Written Answers Nos. 166-181
166. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the considerations to be made by local authorities when deciding on whether or not to re-municipalise waste collection services; if legislative or regulatory barriers prevent local authorities from re-municipalising waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/23]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection and waste management planning within their functional areas.
The obligations on local authorities in relation to collecting household waste are set out in section 33 of the Waste Management Act 1996, as amended. In summary, it provides that each local authority shall collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste within its functional area. The obligation to collect or arrange for the collection of household waste shall not apply if:
• an adequate waste collection service is available in the local authority's functional area,
• the estimated costs of the collection of the waste would, in the opinion of the local authority, be unreasonably high, or
• the local authority is satisfied that adequate arrangements for the disposal of the waste concerned can reasonably be made by the holder of the waste.
It is open to any local authority to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers.
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
167. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeframe for the roll-out of at least 30mb broadband speeds to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the national broadband plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage shall be prioritised during the roll-out phase as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29002/23]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 02 June 2023, 147,159 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 42,805 connections have already been made to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI has advised that as of 02 June, 3,120 premises in County Donegal are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 1,075 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.
Each DA creates a ‘fibre ring’ which is essential to ensure reliability, robustness and resilience. Critical to the success of the network, NBI’s fibre rings are built with back-ups, ensuring that in the event of one fibre cable being disrupted, the whole network continues to perform, protecting customer experience. Each fibre ring that NBI deploys is designed in a way that is non-discriminatory, meaning that as the roll-out progresses, it may pass relatively urban areas at the same time as passing some of the most remote premises within the intervention area. The design utilises existing infrastructure to a very significant degree.
The NBP network build, that started in 2020, is scheduled to be completed by 2027. NBI advise that the premises referred to in the question is at a status of ‘Survey Underway’.
Surveys are needed to establish the condition of existing poles and ducts, to ascertain whether repairs are needed. NBI’s contractors walk the fibre route to inspect infrastructure and gather detailed information on local conditions and this work is on-going. Further steps are then required prior to fibre build and connections including:
• Results from surveys are sent to NBI’s design teams who then develop detailed designs for each of the 227 Deployment Areas for submission to the Department for “Approval to Proceed” with fibre build;
• Repair/activities (“Make Ready”) carried out to ensure existing infrastructure is sufficiently prepared to pass the premises with fibre;
• Installation of and connection to electronic equipment in each Local Exchange building;
• Laying of the physical fibre along the poles and ducts;
• Fibre build quality checks, network testing and handover within NBI;
• Upload of specific fibre build details by premises to computer systems within NBI, enabling retail service providers to make connection orders visible on their respective systems which in turn allows premises’ owners to place orders.
• On completion of network build works customers can then place an order and request a connection to be scheduled with the retail service provider of choice.
All of these activities must be completed before the premises can be designated premises passed status.
NBI have created a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: nbi.ie/reps
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 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 Donegal all 12 BCPs have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Donegal 40 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/.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which the programme to provide broadband nationwide is progressing and achieving its targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29039/23]
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.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to indicate highest demand for electricity recorded in the past five years; the extent to which this demand is likely to fluctuate in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29040/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that peak system demand for electricity over the past five years was recorded by EirGrid on 14 December 2022 with 7,031 MW of system demand.
It is expected that electricity demand will increase over the coming decade with the continued electrification of heat and transport. This additional electrification of energy demand provides opportunities to decarbonise demand sectors that may be difficult or more expensive to otherwise decarbonise.
In addition, the new (Recast) Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) increases energy saving requirements on all Member States. For the saving target for Ireland to be met Ireland will need to reduce national final energy consumption (from all sources combined) by approximately 20% compared to Ireland’s energy use in 2019.
This will require additional energy saving policies and measures applicable to all sectors to be identified and developed.
Looking forward, my Department is working on an Energy Security Package which seeks to address the energy security challenges facing Ireland with a range of new and existing actions. This Package is informed by a broad range of analysis including the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems and extensive public consultation, the McCarthy Report (an independent review of the security of electricity supply), the National Energy Security Framework, and the Climate Action Plan.
