Wednesday, 3 Mar 2021

Written Answers Nos. 66-93

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (66)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

66. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if decisions taken by the Government itself, as opposed to Ministers or Departments, will be exempted from and outside the scope of any obligation to have regard to the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11556/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment)  Bill will provide for a whole-of-Government approach to address climate change with the purpose of achieving the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy by the end of the year 2050.  The Bill will significantly strengthen the statutory framework for climate governance, with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas and a strengthened Climate Change Advisory Council. The Bill will introduce new legal obligations including enacting an objective to achieve a climate neutral economy by 2050 at the latest, embedding a process of carbon budgeting including sectoral emissions ceilings, providing for the preparation of an annual update to Climate Action Plan and a National Long-term Climate Strategy every five years.

The Minister and Government will be required to take account of, or to have regard to, specified matters in preparing the relevant plans, strategies and carbon budgeting system established to support the achievement of the Bill's objectives. The plans, strategies, carbon budgets, and sectoral emissions ceilings to be established on a statutory footing under the Bill will require Government approval in order to be adopted and implemented. 

The Bill will provide that these requirements, as well as the procedural aspects that will apply to them, will be statutory obligations for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, for relevant Ministers responsible for sectors to which a sectoral emissions ceiling will apply, and for the Government as a whole. This will place a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action to ensure carbon budget ceilings are met.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (67)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

67. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of purchasing credits to meet emissions and renewable energy targets in each of the years 2010 to 2020. [11567/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The 2009 Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC (ESD) sets annual binding emissions reduction targets for EU Member States for the period 2013-2020. These targets cover emissions from sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste. Pre-Covid estimates of the additional costs of purchasing carbon credits for compliance with these targets were in the region of €6 million to €13 million, depending on the price and final quantity of allowances required. This is in addition to a total of €117 million that has already been spent as part of Ireland’s strategy to meet its targets under the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), arising from which approximately 5,500,000 carbon credits are currently held by the State, which may be used for ESD compliance. In order to meet Ireland’s obligations for 2020 under the Renewable Energy Directive, there are mechanisms under the EU Framework that allow Member States to purchase ‘statistical transfers’ from other Member States to comply with their 2020 obligations.  Given that existing policy measures across the electricity, transport and heat sectors will not be sufficient to achieve compliance with the 2020 target, contingency planning had been underway in my Department for some time on statistical transfers with other Member States. Intensive engagement with a number of Member States took place during 2020. This led to the successful conclusion of negotiations and terms being agreed with two Member States (Denmark and Estonia) which provide for the purchase by Ireland of specified quantities of renewable energy by virtue of statistical transfers.

The total cost of statistical transfers in 2020 is €50 million consisting of: 

- the purchase of statistical transfer of 1,000 GWh from Denmark costing €12.5 million; and

- the purchase of statistical transfer of 2,500 GWh from Estonia costing €37.5 million.

Fund transfers of €50 million for the above were paid and completed by the end of 2020.  Additional volumes may be required to be purchased under the Agreements in 2021 depending on the final energy statistics for 2020.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (68)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

68. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the credits his Department attributed from sustainable land use, land use change and forestry measures towards Ireland’s non-emissions trading system target under EU effort sharing regulations. [11568/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Under EU legislation adopted in May 2018, EU Member States have to ensure that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) are offset by at least an equivalent removal of GHG emissions from the atmosphere for the period 2021 to 2030. The Regulation requires each Member State to ensure that accounted emissions from land use are entirely compensated by an equivalent removal of emissions from the atmosphere through action in the LULUCF sector. This commitment is referred to as the "no debit rule". For example, if a Member State converts forests to other land uses (deforestation), it must compensate for the resulting emissions by planting new forest (afforestation) or by improving the sustainable management of existing forest, croplands, grasslands or wetlands. In this way the "no-debit" commitment incentivises Member States to take actions that increase the absorption of emissions into agricultural soils and forests.

In recognition of the lower mitigation potential of the agriculture and land use sectors covered by the Effort Sharing Regulation (2018/842) (ESR), a LULUCF credit can be partially used to offset emissions under the ESR. If Ireland’s GHG  emissions for a given year are in excess of the emission allocation for Ireland for that year, but if Ireland’s total accounted LULUCF emissions and removals are less than zero, then this “credit” can be taken into account for Ireland’s compliance that year. The cumulative quantity of such credits cannot exceed the maximum flexibility allocated to Ireland for the period 2021 to 2030, which is 26.8Mt CO2eq..

