Written Answers Nos. 2237-2261
2237. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated full year cost of recruiting ten extra cyber security responders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32900/19]
View answerThe National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is located within my Department, and is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The Centre has a number of roles, and is responsible for acting as a conduit for information to constituents, including operators of Critical National Infrastructure, Government Departments and Agencies. The Centre also provides expert advice and analysis on cyber security issues and is involved in coordinating the response to significant incidents. The Centre also acts as a central contact point in the event of a government or nation-wide cyber security incident affecting the State, and has a number of formal roles in the protection of Critical National Infrastructure, including those under the EU Network and Information Security Directive. The NCSC is composed of highly skilled, specialist technical civilian staff, with skillsets in areas such as computer science, software engineering, malware analysis, information technology forensics, cryptography, software development, and cyber security compliance, as well as general cyber security skills. My Department is finalising a new National Cyber Security Strategy, which will set out the measures that Government will take to meet future challenges in cyber security, both in terms of Government and critical national infrastructure. The estimated full year cost of recruiting ten extra Cyber Security Responders would be approximately €650,000.
2238. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of feasibility studies conducted by his Department in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the names of each project being studied; the amount allocated and drawn down for each study; the person or body that sought each study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32937/19]
View answerThere were no feasibility studies conducted by my Department in County Galway in the period referred to.
2240. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 736 of 11 July 2019, the funding streams to which the remaining four expressions of interest aligned, that is, midland or NSAD; if the expressions of interest are from stakeholders, Inland Fisheries Ireland or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/19]
View answer2241. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 736 of 11 July 2019, the number of third-party applications regarding instream fishery enhancement projects; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33073/19]
View answer2242. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 736 of 11 July 2019, the number of applications to Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding instream fishery enhancement projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33074/19]
View answer2243. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the promised reinstatement in 2020 of the Inland Fisheries Ireland programme of instream work will operate from design inception to delivery and sign off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33075/19]
View answer2244. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the scale of the Inland Fisheries Ireland budget for its 2020 instream fishery enhancement programme; the source of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33076/19]
View answer2245. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 25 June 2019, his views on whether the instream works as described have come to an end due to Inland Fisheries Ireland withholding design and supervision services to the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33077/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2240 to 2245, inclusive, together.
As previously indicated, the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for fisheries projects remains open at Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). As a result, numbers of EOI’s submitted may change and not all EOIs will progress to project application and award. In addition, the classification of the 4 EOIs referred to had not been completed when the original question was tabled by the Deputy.
The 32 EOI’s referred to in the Question No. 736 of 11 July relate to the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Funding. 20 of these are from IFI, 11 from third parties and 1 has since been withdrawn.
Across all funding schemes available, there are 10 third party completed EOIs for in-stream enhancement projects at an estimated value of €241,710. There are also 17 completed IFI EOIs for in-stream enhancement projects at an estimated value of €608,510.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 735 of 11 July confirming IFI’s intention to operate a programme of fisheries development, including in-stream projects, subject to justified need and available resources. Pre-fishery enhancement surveys will enable IFI to support its interventions and monitor effectiveness thereafter. IFI facilitates projects from inception to delivery and sign off.
It is anticipated that funding will be available under the Salmon and Seatrout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection scheme which is an on-going sustainable funding scheme based on distribution of State monies collected for licensing of anglers and commercial fishermen. 2020 allocations to Departmental Votes have not yet been agreed.
IFI and OPW continue to operate jointly under an agreed Memorandum of Understanding and in-stream works continue in that context.
In view of the number of questions tabled by the Deputy and her interest in fisheries development, I have, on a number of occasions, offered her a detailed briefing from IFI. However, if preferred, funding guides and information are available on the IFI website:
https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/funding-for-fisheries-projects.html#guides-and-funding-portal.
2246. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date he will put on resolving GDPR issues to introduce and implement the bin waiver scheme for persons with incontinence and disability matters. [33080/19]
View answer2256. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects to introduce the bin waiver scheme for persons with additional medical needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2246 and 2256 together.
Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have been operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, and provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability.
My Department has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and public bodies, in an effort to see how best to provide a financial support to persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear.
Notwithstanding the complex issues at play, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question, I would like assure the Deputies that I continue to be committed to addressing this issue.
