Wednesday, 21 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 211-229

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (211)

John McGuinness

Question:

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

For State Boards under the aegis of my Department, appointments are made in line with the guidelines set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which include having due regard for the benefits of diversity on the Board, including gender. When any appointment is being made to a State Board under my Department’s remit, the existing gender balance on the Board forms part of the decision-making process. Appointments are also reviewed against key criteria, including the specific skills required for the role and for the Board in general.

The following table sets out the gender balance on the State Boards under the remit of this Department now compared to 2014, when the current Guidelines were formalised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, including the target to achieve 40% representation of women and men on all State Boards.

State Board	Gender Balance 2014 (or year of establishment if later)	Current Gender Balance
Enterprise Ireland	Female 45%Male 55%	Female 42% Male 58%
Health and Safety Authority	Female 25%Male 75%	Female 42% Male 58%
IDA Ireland	Female 31%Male 69%	Female 42% Male 58%
Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority *	Female 60%Male 40%	Female 33% Male 67%
Low Pay Commission **(Est 2015)	Female 50%Male 50%	Female 50% Male 50%
National Standards Authority of Ireland	Female 46% Male 54%	Female 58% Male 42%
Personal Injuries Assessment Board	Female 50%Male 50%	Female 55% Male 45%
Workplace Relations Commission	Female 56%Male 44%	Female 67% Male 33%

*IAASA - Most recent appointment December 2020 was female * *The National Minimum Wage Acts make provision for the Minister to, ‘in so far as is practicable, endeavour to ensure that among the members there is an equitable balance between men and women.’

Policy groups and advisory committees and councils work with and provide advice to my Department on a range of issues across the Department’s broad remit. While there is not an overall target for private sector representation, it is crucial that many advisory groups and councils have strong representation from the private sector. Groups such as the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council or the Department’s Retail Forum, for example, have a range of representatives from the private sector who provide important expertise to the workings of these groups.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (212)

Verona Murphy

Question:

212. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to significant competitive advantage that bigger multinationals and retail operators presently have over small and medium sized retailers in towns and villages throughout Ireland in the absence of a permissible click and collect service; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the resumption of a click and collect service is now vital for the survival of many small retailers; when a click and collect service will be allowed to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their customers across the country and would like to thank them for their continued support of the national effort through this unprecedented public health crisis.

Under Level 5, in line with public health guidelines, only essential retail outlets will remain open and the current temporary restrictions in Level 5 will stay in place until at least 4 May 2021. Further information can be found on gov.ie

The decision to move to full scale Level 5 was not taken lightly and all factors were considered.

S.I. No. 168 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) Regulations 2021 (https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/) clearly sets out the temporary restrictions under Level 5. A list of essential services can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/ and the list of essential retail outlets at Level 5 can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/

Level 5 does not restrict people from purchasing any product, it does however restrict people from physically going into non-essential stores. This is to stop people making unnecessary journeys, congregating and browsing for non-essential goods, to limit the spread of the virus.

Under the current temporary restrictions while click and collect of non-essential retail items is no longer permitted, click or phone and delivery can continue.

Under consideration from 4th May, subject to prevailing public health situation, is the phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail, for example: garden centres/nurseries.

COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead which can be found on https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/, sets out the approach to the next phase, which is subject to ongoing review and taking into account the evolving epidemiological situation.

All decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions are informed by the public health advice at the time.

As Chair of the Retail Forum, I meet regularly with Retail Forum members and representatives from the retail grocery and distribution sector to discuss and assess adherence to the public health restrictions.

The Government has introduced a wide range of supports to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and they can be found on the Department’s website https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/

It is important to monitor gov.ie for the latest information, public health advice and guidelines from Government in relation to COVID-19.

Living Wage

Questions (213)

Brian Stanley

Question:

213. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made towards the Government's commitment to introduce a living wage for Irish workers by 2025. [20772/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Programme for Government commits to “progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.”. Earlier this year, I formally requested the Low Pay Commission to prepare a report on this issue and terms of reference for the report have now been noted by Cabinet.

My Department, on behalf of the Low Pay Commission, is managing the tender process for researching and producing this report which will examine the design of a living wage in an Irish context.

The report will also consider the policy, social and economic implications of a move to a living wage and the process by which Ireland could progress towards a living wage.

It will do this by looking at international evidence on living wages, examining different calculation methods and examining the policy implications of moving to a living wage in Ireland.

The paper will conclude by outlining options for how Ireland can progress towards achieving a living wage. It is expected that the report will be completed in the second half of 2021. Following its completion, the Commission will submit the report to me for consideration.

