Written Answers Nos. 153-170
153. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department's position on the use of nuclear power to meet future low-carbon energy requirements; if he has considered amending the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 to allow for the use of nuclear power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58277/21]
View answerNuclear powered electricity generation plants are prohibited in Ireland. The Government has no plans to revisit the prohibition on, or explore the development of, nuclear powered electricity generation in Ireland.
154. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be available to a household (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58290/21]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available 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 undertaken an initial investigation into the matter and established that the premises is a new build and that neighbouring properties can access high speed broadband. My Department has raised a query with the network operator who has confirmed that the issue is system related and the network operator will review and hopefully rectify the matter to allow the order for the high speed broadband service to be placed with the resident’s service provider.
155. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans for separate recycling targets for specific food and beverage cartons; and if so, when they are likely to be put in place. [58319/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy details a range of measures that will be adopted to achieve optimum results in the area of plastics and packaging, which encompasses food and beverage containers. The over-riding objective is to ensure that, by 2030, all packaging placed on the Irish market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way. The plan sets out a level of ambition which will position Ireland as a frontrunner towards the attainment of EU packaging recycling targets.
In addition, the Single Use Plastics Directive requires that Member States take necessary measures to ensure separate collection for recycling. To that end, by 2025, Ireland must ensure the separate collection of 77% of plastic beverage bottles placed on the market (by weight), rising to 90% by 2029. In order to achieve this, I recently signed the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021, to enable the establishment of a Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland, which will be introduced in Q3 2022. The Deposit Return Scheme will achieve the separate collection targets for PET plastic bottles set out in the Single Use Plastics Directive and the recycling targets for aluminium established in directives on packaging and packaging waste. While there are no targets set for the recycling of plastic beverage bottles, it is expected that the material collected by the Deposit Return Scheme will be of high quality, leading to increased recycling levels of this packaging type.
Consumption reduction is, of course, preferential to increased recycling and it is my intention to publish a suite of consumption reduction measures for single use plastic food containers and cups under Article 4 of the Single Use Plastics Directive, when the format for these measures is agreed at EU level.
156. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if legal action is being pursued against his Department by the European Commission following failure to comply with reporting or other obligations under a European Union directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58506/21]
View answerECJ Case 261/18 relates to the Case taken by the Commission against Ireland with respect to the implementation of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Directive in the context of the Derrybrien windfarm operated by a subsidiary of ESB. As the Case arose concerning the validity of planning legislation enacted, responsibility for the Case rests with D/HLGH.
DECC’s involvement in the Case is by virtue of being a Shareholder Department for ESB which constructed a windfarm under the planning legislation in operation at that time. We understand the Judgment will be complied with when the windfarm is subjected to a retrospective EIA, otherwise known as substitute consent. The substitute consent process is underway.
DECC continues to work collaboratively with D/HLGH towards resolving the matter with the European Commission.
157. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the recommendations of the Salmon Commission relative to the 5% rod exploitation rate on catch and release and 15% on harvesting fish is being applied and enforced or if a variation of the recommendations are now being applied; the way an allowance for a dry year is calculated; if fish counters are installed on the rivers Suir, Nore and Barrow; if not, if there are plans to install them; if he will outline the way fish stocks are calculated in these rivers and the way the impact of a dry year is reflected in the count; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58552/21]
View answerThe Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) derived rod exploitation rates from rivers with fish counters where the run of salmon and the catch by anglers (the exploitation rate) was known. Three bands of salmon exploitation rates were set, low (average 5%) medium (average 15%) and high (average 35%). Each river was allocated a rod exploitation rate based on the level of salmon angling taking place. Generally, rivers open for catch and release were categorised as the low rod exploitation rate. However, if fishery staff indicate a higher rod exploitation rate, then this higher rate is applied to predict the total salmon run. Where the level of salmon angling has increased, the rod exploitation rate has also increased.
To account for the low fishing pressure during summer 2018 due to the exceptionally dry and hot weather conditions, the exploitation rates were reduced generally by 50%, where the catch figure was used to estimate the stock. In rivers such as the Barrow, Nore and Suir which jointly considers the one-sea-winter grilse and multi-sea-winter stock components, the reduction was generally applied only to the one-sea-winter grilse portion of the total angling catch. However, the 2018 exploitation rate for the River Suir was subsequently reassigned to a standard low exploitation rate as the 2018 catch records showed over double the estimated catch originally provided for.
For salmon rivers without fish counters like the Barrow, Nore and Suir, the Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS) use the recorded salmon rod catch on each river for the most recent five-year period in conjunction with a range of rod exploitation rates to provide an estimate of the total salmon run. A five-year average is used to avoid a disproportionate impact from a good or bad year. Counter data is one of a number of indices used to estimate salmon runs and IFI has a range of fish counters nationwide from which index data may be extrapolated. There are currently no plans to install fish counters on the Suir, Nore and the Barrow.
158. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding provided for each SEAI scheme, the amount allocated through grants, the amount drawn down fully, the amount of unspent funding returned to the parent Department and Exchequer in relation to each individual grant scheme operated by SEAI in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58561/21]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
159. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason only 15% is allocated to CO2 reduction in relation to the EXEED grant scheme scoring system given the context of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 26 and other international opinion that CO2 is the critical element that needs to be addressed yet this scheme currently ranks elements (details supplied) higher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58562/21]
View answer160. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider amending the EXEED grant scheme scoring system for 2022 to reflect prioritisation of CO2 reduction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58563/21]
View answer161. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider reviewing the criteria of the EXEED grant scheme to make EXEED certification optional for SMEs thereby allowing them to avail of the funding and advice without the additional bureaucracy of certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58564/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government commits to achieving an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
In order to ensure alignment to these commitments, last year I approved changes to the Excellence in Energy Efficiency Design (EXEED) Programme. These changes included setting the programme's primary objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting businesses and other organisations in adopting the EXEED Certified approach to energy efficient design management.
Following the EXEED standard encourages innovation in design projects. It drives adoption of long-term solutions thereby future proofing investment and reducing energy consumption, emissions, and costs for the lifetime of the asset. The evaluation criteria applied is appropriate to accurately score the energy and emissions reduction arising from projects while also ensuring value for money for the exchequer.
The revised programme was launched in January 2021 and will operate for three years. A review will be carried out in mid-2022 to assess the programme’s performance and impact, at which point changes to the programme may be considered. I do not intend to make changes to the scheme in advance of the completion of that review.
The SEAI provides other grant schemes which may be more suitable for SMEs. Further details can be found at Business Grants & Supports | Business & Public Sector | SEAI
162. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding provided by his Department to each local authority for anti-dumping initiatives from 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58681/21]
View answerThe annual Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) was introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, communities and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Details of funding, broken down by local authority and individual project, for each of the years 2017 - 2020 are available at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/e27ac-anti-dumping-initiative/
A further €3m has been allocated to the 2021 ADI. Payments to each local authority under the ADI for 2021 are currently being finalised by the Department, in conjunction with the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities, and details will be made available on the website when the process is complete.
163. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish the updated national mitigation plan and the national adaptation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58684/21]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 (‘the Climate Act 2021’) commits to achieving a 51% reduction in Ireland’s overall GHG emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. It also establishes a significantly strengthened legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, to ensure the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis so that Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations in the near and long-term. This new framework ensures delivery of successive Climate Action Plans, National Long-term Climate Action Strategies, and National Adaptation Frameworks, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by government, the Oireachtas and a new Climate Change Advisory Council.
As provided for in the Climate Act 2021, the preparation of an annually updated Climate Action Plan replaces the former National Mitigation Plan process. There is, however, still a requirement for a series of National Adaptation Frameworks and related Sectoral Adaptation Plans. The current National Adaptation Framework (NAF), which details Ireland’s primary adaptation policy response to the challenges presented by the impacts of climate change, was published in 2018. The statutory review process for the current NAF will commence shortly and the National Dialogue on Climate Action will undertake a public consultation in this regard in 2022.The next NAF is due for publication in 2023.
164. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when his Department will proceed with the introduction of low-cost loans to compliment the energy efficiency grant scheme; if there will be universal eligibility for this loan scheme; the level of subsidy envisaged on the interest rate; the timeline for the introduction of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58800/21]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan and National Retrofit Plan have set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2 or carbon equivalent and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings by the end of 2030. These targets represent a very significant increase in both the volume and depth of retrofit activity in Ireland.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland in relation to the development of a residential retrofit loan guarantee scheme. This project has been selected for inclusion in Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan and will be co-funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and Exchequer funding. The target for introduction of the scheme is mid-2022.
The loan guarantee will provide risk protection to retail credit institutions participating in the scheme. This will enable credit institutions to offer loans with reduced interest rates to private homeowners and non-corporate landlords and make comprehensive home energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to consumers. As a result, households will be able to enjoy more comfortable and healthier homes with a lower carbon footprint. The specific features of the scheme are still under development.
The loan guarantee is expected to help to increase the volume of retrofit activity within the State and improve the recovery and resilience of the supply chain within the retrofit sector. The scheme will also signal to the banking sector new viable business opportunities associated with the transition to a low carbon economy.
165. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps taken in his Department to ensure that Government Departments and offices develop structures and processes to advance the decarbonisation agenda; if a sustainability officer has been appointed in his Department; if a network of sustainability officers, similar to the networks of HR managers and ICT managers, has been established; if guidance has been developed for such officers; the duties that have been assigned to sustainability officers or to staff in any similar position; and the steps taken in his Department to ensure that Government Departments and offices begin to advance the decarbonisation agenda. [58876/21]
View answerThe recently published Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the public sector leading by example in the journey to Ireland reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 51% by 2030 and becoming climate neutral no later than 2050.
