Written Answers Nos. 152-182
152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if further details will be provided in relation to the €100 million in additional funding for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland announced as part of the July stimulus for 2021; if the amount is additional funding; if not, if it will include an underspend from 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24912/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, including our homes, with targets 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. The retrofitting of homes delivers a range of important benefits including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; the creation and retention of jobs in communities across the country; as well as warmer, more comfortable and healthier homes for citizens. The development of a new retrofit plan to achieve these targets is well underway. This process has included reviewing the experience of existing schemes in Ireland, consultation with stakeholders and an analysis of relevant international experience.
SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government’s approach to achieving our retrofit targets. The July Stimulus package commits to increasing the SEAI budget by €100 million in 2021. 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. The SEAI will shortly be announcing the first details of the new and expanded retrofit schemes with further details on Phase 1 of the plan available close to Budget day.
By announcing this additional €100 million 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.
153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will not permit warmer home scheme contractors to carry out essential external insulation works for applicants over 70 years of age (details supplied) that are willing to vacate their houses for the duration of the works; if a review of the policy will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24953/20]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 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.
Earlier this year, in line with public health and Government guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, all works under SEAI funded schemes were advised to pause for a period of time. On June 29th SEAI advised contractors working on the Warmer Homes scheme, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for reopening society and business and Return to work safely protocol, that works in homes that could be classified as lower risk under the scheme could resume. This allowed works to resume/commence in a small number of homes, subject to the parameters set out by SEAI and a thorough risk assessment of the property and all occupants by the contractor. The aim at all times was to minimise the risks for the homeowners and property occupants, contractors, their employees and the wider community.
On July 20th SEAI broadened these parameters, enabling contractors to carry out more works in more homes, again subject to risk assessments taking into account COVID-19 risks associated with engaging with any occupants during instances such as but not limited to, induction meetings, visits, customer service tasks, heating system guidance and key handover tasks at the start and end of works. It remains the case however that approximately 50% of the homes allocated to contractors are deemed ‘very high risk’, and therefore activity has not returned to pre COVID-19 levels.
Officials in my Department have contacted SEAI regarding the constituents referred to by the Deputy. SEAI has confirmed that works taking longer than one day to complete remain postponed on all homes where any occupant is in the ‘very high risk’ group, as defined by the HSE. This is due to the intrusive nature of the works on the schemes, with multiple crew members in homes working in close proximity and often over long periods.
SEAI is mindful of the concerns that homeowners have with winter approaching and this is taken into account in its decision making as to how soon the scheme can move to the next phase. However, this must be balanced with the continuing risks of COVID-19 for applicants, contractors and the wider community. In terms of offers by occupants to fully vacate to allow works to proceed, this is not something that is supported under the current stage of the phased reopening of the Warmer Homes Scheme. However, SEAI is considering this alongside other options, and their associated risks. SEAI expects to complete this review by the end of this month. The recently published 'Plan for Living with Covid-19' will be fully taken into account in these deliberations.
154. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans to reintroduce a grant to help defray the cost of disposing of incontinence products for persons with lifelong medical incontinence. [24979/20]
View answerMy Department has been examining this issue in detail for some time and has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and the HSE, in an effort to see how best to support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. However, there are complex issues at play in this area, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question. These efforts will continue, focussing, in particular, on pricing trends.
Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste. This provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability. Results from the PMG are available on my Department's website.
Earlier 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 empower households through enhanced consumer protection requirements. It also envisages an enhanced monitoring of the market to ensure no changes occur in the relative price stability.
155. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when a family (details supplied) will be provided with a fibre broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25098/20]
View answerThe 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.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.
156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of an ESRI report regarding fuel poverty due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25152/20]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 159 of 8 September 2020.
While policy matters relating to taxation are a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, the Programme for Government makes a number of clear commitments in relation to the future of carbon tax.
The Programme underlines that carbon tax has an important role to play in addressing behaviours with negative externalities, in this case greenhouse gas emissions. It, therefore, commits to increasing carbon tax to €100 per tonne by 2030, through annual increases of €7.50 per annum to 2029 and €6.50 in 2030.
