Written Answers Nos. 139-159
139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent of the progress, if any, made at the recent European Council meeting with particular reference to energy supply and price rises, based on what appears to be tenuous need. [53532/22]
View answerThe European Council met on 20th October to continue work on Europe’s response to the energy crisis, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The European Union has already implemented three different laws over the course of the year, focusing on:
- reducing gas and electricity demand;
- ensuring stocks of gas storage are replenished for the winter; and
- supporting citizens and businesses through the winter. The Council has agreed to continue to work collectively on these issues. The focus of this meeting was on wholesale gas prices. The Council and the European Commission have been called on to urgently submit concrete decisions in a number of areas, including:
- voluntary joint purchasing of gas;
- a new complementary gas price benchmark, that more accurately reflects conditions on the gas market;
- a temporary ‘dynamic price corridor’ on natural gas transactions on the main European gas exchange in the Netherlands;
- a temporary EU framework to cap the price of wholesale gas in electricity generation, while preventing increases in gas consumption;
- fast-tracking the simplification of permitting procedures – to accelerate the roll-out of renewables and grid infrastructure;
- increased efforts to save energy.
More detailed work now urgently needs to be done. Ireland will work closely with its EU counterparts. Ireland secures its gas mainly from the UK, so these measures may not have an immediate impact. However, the expectation is that such measures would lower wholesale gas prices, more generally.
140. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline his engagements with the Minister for Finance concerning An Post being a provider of community banking services. [55431/22]
View answer143. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is reconsidering allowing post offices to become community banks, permitting them to provide all financial services and facilities that banks currently do but with increased advantages and value for communities and ensuring the survival of these important service providers into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55462/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 143 together.
An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. It has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and management of the company. An Post will continue to actively seek and win new business and to explore opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines for the network.
An Post is transforming its retail network by delivering new products and new formats. This includes, among other things, diversifying and growing the financial services products it provides for individuals and SMEs to include loans, credit cards and more foreign exchange products, local banking in association with the major banks and a full range of State Savings products. An Post is providing agency banking services for a number of leading banks including AIB, Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland.
The Department of Finance is conducting a broad ranging review of the retail banking sector. As part of the Review, stakeholders, including members of the public, were invited to make submissions to the Department of Finance on issues that fall within the published Terms of Reference. These submissions were by way of a public consultation process launched at the Retail Banking Review dialogue in Tullamore on 16th May.
Over 100 delegates attended the dialogue, including the retail banks, An Post, Fintech companies, Trade Unions, Credit Unions and the community and voluntary sector. The public consultation process concluded in July and over 100 submissions were received and are currently being reviewed by the Department of Finance.
I understand that the Review team are well advanced in drafting their report and is in line to report to the Minister for Finance later this month.
141. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the European Union energy crisis from an European Union perspective; the financial supports that will be available from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49075/22]
View answerThe European Council met on 20th October to continue work on Europe’s response to the energy crisis, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The European Union has already implemented three different laws over the course of the year, focusing on:
- reducing gas and electricity demand;
- ensuring stocks of gas storage are replenished for the winter; and
- supporting citizens and businesses through the winter. The Council has agreed to continue to work collectively on these issues. The focus of this meeting was on wholesale gas prices. The Council and the European Commission have been called on to urgently submit concrete decisions in a number of areas, including:
- voluntary joint purchasing of gas;
- a new complementary gas price benchmark, that more accurately reflects conditions on the gas market;
- a temporary ‘dynamic price corridor’ on natural gas transactions on the main European gas exchange in the Netherlands;
- a temporary EU framework to cap the price of wholesale gas in electricity generation, while preventing increases in gas consumption;
- fast-tracking the simplification of permitting procedures – to accelerate the roll-out of renewables and grid infrastructure;
- increased efforts to save energy.
More detailed work now urgently needs to be done. Ireland will work closely with its EU counterparts. Ireland secures its gas mainly from the UK, so these measures may not have an immediate impact. However, the expectation is that such measures would lower wholesale gas prices, more generally.
