Written Answers Nos. 60-74
60. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement between the Environmental Protection Agency and residents of Heather Grove, Palmerstown, in respect of noise pollution from the M50; the measures contained in the Dublin agglomeration plan that can assist with this; the timeline for the implementation of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16178/20]
View answerThe European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S. I. No 549 of 2018) transpose EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. The Directive aims to provide a common framework to avoid, prevent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects of exposure to environmental noise, including noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and from sites of industrial activity.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is designated as the National Authority for the purpose of the Regulations. The Agency's role includes supervisory, advisory and coordination functions in relation to noise-mapping, action planning and fulfilling European Environmental Agency (EEA) reporting requirements.
This legislation requires Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Local Authorities to undertake strategic noise mapping every five years for all major roads. Once strategic noise maps have been produced, the results are used for each local authority to develop Noise Action Plans. Specifically, in relation to Heather Grove, Palmerstown, the designated planning authority is South Dublin County Council, and issues relating to noise levels associated with road traffic is a matter for South Dublin County Council.
The Regulations provide for strategic noise maps and action plans to be made available to the general public. They also provide for public consultation on proposed action plans and for the results of public consultation to be taken into account in finalising action plans. Details of Round 3 strategic noise mapping is available at the EPA website and the Noise Action Plan for the Agglomeration of Dublin (December 2018 – July 2023) is available at:
http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-water-waste-and-environment-noise-maps-and-action-plans/noise-action-plan.
I would encourage members of the public to participate in the consultation process when open to them, and engage with the relevant mapping bodies regarding the management of environmental noise.
61. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the SEAI community energy upgrade grants will be reintroduced. [16194/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. It is applicable to homes, community facilities and businesses. The budget for the Scheme this year was increased to €22 million - with €4 million of this allocation for a new ‘homes only’ aggregation strand.
Successful applicants under the 2020 Communities grants scheme were notified by the SEAI in recent months. It is planned that the scheme will open for new applications later this year. In the meantime prospective applicants might review the existing scheme details and requirements which could be helpful to them if they are considering availing of the scheme in future. The opening date will be notified both on the SEAI website and more widely.
More information on the SEAI Community Grant supports is available on the SEAI website at:
https://www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/.
62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the replacement of fossil fuel-based electricity generation by the generation of electricity from non-fossil fuels as a means of reduction of emissions in a sustainable way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16199/20]
View answerIn the Programme for Government we have committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade) and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The Climate Action Plan commits to reaching a 70% share of renewable electricity by 2030, a reduction of 50-55% of emissions relative to pre-NDP 2030 projections.
The reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy is essential in order to deliver a phase-out of fossil fuels. In Ireland, 28% of all electricity generated in 2018 was from wind, which is more than double the electricity generated from coal and peat combined.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) estimated that renewable energy additionally avoided 4.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and €623 million of fossil fuel imports in 2018 with the carbon intensity of electricity falling to less than half what it was in 2000. This demonstrates the very substantial reductions in emissions that renewable electricity generation can produce.
My Department is holding the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction this month, with auctions to be held each year thereafter, including the first RESS auction for offshore wind in 2021. RESS auctions will incentivise the introduction of sufficient renewable electricity generation to meet national and EU-wide renewable energy and decarbonisation objectives to 2030 and beyond.
63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has set out priorities in respect of climate action with a view to reducing emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16200/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out our ambition to halve our carbon emissions over the course of the decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set out in the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, prioritising initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
While this will be challenging, requiring fundamental changes in how we live our lives, we will improve the health, welfare and security of our society, as well as realising significant economic benefits. To this end, the Government is committed to ensuring that the economic recovery is a green recovery.
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the extent to which the budget of his Department is adequate to meet the costs of the targets set in respect of his Department in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16201/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government - Our Shared Future - sets out the Government's response to the significant challenges facing the country. My Department is central to many of the transformative changes envisaged and commitments to be delivered over the five year lifetime of the Programme for Government include:
- A National Clean Air Strategy
- Seeking to accelerate the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan
- Achieving an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030
- Delivering a National Aggregated Model of Retrofitting reaching over 500,000 homes by 2030
- Developing a major drive to realise the immense potential of Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Sector
- Enacting the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill 2020
- Completing and implementing a major Waste and Circular Economy Action Plan.
My Department is working to finalise the budget allocation for my Department for 202, which will be published in Revised Estimates later this year. Allocations for 2021 and future years will be agreed as part of the annual Estimates process and published in the Revised Estimates Volume, subsequent to each Budget Day.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which he has identified the most important issues and targets to be met in respect of reduction of emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16202/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out our ambition to halve our carbon emissions over the course of the decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency ’s (EPA’s) National Inventory Report 2020, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 1% between 2016 and 2018. The EPA's projections for 2019 -2040, published this month, indicate our 2020 emissions could be 2-4% below 2005 levels. It is clear that Ireland will miss its 2020 target, and will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply.