The Programme for Government also commits to hypothecating all additional carbon tax revenue into a Climate Fund raising an estimated €9.5 billion over the next ten years. This Fund will be utilised over that period to:
- Ensure that the 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.
- Provide €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofitting programme targeting all homes.
- Allocate €1.5 billion to a REPS-2 programme to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way. This funding will be additional to funding from the Common Agriculture Policy. It will include incentives to plant native forestry and to enhance and support biodiversity.
Given the importance of a strong evidence base for policy decisions, my Department is undertaking a programme of work 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.
This work builds upon a significant volume of research has been undertaken in recent years, by the ESRI and others, into the distributional impacts of carbon tax. This research has helped to inform decisions taken in the context of Budget 2020, to ring-fence a portion of the additional revenues from increasing the tax to €26 per tonne, into measures to address fuel poverty, including increases to the Winter Fuel Allowance as well as additional funding for the Warmer Homes Scheme, funded by my Department.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on introducing ecocide as criminal offence in legislation.. [25202/20]
View answer158. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on the fact that the Irish State is working with other countries towards ecocide becoming a recognised crime in international law through the relevant EU and UN bodies. [25203/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions No 157 and 158 together.
The next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crises which threaten our safe future on this planet. It is imperative that we protect our biodiversity and natural heritage against deliberate acts of systematic destruction of ecosystems, both nationally and globally. The Programme for Government recognises that biodiversity is vital to the continued health of our society, economy, species and planet. Following on from the Dáil's declaration of a Biodiversity Emergency last year, this Government will work in a supportive and constructive way with those agencies and organisations nationally, at EU-level, and internationally - tasked with protecting our biodiversity and natural heritage.
Ireland engages actively through the EU to support the development of ambitious global responses to these challenges, in particular through the United Nations. A number of UN Framework Conventions, particularly on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) provide mechanisms for international cooperation to tackle climate and ecological challenges, in particular through the adoption of ambitious treaties and agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Ireland recognises that multilateral responses are crucial to tackling environmental and climate-related challenges, and my Department engages with relevant EU and UN structures to support these objectives, both directly and through cross-departmental participation as appropriate, but has not had any engagement in relation ecocide becoming a recognised crime in international law.
Question No. 160 answered with Question No. 89.
Question No. 161 answered with Question No. 82.
162. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the estimated cost of the National Broadband Plan in 2020. [16801/20]
View answerMy Department estimates that the spend on the National Broadband Plan in 2020 will be approximately €60m.
164. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the estimated cost of increasing SEAI funding for supports to businesses for microgeneration and energy retrofitting, respectively by 50%. [25316/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits 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. This will require a significant increase in the level of energy efficiency building retrofits that will be carried out. In order to support this increase, further policies and measures will need to be developed and additional funding will be required. My Department allocated €6 million capital in 2020 to SEAI for business energy efficiency. The additional cost of increasing this allocation by 50% would be €3 million. While there are currently no specific supports for microgeneration in business, the Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area and can support microgeneration. It is applicable to homes, community facilities and businesses. The capital allocated for the Scheme in 2020 was increased to €18 million. The additional cost of increasing this allocation by 50% would be €9 million.
165. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the evidence base for prioritising the buy-one-get-one-free offers measure in relation to the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25355/20]
View answerMy Department launched the Waste Plan for a Circular Economy on 4 September 2020. The new plan contains a specific chapter on food waste, which outlines a number of actions to tackle this problem and to reduce Ireland's food waste by 50% by 2030. Ireland currently generates an estimated one million tonnes of food waste per annum, even when agricultural activity is excluded.
One of the measures proposed in the food waste chapter is to work with retailers to end the sale of multi-buy packs to prevent over-buying by consumers. The focus here is on "over-buying", where this results in wasted food and an economic cost to the consumer. This issue has been considered in other jurisdictions, across the European Union and in the United Kingdom. Similarly, the European Commission is proposing to work with relevant organisations to ensure that food price campaigns do not undermine public perception of the value of food (Farm to Fork , 2020).
