Written Answers Nos. 121-140
122. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can outline the wait times from application to completion of works under the SEAI scheme; the measures being taken to address long waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19745/23]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide upgrades to those living in, or at risk of, energy poverty.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and as quickly as possible is a top priority for my Department and the SEAI.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and 4,407 applications received in the first three months of 2023 alone.
It should be noted that the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades in recent years. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have increased in from €2,600 in 2015 to €22,000 in quarter 4 of last year. The increase in depth of retrofit is also reflected in the waiting times as more significant works take a longer time per home to complete. It is important to note that the scheme was also impacted significantly by construction sector closures and restrictions on home visits associated with COVID-19 in recent years.
The average waiting times from application to completion for homes completed in the first quarter of 2023 was 21 months as compared to 27 months in 2021. This reduction in the average waiting time has been supported by the following actions taken over the past year to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• SEAI is working to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management.
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
An unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme this year which will deliver 6,000 home upgrades. Additional funding of €248 million has also been secured for the scheme from the European Regional Development Fund and will supplement the annual allocations over the period from now until 2027.
My Officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme will be established later this year. It is intended that the panel will be in place for 4 years, with an estimated contract budget of €700 million for that period, which will be a very strong signal of intent.
123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what engagement he or his Department has had with Galway City and County Councils to-date in 2023 with regard to the development of their Local Authority Climate Action Plans, and in particular in relation to the development of their decarbonising zones; the expected timeline for the implementation of the decarbonising zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19863/23]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 strengthens the role of Local Authorities for effective climate action.
It sets out a statutory requirement for each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan within 12 months from when a request to the sector to begin the preparation of such plans issues. The Local Authority Climate Action Plan is valid for five years once adopted. The local Climate Action Plans have to be consistent with the most recent approved national climate plan and will include both mitigation and adaptation measures.
A request to each Local Authority to begin preparation of their plans was made by me on 24 February 2023. I launched the statutory guidelines to support Local Authorities in preparing and implementing their local climate plans on 6 March 2023.
The guidelines are accompanied by four technical annexes:
• Technical Annex A: Developing and Implementing the Local Authority Climate Action Plan
• Technical Annex B: Climate Change Risk Assessment
• Technical Annex C: Climate Mitigation Assessment
• Technical Annex D: Decarbonising Zones
As per the guidelines, each local plan must include a decarbonising zone as selected by the Local Authority. A separate technical annex has been developed to assist Local Authorities with preparing their decarbonising zone.
My Department has had no specific, direct engagement with Galway City Council or Galway County Council in relation to the Local Authority Climate Action Plan in 2023.
125. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to launch a public consultation into the use of direct lines and private wires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19746/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 23 includes a commitment to carry out a public consultation on Private Wires and a deadline for publication of Q4 2023 has been set. Private wires are an issue that is of interest and importance to many stakeholders. The policy area of Private Wires is broad in nature and as such detailed consideration must go into formulating the consultation in order to ensure that all aspects of the policy area are considered.
Publishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of Private Wires is a priority for my Department. Work on this policy area is ongoing within my Department with my officials engaging directly in recent months with interested stakeholders as part of the consultation formulation process. I intend that the consultation will be published during Q2 however at this point I am not able to provide an exact publication date.
My officials look forward to their continued engagement with interested stakeholders as they continue to develop this important policy area.
126. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on designating the post office network as the offline gateway of choice for citizens availing of State services. [19760/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The company fully understands the Government position and a sustainable, viable and customer-focused post office network is a key strategic priority for the company.
The Government recognises the importance of the high value and high quality post office network to our citizens right across the country, as well as the central and trusted role of postmasters in our communities. An Post, including through the post office network, provides important services to its customers and it is contracted to provide key Government services to citizens.
The report of the Interdepartmental Group, which was established to, inter alia, examine the feasibility of additional Government services being contracted through An Post and the Post Office Network was published last year.
