Written Answers Nos. 38-53
38. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received draft guidelines for the use of CCTV to catch illegal dumping and littering; and if not, when he expects those guidelines. [39497/23]
View answerSeparate codes of practice are required for the operation of CCTV schemes under both the Litter Pollution Act and the Waste Management Act, while a further Code of Practice is required for the use of "mobile recording devices" (e.g. bodycams etc) under the Waste Management Act. DPIAs must also be carried out as part of this process.
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is continuing to work on the finalisation of draft Codes of Practice and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes aimed at assisting waste enforcement and anti-litter efforts. The LGMA recently circulated draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Data Protection Commission as part of the required consultation process.
Officials in my Department are currently examining these documents with a view to providing the LGMA with feedback as soon as possible on the significant volume of work conducted to date in preparing the draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs. Once the consultation process is complete, the LGMA will then be in a position to formally submit the draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for approval.
39. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that an area (details supplied) is underserviced for broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39529/23]
View answerThe area referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan High-Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by National Broadband Ireland as commercial operators are already providing high-speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, it is not permitted to intervene in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these rules. The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
However, I am advised that the Tinnahinch, Graiguenamanagh area is part of Open eir’s commercial IFN fibre programme, currently rolling out nationwide. Officials in my Department have contacted Open eir to enquire if there is any further information available as to when they plan to deploy fibre services to the Graiguenamanagh area. Once this information is received, officials will revert to the Deputy with an update.
Along with the advancement of the National Broadband Plan in areas not included in industry plans, commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already connected over 15,500 homes and businesses in Co. Carlow to gigabit services, with a further c.7,200 planned connections over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €9m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across the State, with SIRO recently reaching a milestone of enabling 520,000 premises for full fibre, and Virgin Media announcing plans to bring 2Gbps services to 345,000 premises through upgrade and expansion of their own network.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2, 2023 saw a 7.4% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to the first 3 months of the year, and a 33.7% increase when compared to Quarter 2 of 2022. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable.
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, including that:
• 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, and
• digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023
The National Broadband Plan intervention contract provides for the roll out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
These targets will be achieved through commercial operators investing in their networks, complemented by the State’s National Broadband Plan intervention. When taken together, all premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband in every part of the country no matter how remote.
40. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the increase in pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39595/23]
View answer41. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform will approve the pension increase due to An Post pensioners now that all preliminary impediments have been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39597/23]
View answer43. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay in ensuring Ireland’s 7,000 pensioner postmen receive their pay increases that have been approved by the Labour Court (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39747/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 41 and 43 together.
In relation to the payment of proposed increases to An Post Pensioners, I received a recommendation from my officials on 25 August and granted my consent on 28 August to the payment of an increase of 2% to the An Post pensioners with effect from 1 January 2023 and to the payment of separate increase of 5% effective from 1 January 2022 and 1% effective from 1 July 2023 in line with a Labour Court Recommendation.
The consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the proposal was subsequently provided on 8 September 2023. An Post has been made aware that consent has now been granted.
42. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the preparations being undertaken by his Department in advance of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882); the guidance that is being issued by his Department to organisations and businesses in advance of the enactment of the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39666/23]
View answerMy colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is leading on the transposition of the European Accessibility Act.
My Department has engaged extensively and continues to engage with his department on this process – both at a bilateral level and in discussions led by that department across relevant departments and agencies - in relation to the obligations arising for providers of electronic communications services, and in relation to emergency communications to the European emergency number 112.
This includes engagement with the communications regulator, ComReg, in relation to oversight of relevant obligations set out in the Directive. Connectivity is important to a full and meaningful participation in society and ComReg is well placed to ensure the rights of consumers in this regard.
I look forward to further engagement as appropriate in respect of transposition and the effective implementation of this initiative with the support of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the National Disability Authority.
44. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are being taken to improve the waiting times for those availing of works under the free energy upgrade scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39862/23]
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 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households 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 upgrades delivered under the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving increased levels of demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 10,000 additional applications received up until the end of August this year.
