Thursday, 9 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 61-80

Environmental Schemes

Questions (61, 62)

Denis Naughten

Question:

61. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 16 June 2021, the progress to date of the National Parks and Wildlife Service peatland scheme for large-scale peatlands restoration in 2021; the number of Bord na Móna employees reassigned to date from peat harvesting activities; the number of Bord na Móna seasonal staff re-employed on each bog in which rehabilitation has commenced; the planned recruitment on each bog to be rehabilitated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42488/21]

Denis Naughten

Question:

62. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 16 June 2021, the details of the progress to date of Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands restoration project and the number of Bord na Móna employees reassigned to date from peat harvesting activities; the number of Bord na Móna seasonal staff re-employed on each bog in which rehabilitation has commenced; the planned recruitment on each bog to be rehabilitated in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42489/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62 together.

The Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna.

The Government approved funding of €108 million for Bord na Móna’s large-scale peatlands project to rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of peatlands under the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme. The Scheme has resulted in Bord Na Móna reassigning employees from peat harvesting activities into rehabilitation operations, while supporting the natural environment and biodiversity of the peatlands.

In addition, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently undertaking a programme to restore Ireland’s raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas, a key action of the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022. In April 2020, following a public procurement process, the Department awarded a contract to Bord Na Móna  to project manage the implementation of the latest element of the Department’s national protected raised bog restoration programme, to provide other necessary professional services and undertake the restoration measures on behalf of his Department.

Combined, these schemes will support 350 jobs - taking seasonality into account, this equates to 230 full-time equivalent roles. Of the 350 jobs, approximately 330 will be from the existing workforce.

With respect specifically to the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme, to date across counties Galway, Meath, Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon, Laois and Longford, my Department has been advised by Bord na Mona that 220 jobs have been assigned. This excludes BnM employees working on rehabilitation activities under contract for the NPWS. Rehabilitation under the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme has commenced on 16 bogs and all operatives involved have been re-assigned from peat harvesting activities.

I have asked BnM to provide the further detailed information directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 61.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (63)

Denis Naughten

Question:

63. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to upgrade broadband services at livestock marts; the timeline for each mart concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42522/21]

Written answers

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

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 and currently include primary schools, community centres, sports centres and agricultural marts. To date most of that activity has focussed on community halls, sports centres and schools.

While schools are now clearly the main focus of this element of the NBP, other locations of a strategic nature in the intervention area continue to be assessed. Agricultural marts located in the intervention area were contacted and 11 are now in line for connection as a BCP.  

Carnross Mart is planned for installation by the end of Q3 2021 with the remaining marts scheduled during 2022.

County	Site Name	Eircode
Carlow	Tullow Livestock Sales, Abbey St, Tullow	R93E431
Clare	Clare Marts, Ltd, Caherminane, Kilfenora	V95XN59
Galway	Mountbellew Regional Mart, Mountbellew	H53HW98
Galway	Maam Cross Mart, Recess (aka Burkes)	H91V520
Galway	Headford Co-Op Mart, Balrikard, Headford	H91K7TH
Kerry	Gortatlea Mart, Ballymacelligot, Tralee	V92CY98
Leitrim	GCM, Carrigallen Mart, Calloughs	H12WP65
Mayo	Balla Mart, Carrowntober Oughter, Co Mayo	SCP0872
Meath	Carnaross Mart	A82AP90
Roscommon	Castlerea Co-Op Livestock Mart, Castlerea	F45FC91
Wexford	New Ross Livestock Marts Ltd, Rosbercon	Y34AF59

National Broadband Plan

Questions (64)

Denis Naughten

Question:

64. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to upgrade broadband services at schools; the timeline for each school concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42523/21]

Written answers

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

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 and currently include primary schools, community centres, sports centres and agricultural marts. To date most of that activity has focussed on community halls, sports centres and schools.

My Department has now prioritised primary schools with no high speed broadband and continues to work with the Department of Education in this regard. An acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan will see some 677 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by the end of 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.

