Thursday, 27 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 101-120

National Broadband Plan

Questions (101)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

101. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected deadline for the NBI rollout of fibre broadband across the State; if he is satisfied with the current rate of the rollout with 109,000 out of 569,000 premises connected after the third year of the plan; how he plans on ramping up delivery of the rollout, particularly across the west, where areas are disproportionately in the 'survey pending' stage compared to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19922/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 and which came into effect in January 2020, 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 over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

I am advised by NBI that, as of 14 April 2023 over 147,600 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 135,500 premises passed and available for immediate connection. Over 37,300 premises are connected to the NBP Gigabit network. Design work is completed in townlands across every county in Ireland with over 392,600 premises surveyed to date. NBI are required to roll the network out as fast as possible across all counties, the rollout does not distinguish between West, South, East or Northern regions.

Covid 19 gave rise to unavoidable delays over 2020 to 2021 which resulted in a delay of over 8 months to the rollout. However, NBI have advised that they remain confident that they can make up any lost time and complete the network build by the end of 2026.

Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 14 April 2023, 895 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 612 schools) have been installed 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.

Eir has committed to rolling out fibre to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO has passed more than 470,000 premises with gigabit services and has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 300,000 premises. Virgin Media plans to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to 1 million premises. The network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks

Energy Policy

Questions (102, 124)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

102. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will tax the windfall profits of electricity companies for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19873/23]

Alan Farrell

Question:

124. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on a windfall tax onenergy companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10974/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 124 together.

Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices came into force in October 2022. This Regulation seeks to address windfall gains in the energy sector through a temporary solidarity contribution based on taxable profits in the fossil fuel production and refining sector and a cap on market revenues of specific generation technologies in the electricity sector.

A General Scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023, which will implement the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues, was approved by Government and published on 21 March.

The cap on market revenues in the electricity sector will apply for the period December 2022 to June 2023. The Council Regulation does not provide scope to extend the cap on market revenues prior to this period. The temporary solidarity contribution will apply for 2022 and 2023.

It is estimated that the two measures will result in proceeds of between €280 million and €600 million being collected. It will be a matter for Government, as part of the annual Budget process and in line with the Council Regulation, to determine how the proceeds collected from the windfall measures temporary solidarity contribution will be distributed. The proceeds from the Temporary Solidarity Contribution and the Cap on Market Revenues may be used to provide financial supports to households and companies heavily affected by soaring energy prices. It may also be used to help support investment in areas such as renewable energy.

Energy Policy

Questions (103)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland's electricity and natural gas systems for the period to 2030; the timeline for the publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19864/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. A range of measures to mitigate the risks identified as part of the review were examined in the technical analysis accompanying the Department's consultation document published in September 2022. My Department received over 450 submissions from a broad range of individuals and organisations in response to the consultation. The consultation responses were reviewed and analysed, and they have provided important insights on a number of aspects such as risks, mitigation options and policy measures. I will bring recommendations arising from the review to Government in Q2 for their consideration.

Legislative Measures

Questions (104)

Paul Murphy

Question:

104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the continued delay by his Department in issuing a money message or a reasoned response following the request from the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Actions and this Deputy in relation to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19888/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Bill referred to in the Question has been examined in detail by my Department and legal advice has been obtained from the Office of the Attorney General.

On foot of that examination and the legal advice obtained, I intend to bring the matter to Government for formal decision shortly. Following on from that, a response will be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible ahead of it being laid before the Oireachtas, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and Dáil Éireann on Private Members Bills.

Energy Policy

Questions (105)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

105. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants will be made available for schools, community buildings and other groups that wish to install small scale anaerobic digesters for cooking purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19853/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) produces biogas which can be captured and used for renewable heat and electricity generation.

My Department has developed a number of schemes and initiatives designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources, whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. These schemes include the grid scale, auction based Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), for smaller installations, up to 50 kW in size (30kWe for micro-renewable Combined Heat and Power), and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH).

