Written Answers Nos. 178-204
178. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Climate Change Advisory Council; the areas of expertise which will be covered through the appointment of additional members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12900/21]
View answerSection 8 of the Climate and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 established the Climate Change Advisory Council. The Council, which is independent in the performance of its functions, provides advice to Government in respect of climate matters. In view of the statutory five-year term of the current Council expiring; the need to facilitate the smooth functioning of the Council, including its intended mandate to propose carbon budgets under the Bill; and the need to ensure relevant deadlines relating to the development of carbon budgets as set out in the Bill are met, I have recently made the following initial appointments as members of the new Climate Change Advisory Council:
- Ms. Marie Donnelly, Chairperson
- Professor John FitzGerald, Ordinary Member
- Professor Ottmar Edenhofer, Ordinary Member
- Professor Peter Thorne, Ordinary Member
I also intend to appoint additional members shortly, taking account of the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. Further appointments will include experts in relation to biodiversity, just transition, sustainable transport, and climate communications, amongst other areas of experience set out under the provisions of the Bill.
The existing four ex-officio members of the Council, the Director General of the EPA, the Chief Executive Officer of SEAI, the Director of Teagasc, and the Director of the ESRI, will remain in place on the Council pending the passage of the Bill.
179. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of students who undertook work experience or internships with State and semi-State agencies under his aegis in 2019; the cost in terms of wages and allowances; and the estimated numerical capacity of State and semi-State agencies to provide work experience and internships on an annual basis. [12953/21]
View answerThe information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each body. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
180. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the national retrofitting programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1580/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. The development of the national retrofit programme to achieve these targets is well underway. Some €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year 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. This allocation has facilitated the expansion and improvement of existing SEAI grant schemes and the introduction of new initiatives. The funding has already supported calls for projects under the new National Retrofit (One-Stop-Shop Development) scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme as well as a €47 million increase in funding for energy poverty schemes. Further SEAI administered retrofit initiatives will be launched in the coming months.
A further allocation of €65 million has been provided to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the retrofitting of local authority homes.
It is essential that appropriate structures and governance arrangements are put in place to help us meet our retrofit targets. For that reason, another key development was the designation of the SEAI as the National Retrofit Delivery Office. Significant additional resources have been provided to SEAI to increase the capacity of the organisation to drive delivery of our retrofit targets.
183. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to develop geothermal energy in Ireland given its potential to provide a significant proportion of the country’s heating; if there are areas of the country more suited to this type of energy source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1416/21]
View answerGeothermal is a secure, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective source of renewable energy. In particular, geothermal energy can help decarbonise our heating sector, which accounts for roughly a third of Ireland's energy consumption. Research has shown that resources suitable for district heating and other applications are most likely to be found in the East, Midlands and Southwest of Ireland. In addition, new modelling may indicate that Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and Cork have potential for deep untapped reservoirs of geothermal heat.
Its current usage in Ireland is mainly confined to shallow geothermal for small-scale projects such as domestic heating. The Government has supported the drive to increase the use of geothermal energy in Ireland through research and mapping by the SEAI and Geological Survey Ireland.
Further realisation of deeper geothermal resources requires our continued support and the Government is actively developing a policy and regulatory framework for the sector. On 18 November 2020 my Department published two papers, available at gov.ie
- An Assessment of Geothermal Energy for District Heating in Ireland; and
- Geothermal Energy in Ireland, A roadmap for a policy and regulatory framework.
The next steps include:
- further research and acquisition of additional data to improve our understanding of geothermal potential led by Geological Survey Ireland;
- the development of a draft policy statement on geothermal energy to be published for consultation;
- a final policy for Government consideration;
and, if approved;
- preparation of supporting legislation setting out the new regulatory framework .
I encourage people and organisations who are interested in helping shape the future of geothermal energy in Ireland to examine the above documents and to make contact with my Department; contact details are available on gov.ie.
184. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the process for the setting up and distribution of community dividend and benefit funds associated with wind and solar energy projects; if there is a public record available of the community dividend and benefit funds allocated to date for such developments in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13133/21]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main government support vehicle to deliver on Ireland’s 70% renewable electricity target by 2030 and it includes provisions for community participation and benefit. All projects successful in a RESS auction must establish a Community Benefit Fund. The contribution for each project has been set at €2 per megawatt-hour. These funds will be aligned to incentivise investment in local renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and climate action initiatives, as well as other worthy local causes.
My Department has already committed to the publication of a National Register and a RESS Community Benefit Fund Good Practice Principles Handbook by July 2021. The latter will lay out guidance on how the new funds will be managed and administered and the need to ensure community participation in fund decision-making via the establishment of a local committee. My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are developing a draft of this guidance which will be made available for public consultation shortly. The Register will track all projects and payments over the lifetime of the RESS and will be publicly available.
Information in relation to existing community benefit funds is not available in my Department. I understand, however, that Wind Energy Ireland publishes details of existing community benefit funds annually.
185. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the geothermal energy development Bill; when it is likely to be advanced further; the reason for the delay in advancing the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13137/21]
View answerI am keen to ensure that a modern, robust policy and regulatory framework is in place to support the increased use of geothermal energy in Ireland. In this regard, I recently announced plans for developing such a framework for the sector. On 18 November 2020 my Department published two papers, available at gov.ie.
- An Assessment of Geothermal Energy for District Heating in Ireland; and
- Geothermal Energy in Ireland, A roadmap for a policy and regulatory framework.
The next steps in progressing the policy and regulatory framework being undertaken by my Department include:
- further research and acquisition of additional data to improve our understanding of geothermal potential led by Geological Survey Ireland;
- the development of a draft policy statement on geothermal energy to be published for consultation;
- a final policy for Government consideration;
and, if approved;
- preparation of supporting legislation setting out the new regulatory framework.
I encourage people and organisations who are interested in helping shape the future of geothermal energy in Ireland to examine the above documents and to make contact with my Department; contact details are available on gov.ie
186. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13168/21]
View answerThe 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 under way.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 3 March 2021, nearly 187,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Cavan in the areas of Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun and Erne Hill. Main build works commenced outside Cavan town including Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles and Caughoo (in the south of the county). Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan 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.
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 3 March, 287 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 Gallonray House Gallonreagh Maudabawn, Kildallan Parish Hall, Killenkere Leisure Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre, Bunnoe Community Centre (5.9 Kilometres from the premises), Drumavaddy Community Centre, Templeport Community Centre, Cornafean Community Centre, Mullahoran Community Centre and Glengevlin Community Hall. The site at Castlerahan Community Centre is installed and connected. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Laragh National School is planned 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/.
187. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will undertake to ensure the provision of high-speed broadband connection to a household (details supplied) in County Dublin; when a high-speed connection will be available to the residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13192/21]
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. 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 the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
Premises in the area referenced in the Question are served directly from the local eir exchange. Our records indicate that eir is currently providing a minimum speed of 30Mbps to the premises referred to in the Question and to all the premises within the housing estate.
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 broadband@decc.gov.ie with full details and the matter will be investigated by my officials.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the broadband roll-out throughout the country can be expedited with a view to ensure the availability of sufficient connectivity to enable the maximum number of citizens to work from home or from hubs where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/21]
View answer190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new broadband connections being made on a monthly basis notwithstanding the lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 190 together.
A combination of commercial investment and the State led intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure access to high speed broadband in every part of the country and no premises will be left behind, no matter how remote. Of the 2.4 million premises across Ireland, 77% of premises now have access to high-speed broadband of more than 30 Mbps. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) will address the remaining premises through the NBP State led intervention.
The NBP State led Intervention will be delivered by NBI under a contract 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.