However, this is the first round of emissions projections that takes into account more recent policy developments, and shows that if these policies are fully implemented, Ireland will meet its current legally binding EU 2030 emissions target, and put us on the right trajectory to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set out in the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects that Ireland can compete with all other European countries in the area of carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16203/20]
View answerAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency ’s (EPA’s) National Inventory Report 2020, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduced by about 1% between 2016 and 2018. The EPA projections, 2019-2040, published earlier this month indicate our 2020 emissions could be 2-4% below 2005 levels, and it is clear that Ireland will miss its 2020 target, and will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply. Covid-19 will undoubtedly impact our 2020 emissions, and this is not reflected in these projections.
However, this is the first round of emissions projections that take into account more recent policy developments, and shows that if these policies are fully implemented, Ireland will meet its current legally binding EU 2030 emissions target, and put us on the right trajectory to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The Programme for Government sets out our commitment to further increase our ambition, and halve our national carbon emissions over the course of the coming decade. The action we take in the coming years will be critical in order to address the climate crisis, which threatens our safe future on this planet. As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering our shared commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set in law in the Climate Action Bill, which I will introduce in the Dáil within the first 100 days of government.
With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I will work with colleagues across government to develop a new Climate Action Plan before year end, with additional initiatives in every sector to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects to be in a position to bring about a reduction in plastic waste onshore and offshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16204/20]
View answerI am committed to tackling the problems associated with single use plastics and my Department is working to transpose and implement EU Directive 2019/904, commonly referred to as the Single Use Plastics Directive, at the earliest possible date. The aim of this Directive is to tackle the ten single-use plastic products and fishing gear that together make up 70% of the marine litter found on EU beaches. The Directive introduces measures which will enable the prohibition of certain single use items being placed on the market including polystyrene food and beverage containers, plastic cutlery and plates, straws and balloon sticks.
Waste management practices are evolving and I will shortly be bringing forward an ambitious new waste policy which will reflect and exceed the level of ambition in the Single Use Plastics Directive and the EU's Circular Economy Package.
68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he expects Ireland should proceed in respect of waste management, whether by combination of landfill and reduction or by other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16205/20]
View answerEuropean, national and regional waste management policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of the 2008 Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), whereby the prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery of waste are preferred options to the disposal or landfilling of waste. 26% of managed municipal waste (by weight) was sent to landfill in 2016 compared to 41% in 2012 and 92% in 1995. Furthermore, 74% of managed municipal waste was recovered in 2016 (compared to 59% in 2012). Significantly more residual waste is now used as a fuel (energy recovery) than disposed to landfill. Further information is available at http://www.epa.ie/nationalwastestatistics/municipal/.
New waste management targets in the Landfill Directive require Member States to reduce the amount of municipal waste going to landfill to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated (by weight) by 2035. In addition, amendments to the Waste Framework Directive require that recycling rates of 55%, 60% and 65% of municipal waste (by weight) must be achieved by 2025, 2030 and 2035 respectively.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, I will soon be bringing forward an ambitious new waste policy which will include a range of measures to reform and strengthen waste management with a greater focus on prevention through product design and consumer choice. The new waste policy will ensure that we continue to meet our European targets for waste and will reflect the level of ambition in the waste and climate areas at EU level, including the range of actions proposed in the European Green Deal, which was published in December 2019. It will set out a range of objectives and targets for the State and the measures by which to achieve them.
69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which non-fossil generated electricity is currently capable of meeting the demands of the national grid; if progress to date is adequate in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16206/20]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) in their Energy in Ireland - 2019 report have estimated that the share of electricity from renewable energy increased almost fivefold between 2005 and 2018 - from 7.2% to 33.2% - an increase of 26 percentage points over 13 years. The provisional figure for 2019 is 36.7%.
The Programme for Government commits to taking the steps to deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 by inter alia:
- Holding the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction by the end of 2020, with auctions held each year thereafter, including the first RESS auction for offshore wind in 2021;
- Giving cross-government priority to the drafting of the Marine Planning and Development Bill, so that it is published as soon as possible and enacted within nine months;
- Producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and how we will develop the necessary skills base, supply chains, legislation, and infrastructure to enable it
- Finalising and publishing the Wind Energy Guidelines;
- Developing a Solar Energy Strategy for rooftop and ground, based photovoltaics, to ensure that a greater share of our electricity needs is met through solar power;
- Continuing Eirgrid’s programme ‘Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System’ (DS3).
Good progress is already being made on a number of these commitments and, next week, projects will compete in the first auction under the RESS. This will deliver new renewable energy projects to the grid at scale, for the first time ever targeting solar farms to power Irish homes. Onshore and offshore wind will also be developed through the RESS auctions, with the first offshore wind auction planned for next year.