Living Wage

Questions (214)

Brian Stanley

Question:

214. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for the implementation of a living wage; and if he is considering different age categories. [20773/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Programme for Government commits to “progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.”. Earlier this year, I formally requested the Low Pay Commission to prepare a report on this issue, and terms of reference for the report have now been noted by Cabinet.

My Department, on behalf of the Low Pay Commission, is managing the tender process for researching and producing this report using this comprehensive set of terms of reference; one of which will consider whether a living wage in an Irish context should be related to the age of a worker.

The report will also examine the design of a living wage in an Irish context and will consider the policy, social and economic implications of a move to a living wage and the process by which Ireland could progress towards a living wage.

It will do this by looking at international evidence on living wages, examining different calculation methods and examining the policy implications of moving to a living wage in Ireland.

The paper will conclude by outlining options for how Ireland can progress towards achieving a living wage. It is expected that the report will be completed in the second half of 2021. Following its completion, the Commission will submit the report to me for consideration.

Living Wage

Questions (215)

Brian Stanley

Question:

215. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for the implementation of a living wage; and his views on whether students at third-level will be able to avail of the living wage if they are also working. [20774/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Programme for Government commits to “progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.”. Earlier this year, I formally requested the Low Pay Commission to prepare a report on this issue, and terms of reference for the report have now been noted by Cabinet.

My Department, on behalf of the Low Pay Commission, is managing the tender process for researching and producing this report using this comprehensive set of terms of reference which will consider the implications of introducing a living wage in an Irish context for all categories of workers.

The report will also examine the design of a living wage in an Irish context and will consider the policy, social and economic implications of a move to a living wage and the process by which Ireland could progress towards a living wage.

It will do this by looking at international evidence on living wages, examining different calculation methods and examining the policy implications of moving to a living wage in Ireland.

The paper will conclude by outlining options for how Ireland can progress towards achieving a living wage. It is expected that the report will be completed in the second half of 2021. Following its completion, the Commission will submit the report to me for consideration.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (216)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

216. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider offering a restart grant for businesses that are unable to avail of the small business assistance scheme or the outdoor enhancement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20783/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

I am acutely aware of the difficulties that these necessary ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are putting on all businesses right across the country. Business owners are making sacrifices in order to protect their communities.

As you know the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates. The level of Government funding for business supports is unprecedented.

You will also know that Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and expenditure measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors.

I would urge business owners to seek the supports outlined above if they have not already done so. I would also suggest they contact their Local Enterprise Office who can signpost them and advise them of supports that may be available for their business.

The Government is very much open to proposals as to how we can help businesses further. However, our schemes are there to help meet fixed costs that cannot be avoided and to provide basic weekly income support up to maximum of €350 per week. We are not providing compensation for loss of personal income above this level or compensation for loss of profits for any sector.

Full details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes are available on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.

I want to assure you, however, that I and my Government colleagues are keeping all the current schemes under review.

Brexit Supports

Questions (217)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

217. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason sole traders are excluded from the ready for customs grant; if an alternative grant is available for sole traders for such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20799/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Enterprise Ireland’s Ready for Customs grant provides companies with financial assistance to cover the costs of taking on much needed additional customs clearance staff. This grant is open to enterprises that are currently engaged in the movement of goods to, from, or through the UK and which will require new or increased customs clearance capacity. These include enterprises that are providing freight, haulage, logistics services to, from or through the UK or are providing customs intermediary services or are directly engaged in the movement of goods with or through the UK.

Enterprises must be a limited company and have a CRO number (not a business name) and be incorporated in the Republic of Ireland at the time of application. The other conditions include evidence of an EORI number from the Revenue Commissioners and where the provision of customs intermediary services is less than 12 months since establishment, the submission of a supporting business plan.

As the eligibility criteria states that enterprises must be a limited company and have a CRO number, sole traders are not eligible for the Ready for Customs grant support.

Departmental Reports

Questions (218)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

218. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Mercosur impact report will be published, given that it was expected to be published in spring 2021. [20830/21]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Deputy will recall that this particular Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment consists of two important and complementary components, namely a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic benefits as well as a robust sustainability impact assessment including social, human rights and environmental impacts that the trade Agreement could have in Ireland and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. As such, it is a considerable undertaking, which, unfortunately, has necessitated us running beyond the Q1 2021 deadline by which we had hoped to have the finalised report considered by Government and published.

