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Wednesday, 19 Jan 2022

Written Answers Nos. 125-144

Turf Cutting

Questions (125)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

125. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to compensate turf-cutters who are being prevented from cutting turf on their privately-owned bogs for commercial purposes given they require a licence to do so (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63484/21]

View answer

Written answers

I take it that the Question refers to industrial scale peat extraction on sites over 50 hectares, carried out by commercial operators. I have no role in providing any supports for such extraction.  

Industrial scale peat extraction is subject to a dual consent process requiring planning permission and, for sites over 50 hectares, an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There has been a history of widespread non-compliance with this dual consent process, with many operators in the sector lacking planning permission and / or an IPC licence. 

Following a 2019 High Court judgment which re-affirmed, inter alia, that industrial peat extraction absent planning permission constitutes unauthorised development, the onus has been on operators to first regularise their activities via the planning system and then secure the necessary licenses before any recommencement can take place. 

Grant Payments

Questions (126)

Michael Ring

Question:

126. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a grant will be paid by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to a person (details supplied) considering that the works were completed on 24 August 2021 and they have been waiting for the works to be inspected and passed for payment ever since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63524/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. The administration and management of applications under Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) schemes are an operational matter for the SEAI. My Department has no function with regard to individual grant applications. SEAI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with SEAI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@seai.ie .

National Broadband Plan

Questions (127)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

127. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria that must be met before a premises is able to pre-order broadband under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63623/21]

View answer

Written answers

With regard to the criteria for premises to pre-order broadband, NBI manages the build plan and launch details for all premises within the Intervention Area. NBI has advised that this plan includes forecast dates for each "Ribbon of premises", typically between 400 to 800 premises within a given Deployment Area, including any delayed or deferred premises encountered during the construction phase. NBI select "Ribbons" which are within the proposed 3-months pre-order delivery window based on their forecasts which are then confirmed prior to opening premises for pre-order. Once confirmed, NBI open the premises for pre-order and the associated premises are available immediately for pre-order on NBI systems and the NBI website. Details are available on specific areas within the country through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. NBI has published details of its full deployment schedule on its website which enables all premises within the Intervention Area to have an anticipated service activation date range. Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change.

Environmental Policy

Questions (128, 137)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

128. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to the implementation of a ban on plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables in line with the measure which has been imposed in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1030/22]

View answer

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to introduce a ban on the plastic packaging of fruit and vegetables similar to his French counterpart (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1447/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 137 together. I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 137 together.

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) launched in September 2020 sets out the steps that will be taken in Ireland to reduce waste from packaging and single-use plastic items over the 5-year term of the plan. These steps include:

-  Ireland transposed the SUP (Single Use Plastic) Directive last year. It banned a range of single-use items from July 2021. Further measures will be introduced in the coming years under the SUP, which will significantly reduce the amount of SUP items being placed on the market.

-  A Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans will be introduced later this year.

-  All packaging being placed on the market must, by 2030, be reusable or recyclable.

-  We will examine measures to support increased use of recycled materials in packaging, including the introduction of a virgin plastic levy.

- We will support an ambitious approach in discussions with European Commission- focussing on reducing over- packaging and packaging waste while driving design for reuse and recyclability of packaging.

While I welcome the recent initiative by the French Government, it should be noted that the ban does not necessarily mean that the volume of packaging waste in general will decrease, only that plastic packaging cannot be used for fruit and vegetables. Other non-plastic forms of packaging remain permitted. It should also be noted that as an island nation, the route to market for a significant amount of our food is different to that of France. Transportation distances, the need for longer shelf life, food safety and food waste all have to be considered. I am keen to monitor progress of the French initiative as part of working on an EU wide basis to reduce packaging waste. Ultimately, our focus should be on reducing the volume of all types of packaging.

Sustainable Energy Communities

Questions (129)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

129. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities supported in 2020 and 2021; the amount of funding and grants provided to this scheme in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1033/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department.  The Programme supports the low carbon energy transition by developing skills and capacity, at a community level, in determining how to use less energy, adopting lower carbon options for transport and heating, shifting energy use to off-peak times or investing in smart technologies. The SEC process of learning consists of 3 core steps of "Learn" (the SEC Network), "Plan" (the Energy Master Plan Partnership) and "Do". Under this latter stage, the SECs access the various SEAI energy efficiency grants, notably the Community Energy Grant Scheme, to help them progress their identified projects.