In addition, a number of commercial operators have announced further investment plans in high-speed broadband. Eir has said it will roll out fibre to a further 1.4 million premises, bringing their fibre deployment to some 1.8 million premises. SIRO is currently completing the first phase of its fibre deployment which will see 375,000 premises passed with gigabit services. Virgin Media is offering 250Mbps as a standard offering with 500Mbps and 1Gbps available to many of their customers across the more than 1 million premises that they cover. Many other network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks.
The latest available Comreg Key Data Report on broadband for Q3, 2020 shows that fixed broadband subscriptions increased to 1.5 million which is an increase of 0.8% for that quarter and an increase of 3.6% compared to Q3, 2019. Of these, over 223k were fibre to the premises (FTTP) subscriptions representing 14.8% of the total fixed broadband in Q3 2020 which is up from 9.9% in Q3 2019. In Q3, 2020 approximately 80.4% of broadband subscribers had purchased broadband with speeds equal to or greater than 30Mbps. Of all fixed broadband subscriptions 40.8% of subscribers purchased broadband speeds equal to or greater than 100Mbps. According to Eurostat, in 2019 Ireland’s household penetration rate (including fixed and mobile broadband) at 90% is slightly higher than the EU average of 89%.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 3 March 2021, nearly 187,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Further details are available on specific areas 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.
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 3 March, 287 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.
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/.
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. The Programme for Government commits 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 deployment. 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 which are also the subject of detailed discussions with NBI.
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to ensure the provision of reliable high-speed broadband to industrial hubs throughout the country in order to address communication deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13221/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State-led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract 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. 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 and currently include primary schools, community centres, sports centres, agricultural marts, industrial estates and post offices. To date most of that activity has focussed on community halls, sports centres and schools.
My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. An acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
While schools are now clearly the main focus of this element of the NBP, other locations of a strategic nature in the intervention area continue to be assessed for the purposes of this element of the NBP.
BCPs are a subset of a much wider national network of hubs. In this regard the Department of Rural & Community Development are chairing an inter-departmental working group which is seeking to enhance and promote the visibility of this national network and, as part of this exercise, are exploring the range of services that these facilities will offer.
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which air quality is being protected; the degree to which the measures in place are achieving the desired result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13223/21]
View answer192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the monitoring of air quality has shown the need for additional measures in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality and national emissions levels in Ireland. The most recent report on Ireland’s air quality can be found at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/quality/epaairqualityreport2019.html, and the most recent report on our annual emissions is available at http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/airemissions/airpollutantemissions/iir2020/ .
These reports serve to inform the policies and measures that are required to improve our air quality and which are detailed in Ireland’s National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP). The updated NAPCP can be accessed at: https://assets.gov.ie/124969/bff8ac05-f314-4f91-9755-907c8da3ef27.pdf
Enforcement actions under the Air Pollution Act are a matter for Local Authorities who have a range of powers available to them to assist them in protecting the quality of our air. These include the authority to undertake inspections of premises and vehicles, to bring prosecutions, and issue fixed payment notices as required.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a regional approach to air quality enforcement. 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 legislation across the country. A coordinated approach is required given the links between burning of solid fuels and the health effects of air pollution, as well as the potential for market distortion for businesses properly adhering to the regulations. Increased multi-agency inspections and enforcement, including the increased use of fixed payment notices, are required and my Department is fully committed to supporting Local Authorities in this regard.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the international community continues to ameliorate or exacerbate climate change trends; the measures taken or proposed to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13225/21]
View answer194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the international community accepts the need to contribute to the fight against climate change in a meaningful way; the steps or actions that would need to be taken to achieve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
Climate change remains a trans-boundary challenge that can only be addressed through committed ambition and effective multilateral cooperation at the international level. The consequences of failure are catastrophic, particularly for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will hold its 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from 1 to 12 November 2021. While the Paris Agreement is delivering on raising global climate ambition, further effort is required. A positive outcome at COP26 is critical to secure increased effort to avoid and prevent irreversible climate change.
