Written Answers Nos. 171-191
171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the amount in fines Ireland is likely to face in 2020 and 2021 as a result of not achieving renewable energy and carbon emissions targets; if these fines will be allocated for in Budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23349/20]
View answerThe 2009 EU Effort Sharing Decision established binding annual greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for Member States for the period 2013 to 2020. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest projections published earlier this year, our 2020 emissions could be 2 to 4% below 2005 levels, and we will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply with our obligations. Covid-19 will undoubtedly impact our 2020 emissions, and this is not reflected in these projections. Pre-Covid estimates of the additional costs of this compliance requirement were in the region of €6m to €13m, depending on the price and final quantity of credits required. The Department is currently in discussion with the NTMA in relation to purchasing additional carbon credits from the market to make up the expected shortfall.
The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. Latest projections by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland show that between 12.5% and 13.2% of Ireland’s energy requirements are expected to be met from renewable sources by 2020. This is a very significant increase since 2005, when renewable energy was at just 3.1%. Nevertheless it is accepted that Ireland will not meet the 16% target.
The Department is exploring the potential mechanisms and cost of addressing our renewable energy targets within the framework of the Directive. Any requirement for statistical transfer purchases will be undertaken against a background of discussions with the EU Commission and relevant Member States. The public data on trades in statistical allowances in 2017 between Luxembourg, Lithuania and Estonia suggest potential costs for Ireland in the order of €110m, while the more recent agreement between the Netherlands and Denmark (June 2020) would suggest a significantly lower figure. However the cost of purchasing statistical transfers will depend on a number of factors, particularly the availability of supply and market costs at the time of the agreement.
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. 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 aim to publish within the first 100 days of government. The Bill will define how five-year carbon budgets will be set and will make the adoption of five-year carbon budgets, setting maximum emissions by sector, a legal requirement.
172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the amount spent to date on the North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/20]
View answerThe North South Interconnector is a vital piece of infrastructure for ensuring a safe and sustainable source of energy for both Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is expected it will deliver significant benefits to electricity consumers across the island of Ireland through lower prices as a result of more efficient operation of the Single Electricity Market. It is envisaged to bring initial savings of €20 million per year rising to €40 million each year by 2030, shared between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Such cost savings ensure benefits for every home and business in the state, improving overall competitiveness. The project will significantly facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the power system and, as such, the project is an important opportunity to address our climate objectives on an all-Ireland basis.
Eirgrid is the designated Transition System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. The construction of the North South Interconnector is an operational matter for Eirgrid and ESB Networks and one in which I have no function.
However I am advised that the total spent by EirGrid from 2006 to July 2020 on the North South Interconnector project in Ireland is €39.8 million, which relates principally to project development, the planning process, and communications.
173. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the introduction of a new scheme for retrofitting of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets for the number and depth of residential retrofits to be completed by 2030. The targets are to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. Retrofitting has the ability to contribute to a number of important goals including - decarbonisation; warmer, more comfortable homes; and job creation and retention.
The development of a new retrofit plan to achieve these targets is well underway and the process of developing the plan has included reviewing the experience of existing schemes in Ireland, consultation with stakeholders and an analysis of relevant international experience.
The July Stimulus package commits to increasing the retrofit budget by €100 million in 2021. This additional 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. The SEAI will shortly be announcing the first details of the new and expanded retrofit schemes.
By announcing this additional €100m funding as part of the July Stimulus, the Government is providing certainty to the sector so that they can continue approved programmes of work, bid into new and expanded schemes, maintain a pipeline of retrofit activity, and sustain and create jobs.
174. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to the impact that levies on diesel are having on many hauliers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23385/20]
View answerThe Petroleum Product Levy (also known as the NORA levy) is charged at a rate of 2 cent per litre since 2009, on most petroleum products when placed on the market. The levy, which is paid by consumers and most commercial users of oil, is collected by the oil companies and paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA). The purpose of the levy is to provide for the activities of NORA in the maintenance of the State’s strategic oil reserve and from 1st August 2020, on the commencement of the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Act 2020, to fund the Climate Action Fund.