The Community Energy Grant Scheme supports cross-sectoral, partnership approaches that deliver energy savings to a range of building types including public, commercial and community buildings with a particular focus on using the projects to deliver home retrofits. Furthermore, the Scheme is designed to engage all members of the SEC network who wish to participate in delivery of energy efficiency works.

In 2020, there were a total of 490 SEC members in the network. This increased to 618 at the end of 2021. In 2020, funding of €1.21million was spent under the SEC Programme and this increased to €1.34million in 2021. 

Under the Programme, a total of 181 Energy Master Plans have been submitted to the SEAI, of which 57 were submitted in 2021. There are a total of 62 SECs at the "Do" stage.

The National Retrofit Plan which was launched recently as part of the Climate Action Plan 2021, sets a target of 1,500 member communities in the SEC Network by 2030.  Under the Plan, SECs will be supported by Government to continue to expand their roles as ‘activators’ in their communities.

Details of the organisations and communities involved in the SEC Programme can be found on SEAI’s website www.seai.ie/sustainable-solutions/community-projects/sustainable-energy-communities/

Mining Industry

Questions (130)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated financial contribution of zinc and lead ore royalties to the State from a company (details supplied). [1041/22]

View answer

Written answers

Revenues received from individual companies are not published. However, the Revised Estimates Volume 2022 notes that revenue earned by the State from mining and minerals prospecting in 2018, 2019 and 2020 was €6.3million, €5.8 million and €6.1 million respectively.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (131)

Joe Carey

Question:

131. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will recommend to the SEAI the need to modify the grant scheme available for the installation of solar panels on old solid stone houses given that many of these dwellings due to their age and architectural design are severely challenged in attaining the C2 level required to qualify for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1087/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers the solar PV grant scheme to help homeowners install rooftop solar PV equipment. A post-works BER (Building Energy Rating) C standard is a minimum requirement for support under the scheme. However, this scheme will transition to the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) as part of the phased introduction of that scheme in 2022. The final design of the MSS was approved by Government on 21 December 2021, and the scheme will open on a phased basis in 2022. The MSS will offer supports for new installations, including solar PV panels, in the form of a capital grant for domestic and small non-domestic applicants, or a premium export tariff for larger non-domestic applicants. Home-owners will continue to be able to apply to the SEAI for a grant towards the cost of installing equipment under the MSS. In 2022, grant amounts under the MSS will be at the same level per kW as the existing SEAI solar PV grant scheme. Under the MSS, buildings will not have to meet a minimum BER standard, even after any new equipment is installed, and homes built pre-2021 will be eligible.

Waste Management

Questions (132)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

132. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy; the municipal waste statistics by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1198/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020, contains some 200 measures.  To date significant progress has been made on a number of measures, including: - The publication of a first Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy;

- The expansion of the national standardised list of materials acceptable in the mixed dry recyclable bin to include all soft plastics;

- The completion of the legislative framework for the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic and aluminium beverage containers up to 3 litres, which will  be introduced in Q3 2022;

- The recent publication of Best Practice Guidelines for the Preparation of Resource & Waste Management Plans for Construction and Demolition Projects.

The forthcoming Circular Economy Bill will provide the legislative framework for the implementation of further measures, and delivery of the Plan as a whole will be completed on a phased basis over its 5 year lifetime.

My Department does not collate statistics on municipal waste by county.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the collation of national waste data and reports annually on Ireland’s performance against the targets set out in EU and national legislation, please see www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/ for further information.

