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Tuesday, 22 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 68-88

Climate Change Policy

Questions (68)

Duncan Smith

Question:

68. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the proposed green new deal as part of the climate action (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24995/20]

View answer

Written answers

The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. This objective 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.

In recognition of the investment required to decarbonise our economies, the EU’s €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.

The Programme for Government has a Green New Deal for Ireland as a core mission. It 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 purpose of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill is to strengthen the governance structure in supporting Ireland's response to climate breakdown. The Bill, which the Government committed to introducing into the Dáil within the first 100 days of Government, will:

- Set the 2050 decarbonisation target in law.

- Provide for the adoption of five-year carbon budgets, setting maximum emissions by sector.

- Strengthen the role of the Climate Change Advisory Council, including in relation to proposing appropriate carbon budgets.

The Programme for Government commits to direct any relevant funding under the European Green Deal towards decarbonising projects such as renewable energy, retrofits, ecosystem resilience and regeneration, clean research and development spending, and reskilling needs to address any potential structural shifts from decarbonisation. This funding, together with increased domestic supports as set out under the Programme for Government, will underpin the additional actions required across all sectors to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (69)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

69. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if a more definitive timeline can be provided for the rollout of high-speed broadband in County Clare [25109/20]

View answer

Written answers

Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as at 15 September. This activity is increasing week on week. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected in Cork around December this year.

I am advised that in Co Clare surveys have recently commenced in the areas of Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglass and Cloghrea and further surveys are due to commence in the areas of Kilkishen before the end of this year.  This involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This will enable design solutions for the provision of a fibre network. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the Intervention Area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through 'service provider' contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools.

There are a number of BCPs located across County Clare including at Caherconnell, Cree Community Centre, Loop Head and Michael Cusack Visitor Centres.  A number of schools  including Kilmurry McMahon, Shragh, Ennistymon and Stonehall National Schools will also be connected to high speed broadband as part of the BCP initiative.  Further details can be found on National Broadband Ireland's website. My Department will work with the Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.

Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.   

Question No. 70 answered orally.

Energy Efficiency

Questions (71)

Duncan Smith

Question:

71. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the introduction of a new scheme for retrofitting of homes as of September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24994/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious 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 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 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.

Questions Nos. 72 to 74, inclusive, answered orally.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (75)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

75. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he will establish an interdepartmental working group on climate action and biodiversity issues with the effect of coordinating and integrating nature-based solution into climate action policy across relevant Departments including but not limited to the heritage brief within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the forestry and marine brief within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other relevant agencies and bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25147/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government recognises that the next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crises which threaten our safe future on this planet. Nature-based solutions have a key role to play in climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as supporting biodiversity.

In terms of integrating nature-based solutions into climate action specifically, from 2021 onwards, emissions and removals from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry will be included in the EU Framework for compliance with national emissions targets. Under EU legislation, Ireland will be able to use a limited amount of removals associated with land-based activities, including forestry, in meeting our 2030 emissions reductions target under the Effort Sharing Regulation.

In addition, the Programme for Government recognises that land-use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon, as well as providing 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 (which includes forestry, farmlands and peatlands) and set in train the development of a land-use plan, based on these findings. This review will include consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration, and challenges for climate adaptation. The work on the review will be complemented and supported by a new strategy to expand afforestation, particularly "Close to Nature" forestry and agro-forestry, which will be led by Minister of State Hackett in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

This cross-Government work will be overseen and coordinated by the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change which I Chair; and which covers environment, climate, water and biodiversity. The Committee will shortly agree a work programme for the remainder of 2020 at its next meeting.

More generally, I look forward to working with my colleagues the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, who has primary responsibility for biodiversity policy; and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to deliver on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government in relation to climate action and biodiversity, the achievement of which is vital to the continued health of our society, economy, species and planet.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (76)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

76. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the way in which he plans to poverty proof and disability proof new climate action legislation going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25149/20]

View answer

Written answers

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 specific purpose of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill is to strengthen the governance structure in supporting Ireland's response to climate breakdown. The Bill, which the Government committed to introducing into the Dáil within the first 100 days of Government, will:

- Set the 2050 decarbonisation target in law.

