Written Answers Nos. 104-118
104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan for each of the deployment areas across the Lee Valley; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28854/23]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention is being delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) 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 02 June 2023, 147,159 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 42,805 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has also advised that as of 02 June, 18,074 premises in County Cork are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 5,385 premises connected.
The network roll-out 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 network is specifically designed based on the NBI network coming from the eir exchanges or the metropolitan area networks (MANs) which allows NBI to reach every premises as quickly as possible. Villages, townlands and counties are covered by a number of DAs which means there are differing timescales for the roll-out across county areas.
Lee Valley is located in the DAs of Templemartin, Fermoy and Grenagh and NBI advise that connections to these areas will be made between 2024 and 2026.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork can be monitored 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 02 June 2023, 926 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 643 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. In County Cork all 24 BCPs have been installed. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Cork 90 schools have been installed to date for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high-speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband plan in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28878/23]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention aims 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 02 June 2023, 147,159 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 42,805 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has also advised that as of 02 June, 3,631 premises in County Cavan and 6,242 in County Monaghan are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 1,376 premises connected in Cavan and 1,922 connected in Monaghan.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan and Monaghan can be monitored 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 02 June 2023, 926 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 643 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. In County Cavan all 12 BCPs have been installed with all 16 installed in Monaghan. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Cavan all 19 schools have been installed to date for educational access with 19 installed in Monaghan. 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/.
106. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 27 April 2023, 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. [28819/23]
View answerThe Review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. To support its development, a detailed technical analysis has also been published and an extensive consultation process carried out, providing important insights from over 450 individuals and organisations on the range of options that could be implemented to support Ireland’s security of supply framework, with important insights on a number of aspects such as risks, mitigation options and policy measures.
My Department is finalising the completion of the review, as a matter of priority. Once completed, I will bring my recommendations to Government for consideration.
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposals, if any, there are to have additional publicity programmes regarding the need to deal with the proliferation of littering problems throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/23]
View answerUnder the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, the primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution lies with local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to determine the most appropriate public awareness, enforcement, and clean-up actions in relation to litter taking account of local circumstances and priorities.
My Department provides financial support to local authority efforts to tackle litter through the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme. In 2022 €750,000 was provided under this Scheme and a similar amount is expected to be made available in 2023.
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 Irish Business against Litter.
The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which was enacted in mid 2022, advances several legislative provisions which will further support Local Authorities in their anti-litter efforts, including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for litter enforcement purposes and an increase in the level of the on-the-spot fine for littering.
108. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 27 April 2023, the expected timeline for the implementation of local authority decarbonising zones; the details of any engagement he or his Department had with Galway city council or Galway County Council in 2023 with regard to their Local Authority Climate Action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28820/23]
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. The Local Authority Climate Action Plans have to be consistent with the most recently approved National Climate Action Plan, and 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 annex has been developed to assist Local Authorities with preparing their decarbonising zone. Once the Local Authority Climate Action Plans have been approved by each Local Authority, implementation of the actions listed in the plan, including the decarbonising zones, will commence.
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.
109. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is concerned at the deviation in trends between wholesale gas and electricity prices and what consumers are paying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28745/23]
View answerElectricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime wherein these markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive with the market being overseen by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Wholesale energy prices reached peak levels in August of last year, when wholesale gas prices were 706% higher than January 2021, while wholesale electricity prices increased by 463%. While wholesale gas prices have fallen dramatically and are currently well below the peak values of last year. However, they are still trading at twice their pre-pandemic levels.
Ireland faces particular challenges in this regard as we are a price taker on international markets and Irish electricity and gas prices have historically been affected by long standing drivers such as geographical isolation and low levels of interconnection comparable to Europe, dispersed population, fossil fuel dependency and small market scale.
Retail gas and electricity prices, based upon an estimated annual bill are 107% higher for gas and 90% for electricity this June vs June 2021. The difference in the volatility of wholesale and retail prices demonstrates the importance of supplier hedging strategies and the extent to which these strategies shield consumers against the full extent of this unprecedented international energy market volatility. My Department is advised by the CRU that retail prices are likely to remain at current levels for some time. This will vary from supplier to supplier, based on their current hedging and retail price positions.
As Minister I meet with a range of stakeholders on important topics including energy prices. This includes energy suppliers. In addition to my interactions, my officials meet with suppliers on a regular basis and a key message to them is the critical importance of prices being reduced as soon as possible.
110. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that the State is at a proper preparedness level to counteract any possible cyberattacks on the national grid and other essential services by bad actors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22807/23]
View answerFundamentally, to ensure the resilience of the national grid and other essential services to cyber threats, it is vital that robust cyber security measures are implemented by the entities concerned.