Air Quality

Questions (133)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

133. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of prosecutions that have been made by Donegal County Council under the terms of the Air Pollution Act 1987 regarding the sale and burning of smoky coal in the designated low-smoke zone, Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1304/22]

View answer

Written answers

Enforcement action against breaches of the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012 is a matter for Local Authorities and my Department does not compile statistics in relation to prosecutions taken or fines imposed. Local Authorities report information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annually regarding enforcement activities under environmental legislation. Details of Local Authority enforcement of environmental legislation, are available from the series of Local Authority Environmental Performance Assessment reports compiled by the EPA. These reports can be accessed at: www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/support-and-supervision-of-local-councils/la-performance/  

It should be noted that discussions with the Local Authority sector have commenced with the intention of establishing dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to support consistent implementation of air quality legislation across the country. I have secured funding of €1.2 million for 2022 to enhance enforcement expertise, including through the provision of additional supports for the most effective model of enforcement which will be delivered through the regional lead authorities.

Energy Policy

Questions (134)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the European Union taxonomy as being compatible to contributing to fighting climate change particularly in view of his March 2021 letter to the European Commission opposing any increase to the threshold for gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1337/22]

View answer

Written answers

The EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities classifies what are to be considered environmentally sustainable economic activities for investment and reporting purposes. The European Commission circulated a draft Delegated Regulation on EU Taxonomy last month.  

As set out in a letter that I co-signed with Ministers from a number of other Member States in March of last year, it is considered important that a science-based approach is followed that reflects the actual contribution of each technology and sector to the achievement of a climate neutral EU by 2050 at the latest. In this regard, a maximum level of emissions (i.e. 100grams of CO2 per kWh) could be set in order to be considered low carbon as a basis for inclusion in the EU Taxonomy.

 

In Ireland, my colleague the Minister for Finance is leading in relation to this common classification system proposal. My Department is examining the European Commission proposal in order to input into the Department of Finance response.

 

Following the consultation process currently underway, it is expected that the European Commission will publish a final Delegated Act. This would then be formally adopted and would enter into force at the end of the four-month scrutiny period (extendable by two further months) of the European Council and the European Parliament.

Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 119.

Environmental Policy

Questions (136)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he has taken to date to reduce the use of once-off plastics, particularly in packaging; the success of these steps to date; the further steps he intends taking in 2022 to eliminate all unnecessary and replaceable use of such materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1378/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy details the measures that will be adopted to achieve optimum results in the area of packaging and plastics. The over-riding objective is to ensure that all packaging placed on the Irish market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. Measures already actioned include:- The introduction of eco modulated fees which will result in a more favourable rate applying to recyclable plastic packaging over non-recyclable packaging placed on the market.- Transposition of the EU Directive (EU) 2019/904 which saw a ban on a range of single-use plastic items being placed on the Irish market from 3 July 2021.- An awareness campaign in September 2021 announcing that soft plastics can be disposed of in the domestic recycling bin - this was a significant step to increase recycling rates and help to reach future EU recycling targets.- The Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021, providing the legal framework for the DRS scheme which will become operational across the country in Quarter 3 this year Other measures contained in the Plan which will be progressed this year include:- A revision to the Packaging Regulations in Q2 of this year which will enact the Programme for Government commitment to end self-compliance as an option for producers placing packaging on the market.- Ongoing engagement with the EU Commission on the review of the essential requirements contained in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. Proposals are expected later this year to deal with issues such as compostable packaging, mandating recycled content in plastic packaging and extended reuse, and prevention measures. - Progressing the Circular Economy Bill, which will provide for the introduction of environmental levies, and subsequent bans, on single-use disposable items, such as hot and cold beverage cups, and food containers, where more sustainable alternatives are available and affordable.

Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 128.

Energy Production

Questions (138, 139)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the ESB has cancelled a further three contracts for gas power plants in Dublin (details supplied); the way and the reason this situation arose; if the issue of below cost tendering has been assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1461/22]

View answer

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assessment that has been taken of energy constraints for winter 2022 in view of the reports that the ESB has cancelled a further three contracts for gas power plants in Dublin (details supplied); the plans to address these constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. The capacity market is an integral part of the all-island Single Electricity Market which is overseen by the Single Electricity Market Committee. The Single Electricity Market Committee consists of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, their Northern Ireland counterparts and an independent member.

The termination of the capacity contracts for the three power stations noted by the Deputy occurred in May 2021 with the termination notices published in early June 2021. The termination of these capacity contracts was taken into account in EirGrid's Generation Capacity Statement and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities' programme of actions to address electricity security of supply which were both published in September 2021.