Energy Efficiency

Questions (69)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

69. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his 2030 target for energy efficiency. [11569/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The European Union has set an overall energy efficiency target of 32.5% by 2030. This target means energy use in the European Union must be reduced by at least 32.5% compared to a 'business as usual' scenario.  

Each Member State is required to set out, in their National Energy and Climate Plans, a national contribution towards the overall European Union target. The contribution includes savings in primary energy consumption (which includes the energy that is lost in the generation of electricity) and savings in final energy consumption.  

Ireland's National Energy & Climate Plan was approved by Government and submitted to the European Commission in August 2020. The plan sets out primary energy savings of 62,171 GWh and final energy savings of 56,159 GWh by 2030.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (70, 71)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

70. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the impact greenhouse gas permits granted to data centres will have on meeting EU ETS targets. [11570/21]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

71. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the impact greenhouse gas permits granted to data centres will have on the State’s anticipated revenue from auctioning credits. [11571/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.

The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) works on a 'Cap and Trade' principle, where the overall volume of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by the entities covered by the ETS are subject to a cap set at EU level. Within this cap, companies receive (free allocations issued by their Member State and approved by Commission), or buy emissions allowances which they can trade with one another as needed. Each year, an installation must surrender enough allowances to cover all its greenhouse gas emissions, otherwise fines are imposed. If a company reduces its emissions, it can keep the spare allowances to cover its future needs or alternatively sell them to another company that is short of allowances.

The addition of new installations, such as data centres, will not change the total amount of allowances available. The amount of allowances available is limited to meet the current EU ETS emissions target of minus 43% by 2030 versus 2005 levels, thereby, ensuring the ETS target will be met.

The current ETS trading period covers the years 2021-2030. The basis for the amount of allowances a Member State receives revenue from over each trading period in the ETS is fixed before the start of that trading period. Therefore, the expected revenues to a Member State will not change due to the addition of new installations in the ETS, such as data centres

Environmental Schemes

Questions (72)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

72. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated amount of revenue expected to be raised through the auction of allowances under the emissions trading system over the next ten years. [11572/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Over the last three years (2018-2020), the following revenues have been raised through the auction of allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS): Total Auction Revenues 2018 - €142,069,705Total Auction Revenues 2019 - €124,256,185Total Auction Revenues 2020 - €124,540,385Due to the proposed changes currently being progressed under the EU Commission's ‘European Green Deal’ package, future revenue from the EU ETS is uncertain. The proposal to increase the EU’s emissions reduction target for 2030 to at least 55% compared with 1990 levels, an increase from the current target to cut emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels, will require revisions to both EU ETS and non-ETS targets and the respective legislation underpinning these targets. The Commission will present, by June 2021, an overhaul of all relevant climate legislation as part of the “Fit for 55 Package” to align with the newly proposed target.As part of this revision, the Commission will also consider extending the EU ETS to the maritime transport sector, reducing the EU ETS allowances allocated for free to airlines, and addressing how aviation should contribute to the higher target through the EU ETS. As already announced in the European Green Deal, the further expansion of the system could include emissions from road transport and buildings. Furthermore, the revision includes the first review of the Market Stability Reserve, foreseen within three years of the date of its start of operation on 1 January 2019. All of these matters are likely to impact the future revenues that will be raised through the EU ETS.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (73)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

73. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when his Department expects to produce its updated National Energy and Climate Plan. [11573/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

In accordance with the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation, Ireland's National Energy & Climate Plan (NECP) 2021-2030 was submitted to the European Commission last year. The NECP took into account energy and climate policies developed up to that point, the levels of demographic and economic growth identified in the Project Ireland 2040 process and included the climate and energy measures set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and 2019 Climate Action Plan. Under the Programme for Government, Ireland is committed to achieving a 7% annual average reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2030 which represents a significant step up in ambition relative to that underpinning the NECP. The European Council also decided in December 2020  to increase ambition from its existing EU-wide 2030 target of 40% reduction to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels.

Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target, including revising Member States’ existing targets for 2030, are expected to be presented by the Commission by June 2021. This increased ambition and the PfG commitments will be reflected in a revised  NECP.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (74)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

74. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of revenue raised by the EPA through penalties for failing to surrender necessary allowances under the EU emissions trading system detailing each licensee fined in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [11574/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Under the EU Emissions Trading System, where an operator does not surrender sufficient allowances by 30 April to cover its emissions in the previous calendar year, an excess emissions penalty applies. The penalty is based on a price of €100/tonne of CO2 equivalent adjusted for increases in the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) since 2012. The deadline has not yet passed for operators to surrender allowances for 2020. Over the period 2018-2019, two EU Emissions Trading System operators were issued with letters of demand for excess emissions penalties. The following table details each licensee fined:

Permit No.	Operator	Installation	Date of penalty	Penalty
IE-GHG181-10505-1	Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited	Vodafone CDC Clonshaugh Business Park, Coolock Dublin 17	12 November 2018	€51,171
IE-GHG041-10362-1	St James' Hospital Board, Dublin	St. James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8	5 October 2018	€210,100

These penalties are published on the EPA website: http://www.epa.ie/enforcement/prosecute/2018/  

Environmental Schemes

Questions (75, 76)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

75. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications he estimated number of credits from non-emissions trading system emissions the State expects to meet its targets under projected existing measures, WEM, and additional measures, WAM, scenarios under EU effort sharing regulations; and the estimated amount of revenue it is likely to be forfeited from not auctioning those credits at assumed high and low costs. [11575/21]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

76. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost in fines and purchase of credits for failing to meet EU targets between 2021 and 2030 under existing measures, WEM, and additional measures, WAM, scenarios. [11576/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together. The EU Effort Sharing Regulation EU/2018/842 (ESR) established binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States for the period 2021–2030. These targets concern sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste. The ESR sets Ireland a target of 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

It is important to note that this target will be amended following the European Council’s decision, in December 2020, to increase ambition from its existing EU-wide 2030 target of 40% reduction to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target, including revising Member States’ existing targets for 2030, are expected to be presented by the European Commission by June 2021.

Under the existing ESR targets, our total carbon budget for the 2021-2030 period is 384 MtCO2eq. The latest projections from the Environmental Protection Agency (published in July 2020) state that under the With Existing Measures scenario, Ireland will exceed the carbon budget by approximately 51 Mt CO2 eq over the 2021-2030 period assuming the Land-use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) flexibility is fully utilised. Under the With Additional Measures scenario, the projections indicate that Ireland will have a surplus of approximately 8.9 Mt CO2 eq over the 2021-2030 period with full use of the LULUCF flexibility.

The scenario with additional measures is based on those policies and measures in Climate Action Plan 2019. Therefore, the implementation of the plan will mean no purchase of credits is required to meet our existing 2030 ESR target.

Better Energy Communities Programme

Questions (77)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

77. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community retrofit grant, formerly better energy communities recipients, who installed photovoltaic solar panels by type of recipient that is business, community group, energy poor, non-energy poor and local authority housing in each of the years 2018 to 2020. [11577/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The SEAI Community Energy Grants Scheme (formerly Better Energy Communities) funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers.  By using an aggregated approach to retrofit, the scheme can deliver energy improvements more efficiently and cost effectively than might otherwise be possible.  Table 1 below shows the number of PV installations in homes and non-domestic premises under the CEG Scheme for 2018-2020.  Given the nature of this scheme, whereby homeowners do not make an application directly to SEAI but instead apply through a project co-ordinator, a more detailed data breakdown would require a manual analysis of files for each historical project and project co-ordinator.       

Table 1 – CEG Scheme Solar PV installations 2018-2020

	Homes	Non-domestic
2018	207	44
2019	200	92
2020	139	103

Energy Policy

Questions (78)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

78. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for energy storage to coincide with offshore wind generation. [11578/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

In order to achieve a 7% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the period 2021-30, there is a Government target that 70% of Ireland’s electricity needs will originate from renewable sources by 2030. There is a further objective, set out in the Programme for Government, to increase the installed capacity of offshore wind generation in Ireland to 5 GW by the end of the decade.  Meeting the 70% renewable electricity target and integrating the anticipated increase in offshore wind generation, while maintaining security of supply, will require a very high penetration of variable electricity on the Irish grid, and various technologies to replace high greenhouse gas emitting power generation fuels, such as peat and coal.

