Written Answers Nos. 121-148
121. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what action his Department is taking to reduce Ireland's reliance on exporting our waste for final treatment overseas, that consideration would be given to the development of national capacity to treat residual non-hazardous and hazardous wastes to reduce our dependence on treatment facilities in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2632/24]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE), Ireland’s National Waste Policy for the period 2020 to 2025, sets out an overall policy and regulatory approach to support the development of adequate and appropriate treatment capacity at indigenous facilities to ensure that the full circularity and resource potential of materials is captured in Ireland. This policy and regulatory framework is intended to create the market conditions required to support indigenous capacity by ensuring that the right material ends up in the right bin, and in a suitable condition, thus making it available for separate collection and subsequent recycling, reuse, or repair. Incentivised pricing systems backed by strong and consistent enforcement also play a key role. The measures outlined in the WAPCE provide a significant incentive to drive segregation, increasing the value of the contents of recycling bins and brown bins and thereby creating the necessary conditions to support the viability of indigenous recycling capacity as well as composting and digestate facilities. The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices will shortly launch a new National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) which will set out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the WAPCE and support Ireland's circular economy transition.
A number of measures outlined in the WAPCE have already been successfully introduced, including the following:
• The revision of the list of material accepted in the missed dry recyclable bin to now include soft plastics.
• The introduction of incentivised waste collection charging in the commercial waste sector.
• The introduction of an initial €10 per tonne Waste Recovery Levy on municipal waste recovery operations in Ireland and on the export of municipal waste for recovery abroad.
• An increase of €10 per tonne on the existing Landfill Levy from €75 per tonne to €85 per tonne.
• The expansion of the household “brown” bin collection service to now make it mandatory as part of a waste collection service for all households.
• Continued efforts to drive behavioural change through education and awareness campaigns.
• Ensuring that waste enforcement activities are focused on maximising the proper segregation and recycling of municipal waste through making household and commercial waste a National Waste Enforcement Priority.
A number of other significant measures, which are due to be delivered over the lifetime of the WAPCE, will also have a major impact on our municipal recycling rates including a Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for certain plastic bottles and aluminium cans which will come into operation in February 2024.
122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the export tariff phase of the small-scale renewable energy support scheme will be launched; to outline the supports that will be available to community projects under the SRESS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3398/24]
View answerThrough the first two Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions, my Department provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects category.
Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the auction based nature of RESS, along with other barriers to project delivery.
Therefore, support for communities for the development of renewable projects will now transition to the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS). SRESS will not be auction based; rather it is anticipated that support for export projects will be through an export tariff.
This export tariff phase of SRESS, which will support small scale and community renewable projects, is due to launch in the coming months. It will offer a simpler route to market for community projects, aligning more closely to their experience and capacity. A revision of the levelised cost of energy estimates required for small scale and community based generation is currently being undertaken by economic consultants for my Department, in order to inform the tariff setting process for the SRESS.
A set of technical and financial supports for community projects are currently available to communities in a Community Enabling Framework under RESS. Similar supports will be available to community projects under the SRESS.
123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for the Government to endorse the call for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3401/24]
View answerOur reliance on fossil fuels is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and a low-carbon future. Ireland supports measures that reinforce and advance our transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and, while we have not signed the Fossil Fuel non-proliferation Treaty, we continue to follow its progress and development.
We are acting both domestically and internationally to tackle our reliance on fossil fuels. Following the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divested from fossil fuel companies and holds a list of companies in which it will not invest. Ireland has also ended the issuing of new exploration licences for fossil fuels and will manage existing authorisations towards a natural conclusion, through expiration, relinquishment, or production.
International collaboration is key to achieving the widespread, transformative change needed to tackle climate change. At COP26, Ireland joined the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) because of our determination to shift the global relationship with nature from a place of extraction to rehabilitation.
This commitment was demonstrated further at COP27 when Ireland joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance to create a global driving force for the uptake of offshore wind through political mobilisation and the creation of a global community of practice.
At COP28, Ireland continued to advocate for the move away from fossil fuels. I participated in a number of BOGA events and attended a High-Level Dialogue on International Cooperation for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and attended other related meetings.
I continue to keep signing the Treaty under review.
124. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department's plans in addressing the challenges of fish spawning and migration on rivers with ESB run hydroelectric stations and dams; the Department's position on the new ESB Rivers Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3386/24]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy in relation to addressing fish spawning and migration issues on specific river systems are day to day operational matters for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in which neither I nor my Department have any operational function.
