Thursday, 9 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 41-60

Departmental Staff

Questions (41)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

41. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41592/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department uses the services of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Irish Public and Civil Service. 

The current percentage of employees who have declared a disability under the definition in the Disability Act 2005 (bearing in mind that the declaration of a disability is voluntary), is 3.6%.

Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024.  The Department is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard.

I have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to provide the information requested for their organisations directly to the Deputy. 

Energy Conservation

Questions (42)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

42. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to ensure that social housing funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 can access energy efficient retrofitting schemes in the future. [41608/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

SEAI grant schemes will be a central element of the Government's approach to achieving our national retrofit targets. 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.

Organisations that provide housing to vulnerable persons and are funded under the Health Act 2004 are eligible to participate in schemes under the national retrofitting programme. Both the Communities Energy Grant Scheme (previously known as the Better Energy Communities Scheme) and the National Home Retrofit Scheme provide funding to upgrade homes for private owners, Approved Housing Bodies and Local Authorities.  More details are available on the SEAI website.  The recently published 'Housing For All' plan also includes a commitment to introduce a new energy efficiency retrofit scheme for Approved Housing Bodies in Q1 of next year.

In addition, the Public Sector Retrofit Partnership Pathfinder Programme provides capital funding for pathfinder retrofit projects aimed at testing building retrofit approaches and developing a model that can be replicated across the wider public sector.  The SEAI / HSE element of this Programme has funded the establishment of Energy Bureaus across a number of regions and has delivered retrofits to over 50 HSE buildings. More details are available on the HSE Energy Bureaus at www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthbusinessservices/national-health-sustainability-office/designing-the-built-environment/estates-energy-bureau/.

Electricity Generation

Questions (43, 45, 50, 72)

Mick Barry

Question:

43. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration scheme will be opened for households to allow them to share excess energy to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41737/21]

Gerald Nash

Question:

45. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the scheme to allow microgenerators to sell up to 30% of excess electricity produced for export to the national grid will be in place; the price at which the electricity will be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41899/21]

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

50. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to bring in a feed-in tariff for homes that produce their own energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42114/21]

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

72. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timescale for the introduction of the new micro-generation support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42652/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 45, 50 and 72 together.

The Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to help households generate renewable electricity for their own use and to sell 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. My Department outlined proposals for a new Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) in a public consultation that closed on 18 February last. A summary report of the submissions received has been published on my Department's website. While the primary aim of a micro-generation scheme is to enable a household to meet its own electricity needs, it is intended that a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all renewables self-consumers later  this year, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. It is expected that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will publish a draft framework in the coming weeks which will outline the details, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee payment for exported renewable electricity.  This framework will outline the approach to the rate of remuneration under the CEG, as determining such matters is the responsibility of the CRU. This would give effect to the above-mentioned articles and allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators, by their suppliers.

Further to the public consultation referred to above, my Department is developing a final scheme design for the MSS which incorporates feedback from the consultation and subsequent additional analysis. It is envisaged that a proposal on the supports to be offered to homeowners, farms, schools and businesses under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year.

Energy Conservation

Questions (44, 51)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the qualifying grant year of 2006 for insulation and heating control grants in houses will be extended to houses built before 2011 given the requirement for better insulation values in houses to maximise the efficiency of heat pumps and climate friendly heating upgrades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41851/21]

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

51. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is any consideration of making Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants available to improve energy efficiency and insulation for homes built after 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42115/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 51 together.

My Department funds a number of SEAI grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Since 2000, over 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.

Building Regulations have been progressively strengthened and new buildings must now meet very high energy performance standards. Homes constructed since 2006 are generally more energy efficient than those built before due to energy performance requirements of the 2003 Building Regulations. For this reason, there is no grant incentive for residential insulation and heating controls for houses built and occupied after 2006. However, grant funding for renewable energy measures are available to homes built before 2011.

There are currently no plans to change the date of eligibility for SEAI insulation and heating controls grant assistance for homes built and occupied after 2006.

It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were chosen as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners at the best value for money for the Exchequer.

Full details on the application processes for all schemes operated by the SEAI are available at www.seai.ie.