Where market participants or others have concerns in relation to the operation of the electricity market in Ireland, the appropriate body to raise matters with is the Commission for Regulation of Utilities which has processes and procedures to deal with and examine any issues raised. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is independent of me as Minister and my Department. It is solely accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.

Departmental Reviews

Questions (140)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

140. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [1551/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy.  Studies, reviews and research are currently being undertaken by my Department which contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence-based policy making. Details of these are set out in the table below.

Details of live studies, reviews and research

Scheduled date for completion

EnvEcon AP Limited - Consultancy to support work of the Climate Action Modelling Group (CAMG). The work is focused on climate and air quality modelling and is being undertaken as part of a 4 year publicly procured multiannual contract November 2018-2022

14/11/2022

University College Cork (MaREI Institute) - Consultancy to support work of the Climate Action Modelling Group (CAMG). The work is focused on energy systems and climate modelling and is being undertaken as part of a 4 year publicly procured multiannual contract December 2018-2022

06/12/2022

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)- Consultancy to support work of the Climate Action Modelling Group (CAMG). This includes provision of a Research Programme on Climate, Energy and the Economy 2020-2022

31/12/2022

University College Dublin (Energy Institute) -Consultancy to support work of the Climate Action Modelling Group (CAMG). The work focuses on electricity systems modelling and is being undertaken as part of a 4 year publicly procured multiannual contract February 2019-2023

07/02/2023

Aerial Surveys of Mega Fauna in Irish coastal and offshore waters

(ObSERVE Phase 2 Aerial Project)

April 2024

National land use review (Phase I: Land Use Evidential Review) carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of both the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DFAM)

Q3 2022

Provision of Operational Management Advisory Services for the National Postcode System

January 2022

Eircode Focused Policy Assessment

February 2022

An independent analysis of the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme carried out by the London School of Tropical Medicine

Q2 2022

Review of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty

Q1 2022

Review of the National Adaptation Framework

Q3 2022

EPA Irish Minds Study (Preliminary report presented 7th December 2021. A detailed segmentation report and regional report will be made available in the first half of 2022)

1st Half 2022

ESRI – In depth modelling of consumer demands for mobile services and examination of ComReg’s data gathering on broadband services

1st Half 2022

ESRI – Behavioural experiments on how to encourage take up of high-speed broadband services

2nd Half 2022

ESRI – Study to explore the effects of digital services and devices on society and economy

1st Half 2022

Irish National Seismic Network (Co-Funded by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies)

  30/11/2023

Mapping, Modelling and Monitoring Key Processes and Controls on Cold-water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons (Co-Funded by SFI & Marine Institute)

30/10/2022

Structure, evolution and seismic hazard of the Irish offshore: An investigation using the first broadband, ocean-bottom seismometer deployment offshore Ireland (Co-Funded by SFI & Marine Institute)

28/02/2023

Integrating multidisciplinary geoscientific data into forecasting models to monitor and predict coastal change: Proof of concept in Dublin Bay (Co-Funded by SFI & Marine Institute)

30/06/2022

Environmental Geoscience PhD Programme (Co-Funded by iCRAG/SFI)

30/04/2023

Exploring the critical metal potential of Irish Zn Pb deposits

28/02/2022

DIG: De-risking Ireland’s Geothermal Energy Potential (Co-Funded by SEAI)

31/12/2023

ThermoWell: Thermal Resource Extraction from a Standing Column Well (Co-Funded by SEAI)

08/03/2023

Stonebuilt Ireland - creating a countrywide inventory of building stone (Co-Funded by TCD & OPW)

30/11/2022

Separating Critical metals through mineral crystallization (Selector) (Co-Funded by SFI)

30/08/2024

Geophysical and Earth Observation Tools for Evaluating the Condition of Slopes (GEOTECS) (Co-Funded by SFI)

30/09/2024

DEEP Innovation for De-Risking Enhanced Geothermal Energy Projects (Co-Funded by Geothermica)

31/11/2023

Enhancing Reservoirs in Urban Development: smart wells and reservoir development, RESULT (Co-Funded by Geothermica)

