Brian Stanley
Question:148. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when fibre broadband will be provided to Cashel Lower, Ballyroan, County Laois. [21797/20]
View answerTelecommunications Infrastructure
Questions (148)
Written answers
The Question refers to the townland of Ballyroan, which 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. This map can be searched using eircodes to determine whether the area in question is BLUE or AMBER. - 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.
National Broadband Ireland has commenced surveying in parts of Laois, close to Portlaoise, including areas in Ballyroan, within the AMBER state Intervention area. These surveys will inform detailed designs for laying fibre for high speed broadband connections under the National Broadband Plan.
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/ ).
Postal Services
Questions (149)
Seán Canney
Question:149. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to develop the post office network as a one stop shop for all offline State transactional services, including motor tax payments, driver licences, public services card renewals, identity verification and administration for Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21865/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government recognises that a modernised post office network will provide a better range of financial services and e-commerce services for citizens and enterprise, as part of our commitment to a sustainable nationwide post office network. An Post's social value has been particularly evident during the current Covid crisis. In November 2019, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced retention by An Post of the contract for cash pay-out of social protection payments over the counter at Post Offices for the next two years at least and it also includes the option for renewal for a further four years, after the initial two-year period.
The Deputy is familiar with the report of the interdepartmental group, established in October 2018 to consider options around the provision of ‘offline’ Government services. The group found that, rather than offline consumers experiencing an increasingly inconsistent approach to service provision, consideration should be given, in the context of the new National Digital Strategy and Our Public Service 2020, to the adoption of a whole of Government approach to offline service provision, similar to the adoption of Digital Government. It was concluded that such an initiative should be driven centrally. A whole of Government perspective allows the development of a set of principles outlining quality customer service for offline consumers, which could include bundling service delivery using existing nationwide customer facing networks. Such an approach would provide a consistent and high quality experience to offline consumers and provide locations to help offline customers transition to digital Government. The future provision of transactional services such as those listed by the Deputy will be considered within that framework.
Government acknowledges that An Post has the potential for further development as a provider of other valuable community focused services and will work with the company to develop such services as required.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (150)
Brendan Griffin
Question:150. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the installation of solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21893/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation, letting people sell excess power back to the grid by June 2021. The measures set out below will assist in delivering this commitment. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in March this year, which provides for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development later this year. The document is available on the CRU website www.cru.ie.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism will be outlined in a public consultation in the coming months..
A suitable support payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will, therefore, be available to all micro-generators in accordance with the timeline set out in the Programme for Government.
Postal Services
Questions (151)
Seán Sherlock
Question:151. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he has met with An Post regarding the sorting office in Cobh, County Cork. [21980/20]
View answerWritten answers
I have not met with An Post regarding the sorting office in Cobh, County Cork.
Wind Energy Generation
Questions (152)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:152. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to wind generated electricity will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 11% “dispatch down” referred to by the Deputy comes from an operational report on renewables produced by EirGrid on a quarterly basis. The “dispatch down” is split into two categories, constraints and curtailment. Constraints relate to insufficient grid network and curtailment to a surplus of non-synchronous technologies, such as wind, on the system.The 11% is currently evenly split between curtailment and constraints. The issue of whether the windfarm gets paid when dispatched down is currently as follows: curtailment is not paid and constraints are only compensated in limited circumstances where the generator has a guarantee of delivery from the network operators, EirGrid or ESB Networks.
To mitigate the issue of constraints there is now an obligation on the network owners to enhance the grid network so that constraints are minimised.
Amongst other benefits, interconnection provides an outlet for the export of surplus levels of renewable energy such as wind, thereby reducing curtailment levels. The Climate Action Plan states the importance of developing further interconnection to facilitate Ireland’s 2030 target of 70% renewable electricity. More recently, the Programme for Government further emphasises its importance and commits to “commence planning for future interconnection with our neighbours” and to “strengthen the policy framework to incentivise electricity storage and interconnection “
The costs of interconnection are included in the costs of electricity networks as part of a regulated asset base. These costs, ultimately borne by all electricity consumers over the long term - typically 40 years - are approved by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
The 2018 National Policy Statement on Electricity Interconnection outlines the process for the development of electricity interconnectors and the role of the CRU in the assessment of applicant projects in the public interest. There are currently two further electricity interconnectors - the Celtic Interconnector to France and Greenlink interconnector to Great Britain - in development, with Celtic due to become operational in 2025/26 and Greenlink in 2023.