IFI, as the State Body with responsibility for the protection, management, conservation, promotion, marketing and development of the inland fisheries resource has statutory responsibility for dealing with this matter.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries in relation to operational matters can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie.
ESB and IFI have held a series of high-level management discussions designed to engage across a broad range of issues and to identify and agree shared strategic objectives and actions in relation to fisheries management, conservation, and biodiversity challenges. These meetings continue to take place on a regular basis. I support both parties in committing to making additional resources available under their revised business strategies to address river connectivity and provide improved fish passage.
I understand that ESB is in the process of updating its fisheries conservation strategy as part of its Sustainable River Strategy which is currently being developed with input from IFI.
125. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will direct the Commission for Communications Regulation to review the use of inflation-linked mid-contract price rises by phone and broadband companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2412/24]
View answer136. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he will direct the Commission for Communications Regulation to review the use of inflation-linked mid-contract price rises by phone and broadband companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2767/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 136 together.
I have no statutory function in the matter raised in the Question.
The pricing levels set by telecommunication services providers, including for mobile phone and broadband services, is a matter for those relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with Section 11 of the 2002 Act and is directly accountable for the performance of its functions to Committees of the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34(2) of the same Act.
Any proposal for regulatory intervention or legislative change in this regard would require careful consideration.
126. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of growing concerns of industry that Ireland’s renewable energy targets are unlikely to be achieved; what measures he is taking to address the identified key barriers to progress; if he is aware of the recent report from the European Commission that Ireland’s share of energy consumption from renewables is the lowest level in the EU 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3415/24]
View answerAmbitious renewable energy targets are needed to achieve the required reduction in energy related emissions to meet Ireland’s climate related goals and to set Ireland on the pathway to climate neutrality. Ireland is committed to achieving its renewable energy targets, and will continue to put in place the policies and measures that will allow these reductions to be achieved over the remainder of the decade and beyond. Achieving Ireland’s renewable energy targets will also reduce Ireland’s import dependencies, thereby reducing the impact of international events on energy prices in Ireland.
I am aware of the recent report from the European Commission and I would note the significant activity already underway across the renewable heat, transport and electricity sectors. Maximising renewable wind energy, in particular, is a significant priority for this government. Ireland is currently third in the world for installed wind power capacity per capita and is a world leader in the integration of variable renewable electricity onto the grid. In the transport sector, fuel suppliers are already obligated to supply a percentage share of renewable energy, mandated in Ireland since 2010 through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and the Climate Action Plan includes a range of measures to address the use of fossil fuel in heating systems in buildings. My department continues to utilise the findings of the National Heat Study to inform the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050.
However, there are key challenges to address in these sectors and, for that specific reason, a number of Taskforces have been established.
For example, the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce was established to identify, coordinate, and prioritise the required policies to achieve the onshore renewable electricity targets, and to ensure that barriers to the implementation of such policies are removed or minimised to the greatest extent possible.
The overarching aim of the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Taskforce is to identify work on the critical path to delivery of key targets under the retrofitting, renewable heat, district heat and decarbonisation of the building stock areas, to ensure alignment in the development of polices and activities underway across Government Departments, and to proactively manage risks to ensure targets are achieved.
Working Groups have also been established under the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy to address the challenges associated with the achievement of EU renewable energy obligations and domestic targets, in light of ambitious future targets for renewable energy supply across the transport sector.
127. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding allocated to local authorities to mitigate climactic weather events and future funds to support local authority adaptation projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3204/24]
View answerLocal Authorities play a key role in climate mitigation and adaptation, as set out in section 16 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. This requires, inter alia, each Local Authority to prepare a Climate Action Plan (LA CAP) specifying the mitigation and adaptation measures to be adopted. A request to each Local Authority to begin preparation of their plans was made in February 2023, and I issued statutory guidelines to support Local Authorities in this work in March 2023. The LA CAPs are due to be adopted in Q1 2024. I also authorised funding for the recruitment of specialist staff in each Local Authority to form climate action teams to assist with the development and oversight of the LA CAPs – a Climate Action Coordinator and Climate Action Officer.
