Written Answers Nos. 141-160
141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the obligations of takeaway venues in respect of waste management; and if he plans to introduce new measures which would reduce the amount of throwaway containers and create greater obligations to contribute to litter management. [23650/21]
View answerSection 16 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, as amended, gives considerable powers to local authorities in respect of imposing special measures regarding litter on certain operations, including takeaway venues. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy commits to substantially reducing the amount of single use plastic cups and food containers we use. Measures to achieve this include the introduction of levies, similar to the plastic bag levy. Producers have a role to play in cutting down on the amount of these items we use and, under the current Extended Producer Responsibility model, they will be liable for the costs of litter clean up associated with the products they place on the market.In addition, I recently announced the allocation of €5m in additional funding for litter infrastructure and awareness campaigns to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully, in the context of an outdoor summer. The funding will add more recycling and litter facilities to meet increased demand but there is an onus on all of us to make a conscious effort to leave no trace.
142. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the role he has with regard to the management or otherwise of the ESB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23694/21]
View answerESB is 96.1% owned by the Irish Government. The Minister’s role is shareholder of ESB together with the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform on behalf of the Government. Following the establishment of NewERA in 2011, the Government began the process of reforming the management of the Government’s shareholder role in relation to the commercial state sector. As part of this reform, NewERA in conjunction with the relevant Government Departments developed a Shareholder Expectations Framework. The purpose of the Shareholder Letters of Expectation is to set out the views and expectations of the relevant Ministers as shareholders of the companies on matters including financial performance and dividend policy. These letters also set out the importance of striking the right balance between distribution of dividends and reinvestment in the business. As ESB is a commercial semi-state body which make decisions based on commercial prudence and overall fit with prevailing conditions and strategies, the Minister and Department cannot stipulate how ESB might proceed on specific projects or activities, as these are operational decisions for the Board and Management of ESB.
However, the Corporate Governance Framework notes that Shareholder expectation letters as required by the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, can cover matters such as dividend expectations, key financial performance indicators and governance arrangements.
143. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) that is not included in the intervention area of the National Broadband Plan will be included in the roll-out of fibre broadband in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23698/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has raised a query with the service provider concerned regarding the premises referred to in the Question. The service provider has confirmed that it will not be in a position to pass the premises as the available infrastructure does not allow it to connect the premises. My Department will investigate if other service operators have plans to deliver high speed broadband to the area and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
144. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the circular economy Bill particularly in relation to local authority use of CCTV to deter illegal dumping and fly-tipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23736/21]
View answerThe introduction of a Waste Management (Circular Economy) Bill is a commitment under the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020. My Department is currently finalising the draft Heads of the Bill after which I intend to seek Government approval to publish the General Scheme. On the issue of CCTV, it is the view of the Data Protection Commission (DPC) that, although the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act provide Councils with powers to prevent, investigate, detect and prosecute littering and dumping offences, the Acts do not provide for processing of images of members of the public using CCTV footage. This advice is being considered by my Department and is subject to internal legal advice. It is also my intention to facilitate the use of a range of Audio Visual Recording equipment, including CCTV, under the Bill. A combination of legislation and guidance should help to ensure that the processing of personal data may be carried out by local authorities tasked with enforcing litter and waste law, providing a deterrent, and in order to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens.
145. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria that apply for a partner to be considered a local community partner for the purposes of the renewable electricity support scheme; if he plans amending these conditions to ensure that a majority of the household directly affected by the development accept them as a local partner and that their direct area of operation covers the area that will be affected by the wind turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23766/21]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) supports communities in a variety of ways including via a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme. In addition, a community category has been created specifically to facilitate communities to develop their own projects. To ensure genuine community participation in this category, the definition of a community-led project for the purposes of the first auction within the scheme, included the stipulation that such projects were at least 51% owned by a Renewable Energy Community (REC). For future RESS auctions this will rise to a 100% REC ownership requirement for entry to the community category. RECs are established in accordance with a number of key underlying principles as well as aligning with community definitions laid out in the EU's Clean Energy Package. One such concept is that of open and voluntary participation. This includes the need to be open to all potential local members based on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. Furthermore, RECs are subject to the additional requirement that they are effectively controlled by shareholders or members that are located in the proximity of the project, which underlines the key role of local participation and decision making in the energy projects.