The European Union Directive 2016/1148 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems, the NIS Directive, established a regulatory framework to safeguard Operators of Essential Services in specific sectors of Critical National Infrastructure, including banking and financial market infrastructures. The NIS Directive was published in the Official Journal of the EU in July 2016 and was transposed into Irish law on the 18th of September 2018 by way of Statutory Instrument No. 360 of 2018 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/360/made/en) (hereafter “the 2018 Regulations”).
The 2018 Regulations place a number of significant responsibilities on the State and on critical infrastructure in respect of cyber security. These responsibilities are wide ranging, but, inter alia, require the State to identify Operators of Essential Services (OES) in specific sectors of Critical National Infrastructure. These OES are required to take appropriate and proportionate technical and organisational measures to manage security risks to their network and information systems; to take steps to prevent and minimise the impact of any incident that affects the security of their network and information systems to ensure the continuity of the services they provide; and to report serious incidents to the National Competent Authority and the national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), and to comply with instructions of these authorities in this regard.
The Directive obliged the State to designate National Competent Authorities (NCA) in respect of the security of network and information systems. These entities ensure that the implementation of the Directive is monitored on an ongoing basis within the State and formalise channels of communication both with the relevant authorities of other Member States and with An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Regulation 7(2) of the 2018 Regulations designates the Central Bank of Ireland as the NCA in respect of operators of essential services in the Banking and Financial Market Infrastructures sectors. I am designated as the NCA for the other five sectors within scope of the NIS Directive, including the Energy sector, and Ireland’s CSIRT is in the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
With respect to the national grid, EirGrid as the Transmission System Operator (TSO) and ESB Networks as the Distribution System Operator have both been designated as OES under the 2018 Regulations. The NCSC engages with these bodies on an ongoing basis to supervise their compliance with the Regulations and share information relating to cyber threats.
In the years since 2018, the global cyber threat landscape has deteriorated and many significant cyber security incidents have occurred, including the ransomware incident which impacted the HSE’s systems in May 2021. The European Union and its Member States, recognising the need for an enhanced regulatory framework, initiated at the end of 2020 a review of the NIS Directive and a revised NIS Directive, “NIS2”, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union as Directive (EU) 2022/2555 on 27 December 2022. NIS 2 will bring a broad expansion of the scope of the Directive as well as a strengthened supervisory and enforcement regime for existing sectors, underpinned by a set of sanctions and fines. Officials in my Department are currently working on the transposition of the NIS 2 Directive into Irish law and liaising with relevant Departments and agencies to prepare for its implementation.
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to indicate the full extent of the progress to date in making high speed modern broadband available throughout the country, in urban and rural areas; the progress to date in the linking up of those areas currently in need of but without service; the progress in bringing the entire operation to a speedy and efficient conclusion with a specific deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28842/23]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) state led intervention aims 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 National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 02 June 2023 over 162,254 premises can order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 26 counties, with over 147,159 premises passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection.
The NBP network build is scheduled to be completed by 2027.
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 02 June 2023, 926 SCP sites (283 Broadband Connection Points, which are publicly accessible sites, and 643 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/
In December 2022 my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets namely:
* all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028;
* all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030.
Commercial investment continues to be strong over the last few years with a number of providers rolling out gigabit services. Eir is rolling out fibre to the home to some 1.9 million premises. SIRO has passed more than 490,000 premises with gigabit services and has recently announced plans to extend its network to an additional 280,000 premises. Virgin Media plans to bring gigabit broadband upgrades to over 1 million premises.
Of the 2.4 million premises across Ireland, 83% of premises now have access to high-speed broadband leaving Ireland well placed to achieve our Digital Connectivity targets by 2028.
The majority of digital connectivity across the State will be delivered through commercial investment by the telecommunications industry and this will be complemented by the National Broadband Plan.
112. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the challenge of artificial intelligence is being integrated into Ireland's National Cyber Security Strategy. [28683/23]
View answerThe National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 is a whole-of-Government strategy to address the growing threat of cyber security incidents, to ensure Ireland can benefit fully from the digital transformation. The Strategy includes 20 separate measures to safeguard public sector networks and essential services, to support the development of Ireland's cyber security industry and ensure we play our part in defending a free, open, secure and stable cyberspace. The Strategy acknowledges the cyber security challenges and opportunities associated with new and disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The importance of these technologies is highlighted in the Strategy's measures relating to national capacity building and support for cyber security research, development and innovation.
My Department has recently conducted a Mid-Term Review of the Strategy which will be considered by Cabinet very soon and published thereafter. This review has been informed by a public consultation conducted between December 2022 and February 2023. The consultation paper published in December highlighted the need for the Strategy to consider technological developments with impacts on cyber security, in particular disruptive technologies such as AI. These technologies were a feature of a number of submissions to the public consultation. As part of the consultation process a virtual roundtable was convened with stakeholders from the cyber security research community which considered a range of technologies including AI. The Mid-Term Review will take account of developments in AI and other technologies to ensure Ireland can avail of the opportunities these present and respond to associated challenges.