A total of €3.5 million was allocated to the sector for Phase 1 of the LA CAP programme in 2022, and a further €5.5 million was allocated for Phase 2 of the LA CAP programme in 2023. Funding also has been agreed for 6 years (2023–2029) for the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) to continue their work in supporting local government in climate action across mitigation and adaptation, and to assist Local Authorities in developing their LA CAPs. In addition to the funding provided by my Department, Local Authorities would be in receipt of additional funding for climate-related measure from other Government Departments and Agencies, including the OPW.
128. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider putting a stay on on-shore windfarms in line with the UK decision as they are causing much concern for communities in which they are being planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3056/24]
View answerThe development of renewable energy, including onshore wind, is central to achieving our climate ambitions in Ireland in line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, as well as renewable energy targets under EU legislation. Renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels, improves security of supply, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions creating environmental benefits while delivering green jobs to the economy, thus contributing to our national competitiveness.
Given that the programme of large-scale offshore wind deployment is expected to be realised
towards end decade, deployment rates for onshore renewables will need to increase to match
demand growth to ensure that we keep electricity emissions within range of the carbon budgets.
The recently published Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out a target of 80% of our electricity generation will come from renewable sources by 2030. Through the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and other routes to market, employment and economic value to the Irish economy is being realised with the continued development of onshore wind. Direct and indirect employment from windfarm construction and maintenance, as well as significant community benefit payments all contribute to local economies and communities.
As the onshore wind sector continues to grow in line with the national ambition, its financial contribution to many local authorities will also increase providing a valuable source of revenue that can be reinvested in local communities and services.
The results of a survey published last year by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland indicate that there are overall high levels of support towards onshore wind and solar energy.
129. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of people who received the electricity cost emergency benefit scheme in Winter 2022/2023; and the number of people who availed of the first credit for this winter period 2023/2024. [3339/24]
View answerAs part of Budget 2024 the Government approved a new tranche of Electricity Credits which over 2.2 million households will benefit from -- worth €450 in total per household.
Three payments of €150 (including VAT) are being made between December 2023 and April 2024.
The payments are being applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2).
Under Scheme III, usage levels are assessed to ensure that payments are withheld in relation to low usage electricity accounts identified by the distribution system operator, to prevent the payment from being applied to vacant houses.
The Scheme allows for review by a customer’s electricity supplier, if contacted by a customer who has not received the payment. The Supplier will be able to review this and apply the payment if the customer is; a registered vulnerable customer, is eligible to be on the vulnerable customer register, or has a financial hardship meter. The customer can seek further review by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, which has oversight of the Scheme, following the decision of the electricity supplier.
This follows the implementation of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Schemes I and II, through which households received €800 (including VAT) between March 2022 and April 2023. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities reported that 99.36% of all eligible domestic electricity accounts received credit under Scheme I. The CRU reported that at the conclusion of Scheme II, 99.13% of the funds provided were credited to eligible customers.
130. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can provide an update with regards to developing a policy on private wires; if he can provide an update on the public consultation which took place last year; if he can provide a timeline on when the policy will be finalised; if the policy is on target to be published in 2024 as previously stated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3419/24]
View answerDuring 2023, my Department held a public consultation on private wires. The consultation ran from 18th August until 27th October 2023 and during this time over 120 submissions were received. Submissions received in response to the consultation are currently being reviewed and considered by my Department with a report on submission responses expected for publication in Q2.
The aim of this consultation was to gather the views of the public, stakeholders and interested parties alike, to consolidate our understanding of the role which private wires may play in the future Irish electricity ecosystem, as well as to identify the challenges and opportunities such a policy change may present. Publication of the consultation represented the first step towards a final policy and completed action EL/23/15 of the Climate Action Plan 2023.
If permitted for, private wires would allow private individuals and/or undertakings to install their own privately owned electricity infrastructure linking generation with demand. This would represent a major shift in electricity policy in the State and as such may impact upon all citizens while also overhauling aspects of the electricity sector which have been in place since soon after the foundation of the State.
In accordance with Action EL/24/9 of the recently published Climate Action Plan 24, it is intended to publish a private wires policy during Q4 2024.
131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that an adequate programme of upgrading and enabling smaller telephone exchanges which are particularly important to rural communities is being undertaken in view of the importance of this infrastructure in enhancing broadband coverage; if he has had communication with the relevant provider(s) concerning this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/24]
View answerThe Irish Government published the Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland in 2022. This includes a commitment that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a network which supports Gigabit speeds no later than 2028 and that all populated areas will be covered by 5G by no later than 2030. The benefits from implementation of this strategy would boost labour productivity by nearly €59 billion by 2025, enable half a million more people to access employment as well as facilitating 400,000 more people to be able to work remotely from home.