The NORA levy is one of a number of revenue generating measures applied to diesel, along with Excise Duty, the Carbon Tax and VAT, which contribute to it's market price. Currently there are no plans to increase the rate of the NORA levy, nor has my Department received any representations from the haulage sector on this matter.
176. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans for transition of State vehicles to electric; and the funding set aside to enable the transition. [23562/20]
View answerThe transition of our national vehicle fleet, including state-owned vehicles, to alternative fuels such as zero-emission electricity is an important step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions. Public sector vehicles have an important leadership role to play in this transition and will be strongly guided by the requirements under the EU’s Clean Vehicles Directive.
The Clean Vehicles Directive provides for sustainable vehicle procurement by public authorities. It sets binding low- and zero-emission procurement targets by vehicle type, including cars, vans, trucks and buses. The Directive will apply to public contracts for vehicle purchase, lease, rental and hire-purchase from 2021 to 2030. Managing and funding this transition will be a matter for individual Government Departments, agencies and public bodies. I am pleased to see many public bodies already making the move to lower emitting, more efficient vehicles.
To assist with the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), and pursuant with the Climate Action Plan, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has informed me that he is introducing a new public procurement framework contract which will allow public bodies to purchase EVs with a reduced administrative burden. These arrangements will be in place later in 2020. I expect that this measure will accelerate uptake of electric cars and light goods vehicles within the State vehicle fleet.
Within the Department of Transport, a comprehensive programme of work to ‘green’ the vehicles within the public transport fleet is already underway. As part of Project Ireland 2040, €8.6 billion has been indicatively allocated over the period 2018 to 2027 towards the delivery of a sustainable national public transport system. Ireland has already stopped buying diesel-only buses for the urban bus fleet and under the BusConnects programme, it is expected that approximately half of the public urban bus fleet in the Greater Dublin Area will be low-emitting by 2023, with full conversion by 2030. Work is also underway to move the commuter rail fleet to low-emitting alternatives. There are plans to electrify key heavily-used elements of the rail network by creating a full metropolitan area DART network for the Greater Dublin Area, which is the part of the national rail network that carries over 75% of total rail passengers each year. It will mean high-frequency electrified rail services to Drogheda, Celbridge/Hazelhatch, and Maynooth and the M3 Parkway. The latter project, known as DART+ West, is currently open for public consultation. This project will also include interchange stations with bus, LUAS and Metrolink networks.
The State’s movement towards low-emission vehicles is important in helping to promote and normalize the use of alternative fuels and technologies, including electricity, in the transport sector. Additionally, as battery and recharging technologies develop and a greater range of vehicles become commercially available I expect an increasing number of public bodies to transition to EVs, thereby progressively reducing the carbon footprint from the state-owned fleet and further promoting more widespread acceptance of the lower emitting alternatives.
177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the secondary uses for Eircode that have been formally considered and deemed appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23567/20]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode".
Since the launch of Eircodes in July 2015, their usage, as part of an address, continues to grow and Eircodes are used widely among the public, businesses and public sector. This, in part, can be seen by use of the free Eircode Finder website. There have been over 69.7 million lookups on the Finder since launch in 2015, with 2.3 million lookups in April 2020 which is a 55% increase on the previous April. During 2019 there were over 18 million free look-ups on the Finder, an increase of 27% on the previous year.
In 2017 an independent nationally representative face-to-face survey conducted by Amárach Research showed 84% of respondents were able to supply a validated Eircode for their address. Other independent research carried out on behalf of Eircode by Amárach Research in 2018 and 2019 showed that 96% and 99% respectively of the Irish public are aware of Eircodes.
Eircode have informed my Department that to-date there are over 1,390 business organisations and state agencies who are licensing Eircodes within their business systems and operations across a wide spectrum of sectors, including logistics/deliveries, emergency services, utilities, hotel, retail, telecommunications, Insurance, financial, food deliveries, service engineers and property management. There are many more businesses using the free Eircode Finder in their day-to-day business operations.