EirGrid, through its Generation Capacity Statement (GCS), regularly reviews and publishes estimated demand projections to inform system planning for the electricity sector. Forecasting for the gas sector are carried out by Gas Networks Ireland.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount of electricity currently generated from oil, coal, gas, biomass, solar, wind or wave generation; the extent to which this is expected to change within the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29041/23]
View answerThe recently published Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) sets out a plan to implement the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings along with a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050, as was committed to in the Programme for Government. Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Government has set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030.
The Climate action Plan includes increases to the proportion of renewable electricity to 80% by 2030 and a target of 9 GW from onshore wind, 8 GW from solar, and at least 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.
With approximately 4,500 MW of connected wind generation capacity, we are in the top five globally for installed wind power capacity per capita. In order to build on this success and increase wind and solar generation on the grid, my Department is delivering a regular programme of auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).
The below table from the SEAI includes data of our current amount of electricity generated this year to date
|
Type of Generation |
2023 YTD GWh |
|
Coal |
448 |
|
Co-fired Peat and biomass |
191 |
|
Oil |
77 |
|
Natural gas |
4977 |
|
Other renewables |
72 |
|
Wastes |
190 |
|
Other (CHP etc) |
5 |
|
Conventional thermal |
Total 5960 |
|
|
|
|
Hydro |
348 |
|
Wind |
4463 |
|
Solar |
61 |
|
Non-Combustible renewable generation |
Total 4872 |
|
|
|
|
Total Indigenous Generation |
10832 |
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which each sector in the economy can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction over the next five years without negatively impacting on economic output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29042/23]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022.
On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emissions Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budgetary periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which was temporarily deferred. The Sectoral Emissions Ceilings set out the total amount of permitted greenhouse gas emissions that each sector of the economy can produce during a specific time period.
The latest update to Ireland's Climate Action Plan, Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), was published in December 2022, setting out how Ireland will accelerate the action required to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development.
CAP23 acknowledges that many of the actions required will be challenging — but the benefits will include warmer homes, cheaper electricity, better transport, vibrant and resilient communities, biodiversity-rich landscapes, improved health, new jobs and a thriving, green economy for current and future generations.
The Government's approach to climate action and ensuring our continued economic well-being is based on the principle of fairness, ensuring a just transition where costs and benefits are shared equitably
The next update to the Climate Action Plan is expected to be published in Q4 of 2023.
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which efforts continue to be made to reduce the use of plastic with particular reference to banning certain products and activities to protect our seas and marine life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29044/23]
View answerThe Single Use Plastics Directive (Directive EU 2019/904), adopted in 2019, aims to reduce the volume and impact of single-use plastics on the environment by targeting the ten most commonly-found single-use plastic items found on European beaches which, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU, and which therefore affect our seas and marine life.
The Directive was transposed into Irish law in July 2021 through the Single Use Plastics Regulations, which banned a range of single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, beverage stirrers, food containers and beverage cups and containers made of expanded polystyrene, and all products made from oxo-degradable plastic.
The regulations also include mandatory labelling for certain products, informing consumers of the presence of plastic and the impact that littering and inappropriate disposal of those products has on the environment, including the marine environment.
In addition, the regulations mandate the establishment of a number new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. EPRs have already been established for packaging items and for tobacco filter products containing plastic, while those for wet wipes, balloons, and fishing gear will be in place from end 2024. Producers of these products have a responsibility to finance the collection and environmentally-sound waste management of their products at end of life.
Specifically in relation to fishing gear containing plastic, Ireland has new obligations under the Single Use Plastics Directive:
• Ireland is required to monitor and report on fishing gear placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected. The first return of data is due by July 2024.
• Ireland is required to set an annual national, non-binding, minimum collection rate for waste fishing gear containing plastic. The collection rate published for 2023 is 100 tonnes.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which waste reduction and management can be improved to make a more serious contribution to threats to the environment with particular reference to the need to reduce the use of landfills and the utilisation of the most modern methods that waste management in order to protect the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29045/23]
View answerLocal Authorities are statutorily responsible for the preparation of waste management plans. The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are currently preparing a new National Waste Management Plan (NWMP), informed by, inter alia, the National Planning Framework. The Plan will set out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE) and support Ireland's circular economy transition.
