Written Answers Nos. 138-155
138. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans for the National Cyber Security Centre following the completion of the capacity review; the expected timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/21]
View answerFollowing the completion of the Capacity Review, the Government has agreed to a range of important measures including: An increase in the staffing complement of the NCSC from 25 to 45 staff over the next 18 months, and to 70 within 5 years;
- the re-advertisement of the role of Director of the NCSC at a salary of €184,000 (Deputy Secretary level) to reflect the scale and importance of the role and to attract experienced candidates;
- the establishment of a cyber security graduate training programme in the NCSC starting in 2021, with four computer science graduates recruited each year on contracts of three years duration;
- Legislation to be drafted to establish the NCSC on a statutory basis with a set of formal powers and a legal mandate;
- the development of a single HQ for the NCSC which will provide the required security infrastructure and capacity;
- the preparation of a 5 year technology strategy for the NCSC.
139. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way a company (details supplied) plans to catch up on the Covid-19 related delays to the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the expected timeframe for these works; the connection figures it is working to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40991/21]
View answer140. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plan in relation to the acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; the way the roll-out will move from a six to seven year plan to a four to five year plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40992/21]
View answer141. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the complete roll-out plan for the National Broadband Plan for all premises across the State will be available given the Covid-19 related delays and the statements regarding acceleration of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40993/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139, 140 and 141 together.
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that as of 21 July over 236,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties. Main Fibre Build works are underway in 25 Deployment Areas covering a total of 92,000 premises. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected and I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 July, over 10,000 premises are passed in Counties Cork, Cavan and Galway and available for order and preorder. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month. In total over 19,000 premises can preorder via retail service providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway and Limerick.
Further details are available on specific areas 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties at the end of August.
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 staffs 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. As a result of this plan, NBI now expects to pass just under 60,000 premises by the end of 2021. NBI has committed to putting in place mitigation measures to address the impact of the pandemic on the programme to date.
In line with the Programme for Government NBI and my Department are also engaged in a review of potential measures that can be taken to accelerate the network rollout in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19. My Department is currently engaging with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. Minister Ryan has recently written to NBI seeking to put the acceleration of the programme on a contractual footing. This will require detailed technical, commercial and financial analysis and these considerations are underway.
I expect to be in a position to bring an update to Government on progress on delivery of the NBP and the potential for acceleration in the Autumn.
142. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his current or future engagements with telecommunications and broadband providers regarding interim solutions for areas at the later end of the National Broadband Plan roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40994/21]
View answer143. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will establish a clearing house for telecommunications and broadband companies to offer interim solutions for premises at the later end of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions in relation to connectivity and potential future infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40995/21]
View answer144. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will establish a clearing house for premises at the later end of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan to assist premises in exploring their broadband and connectivity options ensuring they have all the information they need to make informed decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40996/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 143 and 144 together.
The NBP Contract allows National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to explore alternative technologies if they are deemed necessary to assist delivery of the contract requirements. In doing so NBI must ensure that any alternative technologies utilised do not negatively impact on having a reliable and robust network available for all premises within the Intervention Area and that minimum contracted speeds are achieved. These considerations are a matter for NBI in the first instance given its responsibility to deliver the State led intervention under the contract with the State.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 15 July, 335 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. These will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main deployment under the NBP. The planned BCP locations are in places of community importance, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places.
In relation to mobile coverage, ComReg has developed a national outdoor coverage map (available at coveragemap.comreg.ie/map), which can help consumers choose the network provider that best meets their needs for where they live, work and travel. ComReg has also published the results of tests carried out on mobile/smartphone handsets currently available in Ireland (available at comreg.ie/publication/mobile-handset-performance-data). These findings will further allow consumers to make informed decisions based on the handsets which best address their needs. ComReg is currently managing the next spectrum award process for wireless broadband services. This spectrum will enable mobile operators to further enhance their services throughout the country.
The work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has successfully targeted actions that support the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas. Key achievements of the Taskforce to date have included:
Over 1,000 km of ducting installed nationwide, enabling operators to expand their networks along the road network route.
- The revision of the Guidelines for Managing Openings in Public Roads (the ‘Purple Book’)
- Removal of development contributions and the introduction of planning exemptions for new telecoms technology, enabling infrastructure rollout where previously not considered viable.
- A single centralised process and online resource for road opening licences to facilitate deployment.
- The launch of a series of pilot projects nationwide to tackle blackspots.
The future work programme of the Taskforce, which is currently being finalised, will seek to build on the work to date, against the backdrop of the rollout of the NBP, together with the significant recent and ongoing investment by commercial operators and the spectrum award process that is being managed by ComReg at this time.
145. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises currently connected through the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan by county in tabular form; the number of premises yet to be connected; the projected yearly figures for connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40997/21]
View answerDespite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that as of 21 July over 236,000 premises have been surveyed across all counties. Main Fibre Build works are underway in 25 Deployment Areas covering a total of 92,000 premises. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline, Co Cork, Cavan and Galway. I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 July over 10,000 premises are passed in Counties Cork, Cavan and Galway. As the programme continues to build momentum this figure is expected to grow month on month.
NBI is a wholesale provider which means it makes the network available to Retail Service Providers (RSPs) to connect and provide the service to end users. There are now 45 RSPs signed up to offer services on the NBI network to customers across Ireland, which will create greater competition, choice and value to consumers. RSPs are actively selling on the NBI Network with over 19,000 premises now available for order and preorder through local broadband service providers.
NBI will only connect end users once orders are placed with retail service providers. There can be a significant time lag from the time premises are passed with fibre to when an end user might seek a connection to their home. This can be for many reasons - end users may be tied into contracts for up to two years with their current providers, some homes may be unoccupied for periods of time, some end users simply take more time than others before they decide to seek a connection. Ultimately, NBI expect the majority of homes and businesses in each deployment area to be connected within the next five to 10 years as demand for fibre ramps up and as the legacy copper network is switched off across the State.
NBI expects to pass circa 60,000 premises by the end of 2021. 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. Consequently and in light of ongoing discussions regarding the potential to accelerate the programme, targets for the remaining years of the programme are subject to further discussion and negotiation.
Further details are available on specific areas 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties at the end of August.
146. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if arrangements will be made without delay to meet with a group (details supplied) due to the serious difficulties that have arisen for the horticulture and mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41046/21]
View answerMy officials met with representatives of the horticulture and mushroom sector on Friday, 23 July. This meeting mainly focused on the serious difficulties facing professional growers due to lack of supply of horticultural grade peat, and the need for any proposed solutions to be fully compliant with the requirements of the EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. I would like to thank the attendees for their constructive engagement with my Department, and to fully acknowledge that the problems facing their sectors are in no way of their own making.
It is not open to the State to simply set aside the requirements of EU law in relation to previously unauthorised industrial scale peat extraction. However, Friday’s meeting did identify a limited number of measures, in relation to smaller scale sites (i.e. less than 30Ha), which could potentially support some resumption of professional horticultural grade peat production.
My Department will continue to work with all stakeholders, including other relevant Government Departments, to help find feasible solutions for the horticulture and mushroom sectors, which are important national industries and which provide significant employment and contribute to Ireland’s food security.
147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of upgrades to the Moffat pipeline. [41116/21]
View answerThe Irish gas network is primarily supplied by two entry points, the ‘Corrib’ entry point in County Mayo and via two interconnectors from a single source at the ‘Moffat’ entry point in Scotland. Gas Networks Ireland's Summer Outlook 2021, which is published on its website, sets out that Corrib is expected to supply circa 31% of daily summer demand in 2021, covering the period April to October 2021, with the balance of gas demand to be met by imports from Moffat. Upgrades to the interconnector system are an operational matter for Ireland’s gas Transmission System Operator Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) and its subsidiary GNI UK. Tariff related expenditure used to fund upgrades to this regulated asset is subject to the approval of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Ireland’s independent energy regulator.
The first interconnector pipeline was constructed in the early 1990s and the second interconnector was constructed in 2002. In 2018, with the assistance EU Connecting Europe Facility funding, the interconnectors were upgraded by adding an additional 50km of onshore pipeline in Scotland, which resulted in twinned pipelines for the two interconnectors, which increased the resilience of the system.
A project is currently underway to upgrade the Beattock Compressor Station, which is located adjacent to the National Grid Moffat Compressor Station near Dumfries in Scotland and which moves gas through the onshore part of interconnector system in Scotland. This project will further improve the resilience of the system.
149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if a strategic review has been conducted on the impact data centres will have on meeting renewable energy targets or emissions targets; and if any consultation with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has commenced on this issue. [41118/21]
View answerThe Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy (2018) recognises that a plan-led approach is needed to develop a range of measures to promote regional options for data centre investment thus minimising the need for additional grid infrastructure. My Department is engaged on this issue with the Department Enterprise, Trade and Employment in preparation for the Climate Action Plan 2021.
From an environmental perspective the impact of data centres on Ireland’s energy demand, and therefore emissions in the electricity sector, is significant. However, this must be balanced with the role of data centres as part of the digital and communications infrastructure for many sectors of our economy.
