.

The majority of the existing publicly accessible electric vehicle infrastructure was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes circa 80 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the charge points, including the status and availability of the charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars.

The Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, examined how best to support the development of 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 grant of up to €600 was introduced to support the installation of electric vehicle home chargers. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.

Last month, I announced the successful projects under the first Call for Applications from the Climate Action Fund. I approved funding of up to €10 million to a project from ESB eCars that will develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake over the next decade. Further details on this project, and the other projects approved from the fund, are available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.

Climate Change Adaptation Plans

Questions (78, 84, 94)

Alan Farrell

Question:

78. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role that new hybrid powerpacks for intercity railcars as announced under the climate action fund will have in reducing climate emissions. [53199/18]

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

84. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role that projects announced under the climate action fund will play in supporting decarbonisation in the agricultural sector. [53201/18]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

94. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if another call for applications for the climate action fund will be made in the future further to the announcement of the first successful projects in late November 2018. [53198/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 84 and 94 together.

On 28 November, I announced the seven successful projects from the first Call for Applications under the Climate Action Fund. The projects span a range of sectors including transport, district heating, public lighting and agriculture.

In the transport sector, up to €15m of support is provided to Irish Rail to increase efficiency in the inter-city rail fleet. The project will involve the detailed design of the new hybrid power-packs, the conversion of three existing diesel multiple units to the new configuration and, following a year long in-service trial, the hybrid power-packs will be implemented across the wider fleet.

In the Agriculture sector, Gas Networks Ireland will be supported to deliver a facility that will allow renewable gas produced from the anaerobic digestion of wastes, including agriculture wastes such as slurry, to be injected into the national gas grid. The project will also support the use of this renewable gas in the transport sector through the development of two compressed natural gas fuelling stations and grant support for 74 vehicles.

Having completed that assessment stage, the seven projects must now undergo the project validation process. The validation process will include more detailed examination of the projects, agreement of project outputs and payment timelines.

The scope, structure and timeframe of future calls for applications have not yet been determined. To assist development of future calls, my Department plans to hold a workshop with all those who applied under the first call. This workshop, which will be held early in the new year, will provide the opportunity to provide feedback to applicants and also to inform the next call.