Written Answers Nos. 19-40
26. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to introduce a disability waste waiver to support those living with long-term incontinence for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36569/21]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question [31323] of 15 June 2021. The position is unchanged.
27. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason only 30% of the strand 2 projects with respect to the delivery of the 47 projects of the National Just Transition Fund of €27.8 million have received their final offer from his Department despite it being almost 12 months since applications were made and six months since the announcement of successful projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36603/21]
View answer28. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason 70% of strand 2 projects as part of the National Just Transition Fund projects are not yet finalised and are not at contract stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/21]
View answer29. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if concerns that a number of Just Transition projects in County Offaly have encountered difficulties in accessing match funding raising questions of the viability of these projects; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that without the secured match funding in place these projects cannot commence and that this is creating frustrations among the communities involved who were enthusiastic at the beginning of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36605/21]
View answer31. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if concerns will be addressed that Offaly County Council is not in a position to provide direct funding to any Just Transition Fund project for match funding; the measures he will take to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36607/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 28, 29 and 31 together.
The objective of the Just Transition Fund is to support innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Midlands region, and which have employment and enterprise potential.
My Department held a competitive call for applications to this Fund last year, in response to which over 100 applications were received. Provisional offers were made to 63 projects, of which 34 have concluded funding agreements with my Department. Further information on these projects is available on www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund. Remaining projects are currently at the final stages of verification and the majority of these projects are expected to have grant agreements in place by the end of July.
A number of projects which received provisional offers were at an early conceptual stage and required further development support by officials in my Department to structure projects in a way which aligns with the fund's requirements. In addition, significant time has been committed by my Department in engaging directly with individual projects to facilitate an open dialogue with project applicants to support them through this process.
As set out in the Department’s information booklet for its call for applications, all projects must include a minimum of 15% matching funding from sources other than the Just Transition Fund; that is the Fund will provide support up to a maximum of 85% of the project costs, subject to project compliance with state-aid rules. Matching funding is the responsibility of individual projects to source and may be in the form of a combination of other Exchequer-funded schemes and/or State-sector expenditure, Local Authority investment and/or land, EU funding sources, community investment, philanthropic contributions, private-sector investment, or other asset contributions. Where state aid rules apply, the Department is working directly with all affected projects to support them in fulfilling the relevant requirements.
30. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland’s Territorial Plan due to be submitted to Europe in September 2021 as a requirement for access to the EU Just Transition Fund for the period 2021-2027 will be submitted by that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/21]
View answerThe EU Just Transition Fund is designed to support the most affected regions in EU Member States to meet the challenges associated with achieving the EU's climate targets for 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The Just Transition Fund will invest in specific projects that will contribute to alleviating the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment. In order to access the Just Transition Fund, Ireland must prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan for approval by the European Commission. The Territorial Plan will define the regions eligible for funding and the measures to be funded, in line with the relevant EU regulation. The Department is working on developing the Plan and this is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The Department has been supported to develop the Territorial Plan through technical assistance under the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme. Consultants were selected by the Commission to assist in developing an evidence base to inform the selection of investment priorities for inclusion in the Territorial Plan. The consultants have already had extensive engagements with national and regional stakeholders to inform their work, through one-to-one interviews, written submissions and online group workshops. Key stakeholders engaged during this phase include the Just Transition Commissioner, the Midlands Regional Transition Team, Local Authorities, Regional Assemblies, ICTU, BnM, ESB, relevant Government Departments, NESC, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Solas and the Education and Training Boards. It is intended to hold a public consultation on a draft of the territorial plan in the Autumn.
32. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a survey and a connection to broadband for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/21]
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 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 1 July, over 230,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Westmeath in Mullingar, Sonna, Stonehall, Taghmon, Jamestown, Hopestown and Athlone. Pre-works have commenced in the areas around Mullingar. Further details are available on specific areas within County Westmeath 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. 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 1 July, 326 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 Kilclonfert Community Centre (9.38km from premises), Ballycommon Telework and Training Centre (10.14km from premises), Whitehall Community Centre, Streete Parish Park and Community Hall, Milltown Emper Community Centre, Ballycomoyle GAA Club and Clonkill Hurling Club. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Scoil Náisiúnta Bhride and Naomh Micheal have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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 nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
33. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) can connect to fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36734/21]
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 on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 1 July, over 230,000 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. 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 1 July, 326 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 Leghowney Community Centre, Sliabh Liag Ranger Station, Rathlin Knitwear, Tory Co-Op, Malin Head, Cranford Coole Community Centre, Dunree Military Museum, The Gweedore Theatre, Ray Community Centre, and Meenreagh Hostel. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Scoil Naomh Cholmcille, Scoil Naoimh Colum, Doaghbeg National School, Urbalreagh National School and Drumfad National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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 nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
34. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the survey for fibre broadband will be undertaken for the townland of Gleneely, County Donegal; if it is planned to expedite this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36735/21]
View answer35. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when surveys will be completed and fibre broadband rolled out across County Donegal by townland and yearly quarter in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36736/21]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 34 and 35 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. All counties will see construction commenced in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
There are 102,833 premises in County Donegal of which 70,350 are in the commercial area and 32,483 premises are in the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 1 July 2021, some 231,050 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Donegal, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Milford, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Termon, Ballymacool, Kilmacrennan, Mullaghfin, Tommyscroft and Creeslough. I am advised that the townland of Gleneely is located in the Carndonagh Intervention Area and will be delivered with access to high speed broadband by NBI under the NBP.
