Peadar Tóibín
Question:39. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the level of peat imported into Ireland from 2016 to 2021, by country in tabular form. [59176/21]
View answerTrade Data
Questions (39)
Written answers
The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
Table A : Imports of peat by country 2016-2021
State Bodies
Questions (40)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:40. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the reason for the fees to counsel in the budget of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor; and the breakdown of the fees to counsel in tabular form. [59299/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) provides litigation, advisory and conveyancing services to Government Departments and Offices and to certain other State agencies. The CSSO also provides solicitor services at Tribunals and Commissions of Inquiry and represents Ireland at the Court of Justice of the European Union. The majority of legal cases the CSSO handles are cases taken against the State. The State must defend itself in almost all cases taken against it. The number and complexity of cases requires specialist advocacy services offered by counsel. The Attorney General decides whether counsel should be engaged and the actual counsel to be assigned to a case.
I am advised that a full breakdown of counsel paid by name cannot be given for data protection reasons. The table below provides a breakdown of expenditure in 2019, 2020 and to end-November 2021 as between junior and senior counsel.
2019
|
Counsel |
Fees Paid (€m) |
No. of Counsel Paid |
|
Senior |
8.79 |
116 |
|
Junior |
10.42 |
266 |
|
2020 |
||
|
Counsel |
Fees Paid (€m) |
No. of Counsel Paid |
|
Senior |
6.33 |
114 |
|
Junior |
8.91 |
249 |
|
2021 (end-Nov) |
||
|
Counsel |
Fees Paid (€m) |
No. of Counsel Paid |
|
Senior |
5.62 |
107 |
|
Junior |
8.15 |
237 |
Seanad Reform
Questions (41)
Alan Kelly
Question:41. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his plans for Seanad reform. [58861/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Seanad has an essential role as part of our legislature and has always played an important part in the State’s politics by enhancing debate on the important issues we face. The all-party Seanad Reform Implementation Group published its report in December 2018, including proposals on implementation of the 2015 Manning Report.
I commend the work done by the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Daly who, with the support of all the party and group leaders and, indeed, Members of this House, has implemented the relevant recommendations in the Seanad reform reports that were within the power of the Seanad to action.
Seanad Standing Orders have been amended to provide for debates focused on the vocational panels. Motions for a debate relating to the interests of a particular panel may be tabled by Senators elected to that panel and when the debate is scheduled priority is given to Senators elected to the panel when allocating speaking slots.
Seanad Standing Orders have also been revised to change the way in which the reports of Joint Committees are debated. Debates can now be led by the Chair or a nominee of the Joint Committee and provision has been made to allow a Committee Chair who is a member of the Dáil to open and close the debate. The relevant Minister responds in the course of the debate.
Furthermore, if a Motion tabled on behalf of a committee is not moved within two months any other Senator may now table a similar “take note” motion for discussion during Private Members’ time. Once six months has elapsed since a Motion to take note of a Committee Report has been debated, a Committee may table another motion to take note of progress on implementation of the recommendations.
The arrangement whereby MEPs may address the Seanad has also been revived and to date two groups of MEPs have engaged with the Seanad on a Constituency basis with a third group to be scheduled for early next session.
I met recently with the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach and discussed, amongst other items, a proposal for a new role for the Seanad in the scrutiny of EU-related secondary legislation. I have asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to engage with the Attorney General in this regard with a view to bringing forward this proposal which will serve to enhance Oireachtas scrutiny of EU measures.
On the seventh amendment of the Constitution about expanding the electorate and its implementation, I realise that Senators Michael McDowell and Malcolm Byrne have brought forward proposals in that regard. We will work with Senators to see if we can bring that matter forward because it has been unresolved now for a long time.
Work Permits
Questions (42)
James Lawless
Question:42. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59267/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a standard application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person concerned (details supplied) was received on 22 August 2021.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. The Employment Permits Section of my Department are currently processing standard applications received on 4th August 2021.
Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/Current-Processing-Dates-for-Employment-Permits.html
Work Permits
Questions (43)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:43. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will expedite a decision on an application for a work permit by a person (details supplied) given the exceptional circumstances of the person concerned. [59296/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that a standard application for a Reactivation Employment Permit for the person concerned (details supplied) was received on 25 November 2021.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order, however given the details outlined by the Deputy the Employment Permits Section of my Department have prioritised consideration of this application. Given that the person concerned left his first employment in the State before 12 months had expired (12 Month Rule), he will be asked to provide an explanation as to why he left his previous employment as no explanation was provided as part of the application submitted.
Work Permits
Questions (44)
Brendan Griffin
Question:44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if barbers will be added to the list of occupations eligible to apply for employment permits given the difficulty to fill vacancies in the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59339/21]
View answerWritten answers
The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments.
Hairdressers and related services which includes Barbers are on the Ineligible Occupations List. In order to add or remove an occupation from the lists, evidence is sought demonstrating that recruitment difficulties are solely due to genuine shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. The review process invites stakeholders, through the public consultation, to provide data to substantiate claims of lack of skills or labour availability in a detailed evidence-based business case. Evidence is also required of structured and systemic engagement with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.
The most recent review of the Occupations Lists concluded on 27th October. In response to the public consultation, 29 submissions were received from a range of bodies including the Agri/Food, Hospitality and Transport/Logistics sectors. The review did not recommend changes to the Hairdressers and Grooming sector at this time. It was found that further evidence is required to support the contention that churn is not an issue in the sector and of structured engagement with the Department of Social Protection.
The next review will begin with a public consultation in the coming months with commencement announced on the Department's website. Contact details may also be forwarded to the Department for those who wish to receive email notification of the consultation phase.
Work Permits
Questions (45)
Brendan Griffin
Question:45. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if discretionary consideration will be given to applicants of professions not on the list of occupations eligible to apply for employment permits once the prospective employer demonstrates they have exhausted all avenues available to fill the job vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59340/21]
View answerWritten answers
The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one.
The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations. Occupations included on the Ineligible Occupations List are occupations in respect of which there is evidence that there are more than enough Irish/EEA workers available to fill such vacancies, and therefore an employment permit shall not be granted in Ireland. Every other job in the labour market, where an employer cannot find a worker, may be eligible for an employment permit.
In order to maintain the relevance of these lists of occupations to the needs of the economy and to ensure their ongoing relevance to the State’s human capital requirements, they undergo twice-yearly evidence-based reviews. The reviews are guided by research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), the Skills and the Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), SOLAS and involves public/stakeholder consultation. Account is taken of education outputs, sectoral upskilling and training initiatives and known contextual factors such as Brexit and, in the current context, COVID-19 and their impact on the labour market. Consideration is also taken of the views of the Economic Migration Interdepartmental Group, chaired by my Department and of the relevant policy Departments.
In order to add or remove an occupation from the lists, evidence is sought demonstrating that recruitment difficulties are solely due to genuine shortages across the EEA and not to other factors such as salary and/or employment conditions. An occupation may be considered for removal from the Ineligible List where there are no suitable Irish/EEA nationals available; development opportunities are not undermined; genuine skills shortages exists rather than a recruitment or retention problem; and Government education, training and economic development policies are supported. The review process invites stakeholders, through the public consultation, to provide data to substantiate claims of lack of skills or labour availability in a detailed evidence-based business case. Evidence is also required of structured and systematic engagement with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection.
The next review will begin with a public consultation in the coming months with commencement announced on the Department's website. Contact details may also be forwarded to the Department for those who wish to receive email notification of the consultation phase.
Work Permits
Questions (46)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:46. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the slow issuing of work permits for the hospitality sector seeking workers from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59417/21]
View answerWritten answers
The employment permits system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages, in circumstances where there are no suitably qualified Irish/EEA nationals available to undertake the work and that the shortage is a genuine one. The system is managed through the use of lists designating highly skilled and ineligible occupations.