Delivering on 70% renewable energy by 2030 is one of the key policies set out in the Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government to decarbonise the economy. Reaching the 70% target will deliver significant GHG emission reductions in the electricity sector, to approximately 4-5 Mt by 2030 compared to 12Mt in 2017.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (153)
Michael Ring
Question:153. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the safety measures put in place by An Post in post offices for the safety of their staff in view of Covid-19; if he has held discussions with the management of An Post in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/20]
View answerWritten answers
The staff and management of An Post are to be commended for their swift and sustained response to the pandemic which saw the introduction of a number of initiatives, implemented with good will and efficiency the length and breadth of the country. An Post has played a particularly valuable role in its commitment to rural communities and to the elderly and vulnerable in our society. Post Offices have implemented a number of practical measures to safeguard customers and staff, including the provision of PPE for staff, the installation of protective screens between counter positions and enforcement of social distancing for customers. Display boards, floor signs and staff remind customers to remain apart from other people while in the post office. All staff have access to personal issue hand sanitiser and receive regular communications and updates from the company.
The operation of the post office network is a matter for An Post management and I have not met with the company in this regard. However, departmental officials have engaged throughout the pandemic with our sectors to ensure that they are in a position to continue to provide essential services in the current environment.
Bituminous Fuel Ban
Questions (154)
James Browne
Question:154. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of a nationwide smoky fuel ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22075/20]
View answerWritten answers
From 1 September 2020, I added thirteen new Low Smoke Zones (LSZs) to the existing LSZs, the first of which were introduced in 1990. The effect of this latest important step is that all Irish towns with populations in excess of 10,000 are now LSZs within which the marketing, sale and distribution of certain fuels is prohibited. This will have a positive impact in terms of reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in the areas selected, with consequent public health benefits for residents of these new zones. Regarding the application of the LSZ approach on a nationwide basis, a number of coal firms have indicated that they would legally challenge such a move. The basis of their challenge is that a nationwide approach cannot be adopted without applying it also to the burning of peat, turf and wet wood, because they assert that these products produce similar levels of pollution to coal. The legal threat is not only to frustrate any new nationwide ban, but to remove the existing ban.
In that context, we have given a commitment in the Programme for Government to work towards a full nationwide extension of the regulations over the lifetime of the Government. The Department is taking the first step in this process by developing a public consultation document which recognises the need for a more comprehensive approach to the regulation of solid fuel generally, with a view to ensuring a transition to lower polluting fuels for residential heating. Responses received to the consultation will help to inform the decisions made regarding the implementation and enforcement of a nationwide extension.
It is intended to commence this public consultation process this year.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Questions (155)
Niall Collins
Question:155. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if broadband will be provided to areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/20]
View answerWritten answers
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is a policy initiative that covers commercial deployments and also a State led intervention in areas where it was not viable for commercial operators to deploy high speed broadband networks.
The premises referred to in the Question are located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. These 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. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Of the eight premises referenced, five (Ardpatrick, Glenroe , Anglesboro, Kilteely and Rathkeale) have already been passed with fibre by commercial operators and will therefore not come within the remit of the National Plan. The other three premises referenced will require more detailed analysis. My Department will engage the relevant commercial operator to confirm what service is currently available and liaise with the Department of Rural and Community Development, who manage the selection of Broadband Connection Points.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Questions (156)
Niamh Smyth
Question:156. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the reason a company (details supplied) cannot put working broadband in place in particular in County Cavan. [22261/20]
View answerWritten answers
The premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. 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. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
Given the difficulties highlighted in this question, my Department will investigate the local issues relating to this query to establish what options are available.
Electricity Grid
Questions (157, 158)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:157. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if the ESB Networks works to replace domestic electricity meters with smart meters will be rolled out nationally; the entity that carried out the safety testing on the meters in relation to radio frequency EMFs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/20]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:158. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if ESB Networks, in replacing electricity meters with smart meters, allowed customers to refuse to have smart meters installed; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22266/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that the energy efficiency potential of smart meters starts to be deployed in 2021 and that all mechanical electricity meters are replaced by 2024. The Smart Meter Upgrade is a meter replacement programme to modern, smart-ready technology. New generation electricity meters are being rolled out across Europe and internationally and when the programme completes in Ireland in 2024 all domestic and business premises will have a new modern meter installed.
The upgrade will encourage energy efficiency, support an increase in renewable power on the energy system, facilitate microgeneration and result in lower overall costs for consumers. The installation of smart meters is a key enabler for the energy transition to a decarbonised system as outlined in the Climate Action Plan.
The programme is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with ESB Networks responsible for rolling out the smart-ready electricity meters.
Smart meters are considered safe. Health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organisation, have assessed the scientific evidence and there are no established health effects from smart meters. In the delivery of smart meters, ESB Networks is required to ensure that the meters would, at a minimum, meet Irish and EU product health and safety legislation and standards which require manufacturers to ensure that any product placed on the market is safe. In particular, smart meters in Ireland must comply with the ICNIRP Guidelines on limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields. The ICNIRP - the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection - guidelines have been recommended by the EU and Ireland has committed to compliance with them.