To achieve the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity Strategy, significant investment is being made by a range of commercial fixed line and mobile telecoms operators to both upgrade existing infrastructure nationwide, as well building out new infrastructure as required. Fibre networks are key and eir is making a significant investment in the build out of their fibre network, including upgrading exchanges to support the advanced services.
Eir has committed to rolling out its Gigabit Broadband network, to 1.9 million homes and businesses in Ireland, by the end of 2026. The Department understands that network upgrade to 1.9 million homes and businesses includes enabling Gigabit connectivity to smaller telephone exchanges in rural communities.
Additionally, the State is investing €2.7 billion in the building of a fibre broadband network by National Broadband Ireland in what is known as the ‘Intervention Area’. The 'Intervention Area' covers homes and businesses in designated geographical areas throughout the State, typically rural and lower population density areas, where commercial operators do not plan to build a fibre network. The National Broadband Ireland network is utilising modern fibre to the home technology (FTTH), in which a physical fibre is run to each premises to provide high speed broadband services. To achieve the timing and financial targets for the build of this new fibre network, National Broadband Ireland will leverage where available existing infrastructure, including local metropolitan networks and eir infrastructure.
Consumers can avail of both broadband and voice services over fibre networks.
132. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the next steps following the publication of the SEAI study into Carlinn Hall in Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3291/24]
View answerThe District Heating Steering Group (DHSG) Report, which was approved by Government in July 2023 contains a range of recommendations setting the future policy direction for development of district heating.
As part of its work, the DHSG asked the SEAI to carry out a research project, using Carlinn Hall as the study location, with the aim of understanding how a typical communal heating system operates in Ireland, assessing options to retrofit low carbon heat sources including indicative costs and making recommendations for both existing and future heat networks in Ireland.
The published report contains a number of recommendations for the Carlinn Hall scheme for the short to long term, and also contains recommendations for group/communal heat networks generally and for policymakers.
Among the options for replacing the existing gas boiler, that were examined in the SEAI report, were heat pumps or a biomass boiler. Grants may be available in that regard and the SEAI’s Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), for example, offers installation grants to support investment in renewable heating systems. A grant under the SSRH could provide funding of up to 40% for investment in renewable heating systems using a heat pump.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the scheme in question is privately owned and managed, and implementation of any of the recommendations specific to Carlinn Hall would be a matter for the relevant parties to decide upon.
The Department has noted the policy related considerations of the report and will continue to progress implementation of the Government approved District Heating Steering Group Report recommendations, including the development of an appropriate regulatory and legal framework for the district heating sector.
133. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide more resources to ensure that the warmer homes scheme is delivered in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2962/24]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to households vulnerable to energy poverty.
Increased awareness of the multiple benefits of retrofit and improvements to the Warmer Homes Scheme is driving increased levels of demand for the scheme with over 24,000 applications received over the period from January 2022 to end December 2023.
The Scheme is delivering deeper upgrades with more emissions reductions and energy savings for homeowners. The average cost of upgrades increased to €24,000 in 2023 and these deeper upgrades take a longer time per home to complete.
In 2023, almost 5,900 homes were upgraded under the scheme. This represents a 33% increase in fully funded upgrades provided in 2022.
The overall spend for 2023 was €157.421 million, which was the highest spend ever under the scheme. For 2024 a record budget of just under €210 million has been allocated to the scheme. This budget is supplemented by funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
The average waiting time from application to completion in 2023 was just under 20 months. This is a decrease from an average of 26 months for homes completed in 2022. The reduction in wait times follows a range of measures introduced by the Department and SEAI including enhanced budgets; increased staffing resources in SEAI; and actions to address supply chain challenges. SEAI also established a new contractor panel in September 2023, adding 7 additional contractors bringing the total to 36.
My officials continue to work with the SEAI to maximise and accelerate the output of free energy upgrades delivered.
134. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail his Department’s plans to provide brown bins to every home in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3163/24]
View answerI signed the European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste)(Amendment) Regulations, S.I. No. 679/2023 in December 2023. These regulations introduced a requirement on all authorised household waste collectors to provide their customers with a brown bin collection service from 1st January this year, irrespective of whether those customers are based in an urban or rural area.