The RESS and MSS schemes both include AD for electricity generation with High Efficiency Combined Heat and Power as an eligible technology. Under the RESS, there are a range of measures in place to support increased community ownership, participation in, and benefit from, renewable electricity projects, including an Enabling Framework for Community Participation. However, no AD projects have come through the RESS auctions to date.

Citizens' Assembly

Questions (106)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

106. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received the final report of the Citizens Assembly on biodiversity loss; the way in which his Department will respond to the report and its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19961/23]

Awaiting reply from the Department.

Energy Prices

Questions (107)

Gino Kenny

Question:

107. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can outline supports that energy users can expect in the coming period to deal with high gas and electricity bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19848/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Government is acutely aware of the impact that the increases in global energy prices continue to have on households and has prioritised action across Government to support people to stay warm and well. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). The first two payments have already been made to accounts and the third is being credited by suppliers to accounts since 1 March. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion bring the total amount paid to consumers to help with energy costs to €1.5 billion.

On the 21st of February Government announced a further €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients from April to July and an extension to the reduced VAT rate on electricity and gas bills until October.

Government is closely monitoring the impact of these measures through the implementation of the Energy Poverty Action Plan. In addition, my Department commissioned a nationally representative fortnightly research tracker, which is indicating that Irish families are making every effort to reduce their energy use and there is a reduction in the difficulty being experienced in meeting energy costs. Nevertheless, there are still groups who are facing real financial pressure, including their energy bills. Government of Ireland public information messaging on available supports and available advice is being specifically tailored to these segments.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (108)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

108. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the geothermal study conducted at Carlinn Hall, Dundalk, County Louth, in 2022 will be completed; what the plan is when the study results are known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

District heating schemes are large-scale systems that are supplied by one or several centralised or decentralised heat sources and serve multiple buildings and multiple customers. Group, or communal, heating schemes are smaller-scale systems that typically supply single buildings or complexes.

A central part of the journey from dependence on natural gas for heat lies with the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures and the accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources, including consideration of geothermal energy where appropriate.

The techno-economic feasibility study of moving the Carlinn Hall group heating scheme to a renewable energy source such as geothermal energy required additional analysis to be undertaken, and the finalisation of the report is now anticipated to be available in the coming weeks.

The report will contain recommendations on improving the efficiency of the group heating scheme, and an analysis of the most optimal alternative energy source for the scheme. It is envisaged that the insights provided by this study may be of interest to other companies that also operate group heating schemes. However, in this instance, the scheme in question is in private ownership and management, and implementation of the recommendations would be a matter for the relevant parties to consider.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (109)

David Stanton

Question:

109. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how his Department is supporting and encouraging the development of floating offshore wind power generation; his future plans for the development of floating offshore wind power generation nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19861/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The 2020 Programme for Government committed to a target of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity in Ireland’s maritime area by 2030 and made a commitment to develop at least 30GW floating wind beyond 2030.

In addition, in 2022, the Government agreed to target the delivery of an additional 2GW of offshore wind for the production of green hydrogen in order to create the necessary environment to develop a floating energy and hydrogen industry.

The Government is delivering our climate and energy ambitions for offshore wind energy through a number of simultaneous phases. The first and second of these phases focus on 2030 deliverability while development is also underway for a post-2030 future framework for offshore wind which is expected to feature floating offshore wind. A key building block of this policy, the spatial strategy known as the draft Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan II (OREDPII) completed consultation stage last week. The OREDP II sets out how we will go about identifying the best locations for renewable energy technologies. This includes the potential for floating wind energy in our deeper waters. The maritime area is a shared space and so identification of these areas will be carried out in consultation with all maritime stakeholders.

Other elements of the future framework policy are also underway, including a hydrogen policy and a new interconnection policy. These elements and others will be brought together to form a draft future framework policy which will be published for consultation by my Department by the end of this year.

