Written Answers Nos. 251-269
251. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of telecommunication service providers that provided access to zero rate educational websites during the Covid-19 pandemic; if he will provide details of the companies and services provided; if the services are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19277/21]
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. Providing telecommunication services is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. In April 2020, 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, with one particular commitment relating to the zero-rating of various educational and health related resource platforms. Since then, a number of operators have implemented further supports for consumers, including students in education, who require a high data usage package, by increasing data limits on many existing packages and introducing new packages with very high or unlimited data offerings. With the increased availability of unlimited data packages, zero-rating of resource platforms is no longer required and the market for mobile packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings, is becoming increasingly competitive, which is a positive development for consumers.
In addition, ComReg recently published an alert on its website to help increase awareness of the unlimited data packages entitled: “Looking for mobile unlimited data plans for remote school or college?”
The efforts to support people’s connectivity were further supported through regulations made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 which gave effect to a ComReg proposal enabling additional radio spectrum rights of use to temporarily accommodate increased demand arising from Covid-19 related remote working and studying. Temporary licences were awarded to the three main network operators and under a renewed licensing framework, these temporary licences are valid to 1 July, with an option of a further three months if required.
253. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline recent changes that took effect on the European Union energy labels for electrical goods; the efforts undertaken to promote public awareness of these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19357/21]
View answer254. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of persons estimated to have purchased electrical goods under the old European Union energy ratings for electrical goods prior to the current public health restrictions, but are still awaiting delivery of such goods following the change in energy ratings; the position which occurs in a situation in which high-rated items were purchased prior to the changes and lower-rated items are delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19358/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 254 together.
From 1 March 2021 a new energy label took effect for certain product categories which includes fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and televisions. The new labels ranges from A to G and replaces the previous labels which ranged from from A+++ to D. The energy labels for lighting will change from 1 September 2021 with other product groups to follow.
Energy labels are designed to provide information to the consumer at the point and time of purchase. While the new labels are mandatory from 1 March of this year, many manufacturers have provided the information in advance with products being supplied with both the new and old labels. It is important to note that the new labels involve a change in how information on the product is provided to consumers but does not change the product itself. My Department does not gather information on the timing of product purchases and their subsequent delivery. The SEAI, supported by my Department, is running an ongoing information and awareness campaign tailored specifically for retailers and consumers. As part of this campaign, the SEAI recently hosted an information webinar attended by representatives from over 50 major Irish retailers. Support is continuously provided to retailers in helping them to comply with the changes. Further information on the changes and the supports available can be found at www.seai.ie/home-energy/energy-labelling-and-ecodesign/energy-labelling/
255. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of passthrough charges that are payable to the Government in the form of the PSO levy; the amount the Government has received from the PSO levy and passthrough charges from the energy suppliers since the beginning of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19379/21]
View answerResponsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is the independent regulator. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation.
The matter of any schemes for the deferral of SME energy and network charges in the Covid context is for the CRU, in the performance of its ongoing functions as an independent regulator, and not the Minister.
The Government does not receive revenue from the PSO levy or from pass through network charges.
The PSO levy has been in place since 2001, and is a charge on all electricity customers without exception. The levy funds support schemes designed to facilitate national electricity policy objectives for renewable electricity. The PSO is a vital policy support for the development of renewable electricity and to enable Ireland reach EU renewable energy targets and national energy and climate targets. The money raised from the levy is paid to qualifying generators, not the Government.
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) is assigned responsibility for the calculation of the levy each year and the calculation of the Levy is strictly a CRU matter.The CRU is accountable for the performance of its functions to a Committee of the Oireachtas. It provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, oireachtas@cru.ie, which enables them raise questions on electricity and gas regulatory matters such that raised in the question, with CRU, for timely direct reply.
256. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will extend the warmer homes scheme to persons over 70 years of age who are not in receipt of fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19499/21]
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. €109 million in capital funding has been provided this year to support lower income households to retrofit their homes with €100 million of this funding allocated to the Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation and is the highest ever budget for this scheme. The scheme is currently available to households in receipt of:
- Fuel allowance under the National Fuel Scheme;
- Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months (and having children under 7);
- Family Income Supplement;
- One-Parent Family Payment;
- Domiciliary Care Allowance;
- Carer’s Allowance where you live with the person you are caring for.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme were selected as they represented the Department’s view on those areas where the limited resources available to the scheme could have the greatest impact. They are kept under ongoing review with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure they are consistent with and complementary to the other income support schemes offered by that Department.
There are no current plans to introduce an age based approach to eligibility for the scheme. However, households in receipt of other DSP allowances, such as Invalidity Pension, may qualify for a fuel allowance payment. The fuel allowance is means tested and is therefore aligned to the income of the household. Many people in receipt of the Invalidity Pension, or others in their household, are currently in receipt of the fuel allowance, meaning they are automatically eligible for support under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are other grants and schemes available from Government that could assist their constituent if there is an urgent need. These include the Department of Social Protection Urgent Needs Payment available through the Community Welfare Service at local DSP offices and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Aid for Older People Grant Scheme which is administered by the Local Authorities.
257. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the broadband roll-out in rural towns (details supplied) in County Dublin. [19522/21]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. - 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 2019 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.
There are 615,682 premises in County Dublin of which 602,253 (98%) are in the commercial area and 13,429 (2%) premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised that the areas referred to in the Question contain premises in both Blue and Amber areas.
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.
The AMBER areas of the areas referred to in the Question, with the exception of Hazelhatch, are located in the same deployment area which I understand NBI anticipate will be connected to the new fibre network later this year. I am further advised that NBI expects that the deployment area in which Hazelhatch is located is to be connected to the new network in mid 2022.
Further details are available on specific areas within Dublin through the NBI website www.nbi.ie which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates. 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. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
258. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their landline connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19570/21]
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. The provision of telecommunication services is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. Where a citizen makes a request for a landline service and is not satisfied with the outcome, they should in the first instance make a complaint to the operator from whom they have ordered the service and in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome can then bring the matter to ComReg as regulator.
259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to amend the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 to make the Government a relevant body under section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/21]
View answer260. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the impact of the recent judgement (details supplied) delivered on 30 March 2021 on the upcoming Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19631/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, approved by Cabinet on 23 March, will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, and provide that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations in the near and long term.
The Bill will enact a number of commitments set out in the Programme for Government, including providing that the first two carbon budgets should achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and giving statutory effect to a commitment to achieve a climate neutral economy by not later than 2050.
In order to achieve the statutory objective, the Bill also introduces a number of new policy instruments, including a series of successive carbon budgets and sectoral targets, annual revisions to the Climate Action Plan, and a National Long Term Climate Action Strategy. The Bill establishes a clear relationship, and a requirement for consistency, between these policy instruments and the national climate objective. Local Authorities will also be required to produce individual Climate Action Plans.
The Bill requires Ministers to perform their functions in a manner consistent with, insofar as is practicable, the carbon budgets that are in effect. Ministers are also required to comply in a similar manner with adopted sectoral emissions ceilings and relevant climate plans and strategies. At a practical level, in order to effectively fulfil these statutory obligations, Government will to need collectively consider the carbon budget in effect and any adopted climate plan or strategy as referred to in the Bill.
Consistent with this approach, public bodies will have a general obligation, under section 15 of the Bill, to perform their functions, in so far as practicable, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the various plans and strategies under the legislation, and furthering the achievement of the national climate objective.
I am considering the High Court judgement referred to. I am committed to ensuring that the Bill provides for a legally robust statutory framework which will have a transformative effect on our climate policy ambitions and implementation, and compel Government, relevant sectors and public bodies to act.