Ireland is committed to concerted global effort to address the climate challenge and engages in negotiations under UNFCCC through its membership of the European Union (EU). The EU continues to retain its leadership role on climate ambition and mobilising and supporting action of other Parties.
The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The European Council has agreed, at its meeting in December 2020, to increase the EU's 2030 target to reduce emissions by at least 55% relative to 1990 levels. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target will be presented by June 2021, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States, including Ireland. Ireland fully supports the enhanced ambition at EU level to increase the EU 2030 target to at least 55% emissions reduction.
195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in achieving targets as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019 with particular reference to the decarbonisation of the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/21]
View answerThe 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 a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The policies and measures in Climate Action Plan 2019 are designed to ensure that Ireland meets this target. Within the Climate Action Plan there are specific targets for the energy sector to meet. The Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. The development of the National Retrofit Programme to achieve these targets is well underway. €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year 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. This allocation has facilitated the expansion and improvement of existing SEAI grant schemes and the introduction of new initiatives. The funding has already supported calls for projects under the new National Retrofit (One-Stop-Shop Development) Scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme, as well as a €47 million increase in funding for energy poverty schemes. Further SEAI administered retrofit initiatives will be launched in the coming months. The Climate Action Plan also sets a target for 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) published their Energy in Ireland report in December 2020, which is available at www.seai.ie. The report shows that the share of electricity generated by renewables was 37.6% in 2019, up from 33.0% in 2018. Wind was the largest share of renewable electricity at 32% with hydro at 2.8% and other renewables including biomass at 2.7%. The European Green Deal commits to delivering net zero greenhouse gas emissions at EU level by 2050 and increasing the EU-wide emissions reduction target from 40% to up to at least 55% by 2030, to align with the goal of the Paris Agreement limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Ireland fully supports the enhanced ambition at EU level. This ambition aligns with our Programme for Government commitment to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade) and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Work is currently underway across Government through the development of a new Climate Action Plan for 2021. This plan will include additional policies and measures in every sector to bring about the significant changes needed to transform our society. Furthermore, the Government is undertaking a review of the National Development Plan (NDP), which will look at the necessary capital investment in areas such as energy, transport and the built environment to support delivery of the Programme for Government commitment.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which progress is being made towards the reduction of emissions in line with EU and international targets without negative impact on the agrifood sector; if it is possible at this stage to identify enhanced progress in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13228/21]
View answerThe 2009 EU Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC established annual greenhouse gas emission targets for the period 2013-2020 for Ireland. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below 2005 levels. The latest EPA projections show that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by our targets could be between 2-4% below 2005 levels. While these projections do not take into account the likely impact of Covid-19, they demonstrate the challenge we face to reduce emissions. The EU itself has also an overall target of 20% emissions reduction by 2020 and has reported that it is well on track to meet this and is likely to exceed the target. The EU Effort Sharing Regulation EU/2018/842 (ESR) established binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States for the period 2021–2030. The ESR sets Ireland a target of a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The policies and measures in Climate Action Plan 2019 are designed to ensure that Ireland meets this target. Ireland’s target is expected to increase in line with ambition under the EU Green Deal to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 versus 1990 levels.
As set out in the Programme for Government, we are committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with EU ambitions. It also recognises the special economic and social role of agriculture and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane, as described by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in terms of plans and strategies to achieve these targets.
While emissions from the agrifood sector have continued to increase, Irish agriculture has a positive international reputation in terms of producing high quality, sustainable produce. The long-term challenge for the sector is to meet the national policy objective of an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise our capacity for sustainable food production. The Government is committed to finding the balance between environmental, climate and biodiversity needs and supports for farmers.
The existing Climate Action Plan includes measures for the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to deliver in order to ensure we meet our existing targets. This is underpinned by actions aimed at: reducing emissions on our farms by vigorously adopting the abatement opportunities identified by Teagasc; promoting diversification of land use as part of a gradual transition; harnessing opportunities in the bioeconomy; realising the potential of sustainable bioenergy supply opportunities; better management of our peatlands and soils; and developing clusters of exemplar practice.