I understand that waste collectors are endeavouring to provide all their customers with the required brown bin collection service in as short a timeframe as possible but it may take a number of weeks before all households receive their brown bin.
The expansion of the brown bin is being supported by a comprehensive education and awareness campaign to advise households of their entitlement to this service while also offering advice on how to properly segregate their food and other organic waste, please see MyWaste.ie for further information.
Household and commercial waste is one of the National Waste Enforcement Priorities for 2024 therefore local authority waste enforcement efforts will be targeted towards ensuring that waste collectors are providing the service as required.
135. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any plans to encourage more retailers to sign up to the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3292/24]
View answerA national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is being introduced to encourage more people to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans and to ensure we meet our ambitious EU targets for the recycling of those containers under EU Single Use Plastics and Packaging legislation.
The DRS Regulations place a legal obligation on all retailers who sell in-scope beverages to register with Re-turn, the DRS operator, and to charge their customers a deposit for every in-scope drink sold, to take back the empty drink container and to refund the deposit when it is returned for recycling.
Re-turn, since their appointment in July 2022, have been engaging directly with retailers to prepare them for DRS. A retailer roadshow (comprising 11 locations around the country) was completed last summer. Re-turn have also held numerous meetings, webinars and workshops and have published comprehensive guidance and useful information for retailers on their website at www.re-turn.ie/retailer. A national communications campaign is also underway.
To date just almost 3,600 retailers, representing over 5,300 retail premises, have registered for the scheme. Re-turn are available to assist any retailer with the registration process and can be contacted at retailer@re-turn.ie. I would encourage any retailer who has not yet engaged with Re-turn to do so as soon as possible.
137. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline he has set for legislation and regulations to be enacted to allow off-shore wind energy projects to be installed off the coast of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2963/24]
View answerTo capitalise on the considerable resource potential of our marine area, Government has adopted a phased approach to offshore renewable energy development, with the overarching objective of achieving 5 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030 and a net zero economy by 2050.
The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act, passed in December 2021, enables a modern, streamlined marine consenting system for offshore infrastructure, including offshore renewable energy. In 2022, per the provisions of the Act, I awarded the first Maritime Area Consents (MACs) to the the seven most advanced offshore wind projects in Ireland. This cohort of projects is referred to collectively as Phase 1 and totals approximately 4.2GW of capacity. The awarding of MACs enabled these projects to participate in our first offshore wind auction last year, known as ORESS 1, which successfully procured over 3GW at a highly competitive price of €86.05/MWh. The unsuccessful projects in this auction now have a time-limited opportunity to secure alternative routes to market.
The MAP Act also enables our transition to a plan-led offshore wind system for our next phase of deployment, Phase Two, and beyond. In particular, it enabled the preparation of Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs), as well as the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) in 2023. The first DMAP is proposed to be located off the South Coast of Ireland. This DMAP Proposal has been the subject of intensive public engagement over the latter half of 2023 and will shortly be refined to a Draft DMAP which will include specific areas proposed for future offshore renewable energy development by 2030 and post-2030, and the consenting of these areas will be managed by MARA.. The Draft DMAP will undergo a statutory public engagement phase in the coming months, ahead of submission for Government and Oireachtas approval.
The final phase of offshore wind deployment is referred to as the Future Framework, which will set out the pathway Ireland will take to deliver 20GW of offshore wind by 2040 and at least 37GW in total by 2050. The Future Framework policy will be consulted upon in the coming weeks before publication this Spring, contingent on Government approval.
138. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the progress in developing a new circular economy strategy with sectoral targets, and an EPA programme of actions, which implement the provisions of the Circular Economy Act. [2979/24]
View answerIreland’s strategic approach to the Circular Economy is currently set out in the Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023. The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (‘the Act’) provides a statutory basis for future iterations of the Strategy, and also requires that such iterations include sectoral targets aimed at promoting circularity across the range of resource-intensive economic sectors specified in the Act.
My Department is currently preparing the second iteration of the Strategy. A Circular Gap Report for Ireland has been commissioned as part of this work. This Report will provide the required evidence base and technical analysis for the new Strategy which will be submitted for Government approval, following a public consultation, before the end of this year.