In response to recent advances in AI technology - specifically large language models (LLMs) which are being deployed for a number of purposes - the NCSC recently published a blog post outlining cyber security considerations associated with this technology. The NCSC has also prepared guidance for Government Departments on the use of AI technologies and in particular applications which utilise LLM, which issued in recent weeks.
113. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the findings of the EPA’s Ireland’s GHG Emissions Projections 2022-2040 report; his plans to revise the Climate Action Plan to achieve the 51% emissions reduction target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28843/23]
View answerThe EPA’s latest GHG emissions projections highlight the challenge Ireland faces in meeting its highly ambitious climate objectives and legally-binding emissions targets. While the EPA’s projections do show that emissions are expected to decrease in almost all sectors over the next two decades, it is clear that we still have considerable work to do.
The EPA report has projected that Ireland is on course to reduce emissions by 29% by 2030 under its ‘With Additional Measures’ scenario. In relation to the EPA projections I should point out that they do not fully reflect the pathway set out in the 2023 Climate Action Plan (CAP23), as sufficient data is not yet available to allow all actions in CAP23 to be modelled. Policies and measures need to meet strict criteria regarding detail for inclusion in the EPA‘s 'With Additional Measures’ scenario. The EPA’s own Projections Report acknowledges that if all of the unmodelled policies and measures in CAP23 and the, as yet, unallocated emissions savings are included the reduction in emissions could equate to 42% by 2030. Further detail on these will be provided through annual updates of the CAP.
With these additions, and continuing increased climate ambition in our forthcoming annual national Climate Action Plans, we are setting a pathway to reduce overall emissions by 51% by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050.
Under the 2021 Climate (Amendment) Act, Ireland is legally required to update its Climate Action Plan on an annual basis. This allows for regular and frequent opportunities to improve, refine and strengthen the Plan’s effectiveness, allowing for the integration of new policies and learning, while responding to changes in our emissions profile.
The annual update of the Plan also acts as a review and monitoring mechanism, and an opportunity to re-adjust or refocus actions to ensure targets are achieved, while also considering the strengthening of delivery structures.
Work has already begun in the Department on Climate Action Plan 2024 and it is clear from the EPA projections that we must continue to act with increased scale and ambition in our response to the climate crisis, fully involving other departments across government and key external stakeholders.
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which priority can be given to measures to offset and combat cyber-attacks in the future; the extent to which this issue is being raised at Council of Minister meetings in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28841/23]
View answer126. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on Ireland cybersecurity infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28872/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 126 together.
The National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 is a whole-of-Government strategy to address the growing threat of cyber security incidents, to ensure Ireland can benefit fully from the digital transformation. The Strategy includes 20 separate measures to safeguard public sector networks and essential services, to support the development of Ireland's cyber security industry and ensure we play our part in defending a free, open, secure and stable cyberspace. The implementation of the Strategy is monitored by a high-level interdepartmental group chaired by my Department. I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made in implementing the Measures set out in the Strategy, with the majority of Measures now completed.
My Department has recently conducted a Mid-Term Review of the Strategy which will be considered by Cabinet and published thereafter. This review has been informed by a public consultation conducted between December 2022 and February 2023. The Mid-Term Review will set out priorities for 2023 and 2024 to enhance the State's resilience to cyber threats as well as our national capacity to respond to cyber security incidents.
Investment in national capacity is a pillar of the Strategy and in July 2021 the Government agreed a number of measures to support the continued development of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) over the coming five years. The measures agreed include increasing the overall full-time staffing complement of the NCSC to at least 70; there are currently 52 WTE staff in the NCSC. In addition, the General Scheme of a Bill will be prepared for Government approval to establish the NCSC on a statutory basis and provide for related matters including clarity around its mandate. The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) based within in the NCSC, has developed and deployed technology on the infrastructure of Government Departments to detect and warn of certain types of threat. The Centre also provides expert advice and analysis on cyber security issues and is involved in coordinating the response to significant incidents. The NCSC is composed of highly skilled, specialist technical civilian staff, with skillsets in areas such as computer science, software engineering, malware analysis, information technology forensics, cryptography, software development, and cyber security compliance, as well as general cyber security skills.
The NCSC works to support Government Departments and other public bodies to improve the resilience and security of their IT systems to better protect services that people rely upon, and their data, In particular the NCSC works very closely with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
The NCSC also has an extremely strong relationship with the Defence Forces, including in sharing information on trends, developments and incidents and in sharing capacity and best practice. This cooperation has involved both operational and senior management engagement, and the NCSC has provided training, support and threat intelligence material on an ongoing basis to the Defence Forces own CSIRT. The NCSC also engages on an ongoing basis with the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, particularly around ongoing incidents, activities of threat actors, and policy and also legislative issues.
