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Wednesday, 16 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 1-50

Citizens' Assembly

Questions (7)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

7. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on progress towards a citizens' assembly on a directly elected mayor for Dublin. [38490/19]

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Written answers

At its meeting on 11 June 2019, the Government agreed to the establishment of a Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality and noted that a further Citizens Assembly would subsequently be established to consider the best model of local government for Dublin and, in particular but not exclusively, the issue of a directly elected mayor and his or her powers.

The establishment of the first Citizens’ Assembly, on gender equality, was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9th July and Seanad Éireann on 11th July. The Citizens’ Assemblies Act 2019 providing for the use of the register of electors to select members for both citizens’ assemblies was subsequently enacted and signed into law by the President on 25th July.

At the same meeting in June, the Government agreed the establishment of a Dublin only Citizens’ Assembly to consider the best model of local Government in Dublin and, in particular but not exclusively, the issue of a directly elected mayor and his or her powers. A separate cohort of 99 citizen members will be selected solely from Dublin county for the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly.

It was agreed that the Assemblies would run consecutively, commencing with the Assembly on gender equality.

The Citizens’ Assembly secretariat is now up and running, a Secretary has been appointed and staff assigned.

Dr. Catherine Day, former Secretary General of the European Commission, will serve as Chair of the Assembly on gender equality.

Administrative preparations are underway with a view to convening a first meeting as soon as possible.

Questions Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (11)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

11. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the UN General Assembly and UN Climate Action Summit. [39284/19]

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Written answers

I travelled to the US on 22 September for events centred around the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.

On Monday 23 September, I participated in the UN Climate Action Summit with Minister Bruton. I made a national statement outlining Ireland’s approach to climate action, including the Government’s commitments under the Climate Action Plan, our intention to ring-fence carbon tax revenue for climate action and just transition measures, as well as the climate aspects of our overseas development aid.

I represented Ireland at the High-Level Meeting on the UN Sustainable Development Goals on Wednesday 25, where I outlined Ireland's approach to meeting the Goals. I also met Prime Minister Ardern, President Macron, King Abdullah and other leaders at a meeting about the Christchurch Call to Action.

While at the UN, I took the opportunity to have bilateral meetings with European Council President Donald Tusk and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the latest developments on Brexit. I also met a number of leaders to discuss Ireland’s candidature for a seat on the UN Security Council.

Questions Nos. 12 to 32, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 33 to 40, inclusive, answered orally.

National Broadband Plan Expenditure

Questions (41)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

41. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost of the national broadband plan once completed; the amount paid out to date; the estimated amount that will be paid between now and the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42249/19]

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Written answers

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to a high speed broadband services. The procurement process for the National Broadband Plan has determined that the maximum cost to the State over the 25 year term of the contract will be €2.143bn, excluding VAT of €355m and excluding contingency of €480m.

The total amount spent to date on the NBP procurement process and subsequent evaluation of tenders is €28.236 million (including VAT).

In order to ensure that the State gets value for money and to minimise the cost to the taxpayer, the contract contains a suite of protections, including clawback provisions. These clawback provisions will apply where cost savings are achieved and to share in any future excess profits. The contract will also be subject to robust contract governance measures.

Following the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The network deployment will commence shortly after that.

Questions Nos. 42 to 44, inclusive, answered orally.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (45)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

45. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to carry out early assessments of the social and employment impacts of climate policies and identify the social protection needs in the changing industries in addition to the active labour market policies as recommended in the recent cross-party report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38878/19]

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Written answers

The Climate Action Plan outlines many key features of our transition to a low carbon economy. For example it outlines that by 2030:

- Renewable Energy will be 5 times its existing capacity.

- Retrofitting of homes will be 10 times its present level

- Non-recyclable plastics will have been eliminated.

On the other hand it also highlights:

- the ending of the use of peat and coal in electricity generation

- the end of new sales of combustion engine cars

- the need to retrofit 500,000 homes to B2 standard.

All of these represent economic and social challenges to adapt, to change habits, to mobilise capital and to build new infrastructures. These challenges are reflected in both the recent budget and the National Development Plan.

The Climate Action Plan clearly recognises that reducing our greenhouse gas emissions has the potential to have a disproportionate impact on different groups in society. It is essential that the burdens borne across groups are seen to be equitable, and that everyone is making an appropriate and fair level of effort. Enabling a just transition to a climate resilient and low carbon society, while protecting the most vulnerable in this process, is at the heart of the Climate Action Plan.

In the recent budget a decision was made to gradually raise carbon price to €80 per tonne by 2030 and to ensure that all of that money be used to support those least equipped to make the transition, to provide a just transition for those most exposed and to empower communities to make important changes. These include:

- An increase in fuel allowance

- doubling investment in retrofitting for low income families

- a package of just transition focused immediately on the midlands

- new support to accelerate the uptake of retrofitting, switch to electric and alternative transport modes.