- Provide for the adoption of five-year carbon budgets, setting maximum emissions by sector.

- Strengthen the role of the Climate Change Advisory Council, including in relation to proposing appropriate carbon budgets.

In terms of managing the transition to a carbon neutral and resilient society and economy, the Programme for Government recognises that it is vital there is adequate time and effort devoted to working with communities and sectors in designing and delivering the pathway to achieve the goal in a fair way. This will mean creating fresh opportunities for those sectors most exposed by the transition and supporting those in our community who are least equipped to make the changes.

In terms of those in poverty, all additional carbon tax revenue, estimated at €9.5 billion over the next ten years, will be hypothecated into a Climate Action Fund. This Fund will be utilised over the period to:

- Ensure 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.

- Provide €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofitting programme targeting all homes but with a particular emphasis on the Midlands region and on social and low-income tenancies.

- 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 Agricultural Policy.

The Programme for Government also commits to publishing a Just Transition Plan, to frame the work of the Just Transition Commissioner, and ensuring that financing is available, including through continuing to grow the Just Transition Fund.

More generally, all Government decisions must consider fully their impact on those in poverty and with disabilities. In terms of legislating in the area of disability, policy responsibility for which rest with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, the Programme for Government commits to enshrining disability rights by finalising the legislation required following Ireland's recent ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (77)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

77. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the engagement he has had in relation to the national broadband plan in seeking to accelerate its rollout as committed to under Balanced Regional Development in the Programme for Partnership Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Programme for Government has also committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. The NBP State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed last November. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. As of 15 September, design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed to date. By year end, NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year.

While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an 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.

My Department is continuing to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the plan to an earlier date. These discussions are on-going. Any changes proposed will require detailed technical, commercial and financial analysis.

Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which must be the primary focus at this juncture.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Questions (78)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his objectives in bringing the quality and standard of communication networks here up to best international standards with particular reference to high-speed broadband and mobile telephone coverage and quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25027/20]

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Written answers

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.

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.

Question No. 79 answered orally.

Telecommunications Services

Questions (80)

Martin Browne

Question:

80. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his attention has been drawn to instances in which the rollout of broadband by Eir is stopping just yards away from a person’s house yet they cannot access it; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that they are being given no indication as to when they can expect to be connected to the service; his views on addressing the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25107/20]

View answer

Written answers

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed in November last. The Deputy’s constituents can check the Eircode search feature on my Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie to determine whether individual premises are located in the AMBER or BLUE area.

- AMBER areas represent the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention; and

- 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.

I understand that there can be instances where premises remain unconnected although close to premises that are passed by eir’s fibre network. eir’s rural deployment of high speed broadband is a commercial undertaking and, as such, decisions regarding the areas and premises served are made by eir. My Department has no role in the matter and has no statutory authority to intervene in decisions of commercial operators as to where they build infrastructure and provide services.

Throughout rural Ireland, eir’s fibre deployment is primarily focussed on towns and villages and the premises on their outskirts. Where that network ends is where the National Broadband Plan in effect commences to ensure that nobody is left behind. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (81)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks when the Climate Action Council will undertake a comprehensive review of the climate mitigation potential of forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25144/20]

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Written answers

Our forests provide eco-system services, support biodiversity, and contribute to climate mitigation through acting as carbon sinks. Forestry can also provide important resources for sustainable bioenergy and the wider bioeconomy. For example, timber products can act as a less carbon-intensive substitute for other materials in construction and related sectors.  

Specifically in relation to the carbon mitigation potential of forests, from 2021 onwards, emissions and removals from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry will be integrated into the EU Framework for compliance with national emissions targets. Under EU legislation, Ireland will be able to use a limited amount of removals associated with land-based activities, including forestry, in meeting our 2030 emissions reductions target under the Effort Sharing Regulation.  