The 2021 Climate Action Plan will further evolve the role agriculture and in particular the agrifood industry play in supporting our climate ambitions, and responsibilities. We are working to identify actions to support increased carbon removals. Land-use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and provides a new source of family farm income and rural economic benefit. As well as developing the next Climate Action Plan, we are evaluating the potential climate contributions from land use improvements, to set in train the development of a land land-use strategy.
And finally, we recognise the interlinked role the agriculture and agrifood sectors have with the waste sector and are committed to supporting the agrifood sector to evolve Ireland’s capability as a leader in circular economies. We are investing in research in the agrifood sector to prioritise investment in climate and the bio-economy and will implement the National Policy Statement on the Bio-economy, providing the agrifood sector with new opportunities using biological resources in a sustainable and circular manner.
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the development of a new national digital strategy with particular reference to national connectivity being delivered by the national broadband plan; if specific targets in respect of this strategy have been identified; the progress to date in achieving same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13229/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Digital Strategy which will utilise the increased level of national connectivity that is being delivered by the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Preliminary work, co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, had been undertaken on a draft strategy in the lifetime of the previous Government and the experience of Covid-19 has only emphasised the importance of digital technologies to people’s daily lives.
Enhanced connectivity will be used to drive digital transformation in public services to deliver better outcomes for citizens. The NBP will provide the necessary supporting infrastructure to ensure a nationwide approach by ensuring all premises have high speed broadband access. In advance of the NBP fibre roll-out, Broadband Connection points are being established in remote rural locations to enhance connectivity.
It is anticipated that further work on digitalisation will be undertaken as the plans for economic recovery are developed and lessons are learnt from how Irish society has deployed and relied upon digital technology during the pandemic.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in achieving targets as set out in the waste action plan for a circular economy with particular reference to the reduction of plastic; if targets set in respect of a ban of single use plastics have been met or are on target to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13231/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy outlines the measures Ireland is taking under the Single Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904) to substantially reduce the amount of single use plastic items we use and to sustainably manage the waste arising from those we do. The Directive will be transposed by the deadline of 3rd July 2021 and from that date single use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, balloon and cotton bud sticks may not be placed on the Irish market. This ban will also apply to expanded polystyrene cups and food containers and all products containing oxo-degradable plastic. The Plan also contains our commitment to lead EU efforts on dealing with disposable coffee cups through a prohibition on the use of these cups for sit-in purposes, a latte levy and an eventual ban on disposable coffee cups and cold drinks cups and introduce a Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. I will shortly be publishing the draft regulatory framework for the DRS for public consultation.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of broadband connection points installed in County Kildare in the past three years to date; the number of installations planned over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13232/21]
View answerBroadband 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 3 March, 287 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. Crookstown Further Education and Training and Community Centre along with Bigstone Community Hall have now been connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, with Lullymore Heritage Park planned over the coming months. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Rathmore National School and Saint David's National School in Naas have been installed and will be connected by the retail service provider shortly for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise other 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 has been agreed 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/.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that carbon emissions throughout the EU are measured equally with a view to ensuring that the more developed countries in the EU do not have the advantage over expanding economies such as Ireland to ensure an evenly spread advantage or disadvantage throughout the EU and noting in particular the relatively low rate of heavy carbon emitting industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13233/21]
View answerArticle 13.7 of the Paris Agreement, of which both the EU and its Member States are signatories, requires signed parties to provide regular greenhouse gas emissions inventories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in order to track both a country’s achievement of their nationally determined contributions and climate policies as well as regional climate policies, and the world's progress in limiting global warming. The UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual inventories for Annex I Parties (which covers EU Member States) require that Annex I Parties should use the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories to measure emissions inventories. This ensures consistency of measurement across Member States. Emissions from heavy industry in the EU are managed under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The EU ETS limits emissions from more than 11,000 heavy energy-using power stations, industrial plants and airlines. In Ireland, our ETS sector accounts for 25% of our emissions, with the remaining 75% in the non-ETS sector. This compares to an EU average of 39% ETS and 61% non-ETS. As the target for the EU ETS is set on an EU level, there is a level playing field for participants in the scheme across all EU Member States.
