Written Answers Nos. 117-146
126. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the climate action Bill that was promised in the first 100 days of office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21627/20]
View answerAs set out under the Programme for Government, the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill is being drafted as a priority, and will be published within the first 100 days of this Government. The Bill will significantly strengthen the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge in Ireland and will establish a 2050 target into law.
The Bill will introduce a legal requirement for Government to adopt a series of three successive, economy-wide carbon budgets and decarbonisation ranges for each relevant sector.
The legislation will establish the Climate Action Council (CAC) as a successor to the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC). The new CAC will have a strengthened role in proposing appropriate carbon budgets, and continue to be independent in the performance of its functions
As Minister, I will lead on delivering the Programme for Government commitment of an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050.
127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to delays in issuing Eircodes to new properties; if his attention has been further drawn to the knock-on effect this is having in relation to the provision of broadband and landline services to private households especially those households that are working remotely due to the Covid-19 restrictions; the reason for the delay in issuing such Eircodes; the action he plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/20]
View answer160. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he will consider changing the frequency of new Eircodes being added to the database to monthly as opposed to quarterly in view of the fact that new homeowners are being forced to wait on broadband connectivity for months due to lack of an Eircode. [22390/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 160 together.
Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses, and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 117,500 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis it is then a matter for individual commercial businesses to apply and integrate the latest Eircode updates into their systems to meet their business needs and those of their customers, in accordance with the terms of their licence agreements.
Operational matters and commercial decisions of private commercial operators, including the updating of databases, are a matter for these commercial operators and one in which I have no direct function.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable, my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.
128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to rescind by-laws 806 and 809 as they relate to inland fisheries and replace them with new by-laws that exclude areas that are special areas of conservation for salmonid fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21702/20]
View answerThe Bye-laws referred to by the Deputy relate to fisheries conservation and concern the catching and retaining of non salmonid species. Both are in force since 2006 and apply on a national basis. The conservation objectives of both Bye-laws remain relevant and, accordingly, I currently have no plans to revoke them. However, in the context of developing a policy statement for the angling sector, I have asked my officials to consider other options for strengthening protection and conservation for other salmonids including trout. This consideration could include, inter alia, extension of Ireland’s exemplary salmon management regime to other salmonids and a review of Bye-laws relating to the catch and retention of such fish.
129. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the number of applications received under the support scheme for renewable heat; the number of applications approved and financed to date; the amount paid out under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21724/20]
View answerThe Support Scheme for Renewable Heat was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users.
The Scheme, which is operated by the SEAI, is comprised of two elements, an installation grant of up to 30% for heat pumps and an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems. In terms of the operational support element, eligible renewable energy technologies are supported through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs. The National Development Plan sets out an allocation of €300 million for the roll-out of the scheme for the period up to 2027. The scheme has a maximum annual budget currently set at €5 million.
SEAI inform me there have been five valid applications for the heat pump grant and 79 valid applications for operational support. A total of two applications for the heat pump grant and 40 applications for operational support have been approved giving a commitment of up to €16,200 in grant payments and up to €1,118,131 annually in operational payments. No monies have so far been paid out.
The SEAI are working with applicants whose applications and projects are impacted by Covid-19. Where an applicant has a specific query, this should be addressed to SEAI.
130. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when fibre broadband will be provided to Clonoghill, Birr, County Offaly. [21753/20]
View answerClonoghill, Birr, Co. Offaly contains both BLUE and AMBER areas on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. - AMBER areas represent the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
- BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
All premises within the AMBER Intervention Area will be surveyed as part of the national fibre network rollout. Surveying is due to start later in 2020 in parts of Offaly. These surveys are required to produce a detailed network design for high speed fibre broadband network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose, and is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area.
83,000 premises have now been surveyed throughout 19 counties in Ireland and detailed designs for laying fibre are also in process for areas throughout the country. NBI provides a facility for interested parties to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/ ).