The Programme for Government recognises that 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 (which includes forestry, farmlands and peatlands) and set in train the development of a land-use plan, based on these findings. This review will include consideration of emissions to air and water, carbon sequestration, and challenges for climate adaptation. The work on the review will be complemented and supported by a new strategy to expand afforestation, particularly "Close to Nature" forestry and agro-forestry, which will be led by Minister of State Hackett in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (82, 91, 92, 161)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

82. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the areas in County Cork which will be connected first in view of recent announcements regarding the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. [25128/20]

View answer

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

91. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the rollout of rural broadband in west County Cork to deal with the hundreds of black spot areas that do not have adequate broadband. [24998/20]

View answer

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

92. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the rollout of the National Broadband Plan in County Cork; the areas which will be connected first within the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25126/20]

View answer

Thomas Gould

Question:

161. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the priority areas identified in County Cork for roll out of the National Broadband Plan. [24333/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 91, 92 and 161 together.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed on 19 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 represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having  access to high speed broadband within the next four years.

Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as of the 15 September. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December.

As of the 15 September, approximately 12,000 premises have been surveyed in Cork in areas of Carrigaline and Middleton, with network designs completed to deliver the new fibre network there. NBI crews have started initial works for the build in the areas of Carrigaline including Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfolye, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, and Kilpatrick. Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through 'service provider' contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) for schools.

In Cork, publically available WIFI will soon be available at BCP locations across the county including  Aubane, Mealagh Valley, Glash, Courtbrack, Sherkin Island, Ballindangan, Lissvard Community Centres and Bere Island Heritage Centre. Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools will also be connected with high speed broadband for educational access.

Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/ . Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.   

National Broadband Plan

Questions (83)

Pa Daly

Question:

83. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the status of the planned improvements to rural broadband in County Kerry. [24991/20]

View answer

Written answers

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract signed on 19 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 represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.

Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties, including Co Kerry, and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as at 15 September. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected in Cork around December this year.

Surveys have been completed in areas close to Tralee and Killarney. This involved physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the Intervention Area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/ ). 

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) for schools.

There are a number of BCPs located across County Kerry including Coars National School, Boheeshil National School, Gap of Dunloe National School which will be connected for educational access as part of this initiative. In addition, the public will be able to benefit from publicly accessible WIFI at locations across the county such as Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Kielduff, Inch, Kells and Valentia Island Community Centres. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.

Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.

Telecommunications Services

Questions (84)

Martin Browne

Question:

84. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his views on suggestions that a microgrant scheme will be set up to allow rural households that do not have access to fibre broadband to invest in alternatives; if his attention has been drawn to the disparity that exists between the areas that have access to good broadband and those that do not given the increase in working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25108/20]

View answer

Written answers

 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. Facilitating remote working and innovation opportunities is essential for addressing climate change, adapting in an evolving economy, and competing internationally.

A key principle of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is to support and stimulate commercial investment in telecommunications infrastructure. Since the publication of the NBP strategy in 2012, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.75 billion. This was primarily on upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecommunications services. Significant additional investment is expected over the coming years. Today over 1.78m or 75% of premises in Ireland can access commercially available high speed broadband services. These networks have extended and enhanced connectivity throughout Ireland.

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 on 19 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 represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.

Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as at 15 September. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the Intervention Area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).  

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools.

Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.   

In relation to a microgrant scheme to enable households’ access fibre broadband, I would be happy to consider any information that the Deputy may wish to forward to me in respect of same.

Mining Industry

Questions (85)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he plans to continue to issue prospecting and mining licences for minerals in or near Natura 2000 sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25014/20]

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Written answers

All applications for prospecting licences are subject to environmental screening which takes into account designated sites including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Natural Heritage Areas, Nature Reserves and National Parks to ensure that such sites are not impacted by prospecting activities.  

A prospecting licence relates to the activity of prospecting (exploring) for minerals only and does not give the licence holder permission to mine.

There are currently no applications for State Mining Licenses or Leases with my Department. Any potential mining activity is subject to a number of separate and independent statutory consents; planning permission, an Integrated Pollution Control or Industrial Emissions licence and finally an application for a State Mining Licenses or Lease.