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 from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023. 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 also 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 which resulted in a build up of a backlog of applications.
To date in 2023, almost 3,500 homes have been upgraded. The average waiting time from application to completion in Q2 2023 was approximately 19 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The significant reductions in the average waiting time has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• A significantly increased budget allocation;
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
My Officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. 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 €264 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. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme was recently established. 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 is a very strong signal of commitment.
45. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received the 2022 Annual Report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; and if so, when same will be published online. [39976/23]
View answerI received the SEAI Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2022 on 4 July this year. The Report will shortly be submitted to Government for approval after which it will be published.
46. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the adequacy of resources committed to advancing the sustainable development goals in his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40013/23]
View answerThe Sustainable Development Goals unit in my department is wholly dedicated to the remit of delivering on Ireland's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have adopted a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach to achieving the SDGs with each Minister having responsibility for delivering individual SDG targets related to their functions, with responsibility for overseeing coherent implementation resting with my own Department.
The effectiveness of the unit was evidenced by the publication of Ireland's second National Voluntary Review which I presented at the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development last July. The focus for the remainder of this year will be on delivering the suite of actions required by Ireland's second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals.
A key objective of the National Implementation Plan is to embed the framework provided by the 2030 Agenda into the work of national and local government. This will ensure a coherent system-wide approach and provide for greater dialogue and joined-up thinking between policy makers across sectors to meet the goals, further consolidating the delivery of Agenda 2030.
47. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for clarity on whether legislation or guidance exists requiring telephone boxes in city areas. [40019/23]
View answerI have no role or statutory function in the matter raised by the Deputy.
The provision of public payphones was previously subject to a Universal Service Obligation (USO) under the Universal Services Regulation (S.I. No 337 of 2011). However, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) removed the USO for payphones from 1 Jan 2021.
Following the end of the USO, this is now a matter for the company who owns the telephone box or its agent.
48. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what national commitments he will seek to make at the Sustainable Development Goals Summit; and to detail how civil society groups have been facilitated to participate in the development of these commitments. [40208/23]
View answerThe Taoiseach, Tánaiste and myself are attending the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit during which we will re-affirm Ireland’s commitment to Agenda 2030 and the delivery of the SDGs both at home and abroad.
Ireland has been centrally involved in developing and implementing the SDGs which were adopted in 2015. Progress towards achieving them has been set back by the pandemic, the consequences of conflict, including in Ukraine, and by the increasing pace and ferocity of extreme weather events. Ireland will be urging Leaders to make maximum use of the time ahead to make up this lost ground, and to focus on ensuring we reach the targets we have set ourselves by 2030.
Our commitments to SDG transformation are contained in the National Implementation Plan 2022 - 2024. My Department continues to engage on a regular basis with civil society representatives in relation to Agenda 2030 through a range of mechanisms including the National Stakeholder Forum and regular engagements as part of our on-going commitment to partnership for the goals.
This inclusive and participative approach is reflected in the preparation of Ireland’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR), where civil society contributed a stakeholder chapter, and were also supported by my Department in attending the UN High Level Political Forum last July.
The National Stakeholder Forum in April of this year was dedicated to Ireland’s VNR. Civil society assessments from this Forum, on key areas of national importance – education, employment and social protection, health, community engagement and inclusion, housing, climate action and the circular economy – were included in the VNR and will be used to inform policy making going forward.
Ireland is committed to ensuring that the voices of civil society and community continue to be heard as we continue to deliver on our national commitments towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
49. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide details on the measures his Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40230/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all colleagues, stakeholders, and citizens. Our Statement of Strategy, Le Chéile 23, is underpinned by the values set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan. A key action arising from this is our corporate strategy 'Ag Obair Le Chéile' which aims to develop our people, culture and organisation.