Wind Energy Generation

Questions (110)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to expand the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce to bring ports, the ORE industry and State agencies together to improve readiness to deliver offshore wind, including through the possible introduction of an Irish strategic port investment model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19964/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I established the inter-Departmental, inter-agency Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce to accelerate delivery and capture the wider and longer term economic opportunities associated with the development of offshore wind in Ireland. Its membership comprises senior officials from the Government Departments and agencies that are vital to the delivery of Ireland’s ORE ambitions.

This includes the Department of Transport, which owns a workstream under the Taskforce dedicated to the facilitation of offshore wind by commercial ports. The offshore industry, the Ports Co-Ordination Group and Irish Maritime Development Office are key stakeholders of this workstream.

Key actions for 2023 for the ports workstream, which is led by the Department of Transport, include:

• assessing the minimum Irish port capacity and deliverability regarding deployment and Operations & Maintenance required to achieve 2030 targets; and

• exploring the availability of funding streams to support the delivery of OWE port projects.

Officials from my Department and the Department of Transport are collaborating on this work, including engagement with a wide range of relevant stakeholders.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (111)

Colm Burke

Question:

111. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures his Department is taking to assist new build property owners who are not eligible for the solar electricity grant; if consideration will be given to the provision of additional financial supports to assist new build property owners purchase and install solar PV systems, where the properties were built and occupied after 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19742/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Solar PV grant scheme under the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and is open to houses built prior to 2021. The scheme came into operation in February 2022 and built on the success of the previous pilot version of the grant scheme. As part of the transition between schemes, the minimum BER C3 requirement was removed and the eligibility of the homes was changed from those built prior to 2011, to those built prior to 2021. Targeting the grant scheme at existing homes rather than new builds, ensures that the grants available through the SEAI maximize emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible; whilst also ensuring efficient and effective use of Exchequer funding. New build houses must follow Part L of the Building Regulations, which relates to the energy performance of buildings requirements. There are options to meet this requirement under the standard by including heat pumps and/or Solar PV, with the cost of installing Solar PV systems during the new build process significantly lower than for existing homes. Consequently, new build houses already enjoy significantly higher energy performance and resultant energy efficiency, compared with existing houses. Since 2018, the SEAI has supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for over 22,500 homes, with demand for the domestic Solar PV grant increasing significantly throughout 2022, reaching over 10,000 by year end. While the level of interest in the MSS indicates that the scheme is working well, its operation and effectiveness will, like all such schemes, be kept under review and adjustments made where necessary. Additionally, on the 5th of April 2023 the Government approved an amendment to Finance Bill 2023 to apply a zero percent VAT rate for the ‘Supply and installation of solar panels..” This is a permanent change that it will come into effect from 1 May 2023. This measure underlines the Government’s commitment to help households. It is estimated that this will reduce the average cost of the supply and installation solar panels for consumers from €9000 to €8000.

Illegal Dumping

Questions (112)

Holly Cairns

Question:

112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to address literal and illegal dumping. [19761/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

While the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to littering and illegal dumping lies with the local authorities, my Department provide extensive policy, financial and legislative support to the local authority sector to support their efforts. For example, my Department provided €750,000 under the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme in 2022, with a similar amount allocated for 2023. Under this scheme, local authorities are responsible for selecting and providing funding to suitable anti-litter projects in their functional areas. Funding is also provided annually in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as the National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and the Irish Business against Litter (IBAL) Litter League. The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 also advanced several legislative provisions which will further enhance efforts in this area, including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for litter and waste enforcement purposes and an increase in the level of the on-the-spot fine for littering. In addition, my Department provides significant support to the local authority sector in their efforts to tackle illegal dumping. Almost €15m, including €2.8m in 2022, has been provided to the sector under the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) since it was first introduced in 2017 in order to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, community groups and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. A further€3m has been allocated in support of the 2023 ADI. My Department also continues to invest heavily in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. €7.7m was provided to local authorities under the scheme in 2022 and a similar amount has been allocated in support of the scheme in 2023.