Early research on this matter was carried out by the UK based Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) in their December 2011 report 'Investigation into the possible impact of promotions on food waste'. At a national level, the Environmental Protection Agency is currently conducting the first National Food Waste Attitude Survey. Results will become available from October and will provide important insights into consumer behaviours around purchasing, food management in the home, the impacts of Covid 19 on these matters, as well as the understanding of best before and use by dates. Follow up surveys in future years will be used to target additional relevant themes affecting food waste prevention. Most of the major food retailers in Ireland have already signed up to the EPA's Food Waste Charter and have already pledged to reducing food waste in their stores and amongst their customer base.
The priority measure in delivering our ambition around food waste will be the development of a Food Waste Prevention Roadmap. This will involve consultation and collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from both industry and consumer interest groups. All policies deriving from the Action Plan will be carefully calibrated to protect low-income households and applied only where sustainable alternatives are available and affordable.
167. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if Ireland has submittedits long-term strategy on greenhouse gas emission reduction to the EU following public consultation; if so, if he will provide the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25419/20]
View answerSubstantial work has been undertaken in developing Ireland’s Long-term Strategy to 2050 and it will be brought to Government for consideration and approval in the coming months, ahead of being submitted to the European Commission before year end. The Strategy, reflecting the increased climate ambition set out in the Programme for Government, will identify specific indicative pathways to achieve a climate neutral economy by 2050, underpinned by analysis of transition options across all key sectors of the economy, including energy, the built environment, transport, enterprise, waste, agriculture, and land use. The development of the Long-Term Strategy has been informed by extensive consultation and engagement with Departments, Agencies, Commercial Semi-States and the public. 404 submissions were received in response to a public consultation, which asked respondents to consider 26 specific questions in relation to potential decarbonisation pathways for Ireland to 2050.
168. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if anaerobic and biogas systems form part of the carbon reduction plan as part of Ireland’s obligations under the European Green Deal and in the formulation of future energy planning in the setting of targets and priorities for energy transition; if so, if financial supports will be made available to farmers and industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25420/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government, the National Energy & Climate Plan, and the Climate Action Plan all support the use of biogas produced from anaerobic digestion as a means of contributing towards meeting Ireland's climate and energy targets. The production of biogas from anaerobic digestion can reduce fossil fuel use and help reduce emissions in the agricultural sector. The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat financially supports 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, provides a multiannual payment for up to 15 years for anaerobic digestion heating systems.
Biogas can also be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the natural gas grid. The National Energy & Climate Plan, which was published last month, sets an indicative target for indigenous biomethane of 1.6 TWh by 2030 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 is currently considering how best to support the development of biomethane in line with the indicative target set in the National Energy and Climate Plan.
169. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if the expanded smoky coal ban will apply to Rush, County Dublin. [25462/20]
View answerRush has been a part of the Fingal administrative area Low Smoke Zone since 31 August 2012. The ban on the sale, marketing, distribution and burning of bituminous coal in that area is contained in S.I. 326 of 2012.From 1 September 2020, I added twelve new Low Smoke Zones, and expanded the Cork Low Smoke Zone to cover Carrigtwohill and its environs. There are now 38 Low Smoke Zones in effect across the State, effectively covering all towns with populations in excess of 10,000 people.
170. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when the next auction under the renewable energy support scheme will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25481/20]
View answer171. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the percentage of renewable energy projects that have been successful under the recent RESS auction; his plans to support and incentivise more investment in renewable energy projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.
The 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) took place on the 21 July. The final results were approved by Government on the 8 September.
In RESS-1, 109 applicants were deemed to meet the eligibility criteria and terms of the scheme. 82 of these were successful in the auction representing a 75% success rate. These results equate to 479MW of onshore wind and 796MW of solar, giving a total of approximately 1,275 additional Mega Watts on the system.
The RESS prices achieved in the first competition, with an average bid price of €74.08, represents a significant saving on the previous Renewable Electricity Fit in Tariff schemes.
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;
- 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.
- Continuing Eirgrid’s programme ‘Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System’
- Strengthening the policy framework to incentivise electricity
The State Aid approval for RESS makes provision for five auctions out to 2025 including separate auctions for offshore wind energy.
