Written Answers Nos. 211-236
211. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the reason new builds are not eligible for PV panel grants in view of the fact existing houses are; his plans to review the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34773/20]
View answerThe Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 440,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light. The Solar PV grant scheme supports solar photovoltaic panels in homes built and occupied before 2011. In 2020, following a review of the scheme, SEAI introduced a post-works BER C requirement in order to ensure energy efficiency first principles are achieved, meaning applicants may now need to consider energy efficiency upgrades ahead of, or at the same time as, applying for a Solar PV grant. The rationale for this is that the grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as they are deemed most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners at the best value for money for the Exchequer. It is important to note that the grants available aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, Part L of the Building Regulations details the minimum requirements for energy performance of new buildings to limit the use of fossil fuel energy and related CO2 emissions. There are options to meet this requirement for new build homes by including renewable technologies including heat pumps and/or solar PV. However, grants are not targeted at meeting compliance requirements of these Regulations.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism will be outlined in a public consultation in the coming months.
212. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications when high speed broadband will be provided at a location (details supplied) in County Louth; when the locality and infrastructure will be surveyed as part of the national fibre network roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34776/20]
View answer221. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national broadband plan primarily the design phase for the fibre network in County Louth; the locations surveyed; and the percentage of area surveyed. [35186/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 221 together. One of the Questions refers to a specific premises which is located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). 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 4 November almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed by NBI which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. In Louth, there are 8,344 premises in the Intervention Area and of these 6,943 have been surveyed, representing 83% of the total. Surveys have taken place in areas around Dundalk and Drogheda. This activity involves 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. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network. Further details are available on specific areas within Co Louth through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. 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. As of 30 October, 187 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. 59 publically accessible BCPs across the country are now live with a number of these in Co Louth at Mattock Rangers GAA Club, Clogherhead Pier, Killanny GAA Club, Annaghminnan Rovers GAA Club, Port Beach Knockbawn and Templetown Beach. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.In addition, Walshestown National School and Saint Enda's National School in Louth will also be connected for educational access as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
214. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to adapting SEAI grants for buildings developed after 2006 and which do not meet current insulation requirements as prescribed in the 2003 building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34937/20]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 440,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. Building Regulations have been progressively strengthened and new buildings must now meet very high energy performance standards. Homes constructed since 2006 are generally more energy efficient than those built before due to energy performance requirements of the 2003 Building Regulations. For this reason, there is no grant incentive for residential insulation for houses built and occupied after 2006. However, grant funding for renewable energy measures under the Better Energy Homes scheme and Solar PV scheme are available to homes built before 2011.
There are currently no plans to change the date of eligibility for SEAI insulation grant assistance for homes built and occupied after 2006.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were chosen as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners at the best value for money for the Exchequer.
215. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the process for attaining an Eircode for a newly-registered address can be streamlined. [34830/20]
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 licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 119,600 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable, my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.
216. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the report of the Just Transition Commissioner. [35087/20]
View answerI refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 112,109, and 101 on today's order paper.
218. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the Shannon LNG has been withdrawn from the EU Projects of Common Interest List; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35156/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out that, as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG terminals that import fracked gas. If the Shannon LNG terminal project were to apply for inclusion in the 2021 list of EU Projects of Common Interest, Ireland would not provide the required Member State approval and therefore the project would not be included in the 2021 list.
219. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is on track to facilitate allowing persons sell excess power back to the grid by June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35158/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation, letting people sell excess power back to the grid by July 2021. The measures set out below will assist in delivering this commitment. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in March this year, which provides for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development later this year. The document is available on the CRU website www.cru.ie.
My Department has provided €10.1m supporting the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant scheme to help domestic customers generate electricity through installing rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on their homes, with 4,104 applications processed to date, saving approx. 3.34kiloTonnes CO2 per annum. We have engaged with SEAI on a review of the scheme to gather data on installation costs, the impact of grant amount and other scheme changes on industry, demand and customer behaviour in order to capture the lessons learned for the Micro-generation Framework.
Action 30 of the Climate Action Plan commits to the delivery of a framework for micro-generation from renewable technologies, whilst ensuring principles of equity, self-consumption and energy efficiency first are incorporated.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism will be outlined in a public consultation in the coming months.
A suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all microgenerators by 2021 in line with the transposition of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) into Irish law.
220. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises surveyed to date by county within the amber area as part of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35185/20]
View answerThe 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 over 544,000 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.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 4 November 2020, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Survey works in Co. Meath are due to commence in the coming weeks. This activity involves 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. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in this area will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.
Based on information available at 4 November, I am advised that the following is the number of premises per County that have been surveyed.
|
County |
No of Premises surveyed to date |
|
Carlow |
4,889 |
|
Cavan |
3,738 |
|
Clare |
2,613 |
|
Cork |
16,432 |
|
Donegal |
2,475 |
|
Dublin |
2,437 |
|
Galway |
10,267 |
|
Kerry |
6,549 |
|
Kildare |
2,818 |
|
Kilkenny |
3,905 |
|
Laois |
2,821 |
|
Leitrim |
3,576 |
|
Limerick |
4,075 |
|
Longford |
3,294 |
|
Louth |
6,943 |
|
Mayo |
4,817 |
|
Monaghan |
4,355 |
|
Offaly |
1,275 |
|
Roscommon |
3,591 |
|
Sligo |
2,513 |
|
Tipperary |
6,599 |
|
Waterford |
6,358 |
|
Westmeath |
6,201 |
|
Wexford |
4,462 |
|
Wicklow |
4,977 |
|
Total |
121,980 |
222. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of schools to date connected to broadband connection points as part of the roll out of the national broadband plan; the number to be connected by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35187/20]
View answerThe 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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.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. As of 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.As part of this initiative, some 74 schools will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. To date, 6 schools have been connected with high speed broadband. Based on information available at 4 November, I am advised that the following is the number of schools per county to be connected as part of the BCP initiative.
|
County |
Forecasted No. of Schools BCPs to be connected |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Clare |
4 |
|
Cork |
2 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
|
Galway |
10 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
|
Laois |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
|
Longford |
2 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
2 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
|
Total |
74 |
225. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to families for the disposal of medical waste that is not incontinence wear (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35231/20]
View answerThe Mywaste.ie website contains advice on how households should dispose of various waste materials including medical and clinical waste, at the following link https://www.mywaste.ie/page-what-to-do-with/.
As indicated on the website, households wishing to dispose of hazardous clinical waste, such as syringes, should contact their local HSE for advice on how to manage it safely.
226. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the universal service obligation that applies to An Post in relation to the nationwide distribution and delivery of mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35235/20]
View answerAn Post is a commercial State company with a mandate to deliver a postal delivery service and a viable post office network. It is also designated as the sole universal service provider under the Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011 which requires it to, among other matters, fulfil the universal service obligation of a five-day-per-week delivery service.
227. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications when broadband will be implemented in an area (details supplied); the plans in place to expedite broadband roll-out considering the increased numbers of persons working from home due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35242/20]
View answerThe Question refers to premises which are located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
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. I am advised by NBI that, as of 4 November 2020, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. Surveys have taken place at Priory Road and other areas such as Powerscourt, Kilmacanoge, Calary, Greystones, Newcastle, Delgany, Killiskey, Glenealy, Kilcoole, and parts of Roundwood. This activity involves 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. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area.
The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.
Further details are available on specific areas within Wicklow through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence.
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. As of 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of theses are now connected with high speed broadband service through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly available sites. BCPs locations connected in Wicklow to date include Brockagh Resource Centre, Mosart, Clermont House, Ballycooge Community Hall and Wicklow County GAA Board.In addition, school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. To date, 6 schools have been connected with high speed broadband for educational access only. In Wicklow, St Kevins National School will be connected as part of this initiative. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network arising from, among other things, travel restrictions and availability of accommodation for contractors across Ireland; access to island and some buildings such as schools and GAA halls which form part of the BCP initiative; and supply chain and logistic delays. 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. The Covid 19 pandemic has also 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 committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. NBI has now established a dedicated team to investigate acceleration of the rollout from its current contracted schedule of seven years. 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 Covid-19.
228. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review the process and guidelines for external wall insulation given that grants are being provided for same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35258/20]
View answerContractors installing insulation under any scheme supported by an SEAI grant must carry out the works in line with the SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications and best practice and technical guidance documents including: - S.R. 54:2014 Code of practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings
- Building Regulations Technical Guidance Documents (Latest updates of Part L, Part B, Part C, Part D, Part F, Part J, Part M in particular).