As previously reported to the House, the detailed research and stakeholder consultations are concluded, and I am now informed that drafting of the actual Report itself is well advanced such that the Report is expected to be received by my Department in the coming weeks. It will be published as soon as possible after consideration by Government.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Questions (219)

Richard Bruton

Question:

219. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the restrictions that apply to the use of CCTV for enforcement against breaches of waste and litter legislation. [18101/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The use of CCTV and other Audio-Visual recording equipment in assisting waste enforcement efforts is primarily an operational decision for local authorities.  I understand that in 2020, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) initiated a number of investigations into the use of CCTV and other Audio-Visual Recording (AVR) equipment by a number of  State agencies (including An Garda Síochána and Local Authorities) in support of their various functions. It is noted that these investigations were not limited to waste enforcement matters and are ongoing.

My Department received correspondence in September 2020 from the DPC outlining concerns around the legal basis for the use of CCTV cameras by local authorities in the enforcement of waste and litter legislation and in particular the data processing element of such usage. The DPC view is that the Litter Pollution Act 1997, the Waste Management Act 1996, and the Local Government Act 2001 do not regulate data processing as required by the Law Enforcement Directive.

The Government's “Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy”, published in September 2020, contains a commitment to ensure that all waste enforcement legislation will be “data proofed”. My Department is currently working on a Circular Economy Bill which will include provisions to give effect to this commitment. This will help to ensure that the processing of personal data, associated with CCTV usage, can be carried out by local authorities, in order to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens.

My Department continues to work closely with the EPA and the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities through the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee to ensure that the legislation in place is robust and effective in assisting their enforcement efforts. 

North-South Interconnector

Questions (220, 245)

Pauline Tully

Question:

220. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a review of the North-South interconnector project is to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18107/21]

Matt Carthy

Question:

245. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to commission a review of the proposed North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19089/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 245 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 our 70% renewable electricity target 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. 

The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions.  Most recently, my Department commissioned an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector and the report from the International Expert Commission was published in October 2018. It found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this piece of critical electricity infrastructure.

Notwithstanding this, I have decided to commission a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remains valid. Terms of reference for this study are attached.

Energy Resources

Questions (221, 232)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a technical analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18280/21]

Brian Leddin

Question:

232. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consultants have been appointed to commence the technical analysis to inform a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland's electricity and natural gas systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18782/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 232 together.

The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is focussing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review includes a technical analysis and public consultation.

Consultants have been appointed to undertake the technical analysis which will include identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.

The identification and examination of risks will take into account the expected levels of indigenous production of natural gas including natural gas that may be produced under existing applications, options and licences. The options that could be taken to address or mitigate the risks and their appraisal will not include additional indigenous production beyond what is taken into account in the identification and examination of risks. This is in keeping with the Programme for Government.

Following the completion and publication of the technical analysis, a public consultation will be carried out. This will provide all stakeholders and the public an opportunity to input into the review. It is intended the review will be completed by the end of 2021.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (222)

Niall Collins

Question:

222. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed fibre broadband will be available to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18343/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

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 National Broadband Plan. 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 end-2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of end-2026. The school in question is included in the accelerated plan and is scheduled for installation next year. 

The list of all the schools to be connected, broken down by County, is available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (223, 282)

James Lawless

Question:

223. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps a person (details supplied) can take in a situation in which a person does not have an allocated Eircode and therefore cannot obtain a broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18351/21]

Colm Burke

Question:

282. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a monthly update of the Eircode system will be put in place in order to speed up the allocation of Eircodes to new postal addresses in order that they can connect to fibre broadband (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20354/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 282 together.

Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode".

Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings.  An Post GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement.

Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 139,000 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.

Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis it is then a matter for individual Eircode database providers to release updates to commercial businesses in accordance with the terms of their licence agreements.

Householders who have queries on how to get an Eircode for their property can contact Eircode at [e-mail] or Customer Service on 0818 300 005. 

Early assignment of Eircodes is contingent on An Post facilitating the increased frequency of new and changed addresses in the GeoDirectory database from quarterly to monthly to Eircode through their subsidiary An Post GeoDirectory. My officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Eircode to expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties with postal addresses and geo-locations.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (224, 294)

Joe McHugh

Question:

224. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the national broadband plan will be rolled out for premises (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18387/21]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

294. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be available to a household (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20789/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 294 together.

The Questions refer to premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.

I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway. 

I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 15 April 2021, over 204,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Donegal in Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin and Tommyscroft. Further details are available on specific areas within County Donegal through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 15 April, 302 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 connected at Ray Community Centre, Leghowney Community Centre, Dunree Military Museum, Cranford Coole Community Centre, the Gweedore Theatre (located 1.23 Kilometres from one of the premises) and Meenreagh Hostel (located 8.53 Kilometres from one of the premises). Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/. 

