Written Answers Nos. 230-249
230. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the just transition fund that has been allocated to each of the priorities in the provisional offers of funding under each of strand 1 and 2. [17126/21]
View answer231. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of just transition funding that has been drawn down to date by enterprises or communities in the midlands following the announcement in November 2019 in relation to the fund. [17127/21]
View answer233. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the mechanism that was included in the evaluation process to ensure the criteria that a minimum of 5% of communities most affected, that is, the communities that suffered the job losses would be prioritised for Just Transition funding and would be allocated to each of the eight counties deemed eligible to apply. [17129/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231 and 233 together.
The objective of the Just Transition Fund is to support innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Wider Midlands region, and which have employment and enterprise potential. The Fund has three priorities:
1. Employment and enterprise supports: to support innovation and investment proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise.
2. Training supports: to retrain and reskill workers to assist local communities and businesses in the Wider Midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition.
3. Community transitioning supports: to support proactive communications with affected communities and other stakeholders in the region, establish best practice sharing networks, and assist in developing local transition plans.
My Department held a competitive call for applications to this Fund, which closed on 17 July 2020, in response to which over 100 applications were received. 16 'strand 1' projects, announced by my Department in September 2020, have concluded Funding Agreements with my Department, to a total value of €1.2m. Further provisional offers of funding to 'strand 2' projects, totalling €27.8 million, were made to 47 projects in November 2020. The percentage allocations to the three priority areas for strand 1 were:
- Priority 1: 63%
- Priority 2: 10%
- Priority 3: 27%
The funding allocations to the three priority areas under strand 2, based on the provisional offers, are:
- Priority 1: 76%
- Priority 2: 13%
- Priority 3 11%
My Department to date has issued €169,747 to Strand 1 projects. There have been no pre-funding or drawdown requests made for strand 2 projects as funding agreements have not yet been finalised for these projects.
The Just Transition Fund call has sought to ensure a geographical spread of successful projects across the eight eligible counties of the Wider Midlands region and, if a sufficient spread of applications was submitted from each of the eligible counties, seek to ensure that a minimum of 5% of the total allocated spend goes to each of the eight counties. My Department intends to publish the final funding allocations on a county-by-county basis once all funding agreements are in place.
232. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new jobs projected under strand 1 and strand 2 from those projects provisionally offered just transition funding; and if a breakdown of those jobs will be made available. [17128/21]
View answer234. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the evaluation process for just transition funding included mechanisms that would avoid duplication and or support a coordinated approach to the sustainable development of the midlands and its most affected communities. [17130/21]
View answer235. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the applicants for just transition funding were required to show proof of ownership and grant of planning permission for capital projects as part of the application process; and the steps that have been taken to verify submissions by applicants. [17131/21]
View answer237. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of the provisionally funded projects based on the utilisation of Bord na Móna land in which agreement had been reached with Bord na Móna for that land use in each instance. [17133/21]
View answer238. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the list of each of the projects in counties impacted by the provisional offers in strand 2 were determined by the applicant or by the evaluation committee. [17134/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 234, 235, 237 and 238 together.
My Department will be able to provide details on jobs supported by strand 1 and strand 2 projects once funding agreements are in place under both strands.
Project proposals were evaluated by a number of evaluation teams established by my Department, with relevant expertise provided by other Government Departments and Agencies. Provisional offers were made to projects which successfully met the evaluation criteria and terms and conditions set out in the published call documentation. Further details can be found in ‘Section 6 –JTF Evaluation Criteria’ of the Department's call Information Booklet.
Key objectives of this evaluation process, based on the published evaluation criteria, included avoiding duplication of existing funding streams, with applications required to indicate if the proposed project had already secured Exchequer or EU funding; and the prioritisation of projects which could demonstrate potential added value at a regional level.
Of the projects that have already concluded funding agreements with my Department, three projects are based on the potential utilisation of Bord na Móna land on which agreement has been reached with Bord na Móna in each instance. Two of these projects are feasibility studies and no works on Bord na Móna property are envisaged as part of these projects. The third project, Extension to Peatland Biodiversity Boardwalk 4th Final Phase, at Lullymore, County Kildare, envisages the construction of a boardwalk over Bord na Mona peatlands that have been leased to the applicant on a long-term basis.
Evidence of ownership or permission to use land, property or facilities, and relevant statutory permissions, where applicable, must be provided by projects to my Department in advance of a funding agreement being finalised. In certain cases, relevant permissions may not be required until later in a project and evidence of these having being secured will form part of the relevant project milestones, or a contractual condition, as appropriate. In each case, it is a matter for the project sponsor to secure relevant permissions for the proposed use of land, property or other facilities.
236. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the application by the ESB to recover the €5 million contribution to local communities on exiting West Offaly and Lough Ree power stations which was allocated to the just transition fund from the public service obligation was successful. [17132/21]
View answerThe PSO levy has been in place since 2001 and is a charge on all electricity customers without exception.