The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 strengthened provisions in relation to waste management plans, by requiring waste management plans to include indicators and targets relating to the use of products and materials that have been re-used, re-manufactured or repaired. The new NWMP will contain targets for reuse, repair, resource consumption and recycling, and address measures such as:
• the enhanced use of civic amenity sites as circular economy hubs;
• supporting the development of indigenous waste treatment capacity to reduce reliance on export.
I am informed that the public consultation phase on the draft National Waste Management Plan is currently open for submissions, please see National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy - mywaste My Waste
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department continues to have plans to utilise existing natural resources and invest for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29046/23]
View answerAs we transition to a Circular Economy and work towards meeting our climate targets, protecting and restoring our environment through sustainable resource use will play a key role. My Department is working in a number of areas to achieve this.
In 2022, my Department published the ‘Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining – Critical Raw Materials for the Circular Economy Transition’. The Policy Statement has been finalised following an intensive public consultation process and following discussions with an Advisory Group on Mineral Exploration and Mining, its membership being drawn from the Environmental, Industry and Social Pillars and government departments and agencies.
The Policy statement highlights the role of minerals in our everyday lives and the critical role they will play in our transition to net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality by 2050. The Policy recognises that we need to reuse and recycle more minerals and metals. The Policy also accepts that this will not supply the quantity of minerals required for the solar power, renewable wind energy and batteries required to decarbonise our energy.
As society continues to need minerals, it is therefore critical that these minerals are extracted in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, enforced by strong legislation. In that context, the Government’s policy for mineral exploration and mining is to:
Ensure a stable, robust, and transparent regulatory framework that supports environmentally sustainable mineral exploration and mining; and maximise the contribution that sustainable exploration and mining can make to our society, economic development and the transition to a circular economy and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through the supply of the raw materials necessary for our sustainable development.
In addition, a Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy for a Circular Economy is also being finalised by my Department. This represents an important step in addressing the barriers to the development of geothermal energy in Ireland. It will help draw attention to its potential to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings, for industrial processes requiring heat and in the longer term, to generate electricity.
The Policy Statement reflects consideration by the Geothermal Energy Advisory Group of how my Department responded to the submissions received during the Public Consultation on the development of the policy. Subject to the Government's approval in due course, the policy statement will outline the preferred approach to be taken in developing a regulatory framework and the scope of a strategy to promote the sustainable development of Ireland’s geothermal resources.
With regard to petroleum, a Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production in Ireland was published in August 2022, replacing the 2019 “Policy Statement - Petroleum Exploration and Production Activities as part of Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Economy”, in order to reflect the current policy and legislative position of the Government on Petroleum Exploration and Production, and to provide clarity to stakeholders in relation to future authorisations which may be granted under legislation.
This Policy Statement outlines the commitment contained in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on the same basis as the decision taken in 2019 by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction.
This means that whilst no new authorisations for new exploration will be granted, existing authorisations will not be affected by this change. Holders of existing authorisations can continue to apply to progress through the standard licensing lifecycle stages towards a natural conclusion, which may include expiry, relinquishment, or production. Any applications for follow-on authorisations or applications to undertake offshore activities under an authorisation are subject to Ministerial consent and must continue to meet environmental, technical, and financial criteria as appropriate.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what steps he can take to speed up the provision of broadband services through the medium of fibre-optics throughout County Kildare with particular reference to known blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29047/23]
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, 2,549 premises in County Kildare are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 992 premises connected.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare 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 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 Kildare all 3 BCPs have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
In County Kildare all 10 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/.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the plans in hand to develop an adequate number of charging stations to facilitate the growing electric car sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29038/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. In January this year, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Building on the strategy, ZEVI is currently working with the TII, the local Authorities, Regional Assembly's and ESB Networks in developing a National EV Charging Infrastructure Plan. The first part of this plan – the National EV Charging Network Plan [En-Route] will be published in summer.