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. Some 42 primary schools are to be connected in Donegal.  Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/ .  

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (225)

Michael Creed

Question:

225. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is participating in an EU Commission initiative on the monitoring of Covid-19 and its variants in wastewater and availing of funding from the Commission for this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I have no function in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. Responsibility for policy in relation to wastewater is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (226)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

226. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has identified or estimated the percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions for which each Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18427/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

On 23 March 2021, the Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. The Bill will define how five-year carbon budgets and related sectoral targets will be set, with every sector contributing, ensuring we continue to work to achieve a broad political and societal consensus on the transition to a climate neutral economy and society. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future Governments for sustained climate action. The Programme for Government recognises that many of the changes started in the first carbon-budget period will only lead to reductions in the second carbon-budget period. Under this legislation, the first two carbon budgets proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council shall provide for a reduction of 51% in the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the first two budgetary periods ending on 31 December 2030, from the annual greenhouse gas emissions reported for the year ending on 31 December 2018, as set out in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislation, which is a key commitment in the Programme for Government, will now progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas as priority legislation.

Sectoral emissions ceilings are the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted in a sector of the economy during each 5 year carbon budget. I will develop in consultation with other relevant Ministers, a sectoral emissions ceiling for each relevant sector within each 5-year budget, once the overall carbon budget has been adopted.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (227)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

227. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which an estate (details supplied) can be considered serviced by broadband providers and also require intervention under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18457/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. · Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).

· The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

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.

My Department's investigations show that the estate referred to in the Question is served by eir’s Next Generation Access network from the local exchange and also from a nearby Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC). Many of the premises are connected to the local exchange meaning they are unable to get minimum speeds of 30Mbps due to distance and therefore are located in the AMBER area and will be provided with high speed broadband through the State Intervention. A number of premises that are connected to the FTTC are capable of getting high speed broadband and are therefore located in the BLUE area.

In terms of the NBP State led intervention, in County Cork surveys have been completed or are ongoing in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick. Surveys have started Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Cavan and in Carrigaline, Co Cork. Technical testing and validation will be undertaken prior to a wider release of the areas. I am advised that as of 15 April over 2,000 homes are passed and available for connection in both Counties Cork and Cavan.

Further details are available on specific areas within Cork 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. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.

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 15 April, 302 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. Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga have now been connected  with high speed publicly accessible broadband.

Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School are planned 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 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/.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (228)

Seán Canney

Question:

228. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the National Inland Fisheries Forum; when it last met; his plans to reconvene the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18486/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Inland Fisheries Forum (NIFF) was established by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in accordance with Section 7 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 to facilitate broad stakeholder input into policy formulation. The first two terms of the NIFF have expired and the last meeting took place in April 2018. Officials from my Department are currently working with the IFI to establish the NIFF for a new term, seeking to broaden the focus of the group towards overarching rather than sub-sector specific considerations. I envisage that the membership of the Forum will reflect this more strategic focus. Pending nominations and appointments, the new Forum will be operational as soon as possible. In the meantime I progressed the initiative, commenced by the Deputy when he was Minister of State, and established, in November 2020, the Angling Consultative Council of Ireland (ACCI) to provide a platform for co-operation in policy inputs and addressing shared issues for angling specifically, across its diverse disciplines.  The Group is open to all National Angling Representative Bodies with 8 such Bodies signed up and a further 2 recently confirming their participation. I expect this will assist in the necessary streamlining of NIFF which will encompass a much broader inland fisheries stakeholder base.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (229)

Niall Collins

Question:

229. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review and respond to matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the provision of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18634/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

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 ensuring no premises is left behind. The NBP contract was awarded following a detailed and comprehensive procurement process. In line with State Aid Guidelines, the procurement process was technology neutral meaning that the process did not specify a preferred technology. However, all bidders in the process proposed fibre as the best solution. National and international expertise points to a fibre based solution as being the most economical way to address all premises with a future proofed solution over the 25 year term of the NBP Contract.  

In terms of whether the low earth orbit satellite technology employed by Starlink could be used in the more remote or latterly scheduled regions of the National Broadband Plan intervention area, the NBP Contract allows National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to explore alternative technologies, including satellite technology, if they are deemed necessary to assist delivery of the contract requirements. However, in doing so NBI must ensure that any alternative technologies utilised do not negatively impact on having a reliable and robust network available for all premises within the Intervention Area and that minimum contracted speeds are achieved. These considerations are a matter for NBI in the first instance.