Of the 677 schools 137 have been installed by National Broadband Ireland to date: 81 are connected and now live, 31 are awaiting connection by the retail service provider (RSP) and 25 are awaiting to be awarded an RSP by the Department of Education. It is expected that well in excess of 200 will be installed by the end of this year with all 677 schools connected by end 2022.

Waste Management

Questions (65)

Denis Naughten

Question:

65. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the working group established to examine the national end-of-waste applications backlog; the number of applications with the EPA for end-of-waste status for recovered waste materials; the number received in each calendar year; the number of applications processed in each calendar year; the number of staff and grades working full-time on these applications; the average processing time for a standard application and for a priority application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42530/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Waste Framework Directive provides a framework whereby material recovered or recycled from waste may be considered to no longer be waste.  As the competent authority in Ireland for End of Waste determinations is the EPA, questions in relation to applications are more appropriately directed to that Agency than to myself, and I have asked the EPA to respond directly to the Deputy with the detailed information sought. 

I am very conscious of the importance of the End of Waste in the transition to a more circular economy, in particular in relation to the construction sector.  The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy which was launched by Minister Ryan in September 2020, has a dedicated chapter on End of Waste, and commits to a number of measures including to the establishment of a working group to develop national end-of-waste applications for identified priority waste streams. This working group has now been established with the first meeting taking place in March 2020. My officials, in conjunction with the members of the working group, are currently considering what waste streams should be prioritised for national end-of-waste applications.

Environmental Policy

Questions (66)

Denis Naughten

Question:

66. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the carbon capture and storage feasibility study being conducted on behalf of his Department; the reason for the delay in its completion and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42531/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The carbon capture and storage (CCS) feasibility study, which is being carried out by Ervia, comprises a desktop study examining technical, economic, safety, regulatory, and environmental aspects of capturing, transporting and storing CO2 emissions. Ervia has provided regular updates to the Steering Group, established to examine the feasibility of CCS in Ireland under the 2019 Climate Action Plan, on the study’s progress and submitted its initial assessment of CCS for Ireland in November 2019. 

Subsequently, as an EU Project of Common Interest (PCI) included on the 4th EU PCI List, project promoter, Ervia, successfully applied for €1 million in EU grant funding through the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in May 2020. Using this grant funding, Ervia is carrying out a further detailed study regarding the transport of CO2 in the Cork area. Funding secured through the successful CEF application will cover approximately half of the study’s anticipated €2 million cost, with the study scheduled to conclude in 2022.

Taking account of the ongoing work, the updated Interim Climate Actions, published in March 2021, included the development of a framework for analysis of the potential for CCS deployment for Ireland by Q4 2022.

Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 56.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (68)

Neale Richmond

Question:

68. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, as part of the target of reducing 51% of emissions over 12 years includes specific annual targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42563/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, establishes a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, and provides that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations in the near and long term.

The Act requires Government to adopt a series of economy-wide five-year carbon budgets, including sectoral targets for each relevant sector, on a rolling 15-year basis, starting in 2021.

The first two five-year carbon budgets proposed by the CCAC will equate to a total reduction of 51% in emissions over the period to 2030, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.

The policies and measures to achieve the targets in these Budgets and Sectoral Emission Ceilings will be set out in the Climate Action Plan due to be published in autumn 2021 and will be updated annually thereafter.

The Carbon Budgets called for by the Act are for five-year periods and will not set targets for individual years. However, Ireland has parallel obligations under European Law which do set annual limits on carbon emissions.

 

Climate Change Policy

Questions (69)

Neale Richmond

Question:

69. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the five-year carbon budgets will include targets set for each five-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42564/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 provides that each carbon budget is to represent the total amount of greenhouse gases that may be emitted in the State during each 5 year period, measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This in and of itself is a target.The carbon budgets will be consistent with furthering the achievement of the national climate objective and include all greenhouse gases. The budgets shall provide for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions such that the total amount of annual greenhouse gas emissions in the year ending on 31 December 2030 is 51 per cent less than the annual greenhouse gas emissions reported for the year ending on 31 December 2018, as set out in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Act is framed within the context of our international obligations. It provides a limited number of matters which the Climate Change Advisory Council will consider when proposing carbon budgets. This includes relevant scientific advice, international best practice on the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals, and principles of climate justice.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (70)