Since March 2020, my Department has implemented Covid-19 contingency arrangements moving employment permit operations seamlessly to a totally remote working environment. Feedback received from enterprise across the board has been universally positive. In fact, Ireland was one of the few countries that has managed to keep their employment permit system fully operational throughout the crisis.
From the outset of the crisis, in order to assist the HSE and all other medical providers in the State to respond to, and to assist with, the public health response to the threat of Covid-19, all medical employment permits are expedited with immediate effect.
My Department has seen a significant increase in applications for employment permits in 2021. To the end of October, some 20,269 applications were received, representing a 50% increase over the same period in 2020 (13,425) and a 30% increase on 2019 (15,576), which itself represented an 11 year high in applications. Processing times have been impacted by this increase in demand but also as a result of the HSE cyber-attack. As a result of the HSE cyber-attack, employment permit applications associated with the July Doctors rotation (which occurs twice yearly in January and July) had to be submitted either manually or through other nonstandard methods. This resulted in a significant additional administrative burden in dealing with these applications requiring staff to be temporarily reassigned to assist in this process. The increased time required in processing these manual applications has had a direct impact on wider processing times for other employment permit applications.
Cognisant of the significant impact the pandemic has had on the Hospitality Sector, when the sector reopened in July, my Department committed to prioritise the processing of chef employment permit applications received in the processing queue at that time, in order to support the sector.
My Department is very conscious of the recent lengthening of timeframes for processing Employment Permit applications and is committed to reducing these further. As such the Employment Permits Unit has commenced steps to address the current backlog, confident that they will bear fruit over the coming months. It advises all employers to take the current timelines into account as part of their recruitment plans.
My Department updates the employment permit processing timelines on its website on a weekly basis and regularly issues updates on relevant employment permit matters through the Employment Permits Trusted Partners network such as the September update on employment permit processing timelines.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (47)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:47. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new measures he will now introduce given reports (details supplied) to support the play and leisure industry which includes all indoor activity centres such as play centres, bowling alleys and so on that have experienced an overnight devastating cancellation of bookings; the assurances that he can give to help maintain viability in the industry as it attempts to trade through the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59489/21]
View answerWritten answers
I appreciate this is a difficult period for businesses operating in the play and leisure sector.
The Government has worked to support businesses through these challenging times with a wide range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the supports can be found on my Department’s website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) has been extended to 31 December 2021. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions many businesses are no longer significantly restricted from operating and therefore are no longer eligible for the CRSS. However, eligible businesses have been able to claim enhanced restart week payments to assist them with the costs of reopening. A total of €704m has already been paid out under the CRSS in respect of 25,500 premises. As of 25 November 2021, there are currently 50 businesses with 140 premises still registered for CRSS.
The Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) is a targeted single support payment via the eRepayments facility to support companies, self-employed individuals, partnerships as well as certain charities and sporting bodies that carry on a trade that was significantly impacted by COVID-19 public health restrictions, including where the impact has continued after the easing of the restrictions. Registration for BRSS opened on 6 September 2021 and the closing date for applications was the 30th November 2021. So far, 1,670 businesses with 1,790 trades have availed of BRSS and claims of €5.7 million have been paid under the Scheme.
The Government will continue to monitor the range of business supports in place to ensure that they are timely and target those who need them the most.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (48)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:48. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he will now take to maintain and extend support measures which are currently operational given the reports (details supplied) to support the play and leisure industry which includes all indoor activity centres such as play centres, bowling alleys and other activities that have experienced an overnight devastating cancellation of bookings; the assurances that he can give to help maintain viability in the industry as it attempts to trade through the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59490/21]
View answerWritten answers
I appreciate this is a difficult period for businesses operating in the play and leisure sector.
The Government has worked to support businesses through these challenging times with a wide range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Future Growth Loan Scheme, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. Details of the supports can be found on my Department’s website: Government supports for COVID-19 impacted businesses - DETE (enterprise.gov.ie).