Eircode has licensed 37 approved Eircode Providers who resell Eircode database and products incorporating Eircodes. Many of these Eircode Providers are Irish SME’s and international companies developing business solutions and apps utilising Eircodes for their customers across a wide spectrum of business categories.
Google have integrated Eircodes into Google Maps and other leading satnav providers such as TomTom, Garmin, HERE Navigation and Microsoft have also integrated Eircodes into their satnav apps for use by consumers and businesses.
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) have integrated Eircodes into their dispatch system which means that the patient’s address and the position of the nearest available ambulance can be accurately pinpointed, using the Eircode, on a digital map, enabling an ambulance to be quickly and accurately routed to someone in need of medical help. NAS continue to install their ambulances across the country with Digital Mobile Data Systems that allows responding crews to have the call details sent to their Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) screens together with the Eircode and visual location data in map format to assist with ambulance arrival at the correct location. NAS actively encourage people who are seeking an emergency ambulance to have their Eircode available to pass it on to the call taker.
178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to facilitate greater cooperation between Eircode and the Loc8 code in the interest of public safety in view of the fact that Loc8 has been used by the National Ambulance Service since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23568/20]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the use of the National Postcode System "Eircode".
Shortly after the launch of Eircode, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) integrated Eircodes into their Computer Aided Dispatch system which means that the patient’s address and the position of the nearest available ambulance can be accurately pinpointed, using the Eircode, on a Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) digital map, enabling an ambulance to be quickly and accurately routed to someone in need of medical help.
The NAS continue to install their ambulances vehicles with Digital Mobile Data Systems that allows responding crews to have the call details sent to their MDT Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) screens together with the Eircode and visual location data in an OSI map format to assist with ambulance arrival at the correct location. The inclusion of Eircode in the text alert from NAS to the Cardiac First Responders (CFR) greatly assists the CFR to respond directly by the fastest route and the NAS actively encourage people who are seeking an emergency ambulance to have their Eircode available to pass it on to the call taker.
More broadly, the Deputy might be interested to know that in October 2017 a new emergency mobile phone precise location service was launched that greatly assists the emergency services in determining the exact location of people in need that call 999 or 112.The Advanced Mobile Location (AML) is available on both Android and Apple devices and works by automatically finding a phone's GPS co-ordinates and sending them by way of a text message to the Emergency Call Answering Service when a 112 or 999 number is dialled. The co-ordinates are immediately passed to the emergency services in responding and dispatching emergency personnel to callers in need across Ireland. The NAS use AML which plots the mobile location automatically on the call takers OSI map. Approximately 55% of emergency calls from mobile devices have AML data and it is of vital assistance to Emergency Services around the country, but particularly in rural areas.
In addition since March 2018 under EU law all new models of cars sold must be equipped with eCall technology. eCall is an emergency call generated either manually by the occupants inside the car by pushing a button or automatically through activation of sensors inside the car following a crash. When activated in Ireland, the in-vehicle eCall device will establish an emergency call carrying both voice and data directly to the Emergency Call Answering Service who will transfer the call to the required emergency service. Where no voice is carried on the call, eCall technology allows for the data to be transferred directly to the National Ambulance Service.
Operational matters and the use of location based services to dispatch ambulances is a matter for the NAS and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.
179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the minimum, maximum and median time for new properties to get an Eircode; the implications of this for connection of utility services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23569/20]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode".
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, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to 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.
The timeframe for the updated Eircodes to be made accessible to utility companies is dependent on each company's own Eircode data provider's contracted agreement. All such Eircode data providers are sourced and contracted by individual utility companies.
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.
180. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the measures he is taking to reduce single-use plastic particularly in the food and beverage sector; if he will endeavour to have single-use plastics available in compostable form; if reusable face coverings can be encouraged as opposed to disposable ones in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23600/20]
View answerOn 4 September this year I launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This Plan contains ambitious measures for dealing with a range of single use plastic items, including food and beverage containers. In this Plan I have committed to significantly reducing the amount of single use plastic cups and food containers that are placed on the Irish market. In addition, by July 2021, I will ban a range of single use plastic products from being placed on the market, including straws, plates and cutlery and polystyrene food and beverage containers. The Plan also sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and eradicating the use of disposable coffee cups.