In order to ensure that communities may benefit to the fullest from the RESS, I have decided that future participation in the community category will be confined to fully community-owned projects. In order to ensure an adequate pipeline of such projects, an enabling framework of capacity-building supports is being developed by my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It includes a range of supports such as information dissemination, trusted intermediary and adviser services, and enabling grants.
However, I recognise that some communities may wish to partner with commercial developers who have experience of delivering renewable projects. These community-commercial partnerships will be able to bid into the larger commercial RESS auction where there is ample room for smaller scale projects.
146. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the grants and funding opportunities available to offshore islanders to improve the habitability, sustainability and energy efficiency of island dwellings; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23806/21]
View answerSome €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes. This allocation has facilitated the expansion and improvement of existing SEAI grant schemes and the introduction of new initiatives. The funding has already supported calls for projects under the new National Retrofit (One-Stop-Shop Development) scheme and the Community Energy Grant Scheme as well as a €47 million increase in funding for energy poverty schemes. Additional support is available to homes on islands under certain SEAI schemes.
- The Better Energy Homes scheme gives grants to homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Applications received from specific offshore islands are eligible for 50% additional grant support under this scheme.
- The Community Grants programme, which awards funding to community-based energy efficiency projects, operates an application appraisal system which favours island communities.
- The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme offers a 100% grant, subject to eligibility criteria and irrespective of location in Ireland.
The SEAI residential and community energy efficiency retrofit programmes are demand-led schemes and the table below sets out the amount of spending per scheme drawn down by island residents or communities over the last five years for home energy efficiency projects.
|
|
2015-2020 |
|
Better Energy Homes |
€42,400 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
€286,710 |
|
Solar PV |
€4,600 |
|
Deep Retrofit |
€81,840 |
Community energy grants programme funding is provided on a project basis and the amount spent per home located on an offshore island within each project is therefore not available.
147. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding and supports that have been provided to develop job opportunities and investment in offshore island communities in the production and generation of offshore renewable wind, wave and tidal energy in each of the past five years. [23817/21]
View answerLast year, Ireland signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative, recognising the important role islands can play in realising the objectives of the European Green Deal. It sets out the objective to establish a long-term framework for cooperation to advance the energy transition for islands. Regarding funding and supports to develop job opportunities and investment in offshore island communities, the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main government support to help deliver on Ireland’s 70% renewable electricity target by 2030. The scheme has a number of community features designed to ensure community, including island community, participation.
Of particular interest to island communities are the provisions of the Community Benefit Fund and the Community-led category. The former provides for all RESS projects to share project revenues with local communities for sustainable purposes and the latter provides a route to market for community-led projects. To better support communities in bringing forward community-led projects, an enabling framework is currently under development by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland(SEAI), to which I have allocated €3 million in capital supports this year.
148. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding and supports that have been provided in each of the past ten years to support the work of an organisation (details supplied) to train offshore islanders on the conservation and generation of renewable energy; and his policy to continue this work. [23818/21]
View answerLast year, Ireland signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Clean Energy for EU Islands Initiative, recognising the important role islands can play in realising the objectives of the European Green Deal. It sets out the objective to establish a long-term framework for cooperation to advance the energy transition for islands. The islands of Ireland have the potential to engage in the clean energy transition by sustainably harnessing local resources and reducing energy dependence on the mainland. Island citizens are at the heart of this transition, bringing tangible benefits such as local job creation, economic activity and lower energy bills. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main government support to help deliver on Ireland’s 70% renewable electricity target by 2030, which is also open to island communities to advance renewable electricity projects. The scheme has a number of community features designed to ensure community participation. Of particular interest to island communities are the provisions of the Community Benefit Fund and the Community-led category. The former provides for all RESS project to share project revenues with local communities for sustainable purposes and the latter provides a route to market for community-led projects. To better support communities in bringing forward community-led projects, an enabling framework is currently under development by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, to which I have allocated €3 million in capital supports this year.