The EPA launched the Circular Economy Programme 2021-2027 (a restructured National Waste Prevention Programme) in December 2021. The Strategy and the Programme are closely related and complementary pieces of public policy. The Programme supports implementation of the Strategy and the Act. Key activities include:
• Producing official waste and circular economy statistics and characterisation surveys;
• Leading the National Food Waste Prevention Programme in support of the National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap;
• Acting as the Competent Authority for End-of-waste and By-product regulation;
• Producing national by-products and end of waste criteria for construction materials;
• Supporting the implementation of Green Public Procurement;
• Delivering a programme of circular economy behavioural insights and studies;
• Providing innovation & demonstration funding support.
Further details are available at: The Circular Economy | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie)
139. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that an adequate broadband service is provided to an area (details supplied) as households and businesses in that community are concerned about the lack of such coverage at present and the difficulties in conducting day to day business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3337/24]
View answerIn 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
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.
Commercial operators’ fibre rollouts are progressing at pace. Open eir have already passed over 18,400 homes and businesses in County Cavan with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 7,600 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years, bringing their total fibre-based investment in the county to over €13m. Other commercial operators are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Cavan, with SIRO recently passing over 4,422 premises for full fibre.
The area referred to in the question is in the BLUE area. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in any given area. Further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services . ?
Commercial operators have previously confirmed to the Department that all premises either have access to high speed broadband or they have plans to upgrade any premises that currently do not. If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the DECC webform at secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and DECC will escalate with open eir or other commercial operators and investigate this matter further.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 3 of 2023, saw a 7.62% increase in fibre broadband subscriptions compared to Qtr 2, 2023, and a 33.83% increase when compared to Quarter 3 of 2022. This demonstrates that the take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing greatly as the services are deployed to areas where they had previously been unavailable. This demonstrates that take-up of fibre connectivity for homes and businesses is increasing substantially as it is deployed to areas where it had previously been unavailable.
The same ComReg data also indicates that c. 40% of homes and business throughout the State now have access to gigabit services through either fibre (619,968) or cable (354,074) infrastructure.
140. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the roll-out of smart meters in Ireland; if it is a requirement now to have one in order to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3053/24]
View answerThe National Smart Metering Programme is overseen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with ESB Networks carrying out the phased roll out of meters on the ground. It involves the installation of up to 2.4 million smart meters by 2025 and facilitates new smart energy products and services for energy consumers, including export tariffs for microgenerators.
As of 12th January, 1,579,128 smart meters have been installed as part of the rollout. With this volume of smart meters already installed Ireland has now achieved a critical mass.
The phased rollout of smart meters initially targeted the biggest cohort of consumers: households with single-phase 24-hour register meters (MCC01). However, since September 2023, exchanges have also been taking place for MCC02 customers (day/night meters) and MCC03 meters with no Night Storage Heating load.
The next step is to ensure that we maximise the benefits of this critical public infrastructure for consumers and for the resilience of our energy system as we accelerate its decarbonisation.
There is no requirement for households to have a smart meter in order to install solar panels. However, households with solar PV who are currently eligible for a smart meter exchange, such as 24-hour and Day/Night register meters, will require a smart meter to avail of micro-generation export payments through the clean export guarantee (CEG). This follows the CRU’s decision paper which outlines arrangements for implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. Customers with micro-generation capacity and without a smart meter may be able to avail of the CEG if they have a meter type which is not currently eligible for smart meter installation. Under these conditions a deemed quantity will be calculated by the ESBN, using the formula outlined in the CRU’s interim CEG decision paper.
141. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on community-led energy generation; and the measures the Government has in place to support energy communities. [52582/23]
View answer147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of the small-scale renewable support scheme; what additional supports are available to renewable energy communities; what measures his Department is taking to address the difficulties that renewable energy communities are facing including connecting to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3413/24]
View answerThrough the first two Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions, my Department has provided pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects through the application of a community projects category.
Through my Department’s continued engagement with Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), there is evidence of significant challenges that REC projects may face with the auction based nature of RESS, along with other barriers to project delivery.
Therefore, support for communities for the development of renewable projects will now transition to the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).
This export tariff phase of SRESS, which will support small scale and community renewable projects, is due in the coming months. It will offer a simpler route to market for community projects and will align more closely to the experience and capacity of the community energy sector.
A set of technical and financial supports for community projects are currently available to communities through the Community Enabling Framework under RESS. Similar supports will be available under SRESS.
