Written Answers Nos. 51-75
52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which Ireland performed in 2020 as per the programme for Government commitment to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1417/21]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares inventories of past greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland on an annual basis. Inventories are compiled by the EPA according to international standards to meet EU and UN reporting obligations and to inform national policy development.
The EPA, together with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland recently released a report entitled ‘The impact on 2020 greenhouse gas emissions of COVID-19 restrictions’. The report gives a first indication of Ireland’s 2020 emissions and projects they will be 6% below emissions in 2019. Emissions from the transport sector have seen the largest fall and are estimated to have reduced by almost 17% from 2017 levels. On the other hand, emissions from the residential sector are estimated to have increased by 9% in 2020, as many people have been working from home. The report also states that focusing on climate action as part of a green recovery stimulus offers the opportunity to rebuild our economy, generate new jobs and respond to climate change. This is in line with Government policy.
The Programme for Government has a Green New Deal for Ireland as a core mission. It commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 - a 51% reduction over the decade - and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the latter being consistent with EU 2050 ambition. I have supported increased climate ambition at EU level through the European Green Deal, while asserting the importance of cost-effectiveness and fairness across Member States in pursuit of increased ambition. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, which I will shortly take to Government for approval to publish following pre-legislative scrutiny, will significantly strengthen the governance structure in supporting Ireland’s response to climate breakdown, including achieving our 2030 climate goals.
53. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has taken action to protect the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, the only gold reserve in the northern hemisphere, from light pollution and other forms of interference. [13092/21]
View answerThere is currently no legislation in Ireland dealing specifically with environmental light pollution, and my Department has no role in this regard. I am advised that the amount of light that might emanate from a proposed development is considered in assessing individual planning applications on a case by case basis. However there is no specific national strategy in place in relation to 'light pollution' under environmental legislation.
The designation by the International Dark-Sky Association of 700 square kilometres on the Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry, as the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Ireland has been a significant addition to the county’s rich tourism profile.
I understand that the Deputy is concerned with the potential impact of a pilot communications antennae project in the Black Valley area of Kerry. I further understand that officials at the Department of Rural and Community Development were contacted by a company which was interested in exploring possible sites for a small-scale pilot deployment of the company's equipment in the State, in line with the provisions of a trial license issued by the Commission for Communications Regulation.
The company was provided with the contact details for the Local Authority Broadband Officers by the Department of Rural and Community Development. They also addressed the monthly Broadband Officers network meeting on 25 February 2021.
The decision to proceed with the pilot is a matter for the relevant Local Authority and my Department has had no role in the matter.
54. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider introducing a public service obligation to help sustain the nationwide post office sector. [13093/21]
View answerA lot of work has been done over the past few years to develop the post office network and this has had a positive effect for both postmasters and customers. This momentum needs to be maintained and if An Post, the postmasters and Government work together we can ensure that the network can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community-focused services.
An Post last week announced a new partnership with Bank of Ireland to offer personal and SME withdrawal and lodgement services to Bank of Ireland customers across the An Post network of 940 post offices nationwide. This follows the announcement by Bank of Ireland that it is to close over 100 of its offices in Ireland. This builds on the agency banking services An Post already provides for a number of other leading banks including AIB and Ulster Bank with more than 4.5 million transactions and a cash value of almost €1.5bn annually.
While it is longstanding Government policy that postal services will not be directly subsidised by the Government, we remain fully committed to a sustainable post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. I met with representatives of the Irish Postmasters' Union last week to discuss the future of the network and how Government can support it's continued viability.
Government believes An Post has untapped potential to do more and make a further significant contribution across many areas of public, business and community life in Ireland. As a first step, Government noted the Offline Services Report this week and agreed to establish an Inter -Departmental Group co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to examine the feasibility of directing more Government business to the post office network; that Group will report back to Government by the end of July.
In the circumstances, there are no proposals to introduce a Government funded subsidy for the post office network.
55. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement with mobile phone operators in relation to roaming charges post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1332/21]
View answerEU "Roam Like at Home" in effect since 15 June 2017, provides Irish and EU consumers with the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to Fair Use Policy. The regulation covers data services, voice and SMS.
Albeit that the "Roam Like at Home" has functioned well to date, in order to ensure market certainty and to minimise regulatory burden, the European Commission published a new proposal in February, to prolong the existing approach in relation to caps, derogations and fair use policy for a period of ten years, allowing for possible wholesale caps adjustment in 2026. From a consumer’s perspective, the revised regulation should improve quality of services when roaming, avoid bill shocks in terms of value added services while abroad, as well as ensure that consumers get access to emergency services like at home.
ComReg the independent telecoms regulator, is responsible for ensuring all providers meet relevant obligations in areas such as roaming alerts. ComReg also has information for customers in relation to roaming on their website.
My Department is in ongoing contact with industry and with ComReg and following Brexit, no changes in consumers' experience of using their mobile phone on the island of Ireland have been reported. While this is primarily a commercial matter for industry, operators have indicated they have no plans to change current arrangements and are continuing to apply the current roam like at home regime from January 2021 onwards. Going forward the situation will continue to be monitored.
56. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce emissions from the dairy farming sector as part of Ireland’s efforts to reach an average of 7% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions given the State-led intensification of dairy farming has led to higher methane and nitrous oxide emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1419/21]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2019 sets out a range of emissions reduction targets for the agriculture sector.
The Marginal Abatement Cost Curve, or MACC, produced by Teagasc has identified the most cost-effective pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Irish agriculture for the commitment period 2021 to 2030. In order to achieve our current EU 2030 emissions reduction target, the agricultural sector will need to achieve the full abatement potential identified in the MACC, which is an average abatement of 1.85 MtCOeq. per year from 2021 to 2030.
The step change in climate ambition set out in the Programme for Government will need to be reflected appropriately in the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan. Far reaching policy changes will be developed across every sector, including agriculture and the dairy industry, including:
·Building on Ireland's relative carbon efficiency in food production and ensuring the delivery of the measures identified by Teagasc to the fullest extent possible.
- Transforming the scale of organic farming, with delivery of a fair price for farmers at its heart.
- Developing a new strategy to expand afforestation, particularly Close to Nature Forestry and agro-forestry.
- Evaluating the potential role of sustainable bioenergy.
- Introducing a transformational programme of research and development, to ensure Ireland is at the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation, including in the bioeconomy; marine sequestration; improving agriculture breeding programmes; feed additives to reduce biogenic methane; agroforestry; paludiculture; and nutrient management.
Land-use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and provide a new source of family farm income and rural economic benefit. While the achievement of such improvements is not addressed in current EU policy, the Programme for Government commits to seeking to incentivise land use in the European Green Deal and broader EU policy. It also commits to evaluating the potential contributions towards our climate ambition from land-use improvements and set in train the development of a land-use plan, based on these findings.
It is important that the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) protects farm incomes and sectoral supports consistent with these objectives, and that the National Economic Plan and NDP Review frontloads investment that is directly aligned with our climate ambition.
57. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider promoting a scheme to have on-street compostable bins put in place as the value of compostable beverage cups is being lost when they go into the normal litter stream for incineration. [1493/21]
View answerWhile the provision of such on-street infrastructure is primarily a matter for Local Authorities I am determined to address the issue of waste arising from this source.
A central theme of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which I launched last September was to promote behavioural change to prevent waste arising in the first instance thus promoting the concept of a zero-waste future. In this regard the plan contains specific measures for dealing with the 22,000 coffee cups that are disposed of daily in Ireland. Over the lifetime of the plan, and working with a range of stakeholders, we will seek to eliminate this particular waste stream through a number of specific actions including:
- introducing a levy on single use coffee cups,
- trialling their elimination entirely in selected towns, Higher Education Institutions and other transport and commercial centres,
- introducing measures to ban their unnecessary use (eg. in sit-in locations) and obliging retailers to give a price reduction to consumers who use reusable cups,
- an eventual full ban on single-use disposable cups, including those made from compostable materials.
58. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if clarification will be provided in relation to the proposed Marine Planning and Development Management Bill; his plans to set up a State or semi-State body to harvest off-shore wind energy for the benefit of the State and to aIl of its climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/21]
View answerThe enactment of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill (MPDM) will provide a modern, up-to-date regulatory and marine planning framework for offshore renewable energy (ORE) developments beyond the limits of the foreshore, with flexibility in terms of the State’s involvement in the deployment of ORE to allow for a gradual transition from a more decentralised / developer-led regime towards a more centralised / plan-led regime.
Development of the Bill is being led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with my Department leading the development of provisions specific to offshore renewable energy. The General Scheme was approved by Government in December 2019. The Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in November / December 2020 and the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee was laid before the Houses on the 16th of February. Consideration of the report and recommendations is currently in progress.
The electricity generation market in Ireland, the Single Electricity Market (SEM), is liberalised and open to both state-owned and private enterprises to compete in line with the requirements of the EU internal energy market. As such, while state-owned bodies may own and operate offshore wind developments, these bodies do so on a commercial basis. ESB is already involved in a number of ventures in offshore wind generation asset development. In order to avoid undermining the competitive principles of the I-SEM, the State does not directly own or operate, or plan to own or operate, any such generation assets.
Instead, to progress towards the Programme for Government commitment of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, my department is developing the terms and conditions of the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (Offshore RESS). The Offshore RESS will be the means for supporting offshore wind developments via a competitive auction based framework.
60. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policy in relation to the replacement of solid fuels as peat is being phased out. [13078/21]
View answer90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans to address the concerns of households that rely on solid fuels for their heating while also recognising the need to improve air quality; if he has examined new schemes that can help such households transition to cleaner heating sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/21]
View answer113. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects to finalise and implement the solid fuel regulation following the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13277/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 90 and 113 together.
Each year 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to solid fuel burning. I am committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through a nationwide ban on smoky coal and enhanced regulation of other solid fuels.
We have taken the first step in this process by launching a public consultation, to ask for views on how we regulate all solid fuels that contribute to air pollution. There are no proposals to ban the use of peat, wood or briquettes - the objective is to reduce the level of emissions associated with burning these fuels through enhanced regulation and to protect human health.
In order to ensure that the system we put in place is as legally robust and as informed as possible, regulations will be introduced once the findings of the consultation have been fully considered and the required regulatory processes completed.
I am conscious that for some householders, burning solid fuel is the main or only way they have of heating their homes. The goal over the lifetime of this Government is to provide support to retrofit these homes and, in the interim, to ensure they can be heated in a way that improves public health. This is being supported by an allocation of €221 million for home and community retrofitting provided for in Budget 2021. This 82% increase on the 2020 budget is being funded through carbon tax revenue and includes €109 million in additional supports for low income homes.
61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the analysis his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department have carried out into the direct and indirect health costs to the State of burning petrol and diesel at ground level across Ireland and in particular in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/21]
View answerAs part of its on-going research funding, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supporting research at Trinity College Dublin into the impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on health, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups. NO2 is primarily a pollutant generated by traffic, and this study seeks to establish appropriate data which can determine the correlation between NO2 levels and the prescribing of drugs used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.
The EPA has also recently published the results of a separate study, “Particulate Matter from Diesel Vehicles: Emissions and Exposure”. This report considers the contribution of diesel and petrol vehicles to the level of PM2.5 emissions in Dublin, and so is a valuable gauge in assessing the extent to which health problems caused by PM2.5 may be associated with such vehicles.
Last year the European Public Health Alliance completed a study on the health costs of air pollution in European cities, and the linkage with transport, which focused on 432 cities across all Member States, including both Dublin and Cork cities. The report quantified and valued pollution-related health impacts, concluding that the total annual per capita cost is €836 in Dublin, and €756 in Cork. The overall average per capita cost across the EU was €1,276 per annum.