The RESS, and similar previous support schemes, is supported by the Public Service Obligation Levy, which is collected from all electricity customers in Ireland through their energy bills. The proceeds of the levy are used to contribute to the additional costs incurred by PSO-supported electricity generation which are not recovered in the electricity market, typically via contracts that suppliers have in place with electricity generators.
My Department has no records of the organisation you refer to directly receiving financial support from my Department.
149. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the offshore islands that are currently served by high-speed fibre-optic broadband; when high-speed fibre-optic broadband will be rolled out to the remaining offshore islands; and the estimated cost of same. [23821/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which includes the islands and covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. Over 2,200 premises on offshore islands are included and will be provided with access to high speed broadband as part of the State led intervention, ensuring that no premises are left behind regardless of how remote their location. The NBP contract provides that the maximum cost to the State of delivering the NBP network over the 25 year period of the contract is €2.7bn and this subsidy includes the cost of bringing fibre connectivity to our offshore islands.
Further details are available on specific areas across the country, including the islands, through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 29 April, 11 BCP sites on islands 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 by the Department of Education for schools. 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 as part of the BCP initiative, including the islands within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
The following table sets out the public BCP sites that have been installed, connected or are in planning on the islands.
|
PUBLIC SITE NAME |
EIRCODE |
ISLAND |
LA |
Installed |
Connected |
|
Bere Island Heritage Centre |
P75W660 |
Bere |
Cork |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Coláiste Phobal Cléire |
P81P627 |
Cape Clear |
Cork |
Yes |
In planning |
|
Sherkin Island Community Hall |
P81AE02 |
Sherkin |
Cork |
Yes |
In planning |
|
Tory CO-OP |
F92FD66 |
Tory |
Donegal |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin CTR |
H91XK40 |
Inis Meáin |
Galway |
In planning |
In planning |
|
Comhar na Noileán |
H91D27X |
Inis Oirr |
Galway |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Inishbofin Community Centre |
H91TC6C |
Inishbofin |
Galway |
In planning |
In planning |
|
Kilronan Library |
H91WN93 |
Inishmore |
Galway |
In planning |
In planning |
|
Halla Pobal Thír an Fhia |
H91CT9F |
Lettermore |
Galway |
In planning |
In planning |
|
Tír an Fhia |
H91YE86 |
Lettermore |
Galway |
In planning |
In planning |
|
Lettermullen Community Centre |
H91CH7X |
Lettermullen |
Galway |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cable Station - Valentia |
V23H685 |
Valentia |
Kerry |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Chapeltown Community Centre |
V23H240 |
Valentia |
Kerry |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Clare Island Community Centre |
F28KP99 |
Clare Island |
Mayo |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Inisturk Community Centre |
H91N990 |
Inisturk |
Mayo |
In planning |
In planning |
The following table sets out the School BCP sites that have been installed, connected or are in planning on the islands.
