Written Answers Nos. 155-172
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of broadband connection points installed in County Kildare in the past 12 months to date; the number of installations planned over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44353/21]
View answerBroadband 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 3 September, 366 BCP sites have been installed by NBI across the country and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for schools. BCP locations in each county were selected in conjunction with the Broadband Officer in each Local Authority, in order to find the appropriate mix of locations to reap the maximum benefits. BCP sites installed and connected in County Kildare include Crookstown Further Education and Training And Community Centre, Lullymore Heritage Park and Bigstone Community Hall. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/. No further public BCPs are planned for Kildare at this time but it is worth noting that Kildare already has a significant number of hubs that fall outside the Intervention Area.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 677 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Saint David's National School and Rathmore National School in County Kildare were included as part of this initiative and have since been connected. Scoil Náisiúnta Cill Cae, Scoil Náisiúnta Na Cloiche Moire, Killashee National School, Churchtown National School, Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iopseh, North Kildare Educate Together School, St Anne’s National School and Kilberry National School are due to be connected in the coming months. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of Ireland’s electricity which is produced from renewable sources; if this is in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44354/21]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos 182 and 183 of 1st June 2021.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which meeting carbon reduction targets continues; if it is in line with or ahead of expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44357/21]
View answerThe 2009 Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC (ESD) set annual binding emission reduction targets for EU Member States for the period 2013 to 2020. These targets cover emissions from sectors outside of the EU Emissions Trading System, such as agriculture, transport, buildings and waste. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. The Effort Sharing Decision allows Member States to meet their targets by means of unused emissions allowances from earlier years, or through purchasing allowances from other Member States or on international markets.
The latest projections of greenhouse gas emissions, published in June 2021 by the EPA, indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by the ESD could remain around 7% below 2005 levels by 2020. According to this report, Ireland will cumulatively exceed the carbon budget implied by our ESD targets by 12.2 Mt CO2 eq.,and we will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply with our obligations. Pre-Covid estimates of the additional costs of purchasing carbon credits for compliance with these targets were in the region of €6 million to €13 million, depending on the price and final quantity of allowances required. However, due to the reduction in the amount of required credits to be purchased, and changes in CER prices in the market, this figure is likely to be significantly lower than the €6 million lower end of the range.
The EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) sets binding emission reduction targets for Member States for the period 2021-2030. The final agreement sets Ireland a target of 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. However, it is important to note that this target will be amended following the European Council’s decision to increase ambition from its existing EU-wide 2030 target of a 40% reduction to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target, including revising Member States’ annual targets from 2021-2030, were presented by the European Commission in July 2021. The proposed new target for Ireland is a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
I am finalising the Climate Action Plan 2021 which will bring forward policies and measures to support the delivery of the Programme for Government commitment to achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and put us on a pathway to climate neutrality no later than 2050.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he expects to rely on onshore and off-shore wind-generated electricity over the next ten years; the extent to which he expects to meet overall targets in respect of alternative energy production throughout the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44358/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits Ireland to achieving at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Ireland's latest renewable energy projections are reported in the 2019 National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), available here: assets.gov.ie/94442/f3e50986-9fde-4d34-aa35-319af3bfac0c.pdf, which was prepared before the Programme for Government.
Table 7 of the NECP details the planned trajectory of all renewable energy technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, in terms of installed capacity and in terms of energy generated in each of the years from 2018 to 2030. Table 5 of the NECP outlines the overall renewable energy projections for the same period.
Regarding offshore wind, it should be noted that the NECP trajectories were based on the previous 2030 target of 3.5GW, which has since been increased to 5GW under the Programme for Government. The NECP will be revised and the updated version will reflect this increased ambition.
The actions we are taking now, and the further actions to be announced in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, will set us on the path to at least a 70% renewable electricity target and increased electrification of our end-use sectors by 2030, and ultimately towards our national climate objective of net-zero by 2050.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the quality of mobile telephone services can be improved nationwide in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44360/21]
View answerThe provision of telecommunication services, including mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. Obligations in relation to mobile coverage are set out in licences granted by Comreg to the mobile operators and ComReg advises that the current minimum coverage obligations are being exceeded considerably by all operators. ComReg is currently managing the next spectrum award process for wireless broadband services and commissioned studies and technical reports to inform its approach to the award process and the consideration of appropriate coverage and rollout obligations in that context. These studies are available at www.comreg.ie
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 www.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.
A combination of commercial investment and State led intervention will ensure access to high speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote. Of the 2.4 million premises across Ireland, 77% of premises now have access to high-speed broadband of more than 30 Mbps. The National Broadband Plan will address the remaining premises and will provide a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. A number of commercial operators have also announced further investment plans in high-speed broadband. Eir has said it will roll out fibre to a further 1.6 million premises, bringing its fibre deployment to more than 1.9 million premises. SIRO is currently completing the first phase of its fibre deployment which will see 375,000 premises passed with gigabit services. Virgin Media is offering 250Mbps as a standard offering with higher speeds available to many of its customers across more than 1 million premises. Many other network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks.