To encourage large energy users to invest in renewable energy projects, my officials are also reviewing policy interventions relating to Corporate Power Purchasing Agreements to deliver unsubsidised renewable electricity onto the grid.
172. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he plans to make grid connection for renewable energy projects more accessible and affordable; his further plans for renewable projects to share grid connection assets in which technically possible to make connection to the grid more efficient and viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25484/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 including recommendations for how the deployment of renewable electricity can be speeded up, for example the provision and permissioning of grid connections. The Climate Action plan includes a number for actions in relation grid reform including ensuring that the next phase of renewable connection policy is fit for purpose to deliver on renewable energy targets and facilitating further hybrid grid connections.
Grid connection policy is the responsibility the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland’s independent electricity and gas regulator. The Enduring Connection Policy (ECP) is the system established by CRU for issuing connection offers to the electricity grid for new generation and storage capacity in Ireland and a decision paper on the Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 (ECP-2) was published on the 10 June 2020. ECP-2 prioritises, large renewable energy projects to maximise the amount and efficiency of renewable energy connecting to the grid. It also facilitates community-led renewable energy projects in line with Government policy by allocating up to fifteen connection offers per year to such projects
Sharing of grid connections between renewable energy technologies has significant potential to reduce the costs of deploying renewable energy to the grid. It is understood that single owner hybrids (shared connections) can be facilitated through existing regulatory policy. Regulatory arrangements, market rules and future RESS auctions will be assessed to facilitate additional hybrid connections.
173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if a company (details supplied) will receive assistance with the provision of broadband in view of the effect it is having on its business and potential expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25486/20]
View answerThe premises referred to 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 has 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.
Telecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) which operates independently of this Department. The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires each telecommunications services provider to establish and operate a code of practice, including requirements for complaint handling. Service Providers must implement these measures, at a minimum, to assist consumers (including businesses) when they need to contact them with a complaint. A copy of the code of practice, which includes the three ways in which consumers can contact service providers, can be accessed at: https://www.comreg.ie/code-practice-handling-complaints/.
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the action he has taken to date or plans to take to accelerate compliance with emission-reduction targets while at the same time ensuring that the agri-food sector is not damaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25535/20]
View answerThe next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crisis which threatens our safe future on this planet. The Programme for Government commits 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. It also recognises the special economic and social role of agriculture and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane, as described by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in terms of plans and strategies to achieve these targets. Specifically in relation to Ireland's existing 2030 EU target to reduce greenhouse gases in the non-ETS sector by 30%, the Climate Action Plan 2019 sets out the policies and measures to achieve this, including setting an emissions reduction range for agriculture. This is underpinned by actions aimed at: reducing emissions on our farms by vigorously adopting the abatement opportunities identified by Teagasc; promoting diversification of land use as part of a gradual transition; harnessing opportunities in the bioeconomy; realising the potential of sustainable bioenergy supply opportunities; better management of our peatlands and soils; and developing clusters of exemplar practice.
It is important to recognise that the European Commission has just presented its plan to increase its ambition to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from its existing target of 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It is intended that the 2030 target will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. The European Parliament and the Council have been invited to confirm this 55% 2030 target as the EU's new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target will be presented by June 2021, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States, including Ireland.
These developments at EU level, along with the step change in climate ambition set out in the Programme for Government, will need to be reflected appropriately in the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan. This will be challenging and will require fundamental changes in all parts of Irish life, but I believe Ireland can and will rise to the challenge. In doing so we will be able to improve the health, welfare and the security of all our people. In setting out on this transformation of our society, the Government is committed to working with communities and sectors in designing and delivering a pathway to decarbonisation that is fair.
Far reaching policy changes will de developed across every sector. For agriculture, these will include:
- Building on Ireland's relative carbon efficiency in food production and ensuring the delivery of the measures identified by Teagasc to the fullest extent possible.
- Delivering an incremental and ambitious reduction in the use of inorganic nitrogen fertiliser through to 2030.
- Transforming the scale of organic farming, with delivery of a fair price for farmers at its heart.
