Niamh Smyth
Question:62. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he met formally with the chief executive officer of An Post during Quarter 4 of 2020. [4172/21]
View answerMinisterial Meetings
Questions (62)
Written answers
As Minister of State with responsibility for the postal sector I last met with the CEO of An Post in September 2020. I expect to meet him again early this quarter.
Energy Efficiency
Questions (63)
Martin Browne
Question:63. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that applied and received grant aid from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for attic, wall and other insulation grants in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [4204/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of energy efficiency grant schemes to support homeowners to retrofit their properties. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light. Budget 2021 provides €221.5 million in capital funding for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their home. Fixed grants covering around 30% of the works are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER).
The number of households who applied and received grant aid from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for attic, wall and other insulation grants in 2019 and 2020 is outlined below:
|
Better Energy Homes Scheme |
2019 |
2020 |
|
No. of Homes Completed |
No. of Homes Completed |
|
|
Roof Insulation |
3,392 |
2,678 |
|
Cavity Wall Insulation |
2,986 |
2,159 |
|
Dry Lining Insulation |
443 |
343 |
|
External Wall Insulation |
1,334 |
1,131 |
The individual breakdown is not held by SEAI in this format for other schemes such as Better Energy Warmer Homes and Warmth and Wellbeing. However, the combined number of homes in receipt of attic, wall and/or other insulation grants is outlined below:
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes and Warmth and Wellbeing |
2019 |
2020 |
|
No. Homes in receipt of attic, wall and/or other insulation grants |
3,315 |
1,524 |
In relation to Better Energy Communities, the number of homes which received grants under the scheme in each of those years, for which attic, wall and other insulation grants may make up part of a larger suite of upgrades are outlined below:
|
Better Energy Communities |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
582 |
656 |
Alternative Energy Projects
Questions (64)
Neale Richmond
Question:64. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to launch a national strategy regarding clean hydrogen production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4213/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government sets out the need for research and development of hydrogen from renewable sources, known as ‘green hydrogen’, for use as a fuel for power generation, manufacturing, energy storage and transport.
In July 2020, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland welcomed the hydrogen strategy, including the need to support the deployment of green hydrogen in line with the Programme for Government. Ireland also supported the publication of the Council Conclusions on a hydrogen market for Europe in October 2020. In the development of these conclusions, Ireland strongly supported the need to focus on green hydrogen. My Department is working with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to inform Ireland's future policies in relation to hydrogen. Given the potential role of hydrogen across the energy sector, a stand-alone hydrogen strategy may not be the most appropriate way to integrate hydrogen research and development into wider climate and energy policy. The role of hydrogen, and actions needed for its development, are being considered as part of the development of the next Climate Action Plan which is currently underway.
Postal Services
Questions (65)
Joe Carey
Question:65. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 20 January 2021 and his confirmation that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable and that officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Eircode to expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties with postal addresses and geo-locations, the progress made to date on this matter; when this process will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/21]
View answerWritten answers
Capita 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, issues a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable I have written to An Post GeoDirectory requesting the provision of monthly releases of the GeoDirectory database to Eircode, changing from the existing quarterly process of database releases. A response has been provided by the company and my officials are following up with a view to resolving this issue.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 44.
Departmental Legal Cases
Questions (67)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:67. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to support or contest the legal proceedings brought by six Portuguese young persons against Ireland and 32 other countries in the European Court of Human Rights (details supplied) alleging that insufficient climate action breaches their human rights; the timeline for the Government's reply to those proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4306/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has been formally notified by the European Court of Human Rights that Ireland is a party to the legal proceedings referred to. My Department is currently engaging with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to these proceedings, and the Department of Foreign Affairs is acting as agent for the Government in this regard. The Government will consider the issues raised in the proceedings, which are complex, and will provide its observations in accordance with the timeframe to be determined by the Court, for which formal confirmation is awaited.
Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 43.
Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 60.
Bituminous Fuel Ban
Questions (70)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:70. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding introducing a nationwide smoky coal ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to extend the Smoky Coal Ban to new towns and, over the term of the Government, to move towards a full nationwide ban.
I have already delivered on the first part of that commitment by creating 13 new Low Smoke Zones with effect from 1 September 2020, and the ban now applies in all towns with populations in excess of 10,000 people.
The next step in the process will be a public consultation to assess views on the development of legislation to regulate the broader use of solid fuels in the residential sector. This is being done with a view to transitioning to lower polluting fuels for residential heating and will:
- assess the merits of a national approach to regulating sold fuel;
- determine which solid fuels should be regulated;
- consider how these fuels should be regulated; and
- set out an appropriate timeline for the implementation of any new regulations.