Neale Richmond

Question:

70. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Climate Change Advisory Council will have a role in determining whether Ireland is on track to meet our emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42565/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Change Advisory Council will have a role in the consideration of progress in relation to our emissions targets. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 requires that the Minister for Climate Action must give an account annually to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas for compliance with the carbon budget and progress under the Climate Action Plan. The Joint Committee considerations will also be informed by the annual report of the Climate Change Advisory Council, which - under the Act - will now also include assessment of compliance with the carbon budget, and with sectoral emissions ceiling for that period.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (71)

Neale Richmond

Question:

71. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will set individual sector targets for emission reductions to ensure Ireland meets our emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42566/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 provides that carbon budgets will be prepared and updated every five years. It will be the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication to prepare, within the limits of the carbon budget, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted in different sectors of the economy during a budget period. These are referred to in the Act as a ‘sectoral emissions ceiling’ and different ceilings may apply to different sectors.

The sectors of the economy to which each sectoral emissions ceiling shall apply shall be determined from time to time by the Government. The Minister shall, when preparing a sectoral emissions ceiling, consult with such Ministers of the Government as he or she considers appropriate. The Minister shall, as soon as may be after a carbon budget takes effect under section 6B, finalise and submit each sectoral emissions ceiling to the Government for approval.

Question No. 72 answered with Question No. 43.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (73)

Dara Calleary

Question:

73. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to facilitate remote working within his Department in particular to encourage remote working for those who live in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42705/21]

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.

Recycling Policy

Questions (74)

James Lawless

Question:

74. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans in place to tackle the plastic crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42727/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy details the measures that will be adopted to achieve optimum results in the area of plastics and packaging. The over-riding objective is to ensure that all packaging placed on the Irish market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. It sets out a level of ambition which will position Ireland as a frontrunner towards the attainment of EU packaging recycling targets including:

- overall packaging recycling rates of 65% by 2025 and 70% by 2030 and

- material specific plastic recycling rates of 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030.

The Plan also outlines the measures Ireland is taking under the Single Use Plastics Directive (EU 2019/904) to substantially reduce the amount of single use plastic items we use and to sustainably manage the waste arising from those we do. From 3 July this year single use plastic cutlery, plates, stirrers, straws, balloon sticks and cotton bud sticks may not be placed on the Irish market. This ban also applies to single use expanded polystyrene cups and food containers and all products containing oxo-degradable plastic. In addition, I will shortly be establishing the regulatory framework for a deposit and refund scheme that will become operational in Ireland next year and will ensure plastic bottles and aluminium cans are collected and managed in the most sustainable manner.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (75)

Holly Cairns

Question:

75. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42755/21]

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 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.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (76)

Holly Cairns

Question:

76. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the 2020 annual transition statement will be published as required by section 14(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42777/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Annual Transition Statement (ATS), established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, serves an important function in providing an overview of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy measures adopted to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to adapt to the effects of climate change in order to enable the achievement of the national transition objective.

In this regard, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which amends the 2015 Act, significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, and ensure delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas and a new Climate Change Advisory Council.

The Act introduces greater accountability arrangements with an enhanced role for the Oireachtas – Ministers will have to give account for their performance towards sectoral targets and actions before an Oireachtas Committee each year replacing the current Annual Transition Statement process.

I propose to prepare an Annual Transition Statement for 2020 which I intend to publish this year.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (77)

Holly Cairns

Question:

77. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of missing the target for the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42779/21]

Written answers

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

As I outlined in my response to Question Number 202 of 13 July last, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) contains a number of targets and milestones to be completed by NBI in order to deliver the rollout of high-speed broadband services to all premises in the Intervention Area by 2026.  NBI is only entitled to claim the payment of relevant subsidy when the targets and milestones have been met.  Subsidy payments are therefore held until NBI meets the milestones set out in the NBP contract.