A further €1mn was provided in 2022 to support the enhancement of the three Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and the establishment of a new National Local Authority Waste Programme Coordinator role. Further funding has been allocated in 2023 to continue to support this ongoing expansion of waste enforcement structures across the country.

North-South Interconnector

Questions (113)

Matt Carthy

Question:

113. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will commission a full independent assessment of the potential for undergrounding the North-South Interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19744/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The North-South Interconnector has been designed as an overhead, alternating-current link integrating the Irish and Northern Irish electricity grids. In this form, it is a critical infrastructure project for the island of Ireland. It will be the backbone of a fit for purpose electricity system that will ensure energy security, allow more renewables to be used on the island, reduce the need to burning gas and coal, reduce electricity costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The overhead, alternating-current project will strengthen and integrate the two electricity systems, where an underground direct-current link would not.

This project, and in particular the decision to build it as an underground alternating-current link, has been the subject of an unprecedented level of independent scrutiny. An independent International Expert Commission reported to the Government on this project in 2012 and again in 2018. The Commission fully supported the decision to build an overhead alternating-current link. In March of this year, an independent expert reported to the Government that the findings of the Commission in 2018 remained valid, again supporting the design of the North-South Interconnector as an overhead, alternating-current link. In these circumstances, there is no value in commissioning further studies, and I believe it is timely for EirGrid and ESB Networks to proceed with the project after many years of consideration.

North-South Interconnector

Questions (114)

Brendan Smith

Question:

114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in view of the total opposition of communities in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to the present proposals regarding the proposed North-South Interconnector, with particular reference to the concerns about transmission cables being put overground, if he will ensure that if the project proceeds, the transmission cables are put underground, as proposed for other major energy projects in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19845/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The North-South Interconnector has been designed as an overhead, alternating-current link between the Irish and Northern Irish electricity grids. In this form it is a critical infrastructure project for the island of Ireland. It will be the backbone of a fit for purpose electricity system that will ensure energy security, allow more renewables to be used on the island, reduce the need to burning gas and coal, reduce electricity costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The overhead, alternating-current project will strengthen and integrate the two electricity systems, where an underground direct-current link would not.

This project, and in particular the decision to build it as an underground alternating-current link, has been the subject of an unprecedented level of independent scrutiny. An independent international expert commission reported to the Government on this project in 2012 and again in 2018. The Commission fully supported the decision to build an overhead alternating-current link. In March of this year, an independent expert reported to the Government that the findings of the Commission in 2018 remained valid, again supporting the design of the North-South Interconnector as an overhead, alternating-current link. In these circumstances I am satisfied that the project should proceed as an underground alternating-current link.

National Broadband Plan

Questions (115)

James O'Connor

Question:

115. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update of the rollout for the National Broadband Plan for Cork east; the number of homes that have been connected to date for the same area; the number of homes that remain to be connected in the Youghal area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19889/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 and which came into effect in January 2020, 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 over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.

I am advised by NBI that, as of 14 April 2023 over 147,600 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 135,500 premises passed and available for immediate connection. Over 37,300 premises are connected to the NBP Gigabit network. NBI has also advised that as of 31 March, 15,973 premises in County Cork are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 4,890 premises connected.

The Youghal Deployment Area will serve 2,309 premises under the National Broadband Plan. 2,076, or 90%, of these premises are ‘Passed’ and Ready for Service. A further 196 properties (8.4%) remain with some network build activity required before they can also be released to market.

As of the 23rd of April 2023, there were 544 Active Connections in the Youghal Deployment Area. This represents a connection rate of 26%. This is on par with other deployment areas of similar maturity across the country.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, [e-mail], which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.

Strategic Connection Points (SCPs) 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 14 April 2023, 895 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 612 schools) have been installed 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.

As of 31 March 2023, in County Cork all 24 BCP’s have been installed. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/. 86 schools have been installed to date for educational access. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

In County Cork Eir has passed almost 129,000 premises with gigabit services. Siro has passed more than 53,000 premises with Virgin Media passing almost 8,500 premises.