North-South Interconnector

Questions (86)

Brendan Smith

Question:

86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if his Department plans to engage with communities in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath along the route of the proposed North South Interconnector; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is widespread opposition to the proposal to put the transmission cables overground in the event of the project proceeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25143/20]

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Written answers

The North South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. It will also help us to move towards 70% renewable electricity, a commitment made in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future. A resilient and well connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.

The option of undergrounding the line has been assessed on several occasions over the years. Most recently, my Department published an independent study in October 2018 on undergrounding the interconnector which found that an overhead line remained the most appropriate option for the proposed interconnector. This study, available on my Department's website, was the latest in a series of studies that reached the same conclusion.

The decision last week by the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland to grant full planning permission to the project means that the project is now fully consented North and South.

I expect EirGrid and ESB Networks to engage openly and extensively with those living closest to the route of the interconnector. In that regard I note that EirGrid has already set in place a variety of engagements locally, including the appointment of community liaison officers and a mobile information unit active in the area. I expect such engagements to intensify in the coming weeks and months, subject of course to national public health guidelines on Covid-19.

I believe that this important new cross-border infrastructure will significantly facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the power system, will bring economic benefits to the region and can address our climate objectives on an all-Ireland basis.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (87)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

87. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if funding to local authorities will be ring-fenced for the employment of key climate action staff on county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25150/20]

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Written answers

In January 2018, my Department entered into a five year financial commitment of €10 million to establish four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) - Atlantic Seaboard South; Atlantic Seaboard North; Dublin Metropolitan; and Eastern and Midlands. Under the National Adaptation Framework, each Local Authority developed an adaptation strategy. These strategies are now being implemented, and each CARO is working with the Local Authorities in its region to both facilitate and monitor implementation of the local climate adaptation actions within the strategies.

The Climate Action Bill, which I intend to publish shortly, further strengthens the role of Local Authorities in climate action. It sets out legislative requirements for each Local Authority to produce its own Climate Action Plan (covering both mitigation and adaptation) on the request of the Minister for Climate Action, within eighteen months of the enactment of the Bill, and then subsequently at least once every five years. These plans will have to be consistent with national climate plans and strategies, and Local Authorities will have to liaise with each other in the preparation of these plans.

To build the necessary capacity, my Department is engaging with the CAROs in relation to the development and implementation of a new Local Authority climate action training programme. This programme will increase knowledge of climate change and action among all Local Authority staff, and will facilitate both climate mitigation and adaptation at local level.

While decisions on staffing are a matter for each individual Local Authority to consider within their allocated funding, it will be important that they have the capacity and expertise to support the transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society and economy.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Questions (88)

Duncan Smith

Question:

88. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks his plans in relation to enhancing connectivity in view of the large number of the workforce now working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24997/20]

View answer

Written answers

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. Facilitating remote working and innovation opportunities is essential for addressing climate change, adapting in an evolving economy, and competing internationally.

A key principle of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is to support and stimulate commercial investment in telecommunications infrastructure. Since the publication of the NBP strategy in 2012, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.75 billion. This was primarily on upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecommunications services. Significant additional investment is expected over the coming years. Today over 1.78m or 75% of premises in Ireland can access commercially available high speed broadband services. These networks have extended and enhanced connectivity throughout Ireland.

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 NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.

Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across 21 counties and steady progress is being made with over 91,000 premises surveyed as at 15 September. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and laying fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year. NBI provides a facility for any premises within the Intervention Area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/ ). 

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. Some 144 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites and by the Department of Education and Skills for schools.

Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.   

In addition, on 15 April 2020 all major telecommunications providers committed to a number of measures to help people stay in touch and work from home during Covid 19. These commitments were further supported through regulations enabling ComReg to release additional rights of use for radio spectrum on a temporary basis. This provided flexibility for mobile network operators to create additional capacity for mobile phone and broadband services and accommodate the increased demand at this time.

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