The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) has been extended to 31 December 2021. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions many businesses are no longer significantly restricted from operating and therefore are no longer eligible for the CRSS. However, eligible businesses have been able to claim enhanced restart week payments to assist them with the costs of reopening. A total of €704m has already been paid out under the CRSS in respect of 25,500 premises. As of 25 November 2021, there are currently 50 businesses with 140 premises still registered for CRSS.
The Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS) is a targeted single support payment via the eRepayments facility to support companies, self-employed individuals, partnerships as well as certain charities and sporting bodies that carry on a trade that was significantly impacted by COVID-19 public health restrictions, including where the impact has continued after the easing of the restrictions. Registration for BRSS opened on 6 September 2021 and the closing date for applications was the 30th November 2021. So far, 1,670 businesses with 1,790 trades have availed of BRSS and claims of €5.7 million have been paid under the Scheme.
The Government will continue to monitor the range of business supports in place to ensure that they are timely and target those who need them the most.
Electricity Generation
Questions (49)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:49. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for the implementation of a microgeneration scheme recently announced by him and due to be facilitated from January 2022 onwards; the details of the way the microgeneration scheme will be installed in three phases; the timeline for each phase; the rationale for implementing this in three phases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59150/21]
View answerWritten answers
There are three separate and distinct phases of the framework for micro- and small-scale renewable electricity generation in Ireland. The first is the pending introduction of a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff. This will allow all renewables self-consumers to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlined the details for the introduction of the CEG payment. I understand a decision is expected to be published in the coming weeks and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards, subject to the transposition of Article 21 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law.Secondly, my Department is also developing a final scheme design for a Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from a public consultation held earlier this year, and subsequent additional analysis. A proposal on the supports to be offered under the MSS will be submitted to Government before the end of the year. It is intended that a final scheme design will be published early next year. Supports under the MSS will be introduced on a phased basis, taking account of the need to offer appropriate support mechanisms for relevant cohorts of micro-generators. The timelines for the steps necessary to deliver this phased introduction of MSS supports will be outlined in the forthcoming annex of actions to the Climate Action Plan. Finally, a small-scale generation support scheme to facilitate generators in cohorts not as suited to other schemes will represent the third phase of the overall framework. This will be progressed in 2022 and is expected to become available in 2023.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (50, 51)
Catherine Murphy
Question:50. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the long-term financial stability of each company in the consortium was assessed and or future-proofed with due diligence forecast assessed in the course of awarding the NBP contract (details supplied). [59167/21]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that the companies that form part of the NBP consortium will be able to provide services for the duration of the 25-year contract in the context of the NBP (details supplied). [59168/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together. The financial capability and capacity of each consortium member was assessed prior to awarding the NBP contract and guarantees were entered regarding equity commitments. The NBP contract contains sufficient mechanism to monitor ongoing financial stability of the project which includes financial reporting requirements.
Question No. 51 answered with Question No. 50.
Climate Change Policy
Questions (52)
Cathal Crowe
Question:52. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason County Clare, which has a high dependency on the coal-burning ESB power station at Moneypoint has been excluded from Just Transition supports: if he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59187/21]
View answerWritten answers
The 2021 Climate Action Plan sets out a just transition policy framework to ensure that we effectively monitor and manage our transition to climate neutral economy through structures and responses already in place and planned, that our responses remain flexible so that we can respond to future transition challenges, and that we target the areas in need of support. This policy framework is based on four principles:
1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just transition requirements
2. People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy
3. The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated
4. Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process
Financial assistance to support a just transition has, to date, been made available by the Government to the Midlands region where the impact associated with the end of peat extraction for power generation has been both regionally concentrated and acute.
The Climate Action Plan has also committed to ambitious decarbonisation of Ireland’s electricity system over the coming decade, with a target to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80% where achievable and cost effective, without compromising security of electricity supply.