The most recent Quarterly Key Data Report Q2, 2021 published by ComReg reported that fixed broadband subscriptions increased to 1.55 million, a 0.8% increase this quarter and an increase of 4.0% when compared to Q2 2020. Of these, over 308,000 were fibre-to the-premises (FTTP) subscriptions representing 19.9% of total fixed broadband subscriptions in Q2 2021, up from 13.5% in Q2 2020.
164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that all staff in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44372/21]
View answerMy Department adheres to Government public health guidelines in relation to all aspects of Covid-19 and will continue to do so as staff in the Department begin to return to the office in the coming weeks.
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.
165. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to put an adequate broadband service in place for a school (details supplied). [44389/21]
View answerBroadband 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. 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. 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. My Department has consulted with the Department of Education and the new school Gaelscoil Thromaire will be included in this programme. While the school has been prioritised for connection, further investigation is required by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) before a timeline for connection can be given. The new school building will need to be surveyed and a technical solution proposed.
I understand that as an interim measure, the Department of Education is arranging for an existing retail service provider in the Schools Broadband programme to provide a temporary connection to the new school site, while NBI’s work is being progressed.
167. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to ban the sale of imported peat briquettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44409/21]
View answerEach year 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to solid fuel burning. I am committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through enhanced regulation of all solid fuels. New emissions standards are being introduced across a range of fuels to ensure that the most polluting will no longer be available for sale on the Irish market. Introducing these standards will improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve. From September 2022, 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. In order for such fuels, including peat briquettes imported or otherwise, to be placed on the Irish market, they must comply with these standards.
It should be noted that like any other solid fuel, imports of peat briquettes and lignite (coal) briquettes are permitted under international trade agreements and no restrictions on the import, sale or use of such briquettes are being proposed once the standards provided for under the new regulations have been met.
168. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the lack of driving test capacity particularly for young persons (details supplied). [44396/21]
View answerDue to the suspension of driver testing services in the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of services, services are operating well below normal capacity and a significant backlog has developed.
Covid 19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of services which must comply with occupational and public health guidelines. Fewer daily tests can now be conducted due to social distancing and priority is given to essential workers and then to those who have had tests cancelled due to Covid.
In line with the gradual reopening of services this Summer, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest have now recommenced. Critical frontline workers continue to be the priority for the driver testing service. There is no discrimination against young people in rural areas seeking a test. Everyone who is eligible to take a test can seek a date for a test. While I appreciate that all young drivers are anxious to take their test, they must pass their Theory Test, hold a Learner Permit for at least 6 months and take 12 mandatory lessons before they are eligible to sit a test. It is also notable that on average 44% of all those who sit a driving test, fail the test.
The latest figures available to Sunday 12 September show, in spite of the challenges posed by Covid, 101,870 tests have been offered and the RSA has delivered 92,672 driving tests in 2021. It is highly significant that, since the summer 2020 reopening of services, there has been no case of Covid transmission attributed to the driving test.
My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for tests. The RSA has a complement of 100 permanent driver testers. An additional 40 temporary driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. These testers have been recruited and trained and commenced testing in July.
In addition, sanction was granted at the end of June to add a further 40 testers to the cohort. When trained and in place, this will increase the number of testers to 216.
The RSA is looking to increase the number of tests from 6 to 7 per tester per day from the end of September as well as extending operating hours and expanding facilities at existing centres or opening new centres where appropriate.
At this point, there are on average 3,254 tests conducted per week and the number of tests scheduled is increasing on a gradual basis. However, it should be noted that approximately 5% of all tests scheduled are not conducted or are abandoned on the day for a number of reasons (e.g. no NCT, insurance not valid etc). In addition, it is very disappointing to note that a number of people do not turn up on the day for their scheduled test. The RSA has been working hard to reduce this “no show” rate, which was 10% and the volume of “no shows” has now dropped dramatically to an average of 1.38%.
Assuming a successful return to 7 tests per tester per day, the capacity of the system will be 4,881 tests per week. This will increase again by December when the additional 40 testers are trained and commence testing.
As of Sunday 12 September 2021, 67,684 people were waiting to receive an invitation for a driving test, while 10,094 had received a test date. A further 28,631 have applied for their test but are not currently eligible to take it (i.e. they have not completed all of the Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons or they have held their learner permit for less than 6 months).
Of the roughly 67,500 waiting to receive an invitation, :
- Approximately 8,000 have received and invite and not used it within the 10-day window
- Approximately 13,000 are in a current invite cycle, i.e. they have an open invite, having received one in the past 10 days, and have not yet used it
This leaves a truer figure of 46,500 waiting currently.
This means that, with a possibility of 4,881 tests weekly, it should be possible to clear the backlog in 14 weeks. The backlogs and waiting times will reduce further when the additional 40 testers sanctioned during the Summer come on stream towards year end.
I have to caution though that many people will have held off from applying during the lockdown, either because they were non-essential workers or because they were essential workers who had not completed the mandatory lessons. Even as we increase capacity, we can anticipate an increase in demand for a period.