The Bill will commence Second Stage in the Dáil this Wednesday 21 April 2021. I look forward to constructive engagement to ensure its timely passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
261. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of litter wardens in each county in tabular form [19653/21]
View answer262. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of waste collected due to illegal dumping each year by county in tabular form. [19654/21]
View answer263. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of public bins in each county in tabular form. [19655/21]
View answer264. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount taken in annually through fines for illegal dumping. [19656/21]
View answer265. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the type of materials that are predominantly being dumped illegally. [19657/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 265, inclusive, together.
The Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act provide the statutory framework to combat littering and illegal dumping respectively. Under the Acts, the primary responsibility for litter, waste management and enforcement activity lies with the Local Authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It is a matter for each Local Authority to determine the most appropriate course of action to tackle litter pollution and illegal dumping locally within the legislation provided. This includes determining the most appropriate staffing, public awareness, enforcement, infrastructure provision and clean-up arrangements in relation to litter and waste, taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
The EPA compiles comparative statistics on local authority performance relating to their litter and waste enforcement activity under the Recommended Criteria for Environmental Inspection (RMCEI) process. Their "Focus on Local Authority Environmental Enforcement - Activity Report 2019" was published in March of this year and is available on their website.
Information is also available through the Local Government Management Agency's series of service indicators annual reports which are available at www.lgma.ie. The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) Annual Report available at www.werla.ie also contains useful data regarding actions taken to combat illegal dumping by the local authority sector under the Waste Management Act.
My Department does not collate statistics on litter staffing levels, litter infrastructure provision, revenues raised through waste enforcement efforts or the amounts and types of waste illegally dumped. Questions regarding such matters can be directed towards those specific authorities.
266. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the Bord Na Móna and privately owned bogs and peatlands by county that are due to be rewetted, reseeded and regenerated for the purpose of carbon sequestration; and the individual size of the bogs that are to be regenerated in tabular form. [19674/21]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been established as Scheme Regulator for the Bord Na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme, in order to ensure effective oversight of the works. Bord Na Móna must submit a plan for each bog to both the NPWS in respect of this scheme and to the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of works required to meet their IPC licence obligations. As part of this process, Bord Na Móna will consult with stakeholders and landowners that may be impacted by the scheme. Peatlands identified for inclusion in the scheme are set out in the below table. The exact areas in the individual bogs may change, although this will not negatively impact the final aggregate area (32,779 Ha) that will benefit from enhanced interventions. Further information on the peatlands included in the Scheme may be found on the dedicated Bord na Móna site: https://www.bnmpcas.ie/
|
County |
Bog / Location |
Estimated area EDRRS Area (ha) |
|
Meath / Westmeath |
Ballivor |
469 |
|
Westmeath |
Bracklin |
412 |
|
Westmeath |
Carranstown |
52 |
|
Offaly / Kildare |
Ballydermot |
2,464 |
|
Kildare |
Lodge |
263 |
|
Kildare |