2247. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being taken to ensure that plastic sent abroad by waste collectors here is recycled; the locations to which the plastic is being sent; if minimum standards for workers and or the environment at those locations are being met; the way in which the carbon footprint of the transport of materials is being measured; his plans to incentivise local or European plastic recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33097/19]
View answerThe legislative framework for the import and export of waste in the European Union is set out in Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council. This Regulation implements in EU law the provisions of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal as well as the OECD Decision Concerning the Control of Transboundary Movements of Waste Destined for Recovery Operations. The Regulation includes a ban on the export of hazardous wastes to non-OECD countries as well as a ban on the export of waste for disposal to such countries. The fundamental purpose of this system is to ensure that not only is waste moved to another country with that country’s advance knowledge, but that wastes from the EU are not dumped in less developed countries. Under the Waste Management (Shipments of Waste) Regulations 2007, Dublin City Council was designated as the National Competent Authority for all waste exports and imports and the National Transfrontier Waste Shipment Office (NTFSO) was established under the auspices of Dublin City Council. The primary aim of the Regulations is to prevent the illegal shipment of waste abroad, and to assist businesses engaged in legitimate waste export activities.
Any proposals for the shipment of waste must first be brought to the attention of the National TFS Office by means of the submission of an application, known as a notification, consisting of a notification document and a movement document.
The Notification Document provides the Competent Authorities of countries concerned in the proposed waste shipment with information such as the waste type, waste generator, intended quantity of shipments, disposal/recovery process, expiry date etc. The Movement Document, must accompany the waste shipment at all times through the countries of transit on route to the disposal/recovery facility in the country of destination and only facilities authorised by the competent authority in destination countries are permitted to accept imported waste. This document provides information on the notifier, importer, carriers of the consignment, means of transport etc. The main objective of this document is to track and trace the movement of the waste shipment from cradle to grave, including the certification regarding the acceptance and the completed recovery/disposal operation at the authorised waste recovery/disposal facility.
A Certification of Completion is completed by the disposer or recoverer to certify the completion of the disposal or recovery of the waste. Signed copies of the movement document with this certification need to be sent to the notifier and competent authorities of dispatch, transit and destination as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the completion of the recovery or disposal and no later than one calendar year following the receipt of the waste.
The NTFSO compiles an annual register for movement of both Amber and Green list waste; the latest registers compiled by the NTFSO deal with 2018 and can be accessed on its website at
http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-water-waste-and-environment-waste-and-recycling-national-tfs-office/ntfso-waste.
Minimum standards regarding workers’ rights and environmental standards in other States are a matter for the authorities in those States.
Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2019 has ten dedicated actions which focus on waste and the Circular Economy. Our focus will be on designing out waste, prioritising prevention of waste at every opportunity through eco-design, reuse and repair, market restriction and levies.
Ireland is working closely with other Member States in the European Union. We are working on the development of policy instruments which shall include:
- Regulatory changes;
- Market incentives;
- Promotion, labelling and the provision of information on sustainable practices;
- Developmental work with the sector to improve our capacity to deliver our goals.
Included in the regulatory changes will be the amended Waste Framework Directive which promotes the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model and aims to make it more effective through minimum common requirements.
As part of the Climate Action Plan, we will identify opportunities to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement frameworks and structures for the waste collection and management system, to maximise the collection of clean, segregated materials for reuse and/or recycling from all households and businesses, and to incentivise consumers to reduce, reuse and recycle.
The Climate Action Plan also commits to regulating and incentivising producers of waste, particularly packaging, to ensure the prevention of waste and the use of recycled materials in packaging products. A core opportunity for improving EPR measures is to develop economic incentives which favour circular products and business models.
2248. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to expand schemes for deep retrofits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33108/19]
View answerThe Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme was set up to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with providing deeper retrofits to the residential sector. The Scheme is providing vital, on the ground, evidence of how to overcome the technical and economic challenge of deep retrofit, especially the practical advice and support a householder needs to undertake it. This will help homes achieve an A3 building rating by incorporating works such as insulation, ventilation, window replacement and renewable heating technologies. The results will provide insights into the potential costs of upgrading the building stock, as a greater range of building archetypes are upgraded under the scheme. I recently launched the Government's Climate Action Plan setting highly ambitious targets of 500,000 retrofits as well as the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes. The lessons learned from the Deep Retrofit Pilot will be of great assistance in designing the policies and approaches required to deliver this target.
Decisions in relation to the 2020 budget allocation for all SEAI energy efficiency schemes will be made as part of the annual Estimates process later this year.