30/09/2023

Groundwater-g - Supporting Groundwater Resources Management using Low-Cost Microgravity Technology

31/07/2022

Abrupt Climate Change in Ireland: Redefining our climate future through a lens of high-resolution glacial reconstruction

31/03/2022

RAFTA: Resolution Analyses for Frequency- and Time-DomainAirborne Electromagnetic Data of the Irish Tellus Programme

31/08/2022

Linking ocean model predictions with coastal impacts using a low cost, time-lapse camera shoreline monitoring system

30/04/2022

BIM integrated Geo hazard monitoring of at-risk slopes and historical retaining structures

30/06/2022

Assessing the potential of Holocene shell-beds in Galway Bay as palaeo-environmental and palaeo-climate archives

31/01/2022

Energy Critical Element Characterisation of Irish Mineral Deposits

31/01/2022

Hyperspectral Analysis of the Mourne Mountains (HAMM)

31/07/2022

Pile Ageing Study for Offshore Wind Applications

31/01/2022

Delivering Added Value to the Tellus Survey: A Multi-elemental Isotopic Database of Soil and Stream Water

31/01/2022

Quantifying Ireland’s Dust Bowl: An interdisciplinary assessment ofpotential loess genesis, deposition, and dynamics in the Burren

31/08/2022

Real time Monitoring of landslides using remote sensing approaches

31/05/2022

Developing seabed scour assessment and prediction tools using computational fluid dynamics modelling (DeMo)

31/01/2022

Extraction of Historic DEMs and Orthophotos using Digital Photogrammetry and its Applications in Coastal Evolution Studies

31/07/2022

Monitoring and Modelling Geomagnetic and Geoelectric Fields in Ireland (Co-Funded by IRC)

31/03/2024

Integrated modelling of hydrogeological/hydrological data and climate change scenarios for preselected Irish groundwater systems

31/12/2022

Collaborative Research: Beyond Zircon - Developing Novel Methods for Assessing Sedimentary Recycling Using Detrital Minerals (Co-funded with Fulbright)

15/06/2022

Measuring pyrite reactivity in aggregates and its relationship with thermal/diagenetic maturation (Co-funded by DHLGH)

31/01/2023

Predicting Sea Levels and Sea-Level Extremes for Ireland (Co-funded with SFI)

30/11/2024

Developing a process-based understanding of platinum group element mineralisation: a natural laboratory in Ireland (Critical-Ireland) 9Co-funded with SFI)

30/11/2025

Groundwater Age Distributions for the Sustainable Management of Groundwater resources in Ireland (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Critical Raw Materials for Ireland for a Resource Efficient Circular Economy (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Mapping Understanding and Current Knowledge: Irish Soils (Equipment)

01/12/2022

MASTER: Magnetotelluric (MT) Acquisition Systems for Terrestrial Earth Research infrastructure (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer for the characterisation of geologic and environmentally relevant materials and rocks. (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Polishing system for laser ablation ICP-MS and SEM samples (pucks/mounts) (Equipment)

01/12/2022

The Irish Cosmogenic Nuclide Facility (ICNF): Growing Ireland’s capacity for cutting-edge cosmogenic nuclide geochronology (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Raising capability to determine the carbonate chemistry of Aquatic systems. (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Pb-210 alpha counter (Equipment)

01/12/2022

The first dedicated visualisation workstation for ‘virtual geoscience’ in Ireland (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Enhancement of Environmental Geoscience Lab (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Expansion of ICARUS Palaeo Research laboratory (Equipment)

01/12/2022

Geothermal Energy and Optimal Renewable Mix at UCD (GEONORM) (Co-funded with SEAI)

01/12/2022

Hydrogen Salt Storage Assessment (HYSS) (Co-funded with SEAI)

01/12/2022

Catchment Care: Community Actions for resilient ecosystems (Part funded by Interreg)

30/04/2023

CHERISH: Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands, and Headlands (Part funded by Interreg)

30/06/2023

Coastal Change from Space: Monitoring Coastal Erosion from Space (Part funded by European Space Agency)

01/05/2022

EMODNET, The European Marine Observation and Data Network – Geology (Part funded by DG Mare (EU))

01/11/2023

EMODNET, The European Marine Observation and Data Network – Bathymetry (Part funded by DG Mare (EU))

June 2023

GEOTHERMICA ERA-NET Co-fund (Part funded by European Commission)

30/06/2026

ERA MIN 3 Raw Materials for the Sustainable Development and the Circular Economy (Part funded by European Commission)

30/11/2025

European Plate Observing System (ESFRI infrastructure) (Part funded by European Commission)

ongoing

Geo Energy Europe2 (Part funded by European Commission)

30/09/2022

Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 119.