The Plan sets out an ongoing programme of work to assess the economic and employment implications of the transition to a low-carbon economy and tasks the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) with establishing a Just Transition Review Group to identify specific transition needs among cohorts of workers, communities and specific groups of people. NESC will also prepare periodic strategic advice to Government on the Just Transition. The first such report is to be prepared by the end of 2020.

Question No. 46 answered orally.

Online Safety

Questions (47)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

47. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the establishment of a digital safety commissioner. [42296/19]

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Written answers

On 4 March 2019 I announced proposals for an Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill to tackle the spread of harmful online content and launched a public consultation to gather feedback on the proposals.

The public consultation closed on 15 April 2019. A wide a varied range of responses were received to the consultation, from members of the public, NGOs, industry and government agencies. These responses were published on 27 June 2019 and form a vital input into the development of the Bill. Furthermore, a thematic analysis of the submissions identifying key themes and issues was published on 25 July 2019.

This Bill will set a clear expectation for online platforms to take robust steps to ensure the safety of the users of their service and will provide for the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner as part of the regulatory structure overseeing the new system. It will also provide for the implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive in Ireland, which sets out new EU rules for Video Sharing Platform Services.

My officials are currently pursuing an extensive programme of policy analysis to inform decision making around preparatory drafts of heads of the Bill. I intend to bring the draft heads to Government by end-2019.

While it would be impossible to protect people from every danger online, this Bill will ensure, for the first time, that robust regulation is in place and end the era of self-regulation by online platforms.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (48)

Martin Heydon

Question:

48. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans for the roll-out of the national broadband plan; the activities to take place in 2019 and 2020 following the allocation in budget 2020 to progress the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42314/19]

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Written answers

Since the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The network deployment will commence shortly after that.

The National Broadband Plan will bridge the digital divide that is emerging between urban and rural areas. High speed connectivity has multiple potential positive impacts on the lives and livelihoods of citizens throughout the country. The National Broadband Plan will ensure that those benefits can be enjoyed by the 1.1 million people living in the Intervention Area.

It will encourage and facilitate new models of service in Health, Education and in Enterprise and help communities to benefit from new economic activities. More people will be able to work remotely, receive services in their own homes, and have access to technologies that will make for smarter living, learning, farming and business.

The deployment of the network will quickly bring tangible benefits to those living in rural areas. In Year 1 communities will be able to avail of high speed broadband services at over 300 Broadband Connection Points in rural locations around the country.

The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 home and business premises by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.

No matter where a person lives in Ireland, the National Broadband Plan will ensure equality of opportunity to fully participate in the digital society

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (49)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

49. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date on the national broadband scheme; when contracts will be signed for the scheme and commence the roll-out of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42277/19]

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Written answers

Since the Government decision in May to appoint NBI as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan contract, work has continued on the due diligence necessary to conclude the contract. This process is progressing towards contract award, which is expected before the end of the year. The Bidder will commence the deployment of the network shortly after that.

The Bidder has indicated that the network rollout 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, approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 Broadband Connection Points will be deployed in each county. Broadband Connection Points 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 by the end of the second year, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.

In parallel to the work of finalising the contract, I am considering the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee report, which was published recently. I will bring my deliberations of the report to Government in due course.

My Department has also recently undertaken a mapping consultation to ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, with the outcome of this consultation informing the State Aid notification to the European Commission in relation to the NBP.

Warmer Homes Scheme Funding

Questions (50)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

50. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding funding streams which are available to support home owners on low incomes to retrofit their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42250/19]

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Written answers

Supporting home owners on low incomes to retrofit their homes is a priority for Government.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty.

This scheme has evolved over time from a scheme which only provided basic insulation to now also offer much deeper retrofit.

The savings on the annual fuel bill of a home with a poor system will often be over €1000 per year.

In 2020 a total of of €52.8 million is being made available to retrofit the homes of people living in or at risk of energy poverty through the Warmer Homes Scheme.

This represents the biggest ever allocation for the Warmer Homes Scheme – more than double the initial allocation for 2019. €13 million of this funding is ring-fenced revenue arising from the increase in the Carbon Tax. Providing a warmer, more comfortable home that is cheaper to run will protect these homeowners in the long term.

In addition we shall be working with DHLG to deliver an aggregated area based model of retrofitting in the midlands. €20m will also be dedicated to the creation of a new energy efficiency scheme as committed to in the Climate Action Plan. It will focus on upgrading much larger batches of homes in distinct, compact geographical areas and allow private homeowners to opt-in.

Lower income households will also be supported through the pilot warmth and wellbeing programme and better energy communities.

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