An initial report on the work of the Urban Transport-Related Air Pollution Working Group which is jointly chaired by my Departments will also be published shortly, and will include a range of recommendations to further address transport-related emissions.
62. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of intervention areas in counties Longford and Westmeath under the national broadband plan which have had surveys completed to date; and the percentage that remain awaiting a survey. [13083/21]
View answer159. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of survey work in intervention areas that has been completed to date under the national broadband plan by county, in tabular form. [12747/21]
View answer160. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of survey work in intervention areas that is currently underway under the national broadband plan by county, in tabular form. [12748/21]
View answer161. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of survey work in intervention areas that has yet to be started under the national broadband plan by county, in tabular form. [12749/21]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 62, 159, 160 and 161 together.
The 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.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 24 February, over 180,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. A breakdown of information sought in the Questions is set out in the table below.
|
COUNTY |
number of premises in the IA |
surveys completed |
% surveys completed |
% surveys underway or planned |
|
Carlow |
8,158. |
7,772. |
95% |
5% |
|
Cavan |
16,242. |
3,738. |
23% |
77% |
|
Clare |
22,592. |
3,556. |
16% |
84% |
|
Cork |
79,424. |
18,403. |
23% |
77% |
|
Donegal |
32,373. |
6,389. |
20% |
80% |
|
Dublin |
13,429. |
2,437. |
18% |
82% |
|
Galway |
38,714. |
14,914. |
39% |
61% |
|
Kerry |
26,905. |
16,382. |
61% |
39% |
|
Kildare |
13,859. |
2,818. |
20% |
80% |
|
Kilkenny |
18,300. |
5,951. |
33% |
67% |
|
Laois |
12,510. |
5,565. |
44% |
56% |
|
Leitrim |
11,595. |
3,576. |
31% |
69% |
|
Limerick |
21,231. |
8,583. |
40% |
60% |
|
Longford |
8,698. |
3,294. |
38% |
62% |
|
Louth |
8,344. |
7,845. |
94% |
6% |
|
Mayo |
36,495. |
6,895. |
19% |
81% |
|
Meath |
19,592. |
3,981. |
20% |
80% |
|
Monaghan |
15,282. |
7,421. |
49% |
51% |
|
Offaly |
12,194. |
1,275. |
10% |
90% |
|
Roscommon |
19,126. |
3,591. |
19% |
81% |
|
Sligo |
14,845. |
3,959. |
27% |
73% |
|
Tipperary |
29,759. |
8,643. |
29% |
71% |
|
Waterford |
15,000. |
6,351. |
42% |
58% |
|
Westmeath |
11,721. |
8,656. |
74% |
26% |
|
Wexford |
22,430. |
11,231. |
50% |
50% |
|
Wicklow |
15,350. |
8,285. |
54% |
46% |
|
TOTAL |
544,168. |
181,511. |
33% |
67% |
63. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of Ireland's first clean air strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/20]
View answerMy Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy. While it was originally my intention to launch the Strategy alongside a public consultation on a new solid fuel regulation for Ireland, recognising the urgency of taking action to address the health impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, I have chosen to progress the development of enhanced solid fuel regulations in advance.This decision will also allow submissions received during the public consultation process to inform and contribute to the final strategy document.
The Strategy will identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.
In line with the Programme for Government, the Clean Air Strategy will also support the following measures:
- establishing a regional approach to air quality and noise enforcement;
- developing a multi-agency approach to clamping down on the sale of high-sulphur content fuel imported from the UK, with Local Authorities and the Revenue Commissioners;
- investing in our network of monitoring stations, to provide scientific evidence of air quality across different parts of the country, including real-time and localised air quality information; and
- moving towards a full nationwide residential solid fuel regulation.
There are a number of national policy frameworks already in place which will also help to reduce pollutant emissions and improve air quality, such as the Climate Action Plan and the National Energy and Climate Plan. It is important that synergies are maximised between these plans and the Clean Air Strategy, with a view to achieving lasting reductions in the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.
64. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement he has had with An Post regarding its capacity to deliver banking services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13246/21]
View answer69. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the types of services that An Post can deliver into the future in order that it can continue to make a significant contribution to communities across Ireland. [13296/21]
View answer94. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the potential to make public service obligation applicable to the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13275/21]
View answer115. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement he has had with other Departments with regard to developing a financial sustainability plan for the post office network; the analysis of international best practice that has been carried out by his Department with regard to the development and sustainability of the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12888/21]
View answer116. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will enact legislation to reflect the Private Members motion previously passed on 16 November 2016 regarding the future of the post office network as a matter of urgency to ensure the sustainability of the existing community post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38662/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 69, 94 and 116 together.
I am aware of the serious decline in mail volumes and the impact that Covid-19 has had on footfall through post offices and on the postal network and of the importance of maintaining a post office network in our society.
In the four years since the Private Members' motion referred to was debated, a lot of work has been done to ensure An Post and the post office network remain viable.
An Post put in place a Strategic Plan, covering the period 2017 – 2021, in response to the structural challenges faced by the postal sector.
In order to implement the Plan, the cost of which was estimated to be in the region of €150m, the Minister for Finance provided a loan of €30m to the company in December 2017 to support the renewal of the post office network (€15m) and the continued fulfilment of a 5 day per week mails delivery service (€15m).
As part of the delivery of the plan the company was split into two distinct business units, An Post Mails and Parcels and An Post Retail.
An Post is transforming its retail network by delivering new products and new formats. This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State Savings products. Two new dedicated sub-brands, An Post Money and a new business-to-business brand, An Post Commerce, were launched. Investment by An Post of €50 million in the network is designed to encourage communities to use the enhanced services in their local post office.
As part of its commercial strategy to increase banking services An Post last week announced a new partnership with Bank of Ireland to offer personal and SME withdrawal and lodgement services to Bank of Ireland customers across the An Post network of over 900 post offices nationwide. This follows the announcement by Bank of Ireland that it is to close over 100 of its offices in Ireland. This builds on the agency banking services An Post already provides for a number of other leading banks including AIB and Ulster Bank with more than 4.5 million transactions and a cash value of almost €1.5bn annually.
With regard to the community banking model a project team comprising officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Finance was established to progress that particular issue. The final report was published by the respective Ministers on 4 July 2018. The report indicated that the Department of Finance would continue to engage in dialogue with Irish Rural Link and other stakeholders and that it would commission an independent external evaluation of the possibility or otherwise for promotion of the local public banking concept in Ireland. That further report was published by the Department of Finance in December 2019 and concluded that there is no business case for the State to establish a public banking system in Ireland, supporting the outcome of the July 2018 report.
A lot of work has been done over the past few years to develop the network and this has had a positive effect for both postmasters and customers. This momentum needs to be maintained and if An Post, the postmasters and Government work together we can ensure that the network can emerge as a central hub for a wide variety of valuable community-focused services.
Government believes An Post has untapped potential to do more and make a further significant contribution across many areas of public, business and community life in Ireland. I intend to set out a series of next steps on the Offline Services Report shortly.
We are working with An Post to investigate the scope to channel additional services through the network. As with any business the post office needs to develop commercial strategies to enable it to grow and maintain its relevance for its users. All options will be considered fully and efforts will be redoubled to give effect to our commitment to ensuring a sustainable and viable post office network.
In the circumstances, there are no proposals to introduce a Government funded subsidy for the post office network.
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the progress in the delivery of broadband in urban and rural areas throughout the country having particular regard to the increased reliance on electronic communications given the necessity to work from home; if he is satisfied that the progress to date is adequate; his plans for specific measures to accelerate the roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8974/21]
View answerI recognise how vital telecommunications services are to citizens for so many aspects of their daily lives, including remote working, studying and staying in touch with family members during the Covid-19 crisis. In April of last year, all major telecommunications providers in Ireland committed to a number of measures to help people stay in touch and work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, a number of operators have implemented further supports for consumers, such as for students in education, who require a high data usage package, by increasing data limits on many existing packages and by the introduction of new packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings. As a result, the market for mobile packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings, is becoming increasingly competitive, which is a positive development for consumers.