Social Media

Questions (142)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

142. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent on social media by his Department and agencies under his remit in 2021; and the platforms the monies were spent on in tabular form. [1698/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is committed to providing the highest standard of communications, stakeholder engagement, and open and transparent dialogue in order to inform policy making and enhance our services for citizens. Our communications approach is designed to enhance our reputation and build trust through collaboration and engagement. Social media is a critical tool in achieving these objectives, and we place a high value on ensuring that our social media channels are actively engaging with citizens on issues that are important to them.The Communications and Media Relations Division of my Department is responsible for managing my Department’s social media accounts on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Given the high value my Department places on communications and public engagement, resources for our Communications and Media Relations Division have increased over the last two years, with the addition of staff with design, videography and content creation skills.As a result, our Department is now producing professional assets for a range of campaigns. We have committed to supporting these assets through the promotion of same across various social media channels. Most notably in 2021 we were focusing on cyber security, air quality and the circular economy, while a large portion of our total was spent on promoting the Climate Conversation to involve as many citizens as possible in the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021.Our spend, per platform, through 2021:Google Ads €329.12Twitter €2,768.22Facebook / Instagram €27,977.56Total €31,074.90We do not have any role in the social media activity of our agencies and bodies and any spend they accumulate is entirely a matter for those organisations.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (143)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

143. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount spent on consultancy services by his Department in 2021; the reason for each consultancy; and the name of the consultancy in tabular form. [1716/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Department is responsible for a diverse range of functions covering the communications, climate action, environment, energy and natural resources sectors and the procurement of specialist services is necessary to support the delivery of policies and programmes in these areas. In 2021 expenditure by my Department on such services amounted to just over €14.3m as set out in the table below.

Amount 

Programme

Name of consultant

Reason for Consultancy 

€'000

Ramboll UK Ltd

Environmental Assessment of applications for consent for offshore geophysical, environmental, seismic survey and/or exploratory drilling activities.

                 26

CAAS Ltd. 

Screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Screening for Appropriate Assessment of the draft Policy Statement for Mineral Exploration and Mining

                  7

Independent Contractor 

Strategic review of the structure and staffing of the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI)

                  3

Indecon Economic Consultants

Policy review of Geoscience Ireland

                 20

Matheson

Legal advice in relation to Decommissioning of Kinsale and Seven Heads gas fields

               118

RPS Consulting Engineers

Environmental monitoring of the Corrib gas field and the Decommissioning of Kinsale and Seven Heads gas fields

                 57

Selgovia Ltd

Petroleum engineering technical advice

                 40

Archos Limited

Preparation of mining inspection protocols

                  1

CDM Smith Ireland Ltd. 

Environmental Monitoring of Avoca and Silvermines Legacy mine Sites

               143

Quarry Mining Equipment

Avoca historic mine site, repairs of 850 Adit in Avoca

                 34

RPS Consulting Engineers

Strategic Environmental Assessment & Appropriate Assessment of the draft Policy Statement for Mineral Exploration and Mining

                 69

Wardell Armstrong International Limited

Mine safety works and monitoring 

                 26

Native Events Limited

Waste Management Pilot Deposit and Return Scheme for outdoor events

                 29

Tobin Consulting Engineers

National Litter Pollution Monitoring System

                 48

Circular Economy

 

Circular Economy Subtotal

               621

EnvEcon

Policy development and implementation. 

               469

McKinsey & Co Inc Ireland

Provision of Economic Analysis and Report to support the development and implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2021.

               924

University College Dublin

To provide Electricity Systems Modelling Services to inform climate policy development and implementation.