2249. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a review of pricing and access arrangements for metropolitan area networks, MANs, referred to the Commission for Communications Regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33110/19]
View answerThe Analysys Mason Review of Pricing and Access Arrangements for the MANs finalised in 2018 noted that enet was not in compliance with the agreed Code of Practice in relation to its approach to intercompany transfer pricing. In that regard in February of this year I requested that the Commission for Communications Regulation, in view of its acknowledged expertise in the area, undertake a review to: · Establish whether enet complied with its obligation under the Code of Practice to offer managed services on the MAN's in the context of national end to end services at non-discriminatory prices such that its related company, enet Telecommunications Networks Ltd did not obtain a material unfair advantage.
· Confirm the revised intercompany transfer pricing arrangements in place are in compliance with the Code of Practice.
· Confirm that the Analysys Mason recommendations are being implemented.
· Based on the findings of its review, make recommendations to the Minister.
I understand that the Commission’s work is ongoing and I await the outcome of the review.
2250. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of obtaining funding from the EU coal regions in transition platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33121/19]
View answerThe Platform for Coal Regions in Transition was launched in December 2017, as part of the Coal and Carbon-Intensive Regions in Transition Initiative of the Clean Energy for All Europeans Package. The aim of the platform is to provide support for regions heavily involved in fossil fuel industries and provide opportunities for national, regional, and local representatives and EU staff to discuss how these regions can best decarbonise their economies. Officials from my Department and Bord na Móna have attended meetings of the Platform as observers. In March this year I wrote to Commissioner Canete requesting that Ireland’s Midlands region be included in the Platform. At the most recent meeting of the Platform, on 15-16 July, the European Commission announced that the Midlands region has now been included in the Platform. The formal confirmation is expected shortly.
Membership of the Platform enables the Midlands region to avail of the support of a dedicated Country Team, comprised of Commission experts, to assist with the development of strategies and projects for the region, focusing in particular on the employment challenges faced by workers affected by decarbonisation. The Team will also assist in identifying appropriate EU funding opportunities for the Midlands. The meetings of the Platform also enable the exchange of knowledge and ideas between carbon-intensive regions.
No new EU funds have been set up under this initiative. However, the European Parliament has proposed a €5 billion budget line in the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 currently being negotiated to support the just transition.
2251. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirements that a sporting or voluntary body such as a GAA club or a community association needs to comply with if it wishes to have a television or television sets open to public viewing within its premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33134/19]
View answerIn accordance with Section 142 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, any premises at which a television is located requires a TV Licence, regardless of its use or the number of televisions. Therefore, sporting or voluntary bodies are required to purchase a television licence if there is a television or a number of televisions on their premises.
2252. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33237/19]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. Today, 75% of the 2.4 million premises in Ireland can access high speed broadband. I recently brought a recommendation to the Government to confer preferred bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process, and the Government agreed to this at its meeting on 7 May.
The Government Decision of 7 May 2019 means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to the Bidder subject to contract close and the finalisation of financial and legal requirements; this work is progressing. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after that.
The Bidder has indicated that the NBP State intervention will take an estimated 7 years from the beginning of deployment.
A deployment plan will be made available by the Bidder once the contract is signed. In the first year of roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations.
The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises at the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.
2254. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had communication with Eir to discuss the possibility of short extensions to its roll-out of fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33239/19]
View answerUnder 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 Q1 2019 the company has passed almost 250,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. Further information provided by eir to my Department, advises that it plans to complete the vast majority of the deployment by the mid-year completion target with the remaining premises to be completed shortly afterward. These premises are in the LIGHT BLUE area of my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie.
Information on Eir's rural deployment is available on that company’s website, http://fibrerollout.ie/Eircode-lookup/. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website at
www.dccae.gov.ie.
Eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial decision for that company. It is not part of the planned State Intervention network, and is not funded by the State or planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.
Decisions made by private telecommunications operators relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis. I have no statutory role or function in such commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.
2255. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the enormous environmental damage being done to the rainforests in Brazil; his further views on whether the stark difference between these actions and the steps being taken in Europe to combat climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33240/19]
View answerAddressing the related challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and deforestation requires effective multilateral cooperation at the international level. In relation to climate change, Ireland's engagement with its EU and international partners takes place through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. Ireland is committed to promoting sustainable environmental practices and increased climate ambition through these processes, and engages in negotiations through its membership of the European Union. Together with its EU partners, Ireland looks forward to continued positive engagement and ambitious climate action by all Parties to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement. Ireland will continue to use the opportunity presented through these, as well as other relevant fora, to highlight the importance of combatting climate change and promoting opportunities for sustainable economic development.
