Written Answers Nos. 77-107
83. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the role his Department takes in monitoring air quality; the number of air quality testing stations in Cork; if he will provide an overview of their results for 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; if there will be additional funding provided for more air testing stations in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11148/24]
View answerNational air quality monitoring stations are operated, maintained, and monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP). My Department has provided funding for a significant upgrade to the network in recent years, and the number of monitoring stations has increased from 29 in 2017 to 116 today.
At present there are no plans to expand this network as the AAMP is now supported by a new air quality modelling and forecasting facility developed under the LIFE EMERALD project which fills in the gaps between the station network data. The forecast maps were launched by the EPA last November and predict the daily air quality for up to 3 days.
All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. The EPA produce an annual report on Air Quality in Ireland which provides an overview of our air quality and key issues that impact it. Details of the locations of all monitoring stations currently in operation, along with real-time and historic data from each station, can be found at the website, www.airquality.ie.
Officials from my Department meet regularly with EPA colleagues to discuss the operation of, and findings from, the official network so that they feed into future policy development through the implementation of the Clean Air Strategy.
In Cork, there are four air quality monitoring stations installed across the city as part of the National Ambient Air Quality Network. These stations play a crucial role in assessing air quality. Monitoring results indicate good air quality, with concentrations of the main transport related parameters below the national ambient air quality standards.
In addition the local authorities in Cork also operate a low cost sensor network in collaboration with UCC and additional information can be found on this at corkairquality.ie/.
87. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the latest meeting of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Energy Poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7855/24]
View answerOn 13 December 2022 Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan is available at www.gov.ie and sets out a range of measures to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes. The implementation of the Action Plan is being monitored by a cross-departmental inter agency Steering Group, chaired by my Department.
The Energy Poverty Steering group is attended by representatives from The Department of Health, The Department of Social Protection, The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Department of Finance, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Agencies and other attendees include the Heath Service Executive, The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, the Commission for the regulation of Utilities, the Central Statistics Office and the ESRI.
The Energy Poverty Steering Group was established in August 2022, has met 7 times and is scheduled to meet again on March 12th.
The Steering Group last met in December 2023. The main focus of this meeting was information sharing and consisted of a round table discussion on Budget 2024 measures to tackle energy poverty. This included the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme III, retrofit scheme and the Warmer Homes Scheme. The Steering Group also discussed plans for 2024 including the revision of the existing Energy Poverty Action Plan.
An Annual Report outlining Steering Group activities and progress under the various actions of the Plan during 2023 will be published before the end of Quarter 1 2024.
90. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will publish the draft designated maritime area plans, strategic environmental assessment, and draft appropriate assessment for ORESS 2 off the south coast of Ireland; if he will outline the latest timeline for this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9449/24]
View answerA new plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy was adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas in May 2023. Central to this plan-led approach is the requirement that all future offshore wind developments in Ireland, not already granted a Maritime Area Consent, must be situated in marine areas identified by the State for the purpose of generating energy, and located within Designated Maritime Area Plans, or DMAPs.
As adopted by Government and approved by the Oireachtas, Ireland’s first offshore renewable energy DMAP is to be located off the South Coast, and will identify suitable marine areas for future deployments of fixed offshore wind to deploy by the end of this decade and beyond 2030. This will include identification of a marine area for a 900 MW development by the winner of Ireland’s second offshore wind auction, known as ORESS 2.1.
A draft South Coast DMAP is currently being prepared by my officials and will be published in the coming weeks alongside a draft Strategic Environmental Assessment and draft Appropriate Assessment carried out on the DMAP. This will commence a six-week period of comprehensive public consultation, to include in-person events along the South Coast. This follows on from almost 10 weeks of engagement from August to October 2023.
Contingent on the outcome of the upcoming consultation and subsequent Oireachtas approval, the formal establishment of the South Coast DMAP will facilitate the start of the ORESS 2.1 auction process in late 2024.
92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views that it is still possible for Ireland to remain within the first carbon budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11041/24]
View answerThe most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inventory figures show that Ireland's emissions fell by 1.9% between 2021 and 2022. While the EPA will not publish its inventory figures for 2023 until later this year, emissions are expected to have fallen once again. These emissions reductions demonstrate Ireland's ability to reverse emissions growth and to build momentum towards meeting our ambitious abatement objectives. However, the latest projections of Ireland's future emissions from the EPA highlight the significant challenge we will face in doing this.
Ireland has used 46.6% of its first carbon budget – which runs from 2021 to 2025 - in its first two years. This means that a 12.4% annual emissions reduction will be required from 2023 to 2025 if we are to stay within this budget.
Looking forward to our 2030 emissions reduction target of 51% by 2030, the EPA has acknowledged that if all of the currently unmodelled policies and measures in Climate Action Plan 2023 and the as yet unallocated emissions savings for the second carbon budget period (2026 to 2030) are achieved, Ireland could reduce its emissions by 42% by 2030 relative to 2018 levels.
It is clear that we must continue to build upon and accelerate delivery of our existing policies and measures, across the whole of Government and society, to meet our legally-binding targets.
94. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason he approved the extension of the Europa Oil and Gas exploration licence. [11040/24]
View answerUnder the Government’s policy on Petroleum Exploration and Production, published in August 2022, those holding existing authorisations can continue to apply to progress through the standard licensing lifecycle stages towards a natural conclusion, which may include expiry, relinquishment production or rejection.