In addition, in 2023, the SEAI also undertook five grid studies to support communities in identifying sites that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection. The initial focus of these studies has been on counties that are most likely to have available grid capacity for smaller generation projects. Further studies are planned for 2024. Also, the CRU published a consultation on a revised electricity generation connection policy in December which considers how community projects can be better supported.
142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on discussions that have taken place with UK counterparts on the recent leaks at the magnox swarf storage silo in Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3143/24]
View answerThe leak at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) facility at Sellafield was formally reported to the UK Environment Agency in November 2019.
Since then, this matter has been reported on by the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) at the bi-annual meetings of the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters, and at its most recent meeting on the 29-30 November 2023, which was hosted by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) at their headquarters in County Wexford.
This group comprises senior officials and representatives from my Department, the EPA, the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the UK’s National Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the UK’s Nuclear Waste Services (NWA), the UK’s Environment Agency (EA), the Isle of Man Government Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Through engagement with these UK counterparts and the relevant regulators, my Department and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) are being kept abreast of all developments at the site and satisfied with the level of co-operation being provided by the UK Authorities with regard to the facilities on the site.
At a technical level, the EPA also engages with the UK nuclear regulators, the ONR and the EA, and maintains regular contact with them in the case of technical matters or other developments of interest at nuclear sites in the UK. Having consulted with the EPA, my Department does not consider that the articles by the UK Guardian have uncovered any significant matters, which would cause concern for Ireland. In addition, Minister of State, Ossian Smyth was briefed by senior UK officials in early December 2023 where it was noted that the UK regulator’s independent assessment was that the leak at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) does not pose a risk to the environment.
143. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the methods that are being used to determine the Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) boundaries; the companies that have been awarded contracts to carry out surveys and any other associated functions required to create the DMAPS; the method used to award each contract; the value and duration of each contract; to outline a timeline by which the work will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3336/24]
View answerThe plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy (ORE) adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas in 2023 requires that all post Phase One offshore wind developments in Ireland must be situated within Designated Maritime Area Plans, or DMAPs, with Ireland’s first ORE DMAP to be located off the South Coast. In Summer 2023 the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage designated me, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, as the Competent Authority for preparation of ORE DMAPand subsequent publication of a South Coast DMAP Proposal, a refined draft South Coast DMAP is currently being prepared by my Department.
The methodology to establish the South Coast DMAP comprises a number of distinct and complementary workstreams. These workstreams include comprehensive engagement with local communities and key stakeholders, with a more than nine-week period of consultation having taken place during August to October 2023, and a further statutory consultation to take place following draft DMAP publication.
Additional ongoing workstreams include analyses of environmental constraints and technical opportunities for offshore wind developments within the geographical area of the South Coast DMAP Proposal, which are being carried out by external expert consultancies. A further Request for Tender was launched by my Department in August 2023 for the supply and rights to publish legacy marine data relating to the geographical area of the South Coast DMAP Proposal. This resulted in the procurement of relevant data from one external company. No contracts have been awarded to carry out survey activity to inform the establishment of the South Coast DMAP. However, it is currently envisaged that the Marine Institute will conduct a geophysical survey on a number of the prospective ORE development sites identified within the draft DMAP following its forthcoming publication.
The details of all contracts awarded as part of the process to establish the South Coast DMAP, which in a number of instances also relate to establishment of further DMAPs, are listed in the attached table.