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the cost of producing electricity here compares with other countries throughout Europe with particular reference to maintaining competitiveness throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13235/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to providing the reliable supply of safe, secure and clean energy in order to deliver a phase-out of fossil fuels. This means Ireland must deliver on its commitment to reach 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and that this must be planned and delivered in a cost-effective way that minimises costs to consumers. The SEAI report on Electricity and Gas Prices in Ireland (Jan – June) 2020 sets out the breakdown of electricity prices based on energy & supply, network costs, renewable taxes, capacity taxes, environmental taxes and other costs. Section 4.1.6 on page 40 of the report provides a breakdown of costs to non-households (business). Table 28 shows the breakdown of these costs for all EU member states in terms of cent per kilowatt hour. The report is available online at https://www.seai.ie/publications/Price-Directive-1st-Semester-2020.pdf
The SEAI, in its Energy in Ireland 2020 report, available at https://www.seai.ie/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2020.pdf , shows in Table 22, Page 61, that electricity prices to Irish industry rose by 2% in real terms between 2015 and 2019. The fuel mix for electricity generation is one factor that has a key bearing on the variation in the price of electricity. I n the EU, Ireland has a high overall dependency for electricity generation on fossil fuels, at 69%.
Since 2015, energy prices in Ireland have increased by 6.7% in real terms, compared with an average increase of 1.6% in OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Europe, and a 1.4% decrease in the United States over the same period based on data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). In 2019, overall energy prices in Ireland were 4.3% higher than in 2018, compared with an increase of 1.1% in OECD Europe and a 3.9% decrease in the US.
202. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the recent national efforts on assessing and improving quality of inland waters particularly in the context of the health of inland fish stocks. [13295/21]
View answerMonitoring, assessing and addressing water quality falls within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Environmental Protection Agency and local authorities operating under a suite of national and EU legislation. My Department via Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), contributes to national water quality efforts via the monitoring of the health of fish stocks and reporting to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
While this is a small component of the overall national effort, I consider it an important contribution, as fish health trends are among the most practical barometers of water quality. A formal agreement is in place with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to carry out this work and IFI are committed to maintaining this contribution.
203. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a recently built local authority housing estate (details provided) with no provision for broadband due to a lack of landline infrastructure; and if he will engage with the relevant authorities to resolve the issue. [13332/21]
View answerI understand the importance of telecommunication services, particularly at a time where restrictions are in place and when people are relying much more on these electronic communications services. The Estate in question is located in the BLUE area of the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department’s website at www.broadband.gov.ie. Blue areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
That being said, my Department will investigate this matter with the relevant authorities and will revert to the Deputy with a further update.
204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason low-income pensioners who own their own homes are precluded from availing of SEAI home energy grants for wall insulation in cases in which they received support previously for attic insulation in view of the fact that wall insulation was not covered by the grant originally; his views on whether this is fair or reasonable for low income pensioners who struggle to afford to heat their homes; the reason a review of the scheme has not yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13475/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. There are currently over 7,800 homes on the scheme work programme. This includes homes that: are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting an initial survey. The homeowners on the work programme have never received any works previously under the scheme.
SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2020, the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months. This has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. The average time for a surveyor to be allocated over this period was approximately 8 months. My Department is in regular contact with the SEAI in relation to the operation of the Scheme. Work in relation to recommendations on the implementation of changes to the scheme including the issue of repeat upgrade visits has been ongoing in recent months and is nearing completion. In addition, funding for the SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased to over €109 million in 2021 - an increase of €47 million on last year.
Furthermore, delivery capacity has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020.
I have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme.