As part of Ag Obair le Chéile, my Department has developed an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan that was launched in July. The strategy and action plan aims to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace recognising all protected characteristics. An LGBTQIA+ Network was established to provide a staff-led, safe space for LGBTQIA+ staff and allies in DECC to be their authentic selves, and advance visibility, acceptance and support for LGBTQIA+ staff and their needs in my Department and the Civil Service at large. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sponsor supports all Networks and Employee Resource Groups to bring suggestions on Strategic Action Plan implementation, policies, issues and initiatives through to EDI unit, SHRD, EDI Steering Group, EDI Leadership and Management Board. My Department's yearly participation in Pride month celebrations is a visible demonstration of its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and in celebrating our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, families and friends.
The Civil Service has a range of robust policies that promotes respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace and these policies provide the framework within which my Department operates. These central Civil Service policies are publicly available on the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's website.
50. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of pending applications and the current average waiting time for works to commence in County Wexford under the SEAI free energy upgrades; the efforts that are being made to reduce this waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40322/23]
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 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operates the scheme on behalf of my Department. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households 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 upgrades delivered under the Warmer Homes Scheme are driving increased levels of demand for the scheme. This can be seen in application numbers with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 10,000 additional applications received up until the end of August this year.
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 from €2,600 in 2015 to €24,000 in 2023. 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 also 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 which resulted in a build up of applications.
To date in 2023, almost 3,500 homes have been upgraded. The average waiting time from application to completion in Q2 2023 was approximately 19 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The significant reductions in the average waiting time has been achieved in part through the following actions taken to reduce the timeline to completion and increase output under the scheme:
• SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
• A significantly increased budget allocation;
• SEAI work to increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management;
• Actions to address ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate output of free energy upgrades delivered. 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 €264 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. Importantly, a new contractor panel for the scheme was recently established. 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 is a very strong signal of commitment.
At end August there were 556 homes in Co Wexford on the work programme. Waiting times are not collated on a county by county basis.
51. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each year since the formation of this Government, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40369/23]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
52. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken with the United States special climate envoy to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40387/23]
View answerI met the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, Mr John Kerry on the fringes of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit which I attended in Nairobi, Kenya earlier this month.
We agreed that it would be beneficial to arrange an official meeting before COP28 to discuss how we can work collectively on addressing the climate crisis, including with respect to increasing implementation and ambition and promoting a successful COP.
Irish officials are currently liaising with their US counterparts with a view to scheduling such a meeting.
53. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether his attention has been drawn to an upcoming vote on the Critical Raw Materials Act in the European Parliament; what actions will be taken by his Department domestically in light of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40425/23]
View answerMy Department has been leading negotiations for Ireland on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Following the publication of the European Parliament’s position on 14th September 2023, tripartite meetings on the CRMA between the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission are due to shortly commence, expected to conclude before the end of 2023.
The present proposal aims to strengthen the different stages of the European critical raw materials (CRM) value chain; diversify the EU's imports of CRMs to reduce strategic dependencies; improve the EU capacity to monitor and mitigate current and future risks of supply disruptions; and ensure the free movement of CRMs on the single market. All actions arising from these objectives will be based on socially and environmentally responsible practices.
The provisions of the Regulation will place a number of obligations on Ireland as a Member State, including:
• The establishment of streamlined permitting arrangements; and administrative and financial supports for Strategic Projects concerning the production, processing and recycling of strategic raw materials;
• National programmes on mineral exploration, increasing circularity, and the valorisation of extractive (mining) waste;
• Reporting to the Commission on raw material projects, supply chain risks and stockpile information;
• Sending delegates to the CRMA governance structure in the European Commission, including the CRM Board and thematic subgroups; and
• International cooperation on Strategic Partnerships on raw materials and the CRM Club.
Ireland supports the objective of the CRMA, in terms of strengthening of the CRM value chain at all levels, and welcomes the main provisions that will improve knowledge, efficiency and cooperation on CRM extraction, processing and recycling; while ensuring socially and environmentally responsible practices. This is essential for the achievement of the EU’s Green Deal objectives and for supporting European competitiveness.