None of the Departments or agencies involved were in a position to offer additional services for delivery by An Post in the near term. The report recommends that Government should conduct a comprehensive review of how the totality of its services are delivered to the public, online and offline in the future.
Government launched the Digital Ireland Framework last year. One of the aims of the framework is to ensure widespread access and use of inclusive digital public services, with a target of 90% of services to be consumed online by 2030. As we progress towards the target of 90% of applicable services consumed online by 2030, the framework commits to ensuring that those cohorts who are not in a position to engage online will be better served through a clear plan involving focused supports, including skills, infrastructure, and assisted digital supports, with consideration of the most appropriate service delivery channels, and the development of appropriate and clear consents and protocols.
Implementation of the Digital Ireland Framework will be driven by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment.
127. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the rollout of the national broadband plan in the west Muskerry area. [19325/23]
View answerThe 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.
There are approximately 30 properties in the Muskerry area that are included in the State Intervention to receive high-speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan. This area is part of the Genagh (OLT119) Deployment Area in County Cork The current status of the DA is Survey Pending.
NBI can advise that the Engineering Surveys for the Grenagh Deployment Area will commence before the end of 2023 and will be completed by May 2024. This is an important initial phase of the project and will inform how the new fibre network will be designed and constructed.
NBI envisages commencing fibre construction in the Grenagh Deployment Area in the third quarter of 2025 with live fibre services being available for order in 2026.
It should be noted that given the scale and complexity of the National Broadband Plan, any dates issued, while based on the best available information at the time, are indicative and subject to change.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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. As of 31 March, in County Cork 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 129,00 premises with gigabit services. Siro has passed more than 53,000 premises with Virgin Media passing almost 8,500 premises.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he continues to ensure a balance between meeting emission reduction targets and ensuring the future of the agri-food sector, ensuring the future of the agricultural production sector while meeting carbon reduction targets to the greatest possible extent; if he is satisfied that neither will progress at the expense of the other, that food security for the future is assured and that everything possible is being done to reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19857/23]
View answer197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he continues to ensure a balance between meeting emission reduction targets and ensuring the future of the agri-food sector with particular reference to the need to ensure the future of the agricultural production sector while meeting carbon reduction targets to the greatest possible extent; if he is satisfied that neither will progress at the expense of the other, that food security for the future is assured and that everything possible is being done to reduce emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20166/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 197 together.
The 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 greenhouse gas 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 in April 2022. In July 2022, 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 this year. For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emissions reduction target by 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target by 2030.
The 2023 Climate Action Plan has outlined how these emissions reductions can be achieved in the coming years, increasing our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing, and will also encourage farmers to diversify into more sustainable sectors, including organics, tillage and biomethane production. Targets include expanding the organic sector to 450,000 hectares, growing the tillage sector to 400,000 hectares and construction of up to 200 Anaerobic Digestion plants. It will also reduce our chemical fertiliser use to a maximum of 300,000 tonnes by 2030.
My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to collaborate on reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of our food production. There is a significant 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 to increase farm incomes without compromising on sustainable food production.
129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to studies showing that Government policies to tackle climate change are causing a mental health crisis among farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/23]
View answerThis study ‘Dying to Farm: Developing a Suicide Prevention Intervention for Farmers in Ireland’ represents welcomed insight to this critical sector of Irish society, underscoring the importance of mental health initiatives and suicide awareness for members of the farming community.
The study, which I note is still ongoing and for which preliminary data is being reported, highlights levels of anxiety being experienced by the farming community. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Change in the Irish Mind (2021) and the Climate Change's Four Irelands (2022) reports indicate that a majority of people in Ireland (85%) are worried about climate change, with 37% describing themselves as “very worried”. Furthermore, they also identify that nearly all Irish people think that either future generations of people (95%), people in developing countries (94%), and plant and animal species (94%) will be harmed “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” by climate change. The Climate Conversations 2022 Summary Report shows that 88% of people recognise the agri-food sector has an important role in delivering climate action. It also indicates that 85% of people are taking some form of action and called for more guidance and supports to be given to farmers.I note from the draft findings how strongly the farming community identifies with the land. The Land-use Review, in seeking to optimise land use across key Government objectives such as improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes, shall do so through extensive stakeholder consultation, ensuring that all opinions, concerns, hopes and anxieties are central to informing any potential policy recommendations.
130. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the number of premises that were passed and connected as of March 2023; the way that he plans to accelerate the delivery of the plan and if he could provide, in particular, connection details for counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal. [19758/23]
View answerThe 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.
Details are available on specific counties via nbi.ie/reps. A county update can be selected to provide 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. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
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.
131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rationale behind the virement of €1.5 million in Just Transition funding to support climate finance activities of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19713/23]
View answerRecognising the leadership role of the UN Development Programme in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and my Department’s governing responsibility for their implementation in Ireland, at COP27 I announced funding of €2.5 million to support UNDP climate finance activities; a virement of €1.5million accounted for part of this contribution.
The funding will support the UNDP's Financial Centre's for Sustainability network in establishing its SDG Pipeline Builder programme. The aim of the Pipeline Builder is to provide private investors with opportunities to support emerging markets and developing economies with country-level SDG aligned investable projects in developing parties.
Increasing the level of climate-related private capital investment is essential to rapidly scale up mitigation and adaptation activities required in developing countries. The support will contribute to Ireland’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and help towards Ireland’s climate finance commitment to achieve €225 million international climate finance by 2025.
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 peat-fired power stations and the cessation of peat harvesting by Bord na Móna. Some €29 million of funding will be available to this region in 2023 under the national and EU just transition funds. Smaller budgetary adjustments are made within the Department, as and when the need arises; however, it is important to stress that this does not affect or impact overall funding for, and the commitment to, the just transition in the Midlands region.
132. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of connections under the National Broadband Plan in County Mayo; how that compares to revised targets; the sanctions against the contracted company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19872/23]
View answerThe 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, 3,879 premises in County Mayo are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 1,234 premises connected.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Mayo via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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. As of 31 March, in County Mayo all 16 BCP’s have been installed. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/. 56 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 Mayo Eir has passed almost 35,000 premises with gigabit services. Siro has passed more than 5,000 premises and Virgin Media have passed almost 8,500 premises.
The build programme is currently on track to meet the 185,000 target for January 2024. NBI remains confident that it can complete the network build within the contracted period.
The contract provides that sanction provisions relating to delays to delivery of the network are applicable to any delays that have occurred from 1 February 2022. These sanctions have been calculated and imposed in line with the contract and this will continue throughout the entirety of the programme build.
134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the immediate plans for the North-South Interconnector; the legal basis on which agencies intend to access private lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19965/23]
View answerNeither I, as Minister, nor the Government have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states that: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. Both EirGrid and ESB Networks will continue to engage with those living closest to the route of the interconnector.
However, I understand that EirGrid and ESB Networks normally seek voluntary agreements with landowners in this type of project.
135. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll out of the National Broadband Plan in Cork; the total number of premises falling under the NBP remit in Cork; the total number of premises that are now available to pre-order/order broadband and the total number of premises still pending survey; if these figures are on target with the number of premises to be passed in Cork by 31 March 2023; his plans to accelerate the delivery of the programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19741/23]
View answerThe 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.
As of 31 March 2023, 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 and 3,029 Pending Survey.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, 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. As of 31 March 2023, in County Cork 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 then 53,000 premises with Virgin Media passing almost 8,500 premises.