It should be acknowledged that RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions, in an enclosed space, where physical distancing is not possible. Testers are also moving between vehicles provided by test candidates, which are not controllable work environments.
The health of both the public and the testers themselves must take priority, and as a result it is important to recognise that it will take time to get driver testing waiting times back to normal pre-Covid levels.
169. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on, and the position regarding, the state of the aviation sector since reopening for travel in July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43940/21]
View answerAviation continues to be one of the most affected sectors of the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary public health measures imposed by Governments around the world. With the notable exception of airlines that primarily deal with air cargo, international airlines have seen a severe depletion of revenue, have faced varying degrees of financial challenge and have had to make very difficult decisions to ensure their long-term commercial viability.
The Government decided to allow the resumption of non-essential international travel from 19 July. This was based on the progress being made with our national vaccination programme and a combination of measures relating to the EU Digital COVID Certificate, pre-departure testing, a system of mandatory hotel quarantine for designated third countries and other public health measures to ensure international travel could operate safely. An “emergency brake” mechanism also allows us to respond to the potential emergence of problematic COVID-19 variants.
The latest Eurocontrol data indicates a recovery of up to 70% of 2019 levels of air traffic movements across Europe. However, the recovery is slower in Ireland where the daily variation in air traffic is still only at 50% of 2019 levels. The transatlantic market remains severely impacted due to entry constraints in the US.
The Government has provided a comprehensive suite of economy wide business supports which aviation companies have been able to draw upon. In additon support has have been provided through an EU approved airport damages scheme and liquidity funding through the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund. Officials are assessing options for further targeted supports.
It is anticipated that the continued successful rollout of the vaccination programme and reduced risk of transmission of the virus will provide the basis for the return of consumer confidence and an increase in forward bookings. With continued support from Government during the coming months the sector should be well placed for strong recovery next year.
171. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the engagement there has been with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure sufficient signage along the N22 bypass for the towns and villages and their various attractions for this tourism market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33240/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
172. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the discussions that have taken place between his Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the development of a free zone at Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43837/21]
View answer173. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the supports his Department will be providing to enhance Rosslare Europort's trade competitiveness as Ireland’s most strategic port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43838/21]
View answer174. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the discussions his Department has had with other Departments to support and protect the free flow of trade supplies through Rosslare Europort in view of the huge increase in import and export trade transport through Rosslare Europort since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43839/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together.
Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports, as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts but is instead operated on a commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann with all investments funded from port revenues. This is similar to other ports in Ireland which receive no Exchequer funding and must fund all their infrastructure developments through their own resources, borrowing or through EU grant funding.
There has been a significant increase in shipping services from Rosslare direct to the Continent as a result of Brexit. Rosslare reports huge demand for these services with an increase of around 400% in freight units through Rosslare when compared to the same period last year and 2019.
In the context of these developments and to enhance Rosslare Europort’s trade competitiveness, Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort’s strategic investment Masterplan for the port over the coming years has been completed. The Masterplan includes investment plans for €42 million, which will be funded from the port's own revenues, over the period 2021-2026, in customer facilities, port infrastructure, freight facilities, port assets, new technology and linking the new entrance of the port with the proposed new port access road.
Additionally, to support the free flow of import and export trade through Rosslare to GB, there has been significant engagement, preparation and investment in the State Agency facilities required at Rosslare. Temporary Customs, Agriculture and Health facilities were constructed by OPW in the lead up to a possible no-deal Brexit in 2019. These facilities are located outside the port at Kilrane, on the N25 approaching Rosslare Town. These facilities are intended as interim facilities pending the construction of the permanent facilities within the port itself.
My Department continues to liaise closely with other Government Departments and agencies, in particular OPW, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Revenue Commissioners, Department of Health, HSE and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and with Rosslare Port and Iarnród Éireann, in relation to the design and development of the permanent facilities. In August 2021, OPW submitted a planning application to Wexford County Council in respect of these planned facilities.
This investment along with the Rosslare Europort Masterplan will ensure that the port is fully capable of meeting the controls required by the UK becoming a Third Country and of meeting the needs of future shipping capacity growth. Rosslare Europort and Iarnród Éireann are working together with the OPW on the coordination of works under both the port's Masterplan and OPW’s own plans for the State border control facilities. The parallel plans will require close liaison to ensure that the port remains fully operational while construction works are ongoing.
In relation to other business opportunities, Rosslare Europort have advised the Department that they are progressing their plans for the development of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) facilities at the port and that they will be applying for Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding under the CEF call opening later this month.
With regard to a free zone at Rosslare Europort, in discussions with officials, Rosslare Europort has advised that the idea is at an early concept stage in the port with the focus at the moment on progressing plans for ORE facilities. Further work on the free zone proposal will be required by Rosslare Europort and Iarnród Éireann setting out a worked out analysis of the benefits, if any, of any such proposal.
The development of a free zone at Rosslare would be a matter falling within the broad area of industrial policy and would require liaison between my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Finance.