Question No. 45 answered with Question No. 43.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (46)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

46. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the person or body that are the beneficiaries for the new solar farm (details supplied) in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41928/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Communities Energy Grant Scheme (CEG) makes grant funding available for community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area and to install renewables.  The Scheme provides funding support for projects that deliver energy savings to a range of homeowners, communities and private sector organisations. This cross-sectoral approach facilitates community-wide energy improvements more efficiently and cost-effectively than might otherwise be possible.  A capital budget of €30 million has been provided for the Communities Energy Grant Scheme in 2021. 

I am advised by the Sustainable Energy Agency of Ireland (SEAI) that the pharmaceutical manufacturer Ely Lilly received support under this Scheme for the solar PV installation referred to by the Deputy.  The solar installation was part of a project proposed by North Cork Enterprise (NCE) which also included the participation of the Carbury Housing Association Sustainable Energy Community.  The SEAI also advise that the solar PV installation at the site will generate approximately 5,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of sustainable power and will reduce the nearby pharmaceutical plant’s carbon footprint by up to 2,000 tonnes per year. In addition, the Carbury Housing Association Sustainable Energy Community will benefit from a significant financial transfer from the solar farm donating their energy credits. Works will be facilitated in a number of the Carbury Housing Association houses as a direct result of these credit transfers.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (47)

Carol Nolan

Question:

47. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41951/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department is currently working in line with Government COVID 19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. Over the period of the pandemic staff in the Department have worked hard under difficult circumstances to advance and deliver on our vision of a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland.  

A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. One of the key objectives of the Blended Working Framework is to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to move to 20% remote working. It is anticipated that my Department’s Blended Working Policy will be in place by Q1 2022 in line with central Government guidance.  A key aim of the policy will be to balance and support the business needs of the  Department with retaining the flexibility and benefits of remote working.

 The Department has two regional offices in Cavan and Wexford and we will be encouraging staff living in these regions to take advantage of these buildings as hubs for remote working. The ICT equipment costs arising from remote working is just over €290,000. Since March 2020, phone-related cost have amounted to just over €28,000. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

Energy Policy

Questions (48, 87)

Neale Richmond

Question:

48. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of work into developing a policy statement on the importation of fracked gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41972/21]

Mary Butler

Question:

87. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding reports of a proposal by a company (details supplied) to seek approval to build a gas plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43192/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 87 together.

On 18 May 2021, the Government's Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was published.

The policy statement provides that pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems being carried out by my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with.

The review is 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 later this year. The review, once completed, will be submitted to Government.

I understand that an application has been made to An Bord Pleanála for a project in County Kerry that includes an LNG terminal. Under the Planning and Development Act 2000. An Bord Pleanála is statutorily obliged to have regard to Government policy, including the policy statement set out above, when evaluating such applications.  

Electricity Grid

Questions (49)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

49. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding electricity outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41975/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) has statutory responsibility, under S.I. 60 of 2005, to ensure security of electricity supply. The CRU has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take such measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply. It is assisted in its statutory role by EirGrid, Irelands’ electricity transmission system operator, which is required to report to the CRU with regard to security of electricity supply matters. EirGrid is also responsible for the day-to-day management of the electricity transmission system.

The CRU and EirGrid have advised that they have identified specific challenges to ensuring continued electricity security of supply, which they are currently in the process of addressing, including : lower than expected availability of some existing power stations; anticipated new power stations not being developed as planned; expected growth in demand for electricity including due to the growth of data centres; and the expected closure of power stations that make up approximately 25% of conventional electricity generation capacity over time. Our decarbonisation commitments must proceed while addressing these challenges.

A range of actions is being taken by the CRU and EirGrid in relation to security of electricity supply over the coming winter and years ahead. These actions being progressed include: maximising the availability of existing generators; development of new generation capacity; making changes to the grid connection rules for data centres,  and working with large energy consumers to, where possible, reduce their electricity demand during peak periods. My Department is working closely with the CRU and EirGrid in order to progress these actions.

It should be noted that the closure of two of the three peat-fired power stations in the midlands was a result of the ESB not securing planning permission from the relevant planning authority for their future operation. The third peat-fired power station, owned by Bord na Mona, is currently in the process of seeking planning permission to operate beyond 2023. 

Question No. 50 answered with Question No. 43.