70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of vehicles totally reliant on electricity propulsion in use; his expectations for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16207/20]
View answerThe number of Electric Vehicles totally reliant on electricity propulsion (BEV - Battery Electric Vehicles) under current taxation at 30th June 2020 was 10,910 of which 10,183 were private vehicles. There were also a further 8,488 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles taxed which are capable of being propelled solely by electricity on shorter journeys.
The Climate Action Plan has a target of 936,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030. The EV Policy Pathway Working Group, established on foot of the Climate Action Plan and composed of officials from the SEAI and the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Finance & of Public Expenditure, is due to report shortly on the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies to drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EV and electric van sales from very early in this decade. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, outlines a commitment to incentivise the use of electric vehicles (EVs). The Programme for Government also commits to publishing an EV strategy to ensure charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand and to provide planning guidance to local authorities.
71. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirement in terms of daily electricity use here; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to avail of the economic benefit associated with locally generated electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16208/20]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is an auction-based scheme which invites renewable electricity projects to compete for a guaranteed price for the electricity they generate. The first of these renewable electricity auctions (RESS-1) will take place on the 21 July. There will be a series of auctions up to 2030 to deliver on Ireland's renewable electricity target of at least 70% by 2030.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism will be outlined in a public consultation in Q3 2020.
The Programme for Government, "Our Shared Future", recognises the importance of community involvement in energy. Specifically the Programme for Government commits to:
- Ensuring that community energy can play a role in reaching at least 70% renewable electricity, including a community benefit fund and a community category within the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction;
- Continuing to work with the EU to agree community participation as an integral part of installing new renewable energy and a route for community participation in the projects; and
- Prioritising the development of micro-generation, letting people sell excess power back to the grid by June 2021.
Locally generated or community energy is one of the corner-stone policies of the Programme for Government. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme includes a separate community category in its first auction to be held later this month. The category is open only to projects that are at least 51% owned by the local community; my Department understands that some of the projects entering the category are 100% community-owned. The category has a capacity allocation of 30 gigawatt hours, enough to support several projects, both solar and wind.
72. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request a full report from the ESB as to the reason for repeated electricity outages in Lusk, north County Dublin; the way in which the issue will be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16234/20]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Board and Management of ESB as regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.
My Department did, however, contact ESB and I understand the position to be as follows.
There have been a number of power outages on the medium voltage overhead line in the area recently, which I'm told appear to have been caused by a combination of timber/tree contact, lightning strikes and intermittent electrical faults.
ESB Networks have undertaken mitigating actions, including foot and aerial line inspections, timber/tree cutting along the line, analysis of network protection data to pinpoint fault locations and thermal/infra-red line surveys. This work is ongoing and their local team is endeavouring to improve network performance in the area.
73. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received the research output from a body (details supplied) on the warmth and well-being scheme; when the results will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16259/20]
View answerThe Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and is jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016 over 1,200 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed.
According to SEAI, the average cost per home completed to date is €22,800. This investment has significantly improved the warmth and comfort of the homes. Initial reports have indicated that the upgrades are also delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants, including reports of needing fewer GP and hospital visits. An independent analysis is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with the Health Service Executive.
The research element of the scheme has experienced significant delays due to complications associated with GDPR and the COVID-19 emergency.
Every effort is being made to progress the research as quickly as possible and I look forward to sharing the results with the Deputy and the public when they are available. The findings will inform Government’s approaches to retrofitting, especially with regard to those who are more vulnerable and at risk of energy poverty.
74. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed in the national cybersecurity centre in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16263/20]
View answerThe National Cyber Security Centre, or NCSC, which is located within my Department, is the primary cyber security authority in the State, and has a number of roles, including leading on cyber security incident response and on the resilience and security of critical infrastructure. The National Cyber Security Centre had 21 staff in 2018, 23 in 2019 and has 24 to date in 2020, with a further staff member to join in the coming weeks.
The NCSC contains the State’s Computer Security Incident Response Team, or CSIRT. This is the body that responds to the full range of cyber security incidents in the State. The CSIRT has international accreditations and operates its own, purpose built, secure incident response software environment. Since its foundation in 2011, the CSIRT has developed significant expertise in managing cyber security incidents, and now handles in excess of 2,000 incidents every year. The CSIRT has also developed and deployed the Sensor platform across Government Departments, and the deployed Malware Information Sharing Platforms (MISPs) across a range of critical infrastructure operators.
The NCSC also has a set of statutory powers in terms of ensuring that critical infrastructure operators maintain and operate that infrastructure in a secure manner. To date, 67 Operators of Essential Services have been designated. The Compliance Team in the NCSC has been working with these entities to improve their security since 2018, and formal audits will start in the current Quarter 3.
The Programme for Government commits to the implementation of the 2019 National Cyber Security Strategy in full. This Strategy includes a number of measures designed to ensure that our level of preparedness remains appropriate to likely future threats.