The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and the Public Service Obligations Order 2002 (S.I. 217 of 2002). Under this legislation, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the independent electricity and gas regulator, is assigned responsibility for the calculation of the levy each year and the calculation of the Levy is strictly a CRU matter. Under the Act, the CRU is directly responsible for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provide a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on matters such as the CRU PSO calculation, directly to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
The CRU stated in its decision paper on the 2020/21 PSO levy, at https://www.cru.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CRU20086-PSO-Decision-Paper-2020-21.pdf, that ESB had sought to claim ex-ante costs of €25.8 for a number of cost items, including its Just Transition Costs of €5 million, and that the ESB had proposed treating these costs as actual PSO costs. The CRU further stated on these items that it was currently working with the Department to determine whether such costs are recoverable under the terms of the relevant State Aid Notification and the PSO legislation. It also stated that as a decision had not yet been reached on whether these costs were permissible under these terms, the CRU was not therefore including these costs in the calculation of the 2020/21 PSO levy.
The Department informed CRU on 23 December 2020 that the process set out under the legislation is that it is for CRU to determine the amount of additional costs incurred by ESB in fulfilling its obligations under the PSO Order and the Minister and Department cannot intervene in this process or adjudicate between ESB and CRU at any stage of the process.
239. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address the halting of the retrofitting programme in Finglas, Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17346/21]
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. €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. 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.
Officials in my Department were unable to clarify with the Deputy the specific programme referred to. Schemes have been paused since January in line with public health advice and Government guidelines on the construction sector. It should be noted that my Department has no responsibility for Local Authority retrofitting programmes which are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
240. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17425/21]
View answerThe Irish Sign Language Act 2017, which recognises the right of Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to use ISL as their native language, was commenced on 23 December 2020. My Department is engaging with the National Disability Authority to ensure obligations under the Act are met.
The 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.
241. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the Acts falling under his Department which have been signed into law but have not been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17443/21]
View answerSince 2014, there have been two Acts for which all sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department. The details are set out in the following table.
|
Title of Act |
Section(s) not yet commenced |
Purpose of section(s) |
Reason for delay in commencement |
|
Telecommunications Services (Ducting and Cables) Act 2018 |
All |
To provide for the vesting in the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications of ownership of certain ducting and cables; to provide for the vesting in the Minister of certain legal interests relating to ducting and cables for the purposes of the performance of any of his or her functions for telecommunications purposes; to provide for compensation; to provide for certain obligations; and to provide for related matters. |
Enactment of the legislation was required to provide the requisite access rights across land through which the Galway Mayo telecommunications duct runs so that a Managed Service Entity can be appointed to operate, maintain and access the network. The procurement process is under development. The sections of the Act are expected to be commenced on appointment of the Management Services Entity. |
|
Minerals Development Act 2017 |
With the exception of Section 212 in relation to deemed cancellation of registration of excepted minerals which took effect on the date of passage of the Act, no other sections have commenced. (256 Sections).
|
The Minerals Development Act 2017, which was enacted on the 26 July 2017, will make further and better provisions for the development of minerals in the State and repeal the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999.
|
My Department is working to commence Part 8 of the Minerals Development Act 2017 regarding the Minamata Convention on Mercury before year end. The remaining Parts of the Act will be commenced once the necessary detailed Regulations have been drafted to allow commencement. It is expected that this will happen in 2022. |
242. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to reduce illegal dumping in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17499/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy published in September 2020 contains a range of actions designed to enhance existing waste enforcement activity. These include: - an enhanced role for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs),
- the development of an anti-dumping toolkit for use by local authorities,
- the development of an illegal and unauthorised sites action plan to assist local authorities,
- a deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans,
- a new national communications and education programme,
- greater use of fixed penalty notices,
- data-proofing of waste legislation to facilitate use of available and emerging technologies in a GDPR-compliant manner;
I intend advancing the latter two bullet points, via the forthcoming Circular Economy Bill,
The policy updates will build on existing actions to combat illegal dumping, such as the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI). Last year €3m was allocated to local authorities in support of the ADI. This funding supported over 300 projects nationwide during 2020, including a national anti-dumping awareness communications campaign, "Your Country - Your Waste", which I launched in November 2020. My Department provided funding of €118,000 to Cork City Council and €111,000 to Cork County Council under the ADI in 2020.
My Department also supports local authorities and Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities through the annual Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme (WEG), which supports the recruitment and retention of over 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel. Cork City Council received an allocation of €275,000 under the WEG in 2020 while Cork County Council received €455,000.
243. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current EirGrid consultation Shaping our Electricity Future projects that Ireland’s national energy security requires the construction of an additional 2,000 MW of gas-fired power stations by 2030; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the installation of such gas-fired power stations is not conducive with achieving the net zero aims of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021; if his attention has been further drawn to the ESB announcement in March 2021 that it will not proceed with building two new gas-fired stations on economic grounds thus potentially jeopardising Ireland’s low-carbon energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17509/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government 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.