Operational decisions pertaining to the power station are a matter for the ESB and I have no function in the matter. I note, however, that the ESB announced plans for future offshore wind energy development utilising the existing site facilities in April of this year, which are likely to mitigate any adverse impacts associated with the future ending of coal-fired power generation. Therefore, the balance of overall future impacts for the local area and for the wider region, and the case for any additional supports for the region, remains to be established at this juncture.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (53)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:53. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and business premises that have benefited from high speed fibre connection across County Meath since NBI started its contract; and the length of time it will take the remaining homes and businesses to be connected in the time ahead. [59302/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 699 schools. The NBP roll out is currently a 7 year plan under the contract and deployment is due to be complete by the end of 2026. 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.
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan with over 277,000 premises surveyed or with survey underway across all counties and over 125,000 premises with build currently underway. NBI has also advised that the first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and over 30,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 12 counties as of 24 November.
There are some 89,908 premises in County Meath of which 69,543 are in the commercial area and 20,365 are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by NBI that, as of 24 November 2021, 9,672 premises in County Meath have been surveyed. Surveying is underway in the Deployment Area of Hill of Down and surveying is complete in Deployment Areas of Navan and Dunboyne/Clonee. Network build is well progressed in the areas of Julianstown, Duleek, Stamullin and Ardcath, with NBI advising anticipated dates for connection in H1 2022.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Meath 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 has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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 19 November, 393 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 installed in County Meath at Drumree GAA Club, Moynalty GAA Club, Ballinlough Shop & Former Halfway House Public House, Boardsmill GAA Club/Community Centre, Syddan Gaelic Football Club, Meath Hill Community Centre, Rathkenny Hall, Castletown GAA Club, Cormeen Sports Complex, Kilskyre GAA Club, Meath GAA Centre of Excellence, Cortown GAA Club, Bective GAA Clubrooms and Teach Raithneach Heritage & Cultural Centre.
Newtown National School, Kentstown National School and Gaelscoil An Bhradáin Fheasa 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 late last year which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (54)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:54. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and business premises that have benefited from high speed fibre connection across County Cavan since NBI started its contract; and the length of time it will take the remaining homes and businesses to be connected in the time ahead. [59303/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 699 schools. The NBP roll out is currently a 7 year plan under the contract and deployment is due to be complete by the end of 2026. 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.
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan with over 277,000 premises surveyed or with survey underway across all counties and over 125,000 premises with build currently underway. NBI has also advised that the first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and over 30,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 12 counties as of 24 November.
There are some 42,512 premises in County Cavan of which 26,103 are in the commercial area and 16,409 are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by NBI that, as of 24 November 2021, over 10,000 premises in County Cavan have been surveyed. Surveying is underway in the Deployment Area of Cootehill, surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Kilnaleck and network build is complete in the Deployment Area of Cavan, with 3,538 premises now available for order or pre order a connection on the new high speed broadband network.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan 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 has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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 19 November, 393 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 installed in County Cavan at Drumavaddy Community Centre, Castlerahan Community Centre, Templeport Community Centre, Gallonray House, Glengevlin Community Hall, Cornafean Communty Centre, Kildallan Parish Hall, Mullahoran Community Centre, Killenkere Leisure Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre and Bunnoe Community Centre.
Killoughter National School, Corlis National School, Kilmore National School, Lackan National School, Dromaili S N, Saint Patrick's School, Kildallan National School, Greaghrahan National School, Laragh National School and Corlea National School 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 late last year which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (55)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:55. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes and business premises that have benefited from high speed fibre connection across County Wexford since NBI started its contract; and the length of time it will take the remaining homes and businesses to be connected in the time ahead. [59304/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 699 schools. The NBP roll out is currently a 7 year plan under the contract and deployment is due to be complete by the end of 2026. 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.
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan with over 277,000 premises surveyed or with survey underway across all counties and over 125,000 premises with build currently underway. NBI has also advised that the first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan and over 30,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 12 counties as of 24 November.