A customer who does not want an upgraded meter will be able to decline to have this new meter installed. However, the intention is that the default position will be for the installation of a smart meter for newly constructed dwellings and other premises or where meters are due for replacement at the end of their life. Under its licence ESB Networks is required to have in place a code of practice covering persons visiting land and/or premises on behalf of the licensee and a Complaints Handling Procedure which applies in the event that an issue arises.
Since September 2019, when ESB Networks commenced the replacement of over 2 million electricity meters, over 100,000 electricity meters have been installed to July 2020.
Fuel Poverty
Questions (159)
Brendan Smith
Question:159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the measures in place to assist those on low incomes to avoid fuel poverty; the number living in fuel poverty; the impact fuel poverty has on low income families; if research will be commissioned into the number of families experiencing fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22307/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was accompanied by a report on the level and extent of energy poverty in Ireland. This study looked at what the typical household has to spend on energy to keep their home heated and compared that to household income. This report found that in 2016, 28% of households in Ireland could be in or at risk of energy poverty. The ESRI carried out an assessment in 2019, using the same methodology, and found that the proportion in or at risk of energy poverty had reduced to 17.4%. These rates align closely to the level of basic deprivation experienced in Ireland. A separate ESRI study suggested that energy poverty is primarily a function of inadequate resources to cover living costs rather than simply an energy issue. The Government continues to prioritise support for people in or at risk of energy poverty through measures including:
(i) Income supports such as the Fuel Allowance provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
A €2 increase in the Fuel Allowance was introduced in January 2020. The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that increases in the carbon tax are progressive by spending €3 billion on targeted social welfare and other initiatives to prevent fuel poverty and ensure a just transition.
(ii) Energy efficiency upgrade schemes and the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme
Energy efficiency upgrades are provided free of charge to households at risk of energy poverty, mainly through the Warmer Homes scheme. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Scheme has been in existence since 2000 and has provided upgrades to over 140,000 homes, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The 2020 budget of €52.8 million represents the biggest ever allocation for the scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to ring-fencing a significant portion of future carbon tax receipts for a new €5 billion socially progressive retrofit fund. The Government has also announced a €100 million increase in the SEAI budget for retrofit in 2021 as part of the recent July Stimulus package. This funding will be focused on community retrofit schemes, retrofit schemes supporting those in energy poverty as well as other initiatives to support the achievement of our retrofit targets.
(iii) Consumer protection measures
The 'Electricity and Gas Supplier’s Handbook', published by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, sets out minimum service requirements that suppliers must adhere to in their dealings with energy customers. This includes requirements on suppliers to provide for a Code of Practice on Vulnerable Customers and a Code of Practice on Disconnection. These requirements ensure that vulnerable customers will not be disconnected. They also ensure that disconnection of a customer’s supply will not be initiated by a supplier where a customer in financial difficulty has entered into a payment plan with their supplier and is honouring that arrangement.
In addition to the above, a programme of work is being undertaken with the ESRI to examine the distributional benefits of utilising carbon tax receipts as set out in the Programme for Government, including the impact of retrofitting on alleviating fuel poverty.
Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 127.
Warmer Homes Scheme
Questions (161)
Niamh Smyth
Question:161. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the reason the warmer home scheme is taking up to 18 months to process applications; the waiting time for the scheme; the number waiting on the scheme; the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22438/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 140,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded. Budget 2020 announced a budget allocation for the scheme of €52.8 million. This represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Although the budget for the scheme has been significantly increased in recent times, the current very high level of demand does directly impact waiting times. Prior to COVID-19 disruptions, the waiting time on the Warmer Homes Scheme, from application to completion of works, was between 18 and 24 months. However, in line with Government guidelines, the scheme was fully paused between March and June. Works have recommenced for homes that can be categorised as lower risk, subject to homeowner consent, though some restrictions continue to apply. COVID-19 has therefore negatively impacted waiting times. SEAI has further advised that average waiting times should only ever be used as a general guide; waiting times may vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application. SEAI are continuing to work through applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need, including how to reduce waiting times. Recommendations in relation to the implementation of changes to the scheme will be finalised shortly.
There are currently 7,333 homes on the scheme waiting list. This includes homes that have been allocated to contractors for works, those awaiting allocation to a contractor and those awaiting the initial survey of their home. The information requested in relation to the length of time on waiting lists is set out in the tables below. It should be noted that some older applications may be from non-standard situations, for example, an appeal about the works recommended or a request from the homeowner to pause the application for personal reasons.
|
Warmer Homes Applications |
Total |
|
2016 |
1 |
|
2017 |
2 |
|
2018 |
515 |
|
2019 |
4,834 |
|
2020 |
1,981 |