Energy storage, including batteries, will be required to enable high levels of renewable electricity on the Irish grid and the integration of the anticipated 5 GW of offshore renewables by 2030.

The need for more energy storage is recognised in the Programme for Government, which includes a commitment to strengthen the policy framework to incentivise electricity storage, as well as interconnection. In the context of future offshore renewable energy development beyond 2030, there is a further commitment to invest in research and development in ‘green’ hydrogen produced from excess renewable electricity, which has the potential to act as an energy store, for subsequent possible use as a fuel for transport and heating, and for inter-seasonal storage to match variable renewable power generation with system demand.

Fuel Poverty

Questions (79)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

79. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a report was commissioned on the fuel stamps scheme of a charity (details supplied) to determine the scope for expanding the scheme nationally per the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty 2016-2019; and if so, if a copy of same will be provided. [11579/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department provided funding for the administration of the St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) operated 'Stay Warm saving scheme' on a pilot basis between 2015-2017.  During this time, the Department provided approximately €170,000 which was used to cover scheme running costs including staff expenses, marketing and promotion, and printing costs.  The SVP submitted a review of the scheme to the Department towards the end of the pilot period but the Department did not pursue involvement in a national rollout of the scheme. A key focus of my Department since then has instead been the enhancement of SEAI energy efficiency retrofitting supports available to lower income households and significantly increasing the funding available for these schemes. Funding levels increased from €20 million in 2016 to €109 million in 2021.

During this period the Fuel Allowance season was also extended by the Minister for Social Protection and income supports were increased. The Fuel Allowance has increased from €22.50 per week during the 2016/2017 heating season to €28 weekly from 4 January 2021. The Fuel Allowance payment, which is equivalent to €784 each year, is provided to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021 to assist these households with their energy costs. In addition, the Minister for Social Protection also provides an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (80)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11616/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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. 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 National Broadband Ireland that, as of 24 February 2021, over 181,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Monaghan in the areas of Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, Stranooden, Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore and Clonooney. Other areas which will be surveyed include Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley. Pre-build works have started in the areas around Corncassa, Cotolvin, Ballybay and Stranooden. Further details are available on specific areas within County Monaghan 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, [e-mail], 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 24 February, 275 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 accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Corduff Community Centre (8.25 Kilometres from the premises), Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Corcaghan Community Centre, Carn Resource Centre, Mullyash Community Centre and Monaghan GAA Centre of Excellence. BCP sites are installed and connected at Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Ballybay Wetlands and Latton Resource Centre.  Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. 

Annalitten National School, Drumgossatt National School and Saint Brigids 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/.

Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 50.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (82)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

82. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to establishing a national anti-illegal dumping campaign; if he is satisfied that current measures to prevent dumping are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11657/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy contains a range of actions designed to enhance waste enforcement, protect human health and the environment, provide a strong deterrent effect and bring about long term behavioural change. These include: - an enhanced role for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs),

- the development of an anti-dumping toolkit for use by  local authorities,

- the development of an illegal and unauthorised sites action plan to assist local authorities,

- greater use of fixed penalty notices,

- data-proofing of waste legislation to facilitate the use of available and emerging technologies in a manner which is GDPR-compliant; and

- a new national communications and education programme, building on the work of the Waste Communications Strategy Group and the Waste Advisory Group.

I launched the national anti-dumping awareness communications campaign, "Your County, Your Waste" in November 2020, as part of the 2020 Anti-Dumping Initiative.  It includes a tailored suite of information and awareness messaging for use by local authorities and community and voluntary groups.

Over €3 million was allocated to local authorities in 2020 under the national Anti-Dumping Initiative and, while allocations for 2021 have yet to be finalised, my Department will continue to provide funding to local authorities under the Initiative to enable them to work in partnership with community organisations in identifying problem areas, developing appropriate prevention and enforcement responses and carrying out appropriate clean-up operations.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (83, 84)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

83. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of illegal dumping to Cork City Council from 2018 to 2020; the number of fines issued for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11658/21]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

84. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the cost of illegal dumping to Cork County Council from 2018 to 2020; the number of fines issued for each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11659/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.

Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). My Department does not compile statistics in relation to costs incurred or fines imposed by individual local authorities.

The EPA compiles comparative statistics on local authority performance relating to their waste enforcement activity under the Recommended Criteria for Environmental Inspection (RMCEI) process. Their most recent report in this regard is for the period 2018 and is available on their website at www.epa.ie. The 2019 report is due for publication in March of this year.