NBI has informed me that the target for homes passed in 2021 as part of the NBP rollout will be less than originally envisaged. This will have a financial impact in that less subsidy will be paid to NBI this year; the precise amount has yet to be determined.  This will not impact the overall level of subsidy required for the NBP intervention.

Air Quality

Questions (78)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

78. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress being made on the development of a national clean air strategy; when he will publish this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42873/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy.While it was originally my intention to launch the Strategy alongside a public consultation on a new solid fuel regulation for Ireland, recognising the urgency of taking action to address the health impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, I chose to progress the development of enhanced solid fuel regulations in advance. This decision has allowed submissions received during the consultation process to inform and contribute to the final strategy document.

Having considered the submissions made by the public, health experts, advocacy groups, academia and industry, a framework for legislation has now been developed.  From 2022 the following new standards for solid fuels will be introduced:

- Coal, coal-based products, any manufactured solid fuel or peat products will be required to have a smoke emission rate of less than 10g/hour, reducing to 5g/hr by 2025.

- It is not proposed to make any changes to the smoke emission rate for biomass products (that contain coal), as this is already set at 5g/hr.

- The sulphur content permitted for all fuels will be reduced from 2% to 1% over time.

- Wood sold in single units under 2m³ will be required to have a moisture content of 25% or less, moving to 20% within 4 years, and wet wood sold over these volumes will be required to come with instructions for the purchaser on how to dry this wood. 

These regulations will be finalised in the coming months and will be in place for the 2022 heating season. I have made the announcement now to allow those servicing the domestic solid fuel market to plan accordingly, and to continue to invest in less polluting alternatives.

This measure will be a central element of the Clean Air Strategy which will also identify and promote the integrated actions across Government required to reduce air pollution. I intend to open a public consultation on the Strategy in the near future.

Air Quality

Questions (79)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

79. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of air monitoring stations that are currently operational on a county basis; the number of these that are currently located at schools; if he plans to expand the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42874/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP), operated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has undergone significant investment and expansion in recent years, with the number of monitoring stations increasing from 30 in 2017 to 96 today.

All monitoring stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values.

The siting of these stations is a matter for the EPA and details of their exact locations are available at www.airquality.ie .

A county-by-county breakdown is provided below:

Carlow	1
Cavan	1
Clare	2
Cork	8
Donegal	3
Dublin	30
Galway	2
Kerry	2
Kildare	3
Kilkenny	2
Laois	3
Leitrim	1
Limerick	7
Longford	1
Louth	2
Mayo	3
Meath	1
Monaghan	2
Offaly	4
Roscommon	1
Sligo	1
Tipperary	3
Waterford	2
Westmeath	2
Wexford	7
Wicklow	2
Total	96

Real-time data from these monitoring stations is available online at all times at www.airquality.ie and the air quality readings are illustrated according to the Air Quality Index for Health.

The AAMP will be expanded further in the coming months to deliver a network of 110 stations, serving to increase the evidential base required to inform the policy measures necessary to improve the quality of our air.

While Ireland has traditionally focused on measurements from monitoring stations to assess air quality, there is a need to provide more local air quality information throughout the country. The intention is that the information generated through monitoring, will be augmented by a newly developed modelling and forecasting capability, which will provide an on-going air quality forecast service to the public.

This work is being developed as part of a new EU LIFE funded project called LIFE EMERALD, which commenced this year. By 2024, this modelling project will deliver a national air quality forecast, a near real-time nowcast, and historical modelled maps along with multiple awareness raising and citizen engagement elements.

Data Centres

Questions (80)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

80. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the progress being made to develop efficiency standards for equipment and processes for data centres as outlined in the Programme for Government; when those standards will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42876/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Programme for Government commits to developing efficiency standards for equipment and processes, particularly those set to grow rapidly, such as data centres.

Earlier this year, the European Commission adopted Shaping Europe's Digital Future, which includes an objective to foster an open, democratic and sustainable society. Key actions include initiatives to achieve climate-neutral, highly energy efficient and sustainable data centres by no later than 2030. The EU Ecodesign Regulation on servers and data storage products sets minimum standards around the environmental impact of these products and requires that circular economy principles will be mandatory for suppliers of this type of equipment, from next year.