|
Consultant |
Function/Services |
Contract Award Process |
Cost of Contract (excl. VAT) |
Duration |
|
RPS |
Appropriate Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Citizen Engagement for the establishment of the South Coast DMAP |
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement of Offshore Renewable Energy and Renewable Energy Consultancy RFT 233409 - (PAS126F) Lot 1 |
€338,475.00 |
July 2023 to July 2024 (option for 6-month extension) |
|
Fishery Liaisons Limited |
Fishery Liaison Officer for an initial 12-week consultation period for the South Coast DMAP |
3 Quote Tender |
€47,100.00 |
August 2023 to November 2023 |
|
Fishery Liaisons Limited |
Fishery Liaison Officer to ensure continuity of fisheries engagement on the South Coast DMAP as long-term contract was being prepared for open competition |
3 Quote Tender |
€19,400.00 |
November 2023 to December 2023 |
|
Fishery Liaisons Limited |
Fisheries Liaison Officer services to support DECC with engagement of fisheries throughout the process of preparing Offshore Renewable DMAP’s |
eTenders Open Competition 27 October 2023 to 27 November 2023 |
€194,000.00 |
January 2024 to January 2025 (option for 6-month extension) |
|
BVG Associates Ltd |
Ongoing marine engineering advisory services to inform offshore renewable energy spatial planning and policy on an ongoing basis |
Multi Supplier Framework Agreement of Offshore Renewable Energy and Renewable Energy Consultancy RFT 233409 - (PAS126F) Lot 1 |
€959.66 (fixed daily rate). Anticipated 280 days over contract period and extension is €287,898.00 |
November 2023 to November 2024 (option for 12-month extension) |
|
Philip Lee LLP |
Legal advisory services in the continued establishment of both the South Coast DMAP and with the establishment of subsequent future ORE DMAPs |
eTenders Open Competition from 27 October 2023 to 27 November 2023 |
€205,500.00 |
January 2024 to January 2026 (option for 6-month extension) |
|
Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions |
Procurement of geophysical data within the South Coast DMAP draft proposal area |
eTenders Open Competition from 04 August 2023 to 04 September 2023 |
€205,000.00 |
September 2023 to September 2026 (option for 12 months extension with a maximum of three such extensions) |
|
Total Approximate Costs |
€1,297,373.00 |
144. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will comment on reports that there will be a tight supply situation for electricity for many years to come, and the initiatives which could be considered to ease this risk. [2980/24]
View answerThe All-Island Generation Capacity Statement (GCS) 2023-2032 is an annual report from EirGrid examining the likely balance between electricity demand and supply for the next 10 years. The latest report shows an improved situation on the 2022 GCS report. This is due to lower demand forecasts than was the case previously, though overall demand for electricity is still forecast to grow. It’s also due to actions taken by the Government and State agencies to manage the situation. These actions include limiting the risk of any loss of electricity supply and procuring additional capacity to generate electricity.
The Commission of Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take such measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, and my Department.
The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. Regular updates on this programme are published on the CRU website. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures. These actions include; procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid-scale batteries; and improved demand side measures.
The recent delivery of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) units in North Wall in December 2023, with further TEG units to be delivered in Huntstown in the coming weeks, and in Shannonbridge & Tarbert over the coming year, will mitigate risks to our electricity supply going forward.
145. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the development of the roadmap by the Regional Assemblies to assist with developing a Regional Renewable Electricity Strategy for each region; the timeline for the publication of the roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3402/24]
View answerA roadmap is currently being developed jointly by the Regional Assemblies, with assistance from my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, to support the streamlined development of a Regional Renewable Electricity Strategy for each region.
The aim is for a consistent and unified approach to be taken in the development of these strategies across each region in order to support the delivery of our national onshore renewable electricity targets of 9 GW of onshore wind and 8 GW of solar by 2030.
Pursuant to Action EL/24/4 of the Climate Action Plan 2024, the Regional Renewable Electricity Strategies are due to be published by the end of the year.
146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the review by the CRU of gas and electricity connection policies for new large energy users; for details of any engagement he or his Department has had with the CRU in the carrying out of the review; the timeline for the completion of the review and publication of the new decisions on the rules for future gas connections of large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3400/24]
View answerAs part of implementing the Climate Action Plan, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is conducting a review of the of electricity and gas connections policy for large energy users. The CRU published a Call for Evidence in June 2023 which ended in August 2023. Following this, the CRU on the 15 January 2024 published a consultation paper on Review of Large Energy Users connection policy (CRU2024001). Responses have been invited to this consultation which ends on Friday, 26 February 2024.
From the outset this process the CRU has engaged closely with my Department, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, the Industrial Development Authority, and other relevant stakeholders. Following completion of this consultation process, CRU has indicated that it will publish new decisions on the rules for future gas connections of large energy users. This work is expected to be completed in 2024.
148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline any engagement he has had with ComReg about improving the 4G signal in Mayo; and the progress to date. [3387/24]
View answerIn relation to concerns around mobile phone coverage, the roll-out of infrastructure for mobile telecommunications services in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg continually updates and enhances its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: coveragemap.comreg.ie/map), which provides clear information on where operators have good 2G, 3G and 4G coverage. In 2022, ComReg updated this map to include 5G data.
ComReg completed a Multi-band Spectrum Award in January 2023 to assign long term rights of use in four spectrum bands to enable the market to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile data and new services. This award will represent a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services in Ireland and will include significant coverage obligations for operators.