               340

University College Cork

To provide Climate and Energy Modelling Services to inform climate policy development and implementation.

               588

Independent Contractor 

Just Transition Commissioner

                 55

Independent Contractor 

Support in relation to work of the Just Transition Commissioner

                 14

Philip Lee Solicitors

State Aid – National Just Transition Fund

                 61

Climate Action

 

Climate Action Subtotal

            2,451

BDO

Accounting Services

                 32

Crowley DFK

Audit Services

                 49

Fuzion Communications

Social Media review

                  2

Parrydale Ltd T/A Val O'Brien & Associates

Schedule of Dilapidations Report

                  2

Quadra

Health & Safety

                  8

Byrne Wallace

Legal Advice

                 44

Independent Contractor 

Legal Drafting Services

                 11

Moveplan Ireland Ltd (paid through the OPW). 

Relocation Management

                 87

Corporate Services

Corporate Services Subtotal

               235

Cyber Security

FireEye Ireland  Ltd.

Capacity Review of National Cyber Security Centre

               122

Analysys Mason

Technical advisory services

            3,952

Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services

Financial and commercial advisory services

            5,335

William Fry

Legal advisory services

               846

National Broadband Plan

 

National Broadband Plan Subtotal

          10,133

Bearingpoint Ireland Ltd

Review of the Call Handling Procedures of the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS)

                 77

Mason Hayes and Curran

Unique Licensing Legal Advice

                 15

Public Facing Services

 

Public Facing Services Subtotal

                 92

Des Johnson Planning and Environmental Consultancy 

Maritime Area Planning Bill

                 10

Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions Ltd ( GDG )

To design technical assessment criteria for Maritime Area Consent, and the subsequent assessment of seven ‘Relevant Projects’ against those criteria.

               138

Matheson

Legal advice for Renewable Energy Support Scheme/s (RESS)

               131

NERA UK Limited

Policy & Economic advice for Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS)

               144

RICARDO-AEA LTD

Advice for Microgeneration Support Scheme

                 20

RPS Consulting Engineers

Technical Noise Analysis for Wind Energy Development Guidelines

                 40

Easter Bay Consultants Ltd

Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS) 1 Economic and Policy Services

                 11

KPMG

Indexation Report for Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS) 1 Consultation

                 28

Matheson

Offshore Renewable Energy Support Scheme (ORESS) 1 Legal Services

                 58

Renewable Energy 

 

Renewable Energy Subtotal

               580

Residential Retrofitting

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

An independent analysis of the Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme

                 80

 

 

Total Expenditure

          14,314

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (144, 145)

Denis Naughten

Question:

144. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he has taken to date to progress the North Seas Offshore Grids development as outlined in the draft European Union regulation for trans-European energy infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1757/22]

View answer

Denis Naughten

Question:

145. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he has taken to date to progress the Atlantic Offshore Grids development as outlined in the draft European Union regulation for trans-European energy infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1758/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together. I propose to take Question Nos 144 and 155  together.

There are currently two new electricity interconnectors under development to link Ireland's electricity system to France (Celtic interconnector) and to Wales (Greenlink interconnector).

A revision of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation has taken place over the last 12 months to facilitate the increased climate objectives contained in the European Green Deal.  Following agreement over a provisional revision of the TEN-E Regulation between negotiators of the Council Presidency and the European Parliament on 15 December, it is anticipated that the revised regulation will be approved by the Council and Parliament during the coming months.

This revised regulation will subsequently form the legislative basis for selection of the 6th EU Projects of Common Interest (PCI) list for energy infrastructure during 2023-24. The increased focus on the establishment of offshore grids contained in the provisional revised TEN-E Regulation has been strongly advocated for by Ireland during discussions at Council over the last 12 months.

The decision to apply for inclusion on the 6th PCI list will be a matter for individual project promoters of eligible energy infrastructure, including proposed new electricity interconnectors between Ireland and neighbouring countries. It is important to note that my Department will continue to support development of regional offshore grids through the establishment of an appropriate policy framework, engagement with viable proposed new offshore infrastructure projects, and working groups within the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), of which Ireland will hold the rotating Presidency during 2022.

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