Energy Policy

Questions (116)

Alan Dillon

Question:

116. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) located off Annagh Head, west of Belmullet; when will this site be connected to the national grid given that it is an integral component of Ireland's Ocean Energy Strategy; if this site will be developed in accordance with the national Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19779/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) is currently being developed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), with funding provided by my Department, to facilitate testing of full-scale offshore renewable technologies in an open ocean environment. Since the AMETS site was announced in 2010, development of the site has progressed including work on environmental assessments for the site (both onshore and offshore), applications for grid connection, planning permission for the onshore component, foreshore license, and consent applications.

Initially, the AMETS project was intended as a test site for wave energy converter devices. However, the project’s scope has since been expanded to allow for the testing of a range of renewable energy generation technologies, including floating offshore wind. The development of floating offshore wind will be an important step in helping Ireland achieve Government’s 2030 renewable energy generation and emissions reduction targets, as well as Ireland’s longer-term carbon neutrality commitments.

AMETS has a lease for wave energy technology deployment since 2015 and is currently undergoing a project level environmental impact assessment for floating offshore wind. Following the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), the SEAI will be applying for consent to progress works at the site further. Presently, the SEAI are in the final stages of seeking tenders for engineering services associated with onshore substation building works and cable route. The estimated connection date to the national grid will be in the second half of 2026.

Within the draft second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II), technical assessments have identified significant potential for the generation of offshore renewable energies in the waters around Ireland through the use of wind (floating and fixed), wave, and tidal technologies. Research focussed activities, such as those conducted in Belmullet, play a crucial role in the final test phase of these technologies before their full development and deployment. The AMETS project, when operational, will facilitate testing in the unique and very bespoke conditions of the Atlantic - a harsh environment, high resource location, suitable for many technology types) - thus reducing investor risk and strengthening Ireland as a centre for offshore energy research in Europe.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (117, 138)

Pauline Tully

Question:

117. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the rights of disabled people are respected, protected, and fulfilled in the design, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all climate policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/23]

Pauline Tully

Question:

138. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department engaged disabled people in meaningful, informed and effective consultation with regard to climate policy-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19896/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 138 together.

The challenges facing disabled people are reflected in a number of policy areas within my Department including the National Dialogue on Climate Action, the National Adaptation Framework, the Circular Economy, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) is the vehicle to enable and empower people across Ireland to participate in the Climate Action Plan and climate polices.

In 2022, the NDCA hosted focus groups to engage populations vulnerable to the transition to carbon neutrality. A focus group involving disabled people was held on 20 June 2022.

At the focus group, we heard was that disabled people are facing different challenges compared to the rest of society, which include: a lack of access to public transport; significant disruption to routines if retrofitting homes; their reliance on single-use plastics such as straws; and that they are not well represented in the climate dialogue.

We are building on these insights, and in 2023 we are planning a more inclusive programme, engaging with Disabled Persons Organisations through a series of deliberative workshops, actively including disabled people at local and national engagement events, and ensuring people living with disabilities are included and recognised in online consultations.

Cumulatively insights gained from these engagements will inform climate policy as to the issues facing disabled people, and help Government to better provide adequate supports on our collective journey to a fair and equitable transition to carbon neutrality.

Environmental Policy

Questions (118)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

118. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work his Department has undertaken on requiring a certain amount of floor space in supermarkets of a certain size to be reserved for reuse and refillable products, following recommendations to the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action in 2021. [19923/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Circular Economy Act 2022 (‘the Act’) aims to support Ireland’s transition to a circular economy by providing the necessary legislative basis for several key measures including the Circular Economy Strategy, the Circular Economy Programme, the National Food Loss Prevention Roadmap and the Circular Economy Fund.

While the Act does not specifically contain provisions in relation to floor area use in retail outlets, it does include other provisions to promote reuse and refill options for consumers.