My overall ambition is to prevent single use plastic items coming onto the market in Ireland and I am not in favour of simply substituting them with compostable alternatives. Our focus must change from single use to reusable, where possible, for all single use plastic items.
181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the amount collected from the PSO levy from electricity customers in each of the years 2010 to 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23631/20]
View answer182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the areas in which the PSO levy collected from electricity customers in 2019 was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23632/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
The total amount and details of the PSO levy for each levy year are calculated and published annually by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This material is publicly available at www.cru.ie.
The table below shows the annual amounts for the PSO levy for each year since 2010/11.
|
Year |
€ Millions |
|
2010/11 |
157 |
|
2011/12 |
92 |
|
2012/13 |
131 |
|
2013/14 |
211 |
|
2014/15 |
335 |
|
2015/16 |
325 |
|
2016/17 |
392 |
|
2017/18 |
472 |
|
2018/19 |
209 |
|
2019/20 |
176 |
|
2020/21 |
393 |
Under the PSO legislation, the calculation of the Levy is strictly a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, the independent electricity and gas regulator. The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (S.I. 217 of 2002), under which the CRU is assigned responsibility for calculation of the levy each year. The methodology for determining the PSO levy charge is also set out in S.I. 217 of 2002.The PSO levy has been in place since 2001, and is a charge on all electricity customers without exception. It consists of a set of support schemes designed to facilitate national policy objectives for renewables and security of supply. The PSO levy supports the development of renewable electricity and is a key enabler to decarbonising our electricity system over the longer term in line with the Climate Action Plan and the Programme for Government.
In the coming years as we move decisively to confront the challenge of global warming and decarbonise electricity, and to promote a green recovery in the wake of Covid-19, the importance of the PSO will continue as a vital support for increasing renewable electricity which is a national policy objective for good climate and energy reasons. The Programme for Government confirms that a reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy is essential in order to deliver a phase-out of fossil fuels and that the Government is committed to the rapid decarbonisation of the energy sector and will take the necessary action to deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030.
The latest CRU decision paper for 2020/21 https://www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CRU20086-PSO-Decision-Paper-2020-21.pdf gives details of schemes supported for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 periods (see Table 6.2). In 2019/2020, the PSO levy was used primarily to fund renewable energy sources of electricity such as onshore wind and biomass as well as peat generation. For the period 2020/21, the PSO Levy is used exclusively to fund renewable electricity.
183. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if there will be no need for increased incineration facilities here in view of his announcement of ambitious new targets to tackle waste and move towards a circular economy, including a shift in focus away from waste disposal and treatment; if, as a result of the new measures, the application for a licence to allow for the incineration of waste at a plant (details supplied) should be refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23718/20]
View answerEarlier this month I launched a new national waste policy for the period 2020-2025, “A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy”. This plan contains a range of measures to reform and strengthen waste management with a greater focus on prevention through product design and consumer choice. The measures outlined in the Waste Action Plan 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. It sets out a range of objectives and targets for the State and the measures by which to achieve them, including the introduction of a recovery levy to drive higher recycling rates, move higher up the waste hierarchy and reduce our reliance on recovery over the medium term.
While the clear ambition of the plan is to reduce the amount of waste generated, we will still require waste treatment infrastructure to manage waste which does arise. In this context, the Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority for granting and enforcing industrial and waste licences and undertakes an annual programme of audits and inspections of EPA-licensed facilities. It is, therefore, not appropriate for me to comment or interfere in any way in a licence application, the determination of which is a statutory function of the EPA under Part IV of the EPA Act 1992.
184. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the measures being put in place to ensure that the projected additional €9 billion cost to the electricity sector by 2027 of data centres is fully borne by data centre developers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23776/20]
View answerGovernment policy in relation to data centres is led by the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy published in 2018 recognised that a plan-led approach is needed to develop a range of measures to promote regional options for data centre investment, minimising the need for additional grid infrastructure.
While data centres have until recently accounted for less than 2% of Ireland’s total electricity demand, EirGrid, in their Generation Capacity Statement 2020-2029, project that demand from data centres could account for 27% of all demand by 2029. Significant increases in volumes of generation capacity, including from renewable energy sources, will be required to meet Ireland’s electrification objectives and demand from heat pumps, electric vehicles and data centres. The Climate Action Plan sets out a number of actions to ensure that data centres are accommodated in a sustainable manner.
All large energy users, including data centres, are subject to the same charging rules. These rules are determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Ireland’s independent energy regulator. In July Eirgrid published an updated Data Centre Connection Offer Process and Policy. It is also currently undertaking a “Vision 2030” study across the three dimensions of electricity networks, power system operation, and electricity markets with the aim of developing an integrated all-island vision of the 2030 power system and electricity market.
Corporate power purchasing of renewable energy by large energy users that is unsubsidised by the state will also be critical to supplying data centre demand, as will ensuring that large demand connections are regionally balanced to minimise grid reinforcements and the costs to consumers. The Climate Action Plan includes a target for 2030 to meet 15% of electricity demand by renewable sources contracted under corporate power purchase agreements, with the data centre sector, the first to execute these in Ireland.
The Climate Action Plan also provides that the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) will use its new strategy for 2020 to 2024 to fully integrate decarbonisation objectives across its portfolio of clients and other relevant stakeholders. Building on the 2018 Government Policy Statement, the new IDA Strategy will seek to ensure new large-scale enterprise investments in Ireland, including factors such as location and power purchase agreement opportunities, are aligned with the build-out of the grid to maximise renewable sources.
185. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to utilise the potential of anaerobic digestion; his further plans to consult with farmers, communities and other stakeholders in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23848/20]
View answerThe Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), was developed to financially support the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users, and includes an operational support for anaerobic digestion heating systems. This support, which is operated by the SEAI, provides a multiannual payment for up to 15 years based on prescribed tariffs per unit of heat energy.
Anaerobic Digestion can also play a role in decarbonising the gas network in Ireland and can also help farmers generate a sustainable income, while reducing emissions in the agricultural sector. The Climate Action Plan, which was published in June 2019, included an action to set a target for the level of indigenous biomethane to be produced from anaerobic digestion and injected into the gas grid by 2030. The National Energy & Climate Plan, which was published last month, sets an indicative target for indigenous biomethane of 1.6 TWh which would replace circa three percent of natural gas use.
The National Energy & Climate Plan also set out the options for supporting biomethane that are under consideration which include:
- an obligation in the transport sector through the Biofuels Obligation Scheme;
- a new obligation in the heat sector; and
- an exchequer funded support.
My Department has carried out public consultations in relation to obligations in the transport and heat sectors and is currently considering how best way to support the development of biomethane in line with the indicative target set in the National Energy and Climate Plan.
186. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the action taken on the 2019 recommendation by the Climate Change Advisory Council to seek advice on appropriate target for methane emissions; if that recommendation has been acted; if so, the findings; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23922/20]
View answerIn the report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action, Climate Change: A Cross-Party Consensus for Action, March 2019, the Committee recommended that Irish climate change policy reflects the latest scientific consensus as represented by the IPCC 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. The Committee recommends that new climate change legislation include a target of net-zero economy-wide GHG emissions by 2050.
The Climate Change Advisory Council advised Government on a 2050 target. The Council considers that while all GHGs are important, a one-size fits all approach is not always appropriate and that based on analysis by the IPCC, it is not necessary that emissions of biogenic methane should reach net-zero.
The new Programme for Government commits to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through full decarbonisation and net-sequestration, while recognising that not all greenhouse gases will be treated in the same way. The differential effort required across sectors will be decided in the context of setting carbon budgets, informed by appropriate advice and analysis and grounded in the legal process to be outlined in the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill.