- Developing a new strategy to expand afforestation, particularly Close to Nature Forestry and agro-forestry.
- Rapidly evaluating the potential role of sustainable bioenergy.
- Introducing a transformational programme of research and development, to ensure Ireland is at the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation, including in: the bioeconomy; marine sequestration; improving agriculture breeding programmes; feed additives to reduce biogenic methane; agroforestry, paludiculture; and nutrient management.
Land-use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and provide a new source of family farm income and rural economic benefit. While the achievement of such improvements is not addressed in current EU policy, the Programme for Government commits to seeking to incentivise land use in the European Green Deal and broader EU policy. It also commits to evaluating, within 24 months, the potential contributions towards our climate ambition from land-use improvements and set in train the development of a land-use plan, based on these findings.
It is important that the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) protects farm incomes and sectoral supports consistent these objectives, and the National Economic Plan frontloads investment that is directly aligned with our climate ambition. The Programme for Government has also committed to allocating €1.5 billion, of the hypothecated additional carbon tax revenue, to a REPS-2 programme to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way. This funding will be additional to funding from the CAP. It will include incentives to plant native forestry and to enhance and support biodiversity.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which he expects to move towards accelerating the programme of emission-reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25536/20]
View answer177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the ten steps most likely to achieve the greatest progress in achieving climate action targets; the time frame within which he plans or expects to meet such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25539/20]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos 175 and 177 together.
The next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate crisis which threatens our safe future on this planet. The Programme for Government commits 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 2050 target will be set in law by the Climate Action Bill, which will be introduced in the Dáil early next month.
This step-change in ambition will be challenging and require fundamental changes in so many parts of Irish life, but I believe that Ireland can and will rise to this challenge. In doing so we will be able to improve the health, welfare and security of all our people. The next iteration of the Climate Action Plan will identify and set out the far reaching policy changes across every sector to deliver these emissions reductions. In particular, the Programme for Government commits to:
- Delivering a National Aggregated Model of Retrofitting reaching over 500,000 homes by 2030, as part of the EU Renovation Wave.
- Learning from district heating pilot projects to launch a scaled-up programme.
- Accelerating the electrification of the transport system, including electric bikes, electric vehicles, and electric public transport.
- Developing a strategy for remote working and remote service delivery, taking advantage of the opportunity for a rapid roll-out of the National Broadband Plan.
- Ensuring an unprecedented modal shift in all areas by a reorientation of investment to walking, cycling and public transport.
- Developing a new Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan.
- Introducing a transformational programme of research and development, to ensure that Ireland is at the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation in meeting our climate targets.
- Developing a major drive to realise the immense potential of Ireland's offshore renewables.
- Devising a systemic programme of sectoral audits of the commercial and industrial sector to underpin, area by area, strategies to meet the new national targets.
- Expanding and incentivising micro generation, including roof-top solar energy.
- Developing a new strategy to expand afforestation, particularly Close to Nature Forestry and agro-forestry.
- Transforming the scale of organics farming, with the delivery of a fair price for farmers at its heart.
- Building on Ireland's relative carbon efficiency in food production and ensuring the delivery of the measures identified by Teagasc to the fullest extent possible.
- Delivering an incremental and ambitious reduction in the use of inorganic fertiliser through to 2030.
- Rapidly evaluating the potential role of sustainable bioenergy.
- Completing and implementing a major Waste and Circular Economy Action Plan.
The objective to be carbon neutral is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The European Commission has just presented its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It is intended that both the 2030 and 2050 targets will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. Parliament and Council have been invited to confirm this 55% 2030 target as the EU's new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target will be presented by June 2021, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States including Ireland.
€30.4 billion is allocated for investment in climate action over the lifetime of Ireland's National Development Plan 2018 – 2027 (NDP), and the Programme for Government commits to legislating to hypothecate all additional carbon tax revenue into a Climate Action Fund raising an estimated €9.5 billion over the next ten years. The Programme for Government also commits to directly draw on the National Economic Plan and associated funding to front load investment that is directly aligned with our climate ambition. In terms of EU funding, the €750 billion Next Generation EU recovery package and €1 trillion budget require that money can only be spent on projects that meet certain green criteria, with 30% of all funding to go on climate change mitigation. Ireland will seek to maximise the drawdown of its share of this funding.