The Act provides the power to introduce environmental levies on certain single-use disposable items, including single-use cups, containers and packaging, and to prohibit their placing on the market where a suitable re-usable alternative is, or could be made, readily available. These levies will work in a similar way to the plastic bag levy, which has been so successful in tackling plastic bag litter. These new environmental levies will be introduced incrementally, with the initial focus on the introduction of levies on single-use disposable hot drinks cups later this year. The Act also provides that, within 12 months of Section 14(7) being commenced, a report must be prepared by or on behalf of the Minister examining how single-use packaging used in the sale of fruit and vegetables can be reduced. Section 14 of the Act will be commenced in the coming weeks.

The Act also mandates the inclusion of sectoral targets in the Circular Economy Strategy in respect of, inter alia, the retail and packaging sectors. The targets to be set out in respect of a sector must include appropriate targets in respect of reductions in material resource consumption and the use of non-recyclable material; increases in the use of reusable products and materials; increased levels of repair and re-use; or improved maintenance and optimised use of goods, products and materials. The strategy must also set out the actions necessary to meet those targets. I expect to submit the Strategy to Government for approval by the end of this year.

Food Waste

Questions (119)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

119. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to tackle food waste. [19716/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department published Ireland’s National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025 in November 2022. The Roadmap sets out a number of priority actions to bring the focus on food waste prevention, across key sectors in the food supply chain, together in a coherent manner.

For example in relation to the retail sector, actions under the Roadmap aimed at preventing surplus food being wasted include:

• Investigate the potential impact of a prohibition on the destruction of edible food in advance of its ‘use-by’ date.

• Investigate the regulatory and legal barriers to ‘Good Samaritan’ acts of donation and whether mandatory donation of edible food from retail outlets would reduce food waste.

• Using the Environmental Protection Agency’s [EPA's] Food Waste Charter, support a voluntary target with retailers and the processing industry for a percentage of edible food to be donated.

My Department will be progressing the implementation of such actions in accordance with the associated timelines set out in the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap 2023-2025.

My Department also provides funding to the Environmental Protection Agency, which operates the 'Stop Food Waste' campaign which has been highly successful in tacking food waste in the household sector as part of its wider food waste prevention programme.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (120)

Brian Leddin

Question:

120. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what role the proposed EU nature restoration law will play in meeting Ireland and the EUs climate commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19899/23]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The proposed EU Nature Restoration Law will be key in delivering the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, setting binding targets across the European Union to restore degraded ecosystems and, in particular, providing important co-benefits that include carbon emissions reductions from the land use sector, increased capacity for carbon sequestration, better climate adaptation and resilience, improved water quality and enhanced ecological health of our rivers, lakes, streams and marine areas, as well as benefits to people’s health and well-being.

How we use our land has implications for human life, biodiversity and climate action. The Programme for Government committed to a Land-use Review to ensure that optimal land-use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The first phase of the Land-use Review focused on evidence gathering and the final report had 19 recommendations indicating the need for more monitoring; enhancing of our mapping capability; and better application of these tools to inform decision-making. The second phase, following on from the first, will seek to optimise land use across key Government objectives improving: socioeconomic; climate; biodiversity; water; and air quality outcomes. The intersections between the Land-use Review and the requirements of the Proposed EU Nature Restoration Law will be critical, requiring a collaborative cross-Departmental approach.

In the meantime, the Climate Action Plan, among the many actions on land, is seeking to deliver 35,900 hectares of peatland restoration as part of Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS) and the EU LIFE People and Peatlands programme. Returning these lands to more natural conditions will not just reduce carbon emissions but deliver a range of co-benefits, including: the enrichment of Ireland’s natural capital; increased ecosystem services; strengthened biodiversity; and improved water quality and storage attenuation; as well as developing amenity potential.

In the Marine environment, we are assisting Ireland in meeting its objectives under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Natura Directives. Ensuring that nature-based solutions are included in Ireland’s mitigation, resilience, and adaptation actions.