2258. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of houses each service provider has retrofitted under the warmer homes scheme to date in 2019; the number of homes expected to be completed by the end of 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33285/19]
View answerThe Warmer Homes Scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades to the homes of people living in or at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Warmer Homes Scheme is delivered through a panel of contractors, appointed through a competitive tendering process. The total number of homes upgraded to date in 2019 under the Warmer Homes Scheme is 2,241. The SEAI estimate that approximately 4,500 homes will be upgraded under the Scheme by end of 2019.
Officials in my Department have been informed by the SEAI that the information requested by the Deputy on individual service providers is commercially sensitive. However, anonymised activity data is set out in the following table.
|
Warmer Homes Scheme contractor |
Completed homes |
|
Contractor 1 |
158 |
|
Contractor 2 |
143 |
|
Contractor 3 |
138 |
|
Contractor 4 |
136 |
|
Contractor 5 |
130 |
|
Contractor 6 |
119 |
|
Contractor 7 |
118 |
|
Contractor 8 |
108 |
|
Contractor 9 |
106 |
|
Contractor 10 |
105 |
|
Contractor 11 |
105 |
|
Contractor 12 |
104 |
|
Contractor 13 |
102 |
|
Contractor 14 |
92 |
|
Contractor 15 |
89 |
|
Contractor 16 |
58 |
|
Contractor 17 |
51 |
|
Contractor 18 |
43 |
|
Contractor 19 |
40 |
|
Contractor 20 |
36 |
|
Contractor 21 |
34 |
|
Contractor 22 |
30 |
|
Contractor 23 |
26 |
|
Contractor 24 |
25 |
|
Contractor 25 |
24 |
|
Contractor 26 |
21 |
|
Contractor 27 |
20 |
|
Contractor 28 |
17 |
|
Contractor 29 |
14 |
|
Contractor 30 |
13 |
|
Contractor 31 |
12 |
|
Contractor 32 |
12 |
|
Contractor 33 |
10 |
|
Contractor 34 |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
2241 |
2259. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether the warmer homes scheme has been adequately funded for 2019; the amount which has been set aside in 2019 for the scheme; his further views on whether there is enough funding in the scheme for 2019 based on expected output for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33286/19]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme provides free energy efficiency upgrades to the homes of people living in or at risk of energy poverty. The Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Scheme has been in existence since 2000 and has provided upgrades to over 135,000 homes, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The initial 2019 budget allocation for the Scheme of €24m was in line with the 2018 allocation. However, following a mid-year capital review conducted by my Department and SEAI, the budget has been increased to €39.8m for 2019 to address programme needs.
2260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the nature of physically invasive techniques that have been applied for as part of the prospecting licence sought recently in the west Connemara region around Ballyconneely and Roundstone and under consideration by his Department; the environmental assessments that will be carried out under the habitats directive to assess this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33293/19]
View answerThe prospecting activities proposed under the prospecting licence application referred to in the Question comprise desk-top studies, mapping and geochemical sampling and, in accordance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI 477 of 2011), these have been screened to determine whether they are likely to have a significant effect on the environment. Based on the screening undertaken, it has been determined that the activities identified are temporary, nonintrusive, will involve minimal disturbance with a limited zone of influence and are not likely to have a significant effect on the environment.
If, on the basis of these activities, the company decides that exploratory drilling is warranted, further permission will need to be sought and any such proposals would be subject to further environmental screening and assessment, taking into account the precise location of the proposed drill site. Exploratory drilling typically involves obtaining for examination a cylindrical piece of subsurface material or ‘core’ of approximately 45mm in diameter, using recirculated water in the process.
For any proposed works within or in close proximity to European Sites, my Department consults with the National Parks and Wildlife Service before such works are approved.
2261. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 546 of 21 May 2019, if a short-list of candidates have been invited to tender for the project; the closing date for receipt of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33331/19]
View answerIn December 2018, Kildare County Council, the contracting authority, invited tenders for expressions of interest in the remediation of Kerdiffstown landfill. The closing date for submissions was extended until 14 February 2019 on foot of requests for more time made on the eTenders procurement website. My Department understands that this process of evaluation is at an advanced stage and is being managed by Kildare County Council in accordance with the Office of Public Procurement guidelines and regulatory framework.