Failure to accelerate emissions reduction will have far reaching negative impacts on the economy and the public finances; undermine the long-term, sustainable competitiveness of the economy; and lock Ireland into a redundant fossil-fuel based economic model. Embracing the transition will support further job creation through the development of new and emerging sectors. The green economy, including the retrofitting and renewable energy sector, the circular economy, clean mobility, green and blue infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and the bio-economy will create high quality employment opportunities that will be a source of significant employment growth over the coming decades, as well as supporting a stable tax base
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which he expects to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in the next five years by way of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25538/20]
View answerThe 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. 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. In parallel, decarbonising the electricity system combined with increased electrification of heat and transport through the use of electric vehicles and heat pumps is an important part of the strategy for decarbonising the energy system as a whole. The use of renewable electricity ensures that switching to electric vehicles and heat pumps does not result in greater CO2 emissions than the fossil fuel alternative.
The Climate Action Plan included a commitment to deliver at least 3.5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, up to 8.2 GW of onshore wind and up to 1.5 GW of solar; the Programme for Government commits to a further increase in offshore wind deployment to 5 GW by 2030.
The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) in their Energy in Ireland – 2019 report have estimated that the share of electricity from renewable energy increased almost five-fold between 2005 and 2018 – from 7.2% to 33.2% – an increase of 26 percentage points over 13 years. The provisional figure for electricity in 2019 is 36.7%, 6.5% for heat and 8.5% for transport. The SEAI estimated that renewable energy additionally avoided 4.9 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.
Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan (Table 6 of the Plan) sets out estimated trajectories by renewable energy technology in order to achieve the overall and sectoral trajectories for renewable energy from 2021 to 2030. These technology levels are indicative and for electricity the level of each technology will be driven by technology costs and competitive auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).
Question No. 177 answered with Question No. 175.
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which the communications system nationally is adequately developed in line with the need to compete internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/20]
View answer179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he is satisfied that the current or proposed provisions are sufficient to ensure the efficacy of the communications networks here with particular reference to the need to enable the business sector to compete at an international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25541/20]
View answer180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his mission statement for the development of the range and quality of the mobile telephone system here in line with modern expectations and international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/20]
View answer181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which he expects to modernise and increase the capacity and quality of the telecommunications system in all areas nationally in the course of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/20]
View answer182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the mission statement he has set for his Department in terms of addressing the most important issues in the communication networks sector over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 182, inclusive, together.
As set out in the Programme for Government, ensuring access to high-quality internet connections for people across Ireland is essential to the development of all parts of our country, socially and economically.
High speed connectivity will support a broad range of policy priorities and will allow for : the expansion of remote health monitoring and diagnosis; cloud based services and connected devices; digital learning; smart farming; and realisation of the benefits of e-government. Facilitating remote working and innovation opportunities is essential for addressing climate change, adapting in an evolving economy, and competing internationally.
So as to ensure that nobody is left behind in a digital divide, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November 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 Programme for Government also commits to the development of a new National Digital Strategy. This strategy will ensure that the increased level of national connectivity being delivered by the NBP is utilised; to drive digital transformation in the public service; to develop new digital technologies including cloud computing and artificial intelligence; and explore how Ireland can be at the forefront of protecting citizens rights in relation to facial recognition technology, access to encryption tools and net neutrality.
Ireland has considerably improved its performance in the connectivity dimension, as reflected in the Digital Economy and Society Index, and is now ranking 6th among EU countries, up from 11th in 2018 and 15th in 2017. Next generation access in Ireland remains very high at 96% overall, and 90% in rural areas, versus the EU average of 86% and 59% respectively. Ireland also performs well on mobile coverage with 99% of 4G coverage, almost on par with the EU average.
Over the last 5 years, Ireland has been the fastest growing Member State in the EU in respect of connectivity and I have no doubt that this trend will continue, in particular as the NBP network brings high speed connectivity to more remote parts of our country.