- The System Supplier/ Product Manufacturer Guidelines
- NSAI Agrément certificates www.nsai.ie
- Irish, British or European Standards Guides
SR 54:2014 has been developed by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the National Standards Authority of Ireland in conjunction with the Building Research Establishment to provide guidance on the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.
SEAI’s Domestic Technical Standards and Specifications document states that “…it is essential that any cutting of polystyrene blocks with saws is done in a properly enclosed area (surrounded by mesh or indoors) to prevent the release of polystyrene debris into the local environment. Use of hot wire cutting is preferred as it is cleaner and produces less waste.”
Construction and demolition materials are being targeted by waste policy as an area of interest for waste reduction. Polystyrene is accepted at some Civic Amenity sites for disposal and is also accepted by a number of outlets for recycling.
229. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if the national broadband plan will extend high-speed broadband to Portrane, County Dublin. [35264/20]
View answerThe 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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.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 4 November, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed by NBI, which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. This activity involves 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. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area.The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in this areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.The National Broadband Plan will extend into Portrane and premises within the townlands of Burrow, Quay and Portrane Demesne. Further details are available on specific areas within Dublin through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. 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. As of 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. In addition, school BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband, for educational use only, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Education and Skills. To date, 6 schools have been connected with high speed broadband for educational access only.
In Dublin, Glenasmole Community Centre, Man of War GAA and Fingal Ravens GAA Club have now been connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, with more locations planned over the coming months. Balscadden National School has also been connected for educational access only as part of this initiative. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
230. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons that applied for the SEAI grant for solar photovoltaic panels in 2019; the number that received the grant in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35289/20]
View answerThe details for 2019 requested by the Deputy in relation to the microgeneration Solar PV grant scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department are listed in the table below:
|
Solar PV |
2019 |
|
Applications |
3,692 |
|
Payments |
1,433 |
|
Payments (€) |
€4,272,605 |
It is worth noting the following in relation to the data:
- Homeowners are issued with a letter of offer for the grant which is valid for 8 months during which timeframe they can request payment of the grant for which they applied.
- Not all applicants request payment. A homeowner can cancel their application and create new application to restart the 8 month offer period or they can change their mind and not install the solar PV system.
- There can be a difference between the number of applications and the number of payments in any given year due to payments coming from previous or falling into subsequent years.
To date my Department has provided €10.1 million in funding to support the SEAI grant scheme to help domestic customers generate electricity through installing rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment on their homes, with 4,104 applications processed to date, saving approximately 3.34 kiloTonnes of CO2 per annum. A further €7 million in capital funding has been allocated to the Scheme in Budget 2021.
231. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the options available to local community groups that wish to have an independent assessment of noise conducted particularly as it might relate to industrial noise pollution; if the EPA or other authorities can assist with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35305/20]
View answerSection 108 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides for any person, or group of persons, to seek an order in the District Court to have annoyance causing noise abated, if reasonable cause is shown. The procedures involved allow for action to be taken without legal representation. In addition, Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 provides Local Authorities with powers to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise. These powers are generally exercised in preventing and limiting noise from commercial and industrial premises within Local Authorities' functional areas. Information on noise pollution and the procedures involved in bringing a complaint is available on the Gov.ie website - https://www.gov.ie/en/service/make-a-noise-nuisance-complaint/
In relation to conditions attaching to all types of planning permissions, it is the responsibility of the planning applicant to comply with the relevant conditions attaching to a permission. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may impose conditions on a planning permission to reduce or prevent noise emissions on a case by case basis. Planning authorities have statutory powers under Part VIII of the Act to take enforcement action, including on receipt of complaints from the public where planning conditions are not complied with.
I understand that the industrial noise source referred to by the Deputy may relate to a wind farm so it should be noted that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines in line with the “preferred draft approach” which was announced in June 2017, in conjunction with my own Department. The review is addressing a number of key aspects including sound or noise, visual amenity setback distances, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections.
Finalised Guidelines will be prepared following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions received during the consultation phase, and the conclusion of the SEA process.
232. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the progress in delivering on the programme for Government commitment to publish a national clean air strategy and to develop a regional approach to air quality and noise enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/20]
View answerMy Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy which I intend to publish in the coming months. There are a number of national policy frameworks already in place which will also help to reduce pollutant emissions and improve air quality, such as the Climate Action Plan, National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the National Renewable Energy Plan. It is important that synergies are maximised between these plans and the Clean Air Strategy, with a view to achieving lasting reductions in the health and environmental impacts of air pollution in the most effective manner.