Separately, the European Commission published the REPowerEU plan in May. This is a plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition. The REPowerEU plan proposes the provision of additional funding through the Recovery and Resilience Facility to finance investment in diversifying the energy mix of EU Member States. Last month EU Finance Ministers have reached agreement at ECOFIN on the RePowerEU proposal, including the allocation of grant funding among EU Member States. Ireland’s allocation under the proposed methodology would be circa €90m.
142. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to identify the research needs of the emerging hydrogen economy, particularly in the area of economic research; if he will support the development of the hydrogen economy in Ireland and in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51680/22]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2021 contains a suite of actions relating to the role of green hydrogen in the economy as regards the electricity, enterprise and transport sectors and includes:
- testing the technical feasibility of safely injecting green hydrogen blends in the gas grid;
- assessing the potential for system integration between the electricity and gas networks, which will include the production, storage and use of green hydrogen;
- progressing research and pilot studies regarding the use of hydrogen in the transport sector.
My Department launched a public consultation on a Hydrogen Strategy for Ireland in July 2022. The consultation document included a section on research and development, outlining the significant research already underway concerning hydrogen and its future role in Ireland's energy mix. The following questions were posed in this regard (pages 14 to 17 of the consultation document):
- Which areas of hydrogen research require further examination?
- What can an Irish hydrogen strategy could do to drive innovation?
- What are the research priorities for the development of each hydrogen end-use (demand) in Ireland?
A substantial number of responses to the consultation have been received and analysis is currently underway with a view to finalising the strategy as soon as possible.
144. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of officials in his Department who have undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years to date; the grade of each official; and the cost for each attendee in tabular form. [55480/22]
View answerNo employees in my Department have undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years to date.
All Third level Education courses undertaken by my Departments staff are approved in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 23/07: Post-Entry Education – Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave
145. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps which he is taking to reduce the cost of insulating homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47190/22]
View answerEarlier this year the Government approved a package of significantly enhanced supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades. This included increases in grant rates from circa 30% to circa 50% of the cost of a typical deep retrofit to a B2 standard and up to 80% of the typical cost for cavity and roof insulation. Data from the SEAI shows that since the launch of the new measures, demand across the retrofit schemes has been exceptionally high. As of end-September:
- Over 35,300 applications for support have been received across all of the SEAI home energy upgrade schemes – a circa 150% increase on the same period last year.
- 16,200 home energy upgrades have been completed – up nearly 70% compared to the same period last year.
- Of this amount, 3,200 homes have been upgraded under SEAI energy poverty schemes – up almost 140% on the same period last year.
- 5,250 homes have been upgraded to a BER of B2 or better – more than double last year.
- Latest projections from SEAI indicate that the target of 27,000 home energy upgrades will be delivered this year. This compares to 15,500 upgrades last year.
My Department is working with the SEAI to build on this strong performance with a robust pipeline of activity planned for the rest of the year and into 2023.
My Department is also engaging with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and the European Investment Bank in relation to the development of a residential retrofit loan guarantee 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. It is intended that the loans under the guarantee available in the coming months.
Response 5 of the National Energy Security Framework introduced the nationwide Reduce Your Use campaign which is a programme of communications informing consumers and businesses what actions they can take to reduce their energy demand, how they could lower energy bills and what supports, including retrofit and insulation grants, are available to them. Further information can be found at www.gov.ie.
146. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of Ireland’s first clean-air strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47191/22]
View answerA public consultation on the draft Clean Air Strategy was undertaken during the period March to May of this year and over 100 submissions were received. The strategy is now being reviewed and updated to reflect both the outcome of the consultation process and significant policy interventions which have been made in the intervening period to improve the quality of our air. Given the health imperative associated with the burning of solid fuels for domestic heating purposes, the introduction of the new solid fuel regulations has been prioritised. The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022) introduce minimum quality standards that apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This will ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and will assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. These regulations are a central plank of the Clean Air Strategy which will now be published early next year. The strategy will outline how we will enhance and protect the air we breathe, and set out a pathway, based on a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures, that will tackle all sources of air pollution. As such, it will also need to consider the impact of the forthcoming Climate Action Plan and new proposals at EU level for a revised Clean Air for Europe Directive.
147. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions which he has had with stakeholders regarding the replacement of jobs in the midlands following the closure of West Offaly and Lough Ree power stations; the plans for the future use of both sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47192/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to a just transition in the Midlands region and has dedicated significant funding to supporting workers, companies and communities affected by the closure of the peat-fired power stations and the end of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna.
The Midlands Implementation Plan, published as part of the Climate Action Plan 2021, outlined the targeted measures by Government to directly support the Midlands region as it transitions away from carbon intensive industries. This plan will continue to be considered as part up the upcoming Climate Action Plan 2023. My Department is continuing to plan for the upcoming EU Just Transition Fund, the purpose of which is to address the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and workers concerned, and to promote a balanced socio-economic transition.
A public consultation on a draft of Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan took place between 20 December 2021 and 14 February 2022. An update on the development of the Plan and Programme was provided by the Department and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly to the Midlands Regional Transition Team Steering Committee at its last meeting on 28 September. The Department is also supporting 56 projects in the Midlands through the National Just Transition Fund. The Fund will provide up to €22.1 million in grant funding to these projects, which will mobilise an estimated further €15 million in additional funding to the region and support an estimated 178 direct and 999 indirect jobs, as reported by the grantees. Details of all supported projects can be found on the Fund's webpage at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/
In relation to the plan for the future use of both sites, the ESB announced on 18 June 2021, that having considered commercial opportunities within the electricity market as well as national energy and climate action policies, no viable solution was found to repurpose the existing plants. While the ESB is currently exploring opportunities for these sites, the future use and management of ESB-owned facilities remains the responsibility of the Board and management of ESB.
148. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person can sell a bag of turf at a market (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55556/22]
View answerThe new regulations on the sale of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland came into operation on 31 October 2022. They introduce minimum standards that apply across all solid fuels, to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives.
Under the regulations it is not permitted to sell turf by way of the internet or other media, or from a retail premises. This includes shops, garages, filling stations, fuel yards, public houses and other public places (which would include markets).
149. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the just transition arrangements and supports that are in place for registered coal merchants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55568/22]
View answerThe new solid fuel regulations came into force on 31 October this year and introduced minimum quality standards that now apply to solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This is to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market, and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. In September 2021, I announced that the regulations would come into effect for the 2022/2023 heating season. I made the announcement at that time in order to allow retailers sufficient time to run down existing stocks and plan accordingly for the introduction of the new regulatory framework. No new support measures have been introduced for coal merchants as a result of the new regulations. Over the past year, officials from my Department have been working with retailer representative bodies to support the transition to the new regulations, and have been running an awareness campaign for the past number of months to inform retailers and producers of their responsibilities. More information for retailers can be found at: www.gov.ie/cleanair/
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the provision of broadband on a country-wide basis is proceeding according to plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55618/22]
View answer152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he and his Department are endeavouring to meet the demands in so far as is possible in relation to the provision of broadband on a nationwide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55619/22]
View answer153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of locations throughout the country where broadband roll-out is not up to expectation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55620/22]
View answer154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which efforts are being made to ensure that blackspots in respect of broadband are being attended to as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55621/22]
View answer155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which broadband provision is proceeding evenly throughout the country in respect of both primary and secondary areas; the extent to which the two are merging or are likely to so do in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55622/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151 to 155, inclusive, together.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, indicates the areas which are included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the state led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November 2019 with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering, or have plans to deliver, high speed broadband services.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 28 October 2022, over 97,000 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 25 counties, with over 87,700 premises passed across 25 counties and available for immediate connection. Construction is underway across 26 counties demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. To date, the level of connections is increasing on a daily basis and is in line with projections, with some areas exceeding expectations.
Further details are available on specific areas 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.
NBI has made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed and connected to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie.
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. Some 778 BCP sites have been installed by NBI to date 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.