On 23 March 2021, the Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill which will support Ireland’s transition to net zero and achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Under the legislation, Governments are required to adopt a series of economy-wide five-year carbon budgets, including relevant sectoral targets, on a rolling 15-year basis, starting in 2021. Actions for each sector will be detailed in the Climate Action Plan, updated annually and a National Long Term Climate Action Strategy will be prepared every five years.
EirGrid's public consultation on “Shaping our Electricity Future” aims to make the electricity grid stronger and more flexible so that it can a carry lot more renewable generation. EirGrid’s consultation will align with Ireland’s strategy to further reduce electricity emissions which will be set out in this year’s revision to the Climate Action Plan. EirGrid estimate that in order to continue to meet the high standards of security of supply, while installing a high level of variable wind and solar renewable generation, approximately 1,500 – 2,000 MW of high efficiency and high availability generation is needed. This is required to replace the generation capacity exiting (such as peat and coal) and to meet growing demand. EirGrid expect that gas will play a key role in meeting this requirement.
The major ramp up in the levels of renewables on our power grid and the move to a highly electrified economy means we also need to ensure security of supply to provide a reliable electricity service to households and businesses. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid both have responsibilities to ensure security of electricity supply. A key mechanism to achieve this is the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) under the overall regulatory supervision of the SEM Committee. The most recent CRM auction, for the 2024/25 capacity year, was in January 2021 and the results were approved by the SEM Committee at the end of February. Following the initial assessment of this auction, the SEM Committee published a consultation about holding a T-3 auction for the 2024/25 capacity year, which is expected to be held in January 2022.
My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. It is planned that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.
244. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the SEAI 2020 Energy Security Report identifies small scale nuclear energy as a potentially viable solution for Ireland; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the legislation does not permit nuclear fission electricity generation here but does not prevent the use of such electricity if it is generated in a different country which severely restricts EirGrid and State research bodies from examining nuclear energy as an option for Ireland to use fully decarbonised electricity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17510/21]
View answerNuclear powered electricity generation plants are prohibited in Ireland. Whilst I am aware that some research studies have noted nuclear power as a potential technology that could be considered, the Government has no plans to revisit the prohibition on, or explore the development of, nuclear powered electricity generation in Ireland.
245. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the waiting time between application and completion of works for the warmer homes scheme has gone from 18 to 24 months; if the waiting time can be shortened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17541/21]
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, the Government has provided funding for free upgrades to over 143,000 homes 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 8,000 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 initial survey. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2020, the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months. The scheme operates nationally on a first come first served basis and the wait times have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. The work programme was particularly impacted by COVID-19 between March and June of last year when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines. The scheme has again been paused since additional restrictions on the construction sector were reintroduced in January. It is intended to recommence works as soon as the public health guidance allows.
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 have also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme. These initiatives will increase the number of homes that can be retrofitted when COVID restrictions are lifted.
246. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken with his EU counterparts on the issue of ecocide; if his attention has been drawn to plans at EU level that would classify ecocide as a crime; his views on such a classification if introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17628/21]
View answerThe next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crises which threaten our safe future on this planet. It is imperative that we protect our biodiversity and natural heritage against deliberate acts of systematic destruction of ecosystems, both nationally and globally. Ireland engages actively through the European Union(EU) to support the development of ambitious global responses to these challenges, in particular, through the United Nations(UN). A number of UN Framework Conventions, particularly, on climate change (UNFCCC) and on biological diversity (UNCBD), provide mechanisms for international cooperation to tackle climate and ecological challenges, in particular, through the adoption of ambitious treaties and agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Ireland recognises that multilateral responses are crucial to tackling environmental and climate-related challenges, and my Department engages with relevant EU and UN structures to support these objectives, both directly and through cross-departmental participation as appropriate, but has not had any engagement in relation to ecocide becoming a recognised crime in international law.
247. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the spend for his Department on public procurement disaggregated by spend on goods, services and capital works in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [17959/21]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if the £73 million used by CIÉ from the Bus Éireann pension in 1994 was paid back; if appropriate interest was paid back into the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17534/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”). Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
249. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the measures being put in place to protect Irish bridlepaths as we develop other walking and cycling paths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16311/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in conjunction with the relevant Local Authorities, including cycling and walking infrastructure; however they are not responsible for the development of bridlepaths.
The Minister for Rural & Community Development provides such supports under the Outdoor Reacreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The ORIS provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as cycleways, walking trails, blueways and mountain access routes, including in rural areas. It can also support bridlepaths as referred to by the Deputy. The scheme provides funding for small, medium and large-scale projects, with maximum funding of €500,000 for any single large-scale project.
Since 2016, the Department of Rural and Community Development has invested circa €67.8 million in 973 projects under the scheme. On 22nd March last,14 projects under ORIS 2020, Measure 3, were approved for funding of €6 million. This followed on from earlier announcements under Measure 1 and 2 in which 212 projects to the value of €9.7 million were approved.
It is expected that ORIS 2021 will be launched in the coming weeks.