Ticknevin |
273 |
|
Kildare |
Timahoe North |
428 |
|
Kildare |
Timahoe South |
1,130 |
|
Louth |
Ballaghhurt_Glebe |
110 |
|
Offaly |
Belmount |
269 |
|
Offaly |
Blackwater |
1,030 |
|
Offaly |
Bloomhill |
756 |
|
Westmeath |
Bunahinly-Kilgarvan |
333 |
|
Roscommon |
Clooniff |
460 |
|
Roscommon |
Cornafulla |
389 |
|
Roscommon |
Cornaveagh |
346 |
|
Roscommon |
Culliaghmore |
312 |
|
Galway |
Garryduff |
892 |
|
Galway |
Kellysgrove |
150 |
|
Galway |
Kilmacshane |
1,248 |
|
Galway |
Lismanny |
302 |
|
Offaly |
Bellair South |
154 |
|
Offaly |
Boora Bog |
850 |
|
Offaly |
Clongawney |
570 |
|
Offaly |
Derries |
282 |
|
Offaly |
Derrybrat |
168 |
|
Offaly |
Drinagh |
694 |
|
Offaly |
Galros |
58 |
|
Offaly |
Killaranny |
17 |
|
Offaly |
Lemanaghan |
243 |
|
Laois |
Noggusboy |
527 |
|
Offaly |
Oughter |
306 |
|
Offaly |
Pollagh |
274 |
|
Offaly |
Turraun |
307 |
|
Longford |
Coolcraff |
23 |
|
Westmeath |
Coolnagun |
239 |
|
Longford |
Milkernagh |
541 |
|
Leitrim |
Cashel |
97 |
|
Laois |
Coolnacarten |
161 |
|
Laois |
Coolnamona |
402 |
|
Galway |
Boughill |
275 |
|
Galway |
Castlegar |
326 |
|
Galway |
Derryfadda |
682 |
|
Galway |
Gowla |
440 |
|
Roscommon |
Killeglan |
91 |
|
Offaly |
Ballybeg |
570 |
|
Offaly |
Ballycon |
109 |
|
Offaly |
Ballykeane |
431 |
|
Offaly |
Cavemount |
405 |
|
Offaly |
Clonad |
349 |
|
Offaly |
Cloncreen |
866 |
|
Offaly |
Clonsast |
802 |
|
Offaly |
Daingean Townparks |
12 |
|
Westmeath |
Derryarkin |
350 |
|
Offaly |
Derrycricket |
26 |
|
Offaly |
Derryhinch |
320 |
|
Kildare |
Derrylea |
565 |
|
Offaly |
Drumman |
392 |
|
Offaly |
Esker |
510 |
|
Offaly |
Garryhinch |
460 |
|
Offaly |
Mount Lucas |
450 |
|
Westmeath |
Toor |
329 |
|
Offaly / Kildare |
Ummeras |
216 |
|
Longford |
Begnagh |
242 |
|
Longford |
Clooneeny |
279 |
|
Roscommon |
Cloonshannagh |
384 |
|
Longford |
Corlea |
38 |
|
Longford |
Derraghan |
378 |
|
Longford |
Derryadd |
664 |
|
Longford |
Derryarogue |
589 |
|
Roscommon |
Derrycashel |
360 |
|
Longford |
Derrycolumb |
387 |
|
Roscommon |
Derrymoylin |
340 |
|
Longford |
Derryshannoge |
356 |
|
Longford |
Edera |
249 |
|
Roscommon |
Erenagh |
53 |
|
Roscommon |
Granaghan |
157 |
|
Longford |
Killashee |
107 |
|
Longford |
Knappoge |
284 |
|
Longford |
Lough Bannow |
329 |
|
Roscommon |
Moher |
408 |
|
Longford |
Mountdillon |
199 |
|
|
Total |
32,779 |
267. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the responsibility of local authorities in residential waste management under the Local Government Act 2001. [19677/21]
View answerThe responsibilities of local authorities in relation to household waste management are set out in the Waste Management Act 1996. These responsibilities range across, inter alia, waste management planning, providing for the collection of household waste and the enforcement of waste management obligations on waste operators, households and businesses. In terms of specific provisions that may be of interest, Section 22 outlines local authority responsibilities regarding the making of waste management plans. Section 33 sets out that each local authority shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area.
268. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funds being spent by his Department on research and development for renewable energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/21]
View answer€18.36 million has been provided in my Department's Vote in 2021 for renewable energy research and development. €15.51 million of this is for the SEAI administered energy research development and demonstration (RD&D) programme and the SEAI Ocean Energy programme. Under its RD&D programme, SEAI funds proposals secured through competitive calls. The last call in 2019 funded 45 projects, of which 30 were directly related to renewable energy research. The most recent call for projects closed on 29 March this year and covered 25 different themes, most of which relate directly to renewable energy. A llist of the successful projects will be published on the SEAI website in due course.
Exchequer support for Ocean Energy research and development from 2013 – 2020 amounted to a total of €43 million. A further €6 million is allocated for 2021.