In March 2021, EirGrid launched a consultation on the future development and operation of the electricity system called ‘Shaping our Electricity Future’. This body of work centres on how the electricity system will be transformed over the coming decade catering for both increased demand and a transition to at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The assumed demand composition and how it is likely to change between 2020 and 2030 is informed by EirGrid’s ‘Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios’ report and is consistent with the figures in the latest ‘Generation Capacity Statement’. This includes a projection that the total electricity requirement for Large Energy Users, including data centres, will more than double by 2030 compared to 2020 figures.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) 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 and changes to the grid connection of data centres, while at the same time allowing us to meet our climate change targets. There have been numerous engagements between the CRU and EirGrid on the implications for the national grid driven by data centres and the major challenges associated with the high levels of data centre development anticipated over the coming years.
On 8 June 2021, the CRU published their proposed direction to the system operators related to data centre grid connection. The purpose of the paper was to outline for consultation the proposed criteria against which the system operators would continue to process and connect data centres to the grid, in order to mitigate some of this risk. This paper details that some form of intervention is necessary at this stage to maintain the security of the electricity system and to mitigate against the impact of data centres on the national grid. This consultation process is now closed and the CRU is reviewing and evaluating responses with a view to ensuring we will be able to meet our decarbonization objectives, maintain a secure supply of electricity and meet our enterprise goals.
150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if emissions from data centres are included under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. [41119/21]
View answerThe Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy (2018) recognises that a plan-led approach is needed to develop a range of measures to promote regional options for data centre investment thus minimising the need for additional grid infrastructure. My Department is engaged on this issue with the Department Enterprise, Trade and Employmen in preparation for the Climate Action Plan 2021. From an environmental perspective the impact of data centres on Ireland’s energy demand, and therefore emissions in the electricity sector, is significant. However, this must be balanced with the role of data centres as part of the digital and communications infrastructure for many sectors of our economy.
In March 2021, EirGrid launched a consultation on the future development and operation of the electricity system called ‘Shaping our Electricity Future’. This body of work centres on how the electricity system will be transformed over the coming decade catering for both increased demand and a transition to at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The assumed demand composition and how it is likely to change between 2020 and 2030 is informed by EirGrid’s ‘Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios’ report and is consistent with the figures in the latest ‘Generation Capacity Statement’. This includes a projection that the total electricity requirement for Large Energy Users, including data centres, will more than double by 2030 compared to 2020 figures.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) 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 and changes to the grid connection of data centres, while at the same time allowing us to meet our climate change targets. There have been numerous engagements between the CRU and EirGrid on the implications for the national grid driven by data centres and the major challenges associated with the high levels of data centre development anticipated over the coming years.
On 8 June 2021, the CRU published their proposed direction to the system operators related to data centre grid connection. The purpose of the paper was to outline for consultation the proposed criteria against which the system operators would continue to process and connect data centres to the grid, in order to mitigate some of this risk. This paper details that some form of intervention is necessary at this stage to maintain the security of the electricity system and to mitigate against the impact of data centres on the national grid. This consultation process is now closed and the CRU is reviewing and evaluating responses with a view to ensuring we will be able to meet our decarbonization objectives, maintain a secure supply of electricity and meet our enterprise goals.
153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration scheme will be introduced; the reason for the delay in introducing this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41126/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation, including solar-PV, to help citizens, farms and businesses generate renewable electricity for their own use and to sell any excess electricity back to the grid. Under the Climate Action Plan, a Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments.While the primary aim of a micro-generation scheme is to enable a household to meet its own electricity needs, it is envisaged that a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all renewables self-consumers in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (RED II).It is expected that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will publish a draft framework later this year which will outline the details, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction, of the Clean Export Guarantee payment for exported renewable electricity, to give effect to the above-mentioned articles and allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators.My Department is working closely with the CRU to progress the implementation of the Clean Export Guarantee, which is dependent on the transposition of RED II and Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity, which establish the renewables self-consumer model of electricity generation. My Department is working to transpose these provisions into Irish law as soon as possible.
155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated number of households that will have their homes retrofitted under the various schemes in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41129/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. Some €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. A further €65 million has been allocated to retrofit social housing administered by the Department of Housing.
Prior to the introduction of enhanced COVID restrictions in January 2021, it was estimated that, in total, SEAI residential and community schemes would deliver over 29,000 retrofits including approximately 8,000 to a B2 level. Since April 12th when construction activity in the residential sector recommenced every effort has been made to maximise activity.
To date in 2021 over 5,700 homes have been retrofitted under the SEAI schemes. Now that there has been a number of months of retrofit activity the Department and SEAI are currently working to revise the output projection for 2021.
A projection of homes to be retrofitted in 2022 will form part of the annual Estimates process.