Question No. 51 answered with Question No. 44.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (52)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

52. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will take steps in order that two properties (details supplied) in Clonegal, County Carlow that are in the process of being renovated will be included and connected to the NBI. [42192/21]

Written answers

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

The 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 investigated the matter and I understand that both premises are connected to the nearby FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) and therefore these premises should be able to access high speed broadband from a commercial operator.

Climate Action Plan

Questions (53)

Carol Nolan

Question:

53. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 15 June 2021, the status of his plans to provide the National Dialogue on Climate Action with an enduring structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42212/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

In May of this year, my Department held a series of climate conversations under the National Dialogue for Climate Action (NDCA), including a broad Public Consultation where we heard from 4,000 people, communities and organisations capturing their views on the climate challenge, their perceived capacity to act to combat climate change, and what Government needs to do to make it easier to live in a sustainable way.

These conversations indicated a sense of urgency among the public around climate change and an eagerness to actively engage in a national response. I am committed to publishing the results of that conversation shortly and can confirm that they are informing the Climate Action Plan 2021 and the development of a revised structure for the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) both which will shortly be completed. 

Telecommunications Services

Questions (54)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to concerns and proposals (details supplied) in relation to a possible deterrent for scam calls which have increased exponentially here over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42260/21]

Written answers

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

The telecommunications market is regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, including in relation to operational issues such as detecting or monitoring scam calls. 

I understand that scam call numbers can resemble normal, familiar geographical or international numbers encountered on a daily basis, and the Regulator has published information for consumers in relation to this issue www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/mobile-phone/scam-calls-2/).

This provides advice urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and listing suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls, and in particular, advising people not to answer or to call back any number which they do not recognise or where there is a bland or no voicemail left.

The notice also provides a phone number for consumers to contact and the Regulator also offers a text call back service and other facilities to assist consumers. In the meantime, ComReg continues to monitor the situation closely. 

In addition, the Investigation of scam calls from a criminal perspective is a matter for an Garda Síochána.  I understand that AGS has also raised public awareness to warn phone users on the need to remain continually alert with respect to calls and text messages.  

National Broadband Plan

Questions (55)

Denis Naughten

Question:

55. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he has taken to date to accelerate the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the emission reduction impact of an accelerated roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42298/21]

Written answers

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

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. I am advised by NBI that, as of 27 August, over 249,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed with over 92,000 premises under construction. 

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 to aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors, restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally).  Covid 19 has affected 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 have been at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have had 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 so far as possible.

The Programme for Government commits to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. The Department continues to engage 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. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19. As part of that work NBI is engaging with all current build partners to bring forward build activities and is also actively reviewing other possible build partners where such options could also speed up the build process. 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/.

The National Broadband Plan State led intervention has been designed to ensure that as much as possible of the network infrastructure will comprise the re-use of existing poles and ducts, which NBI will lease from existing infrastructure owners. Infrastructure re-use in this manner ensures the State complies with State Aid guidelines and environmental sustainability best practice.

Deployment of the NBP has the potential to deliver a range of environmental benefits linked to Government policy and cloud services as well as reduced emissions from teleworking and business travel. The Cost Benefit Analysis behind the business case for the Government decision to proceed with the NBP highlighted environmental benefits among a variety of other economic and social benefits.  However it did not set out to specifically forecast the impact of the NBP on emissions.  My Department will be looking at this in more detail, in due course, when assessing the benefits that are being delivered on foot of the ramping up of investment including any acceleration of the plan.  

Energy Conservation

Questions (56, 67)

Denis Naughten

Question:

56. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the independent analysis of the warmth and wellbeing scheme first commenced by an organisation (details supplied) will be completed; if he has received any interim reports; when the final report will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42299/21]

Denis Naughten

Question:

67. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the independent analysis of the warmth and wellbeing scheme carried out by the London School of Tropical Medicine; the reason for the delay in its completion and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42532/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 67 together.

The Warmth and Wellbeing pilot scheme aims to objectively measure and validate the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. The scheme is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Health and is jointly administered by the Health Service Executive and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Since 2016 over 1,300 homes have received free upgrades to their homes, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed.