Information is also available through the Local Government Management Agency’s series of service indicators annual reports which are available from the publications section of the LGMA’s website https://lgma.ie/en/publications/performance-indicators/noac-performance-indicators-report-2019.pdf

The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA) Annual Report for 2019, available at www.werla.ie also contains useful data regarding actions taken by the wider local authority sector under the Waste Management Act.

Illegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law.  While enforcement action in this area is a matter in the first instance for local authorities. My Department encourages a multi-facetted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education and, as such, provides significant funding to support the activities of both the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and the national network of local authority waste enforcement officers. Questions in relation to the full annual costs of waste enforcement by individual local authorities should be directed towards those specific authorities.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (85)

Brian Stanley

Question:

85. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress being made regarding legislation to allow local authorities to erect CCTV cameras in locations to prevent dumping of waste; and when it will be brought before Dáil Éireann. [11733/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I refer to the reply to Question No [9032/21] of 18 February 2021.  The position is unchanged.

Environmental Policy

Questions (86)

Brian Stanley

Question:

86. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review and change its policy on the use of waste timber from the construction industry to allow it to be used for biomass in Ireland instead of it being exported for this same purpose. [11734/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I refer to the reply to Question No. 88 of 13 January 2021. The position is unchanged.

Warmer Homes Scheme

Questions (87)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

87. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter regarding the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11738/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. In 2020, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided to households under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme was over €14,800. Funding for the SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased to over €109 million in 2021. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. This funding remains available and will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades, making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government.

Individual applications to the Warmer Homes Scheme are an operational matter for the SEAI and as Minister I have no role in such matters. However in reference to the case raised by the Deputy, I have been informed by the SEAI that the home received a pre works survey in November 2020 and works were scheduled to commence in January 2021. I understand that the home is due to receive extensive insulation works that will require entry to the home by contractors.

Works under the Scheme are currently suspended in line with the Level 5 COVID-19 public health measures announced by Government on 6 January. Works will recommence as soon as the public health advice allows. While it is appreciated that this disruption is unwelcome for many, the central consideration must be the minimisation of risk for homeowners and property occupants, contractors, their employees as well as the wider community. SEAI will update contractors on any relevant changes to the public health guidance and relevant restrictions. I understand that the contractor has also been in ongoing contact with the homeowner to explain this delay. 

National Broadband Plan

Questions (88)

Niall Collins

Question:

88. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a community (details supplied) will receive fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11794/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Question refers to premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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. 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 National Broadband Ireland that, as of 25 February 2021, over 181,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In Co Limerick, surveying has been completed or is underway in the areas of Killalee, Caherline, Ballynanty, Pallaskenny, Toreen, Old Kildimo, Askeaton, Adare, Croagh, Rathkeale, Kilfinny, Croom, Ballingarry, Patrickswell, Crecora, Banogue Cross, Granagh, Lees Cross and Ballykennedy.  Pre-build works have started in townlands outside Limerick City including Mungret, Patrickswell, Crecora, Castleconnell and Caherconlish. Further details are available on specific areas within County Limerick 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, [e-mail], 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 25 February, 275 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 accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs.  A BCP site is installed at Glenmore Community Centre and the site at Caherline Community Centre is installed and connected.  Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. 

Anglesboro National School, Gerald Griffin National School, Knocknadea National School, Limerick East Educate Together National School, Dromdarrig, Mungret and Tinnatarriff 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/.

With regard to the matter raised in relation to GSM coverage, providing telecommunication services is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent regulator.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (89)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

89. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households per county not in the intervention area of the national broadband plan who have contacted the Department unable to get high speed broadband from service providers in the area. [11805/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

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. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in any given area and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.

My Department receives a high volume of queries on the National Broadband Plan which cover a range of issues including those premises in BLUE areas which are experiencing broadband difficulties. Queries are dealt with on a case by case basis and the specific information sought in the Question is not available.  

Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.

In the event that, having exhausted the above options, a premises located in the BLUE area still cannot get high speed broadband from service providers in the area, they should contact my Department at [e-mail] with full details and the matter will be investigated by my officials. The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area.