There are 23 Deployment Areas covering the 32,483 premises to be served by the NBP in Co Donegal which will cover a large proportion of the over 2,700 townlands in Co. Donegal. Surveys are complete in the Letterkenny and Creeslough Deployment Areas which cover over 420 townlands and some 6,389 premises. Further information is available on NBI’s website, www.nbi.ie, which provides details of individual townlands. I understand that surveys are due to commence shortly in the Deployment Areas of Rutland Island, Inishfree and Arranmore. Surveys are pending in the remaining Deployment Areas and my Department does not have specific timings in relation to same.
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. The full extent of this impact is currently being assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible.
Further details are available on specific areas within 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 when works are due to commence.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 1 July, 326 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 Dunree Military Museum, Rathlin Knitwear, Leghowney Community Centre, Malin Head, Meenreagh Hostel, The Gweedore Theatre, Cranford Coole Community Centre, Tory Co-Op, Sliabh Liag Ranger Station, and Ray Community Centre.
Scoil Naomh Cholmcille, Scoil Naoimh Colum, Doaghbeg National School, Urbalreagh National School, and Drumfad National School 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 nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of all projects, associated funding and environmental assessments since 2016 to date in 2021 in connection with the SEAI subsea observatory offshore at An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36744/21]
View answer37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any of the four cardinal markers installed at the SEAI Marine Institute’s 1/4 scale renewable energy offshore electricity generating station situated in Galway Bay have been altered and or replaced in the past seven months; the reason for the alteration to the south-east cardinal marker visible at the shoreline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36745/21]
View answer39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount, source and purpose of all funding received by the SEAI since March 2016 to date in 2021 which relates to any part of the 1/4 scale offshore energy test site located on the nearshore of An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36747/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 37 and 39 together.
This is primarily an operational matter for the SEAI.
However, I have requested the SEAI to review the issues raised with the view to replying to the Deputy as soon as possible.
38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 8 December 2020, the action taken further to the malfunction of the mooring system of an installation at the quarter scale test site located off the coast of An Spidéal on Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36746/21]
View answerThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has liaised with the Marine Institute on this matter, and the SEAI has advised my Department that the environmental monitoring buoy and mooring system, located off the coast of Spiddal, was recovered to Galway Docks on 22 November 2020. The buoy is presently undergoing a refit of its scientific instruments.
40. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the operator, type, generation capacity, location and status of each power station or wind farm in Ireland with the potential to produce more than 10MW in tabular form; his plans to ensure that there is sufficient generation capacity for winter 2021 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36858/21]
View answerThe Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has a statutory duty to monitor and take such measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply of electricity. EirGrid has statutory responsibility to report to the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities on matters relating to security of supply of electricity.
Details of power stations in the country are available on EirGrid’s All-Island Generation Capacity Statement 2020-2029, which can be accessed on EirGrid’s website at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/All-Island-Generation-Capacity-Statement-2020-2029.pdf.
In October 2020 EirGrid published a Winter Outlook which predicted there would be tight margins for Winter 2020/21 and set out the reasoning. This outlook is also available on EirGrid’s website at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/EirGrid-Group-Winter-Outlook-Brochure-2020-2021.pdf.
Two key gas-fired power stations, which were expected to be available, may not now be available in advance of the coming winter. While every effort is being made by the operators of these power stations to ensure their return to operation as soon as possible, contingency measures are being put in place.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid are progressing actions to ensure continued secure supplies of electricity, including increasing the availability of existing generators, the development of new generation capacity (including potentially temporary generation for the coming winter) and changes to the grid connection of data centres.
My Department chairs a group that includes the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid, which is monitoring progress on a wide range of actions that are being taken.
In addition, my Department is conducting a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation. It is planned that the technical analysis will be published and the public consultation undertaken in the second half of this year. The review, once completed, will be submitted to Government.