There are some 84,612 premises in County Wexford of which 61,735 are in the commercial area and 22,877 are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by NBI that, as of 24 November 2021, 16,228 premises in County Wexford have been surveyed. Surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Tomhaggard, Monamolin and Fethard. Pre works are underway in the Deployment Area of Ballycarney and main works are underway in the Deployment Area of Wexford.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Wexford 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 has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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 19 November, 393 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 installed in County Wexford at Ballyroebuck Hall, St Mary's GAA Club, Ballyfad Community Centre, Ferrybank Leisure Centre, Marshalstown GAA Club, Raheen Parochial House, Askamore Childcare Centre, Stella Maris Kilmore and Hook Head Lighthouse.
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 late last year which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
Renewable Energy Generation
Questions (56)
Holly Cairns
Question:56. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community-led renewable energy projects operational in the country; the number which come under any other State-backed scheme broken down by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59395/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the main Government policy to help deliver on the ambition in the Climate Action Plan 2021 of up to 80% renewable electricity by 2030. The RESS supports communities in a variety of ways including through a separate category for community projects and a mandatory community benefit fund for every project supported in the scheme. Prior to RESS there was only one community-led renewable electricity project in operation – Templederry Community Wind farm in Tipperary. The community category in the first RESS auction selected seven projects for support which are listed in the table below:
|
Project Name |
Location |
|
Ballytobin (Solar) |
Co. Kilkenny |
|
Barnderg (Solar) |
Co. Galway |
|
Clooncon (Wind) |
Co. Galway |
|
Davidstown (Solar) |
Co. Wexford |
|
Dooleeg (Wind) |
Co. Mayo |
|
Lisduff (Solar) |
Co. Mayo |
|
Lurrig (Solar) |
Co. Cork |
The Climate Action Plan includes a target for at least 500MW of renewable electricity to be supplied by local community-based projects; to reach this target at least 100 community projects will be needed. In order to ensure such a pipeline of community projects I have allocated €2 million in capital funding in Budget 2022 for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This funding will enable SEAI to deploy a range of capacity-building supports including an information warehouse, trusted intermediary and advisor services, and financial grant supports all of which are vital to support community-owned RESS projects in being built. Some of this framework of supports is already in place with additional elements to be delivered in early 2022.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (57)
Holly Cairns
Question:57. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement he has had with National Broadband Ireland with regard to the roll-out of high speed fibre broadband in County Cork, including the off-shore islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59396/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along some 699 schools. My Department as the contracting authority manages all of the elements of contract governance and engages with NBI on an ongoing basis across all elements of the programme to deliver the new high speed broadband network. 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.
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan with over 277,000 premises surveyed across 26 counties and retail service providers actively selling on the NBI network with over 30,000 premises available to order and pre-order in Counties Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary and Wicklow. In County Cork surveys are complete in the Deployment Areas of Carrigaline, Midleton, Youghal, Templemartin and Tallow. Main build works are currently underway in Midleton and Youghal and are complete in Carrigaline. There are over 4,500 premises in County Cork available for order/pre-order.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork and offshore islands 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 has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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 19 November, 393 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. I am advised that in County Cork BCPs have been connected with high speed broadband on Bere Island, Cléire Island and Sherkin Island. BCP’s are installed at Ballydaly Community Hall, Aubane Community Centre, Mealagh Valley Community Centre, Courtbrack Community Centre, Laharn Heritage Centre, Ballindangan Community Centre, Clogagh Community Hall, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, The Old Schoolhouse, Bere Island Heritage Centre, Coláiste Phobal Cléire, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, Glash Community Centre, T.O. Park Labbamollaga and Sherkin Island Community Hall.
Templebrady National School, Ballycroneen National School, Clogagh National School, Educate Together Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour National School, Scoil Naomh Fionan Na Reanna, Ballygarvan National School and Shanbally National School have been installed by NBI for educational access 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 late last year which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026.
Water Services
Questions (58)
Bernard Durkan
Question:58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Irish Water continues to meet its obligations under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 given the fact that the dedicated team dealing with public representatives varyingly require permissions from the entity on whose behalf the enquiry is being made pursuant to GDPR legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59411/21]
View answerWritten answers
I have no function in relation to this issue. Policy responsibility for this issues rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with operational responsibility resting with Irish Water.