The NBP build programme is currently on track to meet the 185,000 target for January 2024. NBI remains confident that it can complete the network build within the contracted period.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19858/23]
View answerThe Government of Ireland’s National Digital Strategy (NDS), Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework, is helping to drive the digital transition across the economy and society. Its ambition is to make connectivity available to everyone, including through the National Broadband Plan, Remote Working Hubs and Broadband Connection Points, with a target of having:
- all Irish households and businesses covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028;
- all populated areas covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
- digital connectivity delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023.
The latest Quarterly Key Data Report (QKDR) published by ComReg on 8 March 2023 shows that fixed broadband subscriptions increased to 1.61 million, a 2.2% increase year on year. Of these 57.1% have download speeds greater than 100Mbps.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract, signed in November 2019 which came into effect in January 2020. The contract provides for the roll out of 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:
• 135,594 premises passed across all counties;
• 37,303 premises connected;
• 147,629 premises can order or pre-order a service across 26 counties;
• 149,480 premises undergoing main build works;
• 375,213 Premises have had designs completed.
NBI remains confident that it can complete the network build by 2026 and that it will make up for delays caused by Covid 19 over the course of 2020 and 2021.
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
137. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can detail proposals to increase the staff numbers and expertise working in the Commission for Regulation of Utilities specifically in order to deal with the administration of a proposed windfall energy tax on profits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19786/23]
View answerCouncil 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.
On 22 November 2022, it was decided by Government that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will administer the cap on market revenues as part of the implementation of Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854 on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. The administration of the cap on market revenues, including resourcing, is a matter for CRU.
139. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the work his Department is doing to reduce emissions from the energy sector in the context of our climate action targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19150/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2023 builds on the previous climate action plans and is the framework through which the government intends to meet the legally-binding, economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings agreed in July 2022.
Emissions must be reduced in the electricity sector by 75% and to achieve this, we will facilitate a large-scale deployment of renewables, as well as enabling the electrification of other technologies. This includes:
• an acceleration of the delivery of onshore wind to 9GW, solar to 8GW, and offshore wind to at least 5GW
• supporting at least 500MW of local, community-based renewable energy projects and increased levels of new micro-generation and small-scale generation
• phasing out the use of coal and peat in electricity generation
Emissions in the Built Environment sector must reduce by 45% and we will increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings by expanding our retrofitting programme, and put in place policies to deliver zero-emissions new builds.
Key targets include:
• retrofitting the equivalent of 120,000 dwellings to BER B2 by 2025, and 500,000 dwellings by 2030
• installing up to 0.8TWh of district heating capacity by 2025, and up to 2.7TWh by 2030 – enough to meet 10% of energy demand
• installing heat pumps in 45,000 existing dwellings and in 170,000 new dwellings by 2025, increasing to 400,000 and 280,000 respectively by 2030.
Three Taskforces have been established in my Department to accelerate delivery of our ambitious targets and to ensure interdepartmental coordination.
140. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will indicate the processes which he has put in place to set sectoral targets under Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19321/23]
View answerIreland’s strategic approach to the Circular Economy is currently set out in the Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023. Section 7 of the Circular Economy Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (‘the Act’) provides a statutory basis for future iterations of the Strategy, and also requires that such iterations include targets aimed at promoting circularity across the range of resource-intensive economic sectors specified in the Act.
My Department has begun preparing the second iteration of the Strategy, which will be published on a statutory basis and will be fully in compliance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Act. The new Strategy will be submitted for Government approval, following a public consultation, before the end of this year.
In order to provide a robust evidence base for the new Strategy, my Department is commissioning a national circularity assessment and material flow analysis, based on an internationally recognised methodology. This assessment will inform the sectoral priorities of the new Strategy in general and the setting of sectoral targets in particular. I intend to publish the results of the assessment either alongside or as part of the Strategy.
Additionally, a sectoral Circular Construction Roadmap is being prepared my Department, in conjunction with an expert subgroup of the Construction Sector Group chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This work will, inter alia, inform the new Strategy’s approach to the Construction sector including target setting. The Roadmap will also be submitted to Government before the end of this year.