Waste Management

Questions (90)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

90. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when legislation will be introduced to enable a deposit return scheme for cans and bottles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11898/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The roadmap for the introduction of a deposit and return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans in 2022 is outlined in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy launched last September.  The legislative basis for the delivery of a DRS will be provided through the transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment- commonly referred to as the Single Use Plastics Directive. This Directive must be transposed by 3 July 2021. 

A public consultation focusing on the preferred DRS model and the draft legislative framework will be launched before the end of Q1 2021.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (91)

Robert Troy

Question:

91. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will be able to avail of efibre broadband. [11914/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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. 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 National Broadband Ireland that, as of 24 February 2021, over 181,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete in County Longford in the areas of Drumlish, Ennybegs, Moat Farrell, Cullyfad, Longford Town, Newtownforbes, Cloondara, Stonepark, Ardagh, Moydow and Kilashee. Further details are available on specific areas within County Longford 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, [e-mail], 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 24 February, 275 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 accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Colmcille GAA Club, Corlea Heritage Center, Aughine Community Centre (5.71 Kilometres from the premises). Sites at Ballymore Shamrocks GAA Club and Mullinalaghta Community Centre are installed and connected. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. 

Naomh Guasachta National School (Bunlahy) is installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative and Fermoyle National School is installed and connected. 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/.

Better Energy Communities Programme

Questions (92)

Martin Browne

Question:

92. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on expanding the communities energy grant scheme to allow grants to be made available to community organisations and not-for-profit businesses who have very limited finances available to them to meet their costs under the scheme; his further views on making grants available to these organisations for standalone projects such as the installation of solar panels without the need for large projects to be undertaken; his views on whether allowing grants for standalone projects in this way would result in cost savings that could lead these organisations to be in a position to carry out larger-scale projects in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11938/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The SEAI Community Energy Grants Scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. These partnerships can be between the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers.  By using an aggregated approach to retrofit, the scheme can deliver energy improvements more efficiently and cost effectively than might otherwise be possible.  In 2020, SEAI supported 25 projects under the Communities Energy Grant Scheme with total Government funding of €18.7 million offered. For 2021, the budget for the scheme has been expanded to €30 million.  A number of other improvements to the scheme were also introduced for the most recent call for projects including an increase in the maximum funding for projects, a longer period of time for projects to be delivered and a reduction in the evaluation period during the application process.  Not for profit/community based organisations can receive grants of up to 50% under the scheme, subject to State Aid rules as appropriate.  Further information is available here: https://www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/. 

Given that the central priority for the scheme is building energy efficiency, projects are required to demonstrate a building fabric first approach as opposed to prioritising the installation of solar panels in isolation.  By supporting community organisations and not-for-profit businesses to become more energy efficient, the Scheme helps them to make savings  through lower energy bills. Action 30 of the Climate Action Plan commits to the delivery of a framework for micro-generation from renewable technologies, including solar PV, with a view to commencement of a support scheme in 2021 to ensure that people can generate electricity for their own use and sell excess electricity, if any, back to the grid, whilst ensuring principles of equity, self-consumption and energy efficiency first are incorporated.

Energy Efficiency

Questions (93)

Steven Matthews

Question:

93. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review the reports on the 2017-2018 pilot programme that was run through the SEAI that sought to increase the energy efficiency of schools; and if such a scheme will be reintroduced and include grant funding for improvements such as installing LED lights to replace existing fittings. [12002/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Public Sector Pathfinder Programme is aimed at testing retrofit approaches, building capacity and developing a scalable model that can be replicated across the wider public sector. The schools initiative within the programme is co-funded by my Department and the Department of Education.  

The Public Sector Pathfinder Programme is reviewed on a regular basis. While the programme currently supports the replacement of lighting with high-efficiency alternatives, it can only do so as part of a wider energy efficiency upgrade that includes elements such as the building insulation and heating system.

Since 2017, my Department has contributed over €36 million to the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme, €10 million of which has supported energy efficiency measures in schools. The 2021 budget for the programme is €21 million.  

Information on eligibility criteria for proposed projects under the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme along with other grant supports and advisory services, made available through the SEAI and funded by my Department, is available at www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/ In addition, the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan have set out a number of targets for the public sector in 2030. These include:- An energy efficiency improvement target of 50%- A decarbonisation target of at least 50%- All public buildings to achieve a Better Energy Rating level of at least B  

My Department is working with other Departments across Government to achieve these targets.