|
SCHOOL NAME |
EIRCODE |
ISLAND |
LA |
Installed |
Connected |
|
MHICHIL NAOFA |
P75AK22 |
Bere Island |
Cork |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N CLEIRE |
P81FY05 |
Cape Clear |
Cork |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
SN ARAINN MHOR I |
F92Y978 |
Arranmore |
Donegal |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
Arranmore NS |
F92AE75 |
Arranmore |
Donegal |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
SCOIL NAOMH CHOLMCILLE |
F92XV52 |
Tory Island |
Donegal |
Yes |
In Planning |
|
S N INIS MEADHOIN |
H91P892 |
Inis Meáin |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N CAOMHAIN |
H91C967 |
Inis Oirr |
Galway |
Yes |
In Planning |
|
INISHBOFIN N S |
H91KV48 |
Inishbofin |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N RONAIN |
H91ED89 |
Inishmore |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N EOIN POL II |
H91W727 |
Inishmore |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N BHRIDE |
H91F3C5 |
Lettermore |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
SCOIL RONAIN |
H91E8Y0 |
Lettermore |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N Leitir Meallain |
H91RX45 |
Lettermullen |
Galway |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N DAR EARCA |
V23R928 |
Valentia |
Kerry |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
DOOKINELLA N.S. |
F28RF79 |
Achill |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
VALLEY N S |
F28HY27 |
Achill |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N DUMHACH |
F28AK54 |
Achill |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
SN NAOMH SEOSAMH |
F28K500 |
Achill |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
ACHILL SOUND CONVENT NS |
F28ER26 |
Achill Sound |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
S N NAOMH PADRAIG SAILE |
F28Y229 |
Achill Sound |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
ST PATRICKS NS |
F28F516 |
Clare Island |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
|
ST COLUMBAS N.S. |
H91YNP3 |
Inishturk |
Mayo |
In Planning |
In Planning |
150. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the costs for subscriptions to international organisations and treaties; and the breakdown in terms of the cost of subscription per international organisation per year. [23854/21]
View answerMy Department has been reconfigured on several occasions over the past 10 years. In view of this some of the information sought by the Deputy prior to 2016 is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time to compile. The available information is set out in the table below.
|
Treaty/Convention/International Organisation |
Cost per year in €000 |
|||||||||
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Geant Vereniging (Trusted Introducer Accreditation) |
2 (paid in 2018) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
FIRST (Forum of Incident Response & Security Teams) |
3 |
2 (paid in 2020) |
||||||||
|
GEF-7 Global Environment Fund |
1,420 |
1,420 |
1,420 |
1,420 |
1,420 |
1,420 |
1,420 |
1,440 |
1,440 |
1,430 |
|
UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme |
470* |
470* |
470* |
584* |
508 |
478 |
538 |
550 |
476 |
600* *USD $ |
|
Minamata Convention on Mercury |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7* |
11* |
18* *USD $ |
|
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22* |
22* |
24* |
*USD $ |
|
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety |
|
|
|
|
|
13* |
13* |
13* |
14* |
*USD $ |
|
Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) / UNECE |
|
|
|
|
42 |
38 |
34 |
36 |
42 |
|
|
Trust Fund for Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer (CPOL) / United Nations Environment Programme |
|
|
|
|
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
Trust Fund for Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone layer / United Nations Environment Programme |
|
|
|
|
16 |
17 |
16 |
16 |
18 |
|
|
Trust Fund for the Multilateral fund for the Montreal Protocol/ United Nations Environment Programme |
|
|
|
|
616 |
616 |
782 |
782 |
783 |
|
|
Mandatory Contribution(Stockholm Convention) / United Nations Environment Programme |
|
|
|
|
25 |
24 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
|
Aarhus Convention |
|
|
|
|
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
PRTR Protocol to the Aarhus Convention |
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Irelands Contribution to the Regular Budget / IAEA |
1,605 |
1,603 |
1,384 |
1,435 |
1,454 |
1,166 |
1,211 |
1,208 |
1,192 |
|
|
Irelands Contribution to the NEA/ DFAT |
53 |
52 |
52 |
51 |
51 |
50 |
50 |
53 |
54 |
|
|
Fusion for Energy Membership Contribution/ITER |
20 |
26 |
22 |
23 |
18 |
16 |
18 |
16 |
17 |
|
|
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCC) |
142 |
112 |
137 |
140 |
177 |
155 |
105 |
128 |
118 |
142 |
|
EuroGeoSurveys |
10 |
7 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
UK Groundwater Forum |
|
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
International Union of Geological Sciences |
3 |