The consultation will be launched in the coming weeks and the responses received will inform the decisions to be made regarding the broadening, implementation and enforcement of the existing ban on a nationwide basis.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (71, 72)
Pa Daly
Question:71. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of each development area in County Kerry as part of the national broadband plan, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4421/21]
View answerPa Daly
Question:72. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of retail service providers established in each development area in County Kerry as part of the national broadband plan, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4422/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced 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 National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 15 January 2021, over 161,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Kerry, surveys have been completed in townlands around Killarney including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar and in townlands around Tralee such as Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert. Further details are available on specific areas within County Kerry 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 as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas Members for specific queries.
NBI has provided the following indicative target dates for surveying and deployment in Co Kerry over the next 18 months.
|
Area |
No of Premises |
Indicative target Date for Surveys |
|
Castlegregory |
880 |
2021 Q1 |
|
Valentia |
119 |
2021 Q1 |
|
Ballyheigue |
1,377 |
2021 Q1 |
|
Kilgarvan |
2,020 |
2021 Q2 |
|
Listowel |
4,714 |
2021 Q3 |
|
Sneem |
1,021 |
2022 Q2 |
|
Area |
No of Premises |
Indicative Target Date for Connection |
|
Kilarney |
3,382 |
Aug ’21 to Oct ‘21 |
|
Tralee |
3,167 |
Aug ’21 to Oct ‘21 |
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 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCP’s installed in Kerry are Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Railway Station Heritage Centre and Community Space, Inch Community Centre, Kielduff Community Centre, Cillín Liath. BCPs are connected at Cable Station and Chapeltown. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Boheeshil National School, Dunloe Upper and Coars National School will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use through ‘service provider' contracts managed by the Department of Education as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
I am advised that currently there are a total of 30 service providers who have signed the NBI Reference offer out of a total of 34 Retail Service Providers (RSPs) who intend to sell on the NBI network. This is all part of the NBI on-boarding process for service providers so that they can sell high speed broadband to the consumer (residential and business). I understand that the larger RSPs will be involved nationwide and some smaller RSPs have expressed local interest. The RSPs who have expressed nationwide interest and who have signed up with NBI to-date are:
|
Eir retail |
|
Sky |
|
Vodafone |
|
Imagine |
|
Viatel |
|
Airspeed |
|
Three |
|
BT |
|
Digiweb |
|
Pure Telecom |
|
IFA Telecom |
|
Magnet Networks |
|
Regional Broadband |
|
IMS |
|
Ripplecom |
|
Airwire |
|
Blacknight Solutions |
|
HiSpeed |
|
HEAnet |
I am advised that NBI are working with RSPs who are specifically focused on a regional basis, such as Ivertec Ltd., who have signed up with NBI and are a regional RSP in Kerry. I understand that there are some other regional RSPs bordering Kerry who have also signed up with NBI such as Digital Forge, BBnet and Nova telecom.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (73)
Pa Daly
Question:73. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the location of each primary school broadband connection point planned in County Kerry as part of the National Broadband Initiative Plan in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4424/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 January 15th, some 243 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and will be connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. School BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use and more than 70 schools will have been connected by the end of January through ‘service provider' contracts managed by the Department of Education.
An acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/
Three primary schools have had equipment installed by NBI Co. Kerry and will connected by a retail service provider shortly.
|
Site Name |
Eircode |
|
BOHESHIL NATIONAL SCHOOL, BOHEESHIL, GLENCAR |
V93EC56 |
|
GAP OF DUNLOE NATIONAL SCHOOL, DUNLOE UPPER, BEAUFORT |
V93YN52 |
|
COARS NATIONAL SCHOOL, COARS, MASTERGEEHY |
V23Y597 |
The following twenty primary schools will be connected as part of the accelerated programme by the end of 2022.