My Department has commenced discussions with the local authority sector to determine how a regional approach to air and noise enforcement will be developed. The intention is to establish dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to support effective and consistent implementation of air and noise legislation across the country. Building on the success of other regional environmental enforcement and implementation models, I expect this Programme for Government commitment to also be significantly progressed in the coming months.
233. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the national broadband plan mapping exercise for the intervention area performed by a company (details supplied); if his Department has carried out an analysis of the new network being deployed by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35317/20]
View answerIn July 2019, in order to finalise the mapping exercise required under the State Aid Guidelines on Broadband, my Department conducted a consultation in relation to the High Speed Broadband Map. This consultation sought submissions from operators who wished to have their existing high speed broadband networks or plans to invest in high speed broadband networks over the following 7 years to be included on the Department’s High Speed Broadband Map. This consultation was part of a significant engagement with industry initiated in July 2013 where my Department engaged in an extensive process of mapping and monitoring broadband availability in Ireland. This has been supported by a number of public consultations conducted from 2013 to 2019. As part of the 2019 consultation, over 180 submissions were received from a variety of stakeholders including 30 from large and small telecoms operators with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public. All operator submissions were fully assessed against my Department’s published assessment criteria and operators were informed of the outcome of this assessment in November 2019. Following the conclusion of this consultation, a detailed report was issued to Digital Forge detailing the outcome of the assessment relating to their network coverage. Following subsequent correspondence from Digital Forge, my Department reconfirmed to Digital Forge that it was satisfied with the outcome of the assessment and the findings therein.Separately my Department continues to engage with industry to monitor developments in the market and has engaged with SpaceX on the development of their proposed Starlink network. The development of new solutions such as Low Earth Orbit satellite solutions is something that my Department monitors on an ongoing basis. While advances have been made in these satellite based solutions, concerns remain on a number of aspects such as the likely speeds that will be delivered, where the service will be available and the price of services to consumers.
234. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications when persons in an area (details supplied) can expect to access fibre broadband as part of the national broadband plan; the specific steps he plans to take to honour the commitment in the programme for Government to accelerate the roll-out of broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35337/20]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
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.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 4 November 2020, almost 122,000 premises across 25 counties have been surveyed which is ahead of the full year survey target of 120,000 that had been projected by the company. This activity involves 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. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The first fibre to the home connections are expected next month in Carrigaline, Co Cork and they will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. I am advised that from the end of January retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network.
In Roscommon surveys have commenced in the areas of Ballymurray, Athleague, Castlecoote, Donamon, Ballymacurley, Lackan, Kilroosky, Fourmilehouse. Surveys in Cloonarragh, Loughglynn are due to start in Q2 of 2021. Further details are available on specific areas within County Roscommon through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence.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. As of 30 October, some 187 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. BCPs have been connected in Roscommon at the Marian Hall in Gortaganny, Unit 1, Meadow Brook and Creeve Community Centre with further locations at Cam Community Centre and Saint Patrick's Hall scheduled to be connected in the coming months. A number of schools in Roscommon including Ballagh and Termon National Schools will be connected to high speed broadband, for educational access only, as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. 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. The Covid 19 pandemic has also 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 committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this roll out to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network roll out is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid 19.
235. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to assess and develop the capacity to construct and support marine based renewable energy projects here with regard to the required harbour and associated facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35338/20]
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 energy market and tangible benefits to local marine users, neighbouring coastal communities and Irish companies. The Programme for Government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 as well as a longer term plan setting out how we will take advantage of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast, in particular taking advantage of a potential of at least 30GW of offshore wind power in the Atlantic. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment and support ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power.
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 following steps in this regard:
- 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 it is 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 including with regard to harbour and associated facilities. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole. 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.
236. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the harbours that are considered suitable or relevant to the development of marine resources along the west coast of Ireland in view of the fact that the area is being viewed as an area that may be suitable for the development of marine renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35339/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 as well as a longer term plan setting out how we will take advantage of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast, in particular taking advantage of a potential of at least 30GW of offshore floating wind power in the Atlantic. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment and support ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power. My Department is engaged with other relevant Departments and agencies regarding the potential of Ireland’s supply chain in this area including with regard to harbour and associated facilities. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole. 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.