3 |
|
8 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
DEVAID Limited |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
3 |
|
|
European Marine Sand & Gravel Group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP) |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
|
|
Irish Shelf Petroleum Study Group (ISPSG) |
0 |
21 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
21 |
|
IRENA( International Renewable Energy Agency) |
|
|
|
|
94
|
74
|
66 |
75 |
72 |
58 |
|
International Energy Forum
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
23
|
20
|
20 |
22 |
20 |
|
Energy Charter Secretariat |
|
|
|
|
31
|
31
|
31
|
36
|
36
|
36
|
|
International Energy Agency |
|
|
|
|
107
|
118
|
130
|
142
|
151
|
|
|
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal |
28* |
28* |
25* |
25* |
25* |
25* |
19* |
20* |
22* |
21* *USD $ |
|
International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZG) |
10 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
ETSI |
63 |
63 |
63 |
63 |
59 |
63 |
58 |
57 |
57 |
59 |
|
ITU |
530 |
518 |
518 |
62 |
578 |
636* |
563 |
573 |
600 |
636* *Swiss Francs |
151. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the progress made under the National Broadband Plan to date in terms of connections completed; if the programme is on track with its targets; if the programme remains within budget; if not, if costs have escalated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23999/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years. I am advised by NBI that, as of 22 April 2021, over 207,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed which is ahead of schedule. Nearly 4,000 premises have been passed with high speed broadband by the NBI network in Counties Cork and Cavan.
Further details are available on specific areas across the country through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project. There are no cost overruns associated with this project.
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 22 April, 304 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 schools. 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. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
152. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) is still not included in the intervention area for the roll-out of fibre optic cables despite being told that the premises had been excluded from the AMBER area due to an anomaly and that this would be remedied on the high-speed broadband map. [24016/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. It has come to my Department’s attention, however, that some BLUE premises are having difficulty connecting to a commercial high speed network, and may continue to do so in the future. My Department is currently examining these premises, including the one referred to in the Question, with the aim that access to high speed broadband is made available, either through commercial means or through the National Broadband Plan intervention. Where appropriate, premises may be reclassified on the high speed broadband map.
The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area.
153. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if inland fisheries bye-laws are regularly reviewed with regard to setting conditions for non-commercial fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24067/21]
View answerEach of Ireland's more than 140 genetically unique salmon stocks are assessed yearly and are managed on an individual stock basis. Consequently the relevant bye-laws are renewed on a yearly basis. In relation to other species or fisheries, bye-laws are reviewed when they expire or as required.Some bye-laws are not time bound and are reviewed as needs arise. A bye-law work programme is currently in place in the Department for 2021.
154. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated by his Department or agencies under his remit to An Taisce in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the expected allocations to An Taisce for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24102/21]
View answerMy Department provides An Taisce with funding for a variety of initiatives, including the National Spring Clean; the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) National Litter League; and the Green Schools programme. A total of €3.4 million has been provided between 2015 and 2020 in respect of a range of such environmental activities and public awareness initiatives, with total annual allocations set out in the table below:
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
€403,000 |
€408,000 |
€596,280 |
€671,683 |
€697,710 |
€675,474 |
€3,452,147 |
The estimated allocation for 2021 is in line with the 2020 allocation of €675,000. Final details on payments in 2021 will not be available until the end of the year.
An Taisce is a non-governmental organisation active in the areas of the environment and built heritage in Ireland. The link to the website of the organisation https://www.antaisce.org/ may be helpful to the Deputy.
155. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland is being fined by the EU for the failure to meet with the N-1 formula (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24180/21]
View answerIreland met the infrastructure standard, which is also referred to as the N-1 requirement, on a regional basis with the UK until the end of last year. Since the start of this year, following the end of the transition period, compliance with the infrastructure standard is assessed on a national basis. On this basis Ireland does not meet the standard. It should be noted this does not have an adverse impact on security of supply as the same natural gas infrastructure remains in place and natural gas continues to flow and be traded normally. As part of the Brexit process, my Department discussed Ireland's inability to meet the infrastructure standard on a national basis with the European Commission. It is noted that this compliance issue arises as a direct result of Brexit, which is expected to be taken into account by the Commission. Ireland has not been fined in relation to compliance with the infrastructure standard.
Ireland continues to work with our EU partners in implementing the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement which contains specific provisions to facilitate future cooperation on natural gas security of supply.
156. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider giving the Commission for Communications Regulation additional power to enforce solutions from broadband providers for their customers; his views on whether the current powers are too limited given the increased importance of remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24220/21]
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 pandemic. The availability of reliable high speed broadband is of particular importance and the Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure that every premises in Ireland will have access to a high speed broadband service. ComReg currently has a suite of enforcement and sanction powers available to it in regulating the telecommunications sector. Transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code, a new European regulatory framework will, inter alia, further ensure effective consumer protection and includes enforcement measures which should in turn further enhance competition and innovation. Against the backdrop of the transposition of the Code, my Department, in collaboration with ComReg, is developing proposals to further strengthen ComReg's enforcement regime, as committed to in the Programme for Government, with a view to developing draft legislative proposals.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a broadband connection for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24305/21]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot obtain 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 this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 6 May 2021, some 215,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cork, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Main works are ongoing in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Pre-works are ongoing in Midleton.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork via the NBI website. The NBI website provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 6 May, 310 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 schools. BCP sites installed in Cork include Bere Island Heritage Centre, Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, T.O. Park Labbamollaga, Ballydaly Community Hall and Glenasmole Community Centre. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools are included as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
158. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to delays in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan for Carrigaline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24306/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. There are 274,505 premises in County Cork of which 194,836 (71%) are in the commercial area and 79,669 (29%) premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 6 May 2021, some 215,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cork, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Main works are ongoing in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Pre-build works are ongoing in Midleton. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and in a test and trial phase in Cavan and in Carrigaline, Co Cork. I am advised that almost 4,000 homes are passed and available for connection in both Counties Cork and Cavan. I understand some 816 premises have now been passed by the NBI high speed broadband network in Carriagline. NBI anticipates that the remaining premises in the Carrigaline Deployment Area will be able to access connection to the network in July of this year.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project.
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 6 May, 310 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. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband include Bere Island Heritage Centre, Laharn Heritage Centre, Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, T.O. Park Labbamollaga and Ballydaly Community Hall.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools are installed 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/.
159. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 24 February 2021, the status of the matter as of May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24323/21]
View answerFinal clarification is still awaited from the European Commission in relation to the use of stocks on hand prior to 3 July 2021. Therefore, the position in relation to items being restricted from the Irish market in accordance with Article 5 of the Single Use Plastics Directive is unchanged.
160. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/21]
View answerMy Department has provided funding to NGOs for a number of projects including National Spring Clean (NSC) and the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) programmes. Details of these and other funding provided to NGOs are set out in the table below:
|
Non-Governmental Organisation |
Funding in 2020 |
|
Offaly Local Development Company |
22,790 |
|
Green Offaly |
15,682 |
|
Baylin Development Association |
24,800 |
|
Athlone Co-Working Hub |
19,456 |
|
Ballycommon Telework & Training Centre |
14,963 |
|
Eco-unesco |
50,000 |
|
Environmental Ecological NGOS Core Funding Ltd |
1,060,000 |
|
Cork Environmental Forum (CEF) |
18,000 |
|
Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (GAA) |
5,000 |
|
Laois Education Centre |
5,000 |
|
Irish Association for Economic Geology (IAEG) |
750 |
|
An Taisce |
458,563 |
|
ESRI* |
200,000 |
* This payment relates to an Energy Research Grant.