187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on whether further supplementary plans will be required to ramp up the construction and delivery of offshore wind farms to meet the required energy targets; if guidance is available in terms of the preferred construction options for offshore farms; if so, if they will be made available; the way in which Irish companies can prepare appropriately for future tender processes in the area of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23955/20]
View answerIreland’s marine area is approximately ten times our land mass, and from a renewable energy perspective, one of the most energy-intensive in the EU. The development of this indigenous, clean and sustainable resource will contribute towards the achievement of our 2030 and 2050 climate goals, while also establishing a valuable export market and tangible benefits to local marine users, neighbouring coastal communities and Irish companies.
Realising the potential of our offshore resources requires significant work to develop the legal, regulatory and economic regime. 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.
Good progress is already being made on these commitments and my Department is engaged with other Departments and agencies regarding the potential of Ireland’s supply chain in this area. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole. The Programme for Government 2030 targets entail total investment of tens of billions of euro and thousands of long-term, high-value jobs in manufacturing, installation and maintenance of wind farm assets and associated infrastructure and services. With appropriate supports, Irish firms could capture a significant proportion of this overall investment which is planned to grow still further beyond 2030 with the large-scale deployment floating wind technology. Regional ports are already experiencing inward investment in anticipation of the significant upgrading works required for turbine assembly and deployment. Smaller ports will also see the creation of long-term jobs, as these ports are often more closely located to the wind farm sites themselves, and will be required for ongoing operation and maintenance.
188. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to provide high-spread broadband to the residents and school at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23996/20]
View answerAdelaide Street, Dún Laoghaire 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.
There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
189. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to a scandal (details supplied) in the UK and the recent measures put in place by UK energy regulator Ofgem to protect consumers from unfair business practices in the pre-paid energy sector; and if his attention has been drawn to similar unfair business practices in operation here and the potential need to protect consumers. [24016/20]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999, and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent statutory Regulator.
Market monitoring and consumer protection are specific functions assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and, accordingly, I have no statutory role in these matters. These CRU's functions include:
- Monitoring and evaluating electricity and gas retail markets;
- Preparing and monitoring various Codes of Practice including on; Marketing and Advertising, Customer Sign Up, Billing, Pay as You Go metering and Budget Controllers, Switching, Disconnections, and Complaint Handling;
- Preparing various reports including the Annual Consumer Survey, the Annual Market Monitoring Report, and Audit of Suppliers Report and Annual Report;
- Providing customer care and dispute resolution functions; and,
- Electricity and Gas Safety.
The ERA further states that the CRU shall account for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister. Given the CRU accountability in the legislation, the Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
190. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the number of Exchequer-funded projects over €1 billion overseen by his Department; the expected rise in cost in both numerical amount and percentage terms in tabular form, and delays as result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24304/20]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the only Exchequer funded project with a budget over €1 billion overseen by my Department.
The NBP contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) in November last to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This has recently been increased from the 150Mbps commitment set out the NBP Contract.
Covid 19 has disrupted project delivery in various sectors across the State but at this stage the major impact of the pandemic on the NBP is not cost-related. While substantial progress has been made on the project to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had some impact on the delivery of the fibre network. The extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible.
191. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the introduction of legislation to legalise e-scooters on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23266/20]
View answerElectric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore it is illegal to use them on public roads and in public places. Any person using one in public may be prosecuted and have their vehicle confiscated by An Garda Síochána. However, their use is permitted on private land with the permission of the landowner.
Changes to the legal status of these vehicles are not as simple as declaring them no longer mechanically propelled vehicles. Any changes to this require primary legislation which, as the Deputy will appreciate, may take some time.
I intend to legislate for eScooters in accordance with the Programme for Government. This will involve identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic Law or Road Safety in general. The Government's current legislative priorities are the necessary measures to manage the Covid 19 crisis and to address its social and economic consequences. Consequently, it is not possible to provide a timeframe for e-scooter legislation at this time, although the situation will be kept under review.