The Exchequer investment in this scheme has significantly improved the warmth and comfort of the homes involved. Initial reports have indicated that the upgrades are also delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants, including reports of needing fewer GP and hospital visits, fewer prescriptions for antibiotics as well as increased engagement with other support services in the community. An independent analysis is being carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), in collaboration with the Health Service Executive.

The research element of the scheme has unfortunately experienced significant delays due to complications associated with GDPR, Brexit and more recently the COVID-19 emergency. However, every effort is being made to progress the research as quickly as possible and I intend to publish the results before the end of this year. The findings will inform Government’s approaches to retrofitting, especially with regard to those who are more vulnerable and at risk of energy poverty

Telecommunications Services

Questions (57)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

57. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his Department have engaged with communications and telecom providers regarding the increase in the amount of scam calls persons have been receiving; if so, if solutions have been proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42310/21]

Written answers

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

The telecommunications market is regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation, including in relation to operational issues such as detecting or monitoring scam calls. 

While I understand that it is not possible to identify scam call numbers in advance, which can resemble normal, familiar geographical or international numbers encountered on a daily basis, the Regulator has published information for consumers in relation to this issue www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/mobile-phone/scam-calls-2/).

This provides advice urging vigilance at all times on the part of consumers and listing suggestions for the proactive steps to be taken by those receiving scam calls, and in particular, advising people not to answer or to call back any number which they do not recognise or where there is a bland or no voicemail left.  

The notice also provides a phone number for consumers to contact and the Regulator also offers a text call back service and other facilities to assist consumers. In the meantime, ComReg continues to monitor the situation closely. 

In addition,  the Investigation of scam calls from a criminal perspective is a matter for an Garda Síochána.  I understand that AGS has also raised public awareness to warn phone users on the need to remain continually alert with respect to calls and text messages

National Broadband Plan

Questions (58)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed fibreoptic broadband is expected to be available in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42359/21]

Written answers

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

The 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 27 August, over 249,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Kildare in Killashee, Oughterard, Naas Rural, Rathmore, Kill, Kilteel, Carnalway, Gilltown, Ballymore Eustace, Bodenstown, Naas Urban, Newtown, Donaghcumper, Athy, Coneyboro, Aughaboura, Ballinapark, Castlemitchell, Bert, Kilberry, Kilkea, Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth. Areas which are close to the Wicklow border have commenced build works as part of the Blessington Deployment Area.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare 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, [e-mail] , which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 27 August, 366 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 Bigstone Community Hall, Crookstown Further Education and Training and Community Centre, and Lullymore Heritage Park. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.  

Rathmore National School, Saint David's National School and Piper's Hill Campus 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/.

Electricity Generation

Questions (59)

Denis Naughten

Question:

59. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the changes that have taken place to the electricity market rules in order to enable micro-generated electricity to be sold to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42497/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to help people generate renewable electricity for their own use and sell 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.

My Department outlined proposals for a new Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) in a public consultation that closed on 18 February last. A summary report of the submissions received has been published on my Department's website. 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 later this year, subject to regulatory arrangements, and in line with transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. It is expected that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will publish a draft framework in the coming weeks which will outline the details, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction, of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) payment for exported renewable electricity. This framework will introduce an obligation on all electricity suppliers to offer remuneration to their customers, by way of a CEG payment, for excess renewable electricity exported to the grid by eligible micro- and small-scale generators. This would give effect to the above-mentioned Articles of the Directive and allow for the commencement of export payments to micro- and small-scale generators, by their suppliers.

Waste Management

Questions (60)

Denis Naughten

Question:

60. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement he has had with the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the Joint Oireachtas Committees Pre-Budget Submission recommendation to ensure that the incontinence payment reaches those in need of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42498/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department has engaged with relevant public bodies such as  the Department of Social Protection, the National Disability Authority, the HSE, and  the Department of Health and  representative organisations such as Family Carer’s Ireland, Age Action, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland and Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, in an effort to see how best to support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear.

Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste. This provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Representatives from the waste industry were in positive discussions when a per kilogramme charging model was planned, however mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced and therefore their participation ended. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability. Results from the PMG are available on my Department's website.

In September 2020, Minister Ryan launched a new national waste policy for the period 2020-2025, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This plan contains a range of measures to empower households through enhanced consumer protection requirements. It also envisages an enhanced monitoring of the market to ensure continued relative price stability.