Each public sector body will be required, subject to its Climate Action Mandate, to define how they will reduce GHG emissions to the 2030 target of 51%, increase energy efficiency in the public sector from the 2020 33% target to 50% by 2030, and put in place a Climate Action Roadmap by the end of 2022.
The Roadmap will include appointing a Climate and Sustainability Champion at Management Board level and the establishment and resourcing of Green Teams. Each body will be required, inter alia, to incorporate sustainability training into staff learning and development programmes, organising staff workshops to engage on climate issues and report GHG emissions and sustainability activities in their annual report.
166. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of local authority staff involved in supporting and assisting the roll-out of broadband networks across Ireland in each of the years 2018 to 2021, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58982/21]
View answerWhile I am aware that each local authority has a Broadband Officer, supported through funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and that these Broadband Officers have been very active in supporting the deployment of broadband networks, matters pertaining to both the staffing levels of local authorities, and the allocation of work therein, fall within the remit of the individual local authorities, or where appropriate, the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage and are not a matter in respect of which the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has a direct function. Accordingly, I do not have the detailed information requested.
167. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the awardees of the SEAI National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Funding Programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59069/21]
View answerThe National Energy Research Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Outline call timelines are indicated on the SEAI website, with grant awards expected from Q4 2021; full details are provided at: www.seai.ie/grants/research-funding/research-development-and-demonstration-fund/
The 2021 Call received a significant increase in applications, demonstrating the strong demand for energy research funding in Ireland. Award announcements are expected imminently. I have been advised by SEAI that funding recommendations have been finalised within the eligible programme budget, and are at the final stages of the approval process.
The National Energy RD&D Funding Programme has grown from attracting between €1-2 million in annual applications pre-2018, to almost €30 million in the most recent previous call and increasing again significantly in 2021 to more than €60 million. This is a significant step change for the programme. Concurrent enhancements to processes, IT systems, and resourcing, have been a key focus in 2021 to ensure the programme can continue to grow and scale going forward, to support national energy research and innovation, ensuring maximum impact for the Irish energy sector.
168. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to amend both the litter pollution and waste management legislation to provide a lawful basis for local authorities to use CCTV to inhibit illegal dumping and litter pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59082/21]
View answerMy Department published the General Scheme of the Circular Economy Bill 2021 on 15 June 2021. It is my intention under the Bill to facilitate not only the use of CCTV, but also the use of a broad range of Audio Visual Recording (AVR) equipment in order to assist local authorities in their efforts to combat litter and illegal dumping. Drafting of the Bill is well advanced, as is, I understand, the pre-legislative scrutiny process before the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action. The Bill will be published and enacted as soon as possible after pre-legislative scrutiny has been completed and I have considered the Report of the Committee. I look forward to receiving the Committee's recommendations.
A combination of legislation and guidance will help to ensure that the processing of personal data, obtained through the use of CCTV and AVR equipment, may be carried out by local authorities tasked with enforcing both litter and waste legislation, thus providing an important deterrent in order to protect our environment from the scourge of illegal dumping, while at the same time respecting the privacy rights of citizens. The Bill can also facilitate consideration of the use of Fixed Penalty Notices for litter and waste enforcement purposes.
169. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the banning of single use plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59122/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020, 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 3rd 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. Other measures arising from SUP Directive will be implemented in the coming years, including the introduction of new Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for material such as tobacco products and fishing gear.
The introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic beverage bottles and aluminium cans will assist in reducing single use plastics and will help Ireland meet EU targets while promoting a wider circular economy. On 17 November, Minister Ryan signed the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021, providing the legal framework for the scheme which will become operational across the country in Quarter 3 of 2022.
170. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport the actions under the Climate Action Plan that are in place to facilitate electric car charging points in areas in which there are no gardens to accommodate them; and the timeline to accommodate persons wanting to move from fossil fuel to electric vehicles. [58490/21]
View answerThe Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030.
Home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is a convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly means of charging, especially when using night rate electricity. It accounts for circa 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method of charging in the future. The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600.
However, there are houses and dwellings in Ireland where home charging is not an option, due to the lack of driveway or garden. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.
The recently published Climate Action Plan 21 includes a number of actions to facilitate the increased provision of EV charging infrastructure, much of which will be targeted at providing charging solutions for those without access to home chargers. These include
- Establish an Office for Low Emitting Vehicles to co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure
- Develop a national infrastructure strategy to address on-street, location and fastcharging infrastructure needs to stay ahead of demand, having particular regard to non-urban needs
- Enable greater EV infrastructure roll-out for passenger cars and vans
- Launch a Destination Charger Scheme to install publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure
- Amend the Home Charger Grant Scheme to include apartment
A national ambition has been firmly established that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emission capable. In addition to the above actions, the Climate Action Plan outlines a pathway to a radical and equitable transformation in Ireland’s transport sector over the next nine years as it moves towards decarbonisation.