My Department has worked with NBI to agree an Updated Interim Remedial Plan (UIRP) which recalibrated the targets for 2022 to take account of the knock on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and other delays to the programme. The revised target is 102,000 premises passed by the end of January 2023 (cumulative) which is expected to be achieved ahead of that date.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These are typically an area of approximately 25km in radius and in total they cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The architecture of the network design is specifically based on the design of the NBI network coming from the Eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs). It is based on an engineering design that allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible working within the confines of how fibre networks are built. Villages/Townlands/Counties can be covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the rollout across county areas.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which mobile telephone services remain good when compared with other European Union Member States or adjoining countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55623/22]
View answerIreland’s digital connectivity strategy aligns with EU priorities, under the Digital Decade 2030. Providing telecommunication services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. Mobile coverage obligations are set out in licences granted by ComReg, to mobile operators who advises that the current minimum coverage obligations are being exceeded by all operators. Capital investment by telecommunications operators over the last 5 years came to €3.3 billion for both fixed and mobile services both voice and data, throughout Ireland.
ComReg is in the process of running another Multi-band Spectrum Award to assign rights of use in four spectrum bands to enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services.
ComReg has developed an online national outdoor coverage map to provide clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide with over 70 targeted actions completed to alleviate mobile and fixed connectivity barriers. It is co-managed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).
My Department worked with EU Member States to develop the EU Connectivity Toolbox, a collection of best practices which Member States can implement at national level to lower the cost of deploying very high-speed networks in order to foster better connectivity across the EU, which is being implemented via the new work programme of the Taskforce. The best practices include streamlining administrative and permitting granting procedures, and improving access to State assets.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which emission reduction targets are being met or otherwise; if further steps are required to achieve such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55624/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which will be determined later. There is target for a 25% emissions reduction for our agriculture sector by 2030.
Climate Action Plan 2021 has outlined how emission reductions can be achieved in this sector in the coming years, which involves offering farmers the means to reduce carbon emissions at farm level by being more carbon efficient, while also diversifying towards less carbon intensive practices such as organic farming and the production of energy. These measures, and the extent to which progress is being made, will be reflected in the next Climate Action Plan, which is due to be published by the end of 2022. In the meantime, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to collaborate on reducing our carbon emissions, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of our food production. The challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our agriculture sector while ensuring our food security, is also a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our family farms will fully exploit the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of investment currently in hand and likely to improve the possibility of meeting emission targets; when each investment project is likely to come online, whether by alternative electricity generation methods, onshore or offshore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55625/22]
View answer159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which emission reductions are likely to be achieved by way of alternative methods of electricity generation in the future; the way in which this is likely to impact on achieving the target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55626/22]
View answer160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which alternative electricity-generation projects are advanced to the extent of making emission targets realisable in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55627/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 significantly strengthens the legally binding framework for climate governance in Ireland, and the recently approved sectoral emission ceilings set out a clear pathway for meeting our carbon budgets and Ireland’s commitment to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030.
These ceilings will be reflected in the next Climate Action Plan (CAP23), which is currently being developed and is due to be published by the end of 2022, building on the Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP 21). CAP 21 set outs out a roadmap to deliver on Ireland's climate targets and for the electricity sector includes a suite of measures and actions to increase the share of electricity demand generated from renewable sources to up to 80%.
The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help deliver on this. The first RESS auction is expected to deliver circa 1,000 MW of new renewable generation, an approximate 15% increase in Ireland’s current renewable energy generation capacity by the end of 2023. Ireland is now at over 5 GW of onshore renewables, with approximately 700 MW expected to be connected before the end of this year, making 2022 a record year for new renewable generation. Ireland is third in the world for the share of electricity provided by onshore wind and this year the first large scale solar projects are now generating power.
The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held this year and is expected to deliver an increase of nearly 20% in Ireland’s renewable energy generation by the end of 2025. At the end of October, my Department published a consultation on the design of the third RESS auction (RESS 3), which will take place next year. Further auction rounds are expected in future years and an updated RESS auction schedule will be published by the end of the year.
The Terms and Conditions on the first Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS 1) are due to be published later this month. This will be the first of three planned auctions this decade for the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).
Achieving climate targets through accelerating deployment of renewable energy sources will entail investment of tens of billions of euro, including in the installation and maintenance of generation assets, and associated infrastructure and services, as well as in the development of supply chains and port infrastructure. Significant investment in grid infrastructure is required to meet our renewables targets, with €4 billion capital investment allocated for EirGrid for the period 2021-2025.