The Government’s EV target is a critical solution to reducing our transport emissions and is a key part of the strategy which also includes measures to reduce car journeys, through improved public and active transport networks.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
In July 2022 I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
ZEVI plans to launch a scheme to support EV charging at trip destinations later this year. A number of bespoke destination charging schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including
• A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, launched in January, which is expected to install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, to launch in the coming weeks, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers.
These circa 300 sites will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched by ZEVI to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
In addition to schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from Destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10 from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their program is as follows:
• 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
• Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
• Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service
Public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country.
177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out the mandatory accessibility requirements and/or the provisions set in statute in respect of accessibility standards for public transport and public infrastructure projects, to include the planning, design and construction of cycle lanes, bus islands, pedestrian cross walks, pedestrian footpaths and pedestrian shared spaces. [28887/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Roads, Active Travel and Public Transport infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) along with the relevant local authorities are responsible for the development and delivery of individual projects.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the NTA has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA works with public transport operators and other agencies, for example local authorities, to progressively make public transport accessible.
In addition to the above, a National Guidelines and Standards Group has been established within my Department to oversee and coordinate all guidelines and standards (including accessibility, cycling and other Active Travel projects) which have been developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the NTA and Department of Transport. This group comprises of members from each of these bodies as well as the City and County Management Association (CCMA). It also covers the areas of quality control, training and implementation monitoring. Progress to date includes:
• Circulars setting out a framework for guidelines and standards, as well as improved quality control measures;
• Co-ordination of Guidelines and Standards between the my Department and agencies;
• Updates to DMURS Guidelines and supporting training on these guidelines, including online workshops and graduate programmes.
In support of the quality of infrastructure, there is much work underway in terms of core standards to support this. All new road or Active Travel infrastructure funded by my Department must be designed in compliance with approved guidelines and standards set out.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport accessibility , including infrastructure projects and standards, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport how many local authorities have published active travel plans to date. [28899/23]
View answer179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have published active travel plans to date. [28900/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
The Deputy will be aware that funding for walking and cycling infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years in line with the Government's prioritisation of active travel as a transport mode. To this end, it is important for local authorities, in liaison with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to plan their infrastructure projects to ensure that the increased investment is spent on projects that will have the greatest impact.
To this end, the NTA is working with local authorities on two specific work streams, namely CycleConnects and Pedestrian Enhancement Plans. CycleConnects will create an overall comprehensive cycle network for Ireland through the development of planned cycling links in key cities, towns and villages in each county. The cycling plans for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) have already been published, and the proposed CycleConnects plans for the 22 counties outside the GDA were published for public consultation in 2022 and are planned to be finalised later this year.
The NTA is also working with local authorities to develop Pedestrian Enhancement Plans which will identify areas where investment in footpath infrastructure and other measures to support and protect pedestrians and encourage walking as a transport mode would be best allocated. In line with targets in the my Department's National Sustainable Mobility Policy, these Plans will be delivered for the five cities by end 2023, and for regional growth centres and key towns by end 2024.
While I am aware that certain local authorities, such as Fingal County Council, have developed specific Active Travel strategies, for the majority of local authorities the development of CycleConnects and the Pedestrian Enhancement Plans will serve as a strategy for future Active Travel investment in the coming years.
180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have drawn down funding to establish active travel teams. [28901/23]
View answer181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have active travel teams in place. [28902/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including resourcing.
My Department announced funding in January 2021 for up to 248 new jobs in local authorities around the country to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country. This increase in resourcing reflects the significantly increased funding of circa €360 per annum for walking and cycling over the planned lifetime of the Government with the additional staff focused on delivering and promoting active travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication, community liaison and construction oversight. Following further demand from some local authorities, the total overall allocation was increased to 320. As of the end of March 2023, approximately 240 of these allocated resources had been recruited.
Certain local authorities had Active Travel staff in place ahead of the ongoing NTA Active Travel resourcing programme which commenced in 2021, per the requirement in the 2009 National Cycling Policy Network. I am pleased to say that all local authorities currently have Active Travel teams in place, although some have not filled their total number of allocated positions. Funding for these resources is provided through the NTA Active Travel Infrastructure Programme funding, and I have therefore referred your question in relation to funding drawdowns to that agency for a more detailed response. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