The EU cyber security strategy - Cyber Security for the Digital Decade - is an ambitious and broad-ranging programme of activities to safeguard the digital transition in the Union in the deteriorating global cyber threat environment. The Commission has proposed an expansive legislative programme to implement the Strategy including the revised Network and Information Security Directive approved by the Council and Parliament in December 2022. The Council is presently considering a number of legislative proposals including the Cyber Resilience Act which seeks to enhance the cyber security of digital products supplied in the Single Market, and the Cyber Solidarity Act which seeks to enhance the capacity of the EU and its Member States to monitor, detect, prevent and respond to major cyber security incidents. As a consequence cyber security is a regular agenda item at the Council of TTE Communications Ministers, and was on the agenda at its meeting earlier this month. The Council is particularly seized of the importance of cooperation and information exchange to respond to cyber threats which do not respect national borders. In particular I would highlight the Call published after the informal Council of Ministers meeting in Nevers, France last year, in which the Council set out an ambitious programme to support enhanced resilience in critical infrastructure such as telecommunications and energy.
115. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 28 February 2023, the status of the small-scale generation support scheme; the expected timeline for the launch of the scheme; the details of the community participation element of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28821/23]
View answerThe Small Scale Generation Scheme (SSGS) will support non-domestic renewable electricity generators above 50kW, but smaller than those supported under the RESS. This scheme will enable community projects, larger businesses, farms, and public buildings to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
The scheme proposes to support applicants to install renewable electricity generators up to 1MW, with 100% Renewable Energy Community (REC) projects to be supported up to 6MW.
My Department is currently progressing the SSGS and I expect to publish the High Level Design in the coming weeks and launch the scheme by the end of the year.
116. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to present legislation to Dáil Éireann for a Just Transition Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28829/23]
View answerThe Government has adopted, through the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), a framework for a just transition, comprising four principles:
1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements.
2. People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy.
3. The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated.
4. Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process.
As set out in CAP 2023, all relevant Ministers should consider this framework in the process of climate action policy formulation and implementation, so that policies are informed by the need to ensure a just transition. This includes creating sustainable employment opportunities, providing reskilling and retraining opportunities, and providing appropriate supports for those most vulnerable as part of Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy.
The Government has also committed, through CAP 2023, to establishing a statutory Just Transition Commission, whose purpose should be to provide strategic advice to Government, integrating its role with existing governance and engagement structures, on how Government policy can further a just transition. I am continuing to progress the development of proposals in relation to the establishment of the Commission. This work has included engagement with relevant stakeholders to inform my approach to the mandate of the Commission, including through the National Climate Stakeholder Forum, the most recent meeting of which took place on 10 May last.
117. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline his plans to support the production of biomethane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28880/23]
View answerIn line with the agreed Sectoral Emissions Ceilings and the Climate Action Plan, Government has committed to deliver up to 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In order to deliver on this commitment, a dedicated Biomethane Working Group, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, has been established. This Group, which reports into the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Task force, is overseeing an all-of-government approach to developing a National Biomethane Strategy to support the achievement of the 5.7TWh target.
Development of an anaerobic digestion industry is at a nascent stage in Ireland and a primary focus of the Working Group is the examination of the types of supports necessary to develop the industry. The group will also carry out extensive analysis on the best end use of this biomethane, paying particular focus on production in a sustainable manner. CAP 2023 has committed to delivering the National Biomethane Strategy by Q3 2023.
Government has also agreed to the introduction of an obligation on the heat sector to include renewable heat by 2024. The introduction of a Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) will support and encourage the production of biomethane, and further increase the use of renewable heat. My Department is in the process of designing the next phase of stakeholder consultation activities which will directly inform the design of the RHO.
118. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the 2% pension increase due to An Post workers will be authorised; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28615/23]
View answerOn 9 March 2023 An Post wrote to my Department seeking consent to the second phase of their current pay agreement which provides for a 2% increase in pay from 1st January 2023. In addition to this, on foot of a recent Labour Court decision, An Post also wrote to my Department on 9 March seeking approval to make increases to pensions in payment and deferred pensions of a 5% increase from 1 January 2022 and a 1% increase from 1 July 2023. In accordance with the relevant Code of Practice from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, An Post must seek Ministerial approval to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. As per Circular 16/2021, all such proposals require NewERA’s views, as well as a business case setting out the strategic, policy and financial rationale for the proposed increase. Circular 16/2021 states that pension approval requests should be submitted for approval well in advance of any decision to implement changes in acknowledgement of the necessary processes that must be completed and in order to ensure that pension increases are not unduly delayed. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place. Following receipt of the requests and associated documentation in recent weeks and months from An Post, the standard process is now being followed, with NewERA’s views and assessment by officials being required prior to the consent of both Ministers being sought.