Those commitments were further supported through regulations made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, enabling ComReg to release additional rights of use for radio spectrum on a temporary basis. Ministerial consent was granted for this framework proposed by the regulator to provide flexibility for mobile network operators to create additional capacity for mobile phone and broadband services and accommodate the increased demand due to Covid 19 related working and studying from home. Licences were issued to three mobile network operators and renewed on a number of occasions with the most recent renewal valid until 1 April 2021.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the nearly 540,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
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 publicly accessible BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Bringing connectivity to remote rural locations is central to promoting regional development and BCPs represent an important delivery in the early stages of the National Broadband Plan.
66. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he or his Department have had to date in 2021 with National Broadband Ireland to date in 2021 in relation to speeding up the roll-out of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1012/21]
View answer77. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress being made to accelerate the roll-out of broadband to rural Ireland as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13085/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 77 together.
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 rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date.
NBI has established a dedicated team to investigate acceleration of the rollout from its current contracted schedule of seven years. As part of that work NBI is engaging with current build partners (eir and enet) to bring forward build activities and is also actively reviewing other possible build partners such as the ESB where such options could also speed up the build process. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
67. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has held with stakeholders regarding the future use of the West Offaly power station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44951/20]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. [44952/20] on today's Order Paper.
68. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the development of microgeneration; when persons will be able to sell power back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45098/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation, letting people sell excess power back to the grid by July 2021. The measures set out below will assist in delivering this commitment.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in March last year, which provided for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development later that year. The document is available on the CRU website www.cru.ie.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism is outlined in a public consultation which opened on 14th January 2021.
A suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all microgenerators by 2021 in line with Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive. As regards the other Articles of the Directive, I have already given effect to the relevant provisions of Articles 4 and 6, relating to support schemes for energy from renewable sources, through the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2020. It is intended that all relevant provisions of the Directive will be transposed into Irish law prior to the transposition deadline of 30 June 2021.
70. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress on the completion of a new strategy to tackle energy poverty to replace the strategy which lapsed in 2019. [13079/21]
View answer103. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to consider the impact of energy poverty on mental health in the new strategy to tackle energy poverty. [13080/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 103 together.
The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in 2016. The Strategy set out several actions to alleviate the burden of energy poverty on the most vulnerable in society. The focus of the strategy was on high impact actions which aimed to make a real difference to the lives of those in energy poverty.
Good progress has been made under the strategy including:
- Free upgrades were carried out in over 23,000 lower income homes under the main Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) energy poverty retrofit schemes;
- A consultation on energy efficiency in the rented sector has also been completed which has informed changes to energy efficiency grant schemes with further recommendations to follow later this year;
- Funding for SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased dramatically over the period from €15 million in 2015 to over €109 million for 2021.
- The allocations for retrofit of social housing have also increased significantly with an allocation of €65 million for 2021.
Income supports from the Department of Social Protection to help households with the costs of heating their homes have also increased. The Minister for Social Protection provides an estimated €300 million in 2021 for a Fuel Allowance payment, of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks, which is a total of €784 each year, from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households. 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. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year. The Department of Social Protection also funds an exceptional needs payment, which can include support with fuel bills in some cases.
Research undertaken by the Economic and Social research Institute shows that the proportion of households in or at risk of energy poverty has reduced from 28% in 2015 to 17.5% in 2020. The Survey on Income and Living Conditions also shows that the proportion of people who report that they are unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, has fallen from 9% in 2015 to 4.9% in 2019.
A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed this year and will inform next steps in relation to the development of a new strategy. Alleviating energy poverty will also be a key consideration for the National Retrofit Framework which will be published this year. Retrofitting of homes supports good physical and mental health by creating healthy indoor living environments with healthy air temperatures, humidity levels, noise levels, and improved air quality.
71. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures being taken to reduce the current long wait times for surveying and commencement of works under the warmer homes scheme, free energy upgrades for eligible homes; when applications under this scheme will be open for second-time applicants given that certain works are now available that were not available on their initial uptake of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13253/21]
View answer122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he has taken in order to deal with the waiting time for the warmer homes scheme; the number of households waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13086/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 122 together.
The 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. 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.
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.
Funding for the SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased to over €109 million in 2021 - an increase of €47 million on last year. In addition, delivery capacity has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020. I also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme. My Department is also in regular contact with the SEAI in relation to the operation of the Scheme.
72. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the latest negotiations on the North-South interconnector between his Department and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13199/21]
View answer74. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a meeting will be arranged with his Department and council officials (details supplied) to discuss the North-South interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13198/21]
View answer81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will meet with representatives of community groups (details supplied) that are seeking a revision of the North-South interconnector to ensure that the project is undergrounded in order to appraise himself of the concerns of those communities that will be affected by the current proposals. [13089/21]
View answer99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to engage with communities along the route of the proposed north-south interconnector in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is strong and widespread opposition in these communities to the present proposal to put the transmission cables over-ground in the event of the project proceeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1516/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74, 81 and 99 together.
The North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also help Ireland to move towards 70% renewable electricity by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.
Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. Therefore I do not enter into any negotiations with EirGrid on the project and I have had no direct contact with local authorities or with local groups opposed to the project.
The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently and fully in line with the resolution of Dáil Éireann of 16 February 2017, my Department commissioned an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the North-South interconnector. The report from the International Expert Commission was published in October 2018 and it found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this piece of critical electricity infrastructure. I do not intend ordering a repeat of such a review.
EirGrid and ESB Networks, as our electricity system operators, always seek to work in close collaboration with landowners and stakeholders in the delivery of electricity infrastructure. Both companies are engaging with those living closest to the route of the interconnector. In that regard EirGrid has already set in place a variety of engagements locally, including the appointment of community liaison officers and a mobile information unit active in the area. I expect such engagements to intensify in the coming weeks and months, subject to Covid-19 national public health guidelines.
73. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan. [12894/21]
View answerDesign work is complete or ongoing under the National Broadband Plan in target townlands across every county in Ireland with nearly 187,000 premises surveyed as of 3 March 2021.
This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and the first fibre to the home connections have been made in Carrigaline, Co Cork and in Cavan. Technical testing and validation continues prior to a wider release of the area. Since 25 January 2021 retailers are able to resell the service and householders in these areas can order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network
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 when works are due to commence.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 March 287 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and will be connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and by the Department of Education for schools. NBI have agreed to accelerate the rollout of high speed broadband to some 679 primary schools by the end of 2022.
75. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement with the review in late 2020 of Ireland’s long-term renovation strategy as required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive; if the submissions have been examined; the steps he plans to take in 2021 to progress the implementation of the strategy given the way in which improving the energy efficiency of buildings here is central to Ireland’s climate action objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1495/21]
View answerThe Energy Performance in Buildings Directive requires all Member States of the European Union to develop a Long-Term Renovation Strategy for a highly energy-efficient and decarbonised building stock.
Ireland’s Long-Term Renovation Strategy was developed based on the polices, measures and actions set out in the Climate Action Plan (published in 2019) and the National Energy and Climate Plan (published in 2020). It was submitted to the European Commission in October 2020. There is a range of steps set out in the Long-Term Renovation Strategy that are being taken to progress the retrofit of the building stock. I would highlight, in particular, the significant increase in resourcing provided to SEAI and the increased budget for support schemes across the residential, commercial and public sectors.
The Long-Term Renovation Strategy does not include all the policies and measures for the sector that will be necessary to meet the commitments set out in the Programme for Government to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions in the period to 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. The additional policies and measures will be considered as part of the next Climate Action Plan which is currently under development.
A public consultation on the Long-Term Renovation Strategy was held from October to December 2020. A total of 22 submissions were received which are helping to inform the development of the next Climate Action Plan and future revisions of the Long-Term Renovation Strategy.