|
Site Name |
Eircode |
|
SCOIL NAISIUNTA DAR EARCA, BALLYHEARNEY, VALENTIA |
V23R928 |
|
SCOIL AN FHAILL MOR, CAHERCIVEEN |
V23Y510 |
|
NAOMH CHARTHAIGH, BOYS NATIONAL SCHOOL, CASTLEISLAND |
V92DY26 |
|
LOUGHFOUDER NATIONAL SCHOOL, KNOCKNAGOSHEL |
V92NR44 |
|
SCOIL NAISIUNTA NAOMH CARTHACH, BALLYFINANE, FIRIES |
V93NP26 |
|
LISSIVIGEEN MXD NATIONAL SCHOOL, LISSIVIGEEN, KILLARNEY |
V93AH63 |
|
SCOIL NAISIUNTA AN FHOSSA, FOSSA |
V93FY59 |
|
SCOIL NAISIUNTA NAOMH EIRC, KILMOYLEY, ARDFERT |
V92W942 |
|
SCOIL CHRIOST RI, DROMNACARRA, CAUSEWAY |
V92TD45 |
|
RAHEEN NATIONAL SCHOOL, RAHEEN, HEADFORD |
V93HR40 |
|
SCOIL NAISIUNTA NA SRONA, SHRONE BEG, RATHMORE |
P51ET85 |
|
NA MINTEOGA NATIONAL SCHOOL, MEENTOGUES, HEADFORD |
V93PF30 |
|
TULLOHA NATIONAL SCHOOL, BONANE, KENMARE |
V93DW99 |
|
CAHIR NATIONAL SCHOOL, CAHER WEST, KENMARE |
V93TD4V |
|
COOLARD MXD NATIONAL SCHOOL, COOLARD, LISTOWEL |
V31TR74 |
|
SCOIL REALTA NA MAIDINE, UPPER CHURCH STREET, LISTOWEL |
V31R297 |
|
GAELSCOIL LIOS TUATHAÍL, LIBRARY ROAD, LISTOWEL |
V31E981 |
|
SCOIL EOIN TAHILLA, TAHILLA |
V93D735 |
|
AGHATUBRID NATIONAL SCHOOL, DERREEN, CAHERCIVEEN |
V23KC04 |
|
SCOIL NAISIUNTA, CILLIN LIATH, KILLEENLEAGH, MASTERGEEHY |
V23Y540 |
Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 43.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (75, 76, 77, 78)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:75. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the provision of fibre broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4437/21]
View answerDanny Healy-Rae
Question:76. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the provision of fibre broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4438/21]
View answerDanny Healy-Rae
Question:77. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the provision of fibre broadband to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4439/21]
View answerDanny Healy-Rae
Question:78. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of access to fibre broadband at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4440/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 78, inclusive, together.
The 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 Questions refer to premises located in the Amber area and one premises located in the Blue area. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the NBP as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. Notwithstanding this, our investigations show that the premises referred to in the BLUE area is located between the network coverage area of an eir exchange for copper based VDSL services and the start of a 300k ribbon. As a result, my Department has escalated the query with eir requesting them to clarify the availability of high speed broadband at the premises.
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.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 15 January 2021, over 161,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys in County Kerry have been completed in Townlands around Killarney including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar, and in Townlands around Tralee including Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert. Further details are available on specific areas within County Kerry 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 as works commence. I am aware that that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
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 10 January, 243 publicly accessible 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. BCP’s are installed Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Railway Station Heritage Centre and Community Space, Inch Community Centre and Kielduff Community Centre, Cillín Liath. BCPs are installed and connected at Cable Station and Chapeltown. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Boheeshil National School, Dunloe Upper and Coars National School are installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (79)
Seán Sherlock
Question:79. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budgetary analysis being carried out to plan for long Covid-19 impacts in his Department and each State agency under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [4485/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has experienced some impacts from COVID-19, but these are primarily short term and are not expected to have long term impacts on the sectoral areas or the investment plans of the State-Owned Enterprises for which we are responsible. Where such impacts arose in 2020 and had financial impacts they were managed through the reallocation of resources within the Department's overall 2020 Vote allocations.
Long-term budgetary planning for my Department is being undertaken in the context of the review of the National Development Plan (NDP), which is being managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The purpose of the review to assess the adjustments to the National Development Plan needed to deliver the Programme for Government policy priorities in the context of the economic, social and environmental challenges faced by the country, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. My Department is actively engaged in the process and is focused on ensuring that the level of investment needed to support the step change in ambition as set out in the Programme for Government is provided for. The Programme for Government sets out how we will respond and manage the challenge of decarbonising our economy and creating a sustainable future for all. The review of the NDP provides the opportunity to realise these commitments and to send a clear signal that Ireland is stepping up and taking on this challenge. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of good, reliable broadband to ensure that people 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 deliver of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working. The Government has also committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan and work to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of plan is continuing between my Department and NBI. The post-COVID economy will be more resilient if the recovery is sustainable, renewable and digital based. The information requested in relation to the State agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
Quarrying Sector
Questions (80)
Holly Cairns
Question:80. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department measures the environmental and ecological damage caused by unauthorised quarries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4512/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, my Department is responsible for the regulation of mineral exploration and mining. The Department has no function in respect of the regulation of quarries which is a matter for each relevant local authority under planning legislation.
Quarrying Sector
Questions (81)
Holly Cairns
Question:81. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of prosecutions commenced against individuals or companies responsible for unauthorised quarries annually between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4513/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, my Department is responsible for the regulation of mineral exploration and mining. The Department has no function in respect of the regulation of quarries which is a matter for each relevant local authority under planning legislation.