On the 6 October 2023, Europa Oil and Gas (Inishkea) Limited submitted an application for a 2 year extension to the first Phase of the Frontier Exploration Licence (FEL4/19), which they operate, and proposed a work programme to be carried out during the extension period, which comprised further technical desktop studies. This application was assessed in accordance with the 2007 Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production and the Department’s Financial Capability Assessment for Offshore Oil & Gas Exploration and Appraisal Applications Guidance. This includes a technical assessment and an assessment of the financial resources available to the applicant in order to undertake the work programme and any other commitments pursuant to the relevant petroleum authorisation.
These assessments showed that the applicant met the required technical and financial criteria and the extension to Phase 1 was granted on 26 January 2024. It should be noted that that while the first Phase of the licence has been extended there is no change to the overall duration of the licence.
95. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects the final ORE Future Framework Policy Statement to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10953/24]
View answerThe upcoming offshore renewable energy (ORE) Future Framework Policy Statement is the long-term model and vision for Ireland’s plan-led approach to offshore renewable energy. It maps out how Ireland can create a flagship offshore renewable energy sector to achieve our climate and energy targets beyond 2030, while also bolstering the energy security and prosperity of the State.
The Future Framework sets out the key actions Ireland will take to deliver 20GW of offshore wind by 2040 and at least 37GW by 2050.
The draft Future Framework was released for public consultation on 22 January 2024, to undergo a targeted, 4 week consultation period. After several meetings with industry representatives and various written feedback requesting an extension, the consultation period was lengthened by a further week and officially concluded on 26 February 2024. 81 responses were received.
It is intended that, contingent on Government approval, the Future Framework will be published in Q2 2024 with a domestic launch event planned shortly thereafter.
The actions arising from the Future Framework will signal Ireland’s leadership in the offshore renewable energy sector to international governments and industry.
96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up to date position on the operation of the deposit return scheme; if he has an early indication of the per centage of eligible units being returned; the feedback from consumers and businesses; if any snags or abuses have surfaced; if he plans to expand the scheme to cover other packaging types; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11125/24]
View answerA national Deposit Return Scheme or DRS has been introduced for single use PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans. DRS aims to boost the recycling rate for these beverage containers by charging a small, refundable deposit to customers at the point of sale.
Materials included in the DRS are those for which Ireland faces immediate, challenging EU recycling targets. The EU Single Use Plastics Directive sets a recycling target of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2029 for single use plastic beverage bottles. The EU Packaging Directive, which is currently under revision, also sets targets for individual packaging streams, including a recycling target for aluminium of 50% by 2025 and 60% by 2030.
A separate DRS for other packaging materials is not envisaged at this time, however my Department continues to assess the best approach to dealing with other materials, which may in the future include new schemes such as deposit return, extended producer responsibility, levies on single use packaging items or outright prohibitions similar to those introduced under the EU's Single Use Plastics Directive.
The DRS was launched on the 1st February 2024 and the DRS operator, Re-turn, and my Department have been monitoring its progress closely. It is not possible to provide a percentage of products returned as data is respect of deposits charged is collected from retailers monthly in arrears and will not be available until later in March. However, to date 3.9 million containers have been returned by customers, of which 1.8 million (46%) are plastic bottles and 2.1 million (54%) are cans. This represents €683,270 in deposits refunded.
Both the Department and Re-turn, the DRS operator, are monitoring the scheme closely and I receive regular updates on its performance. Feedback has from consumers and businesses have been largely positive but, as is expected with any new scheme, some issues are being reported. Some examples include confusion over barcodes and labels and RVM downtime and rejections. These issues are being addressed by Re-turn.
97. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will oppose any form of LNG terminal in Ireland as unnecessary and environmentally damaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11039/24]
View answerThe Government approved and published the 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report, its supporting Annexes and work programme of 28 actions last November. The comprehensive report concludes that Ireland’s future energy will be secure by moving from a fossil fuel-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and being integrated into Europe’s energy systems.
With regard to gas, the report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections, but Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our gas imports. As a transitional measure, it is necessary to introduce a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve to address security needs in the medium-term, to be used only if a disruption to gas supplies occurs.
Based on preliminary analysis by my Department, it is anticipated that in terms of delivery options, a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve provided through a storage and importation facility, in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, is the most appropriate approach.
As a final part of the review of Ireland’s energy security, my Department, in consultation with Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) will complete a detailed examination of the optimal approach to deliver the emergency gas reserve. I will return to Government for a final decision on this in Q2 2024.
98. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the consultation that has taken place with people with disabilities and their disabled persons representative organisations in relation to the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10457/24]
View answerThe National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA), led by my Department, is the central vehicle to engage, enable, and empower people to participate in taking climate action and inform climate policy.
Populations vulnerable to the transition to carbon neutrality, including specific groups with persons with disabilities, are actively engaged through the NDCA via focus groups and workshops as part of the annual Climate Conversations, which has included the Rehab Group and the National Council for the Blind. Also, representatives from the National Disability Authority and Disabled Persons Organisations have actively participated in the National Climate Stakeholder Forum events held since March 2022.
Insights into the challenges facing people living with disabilities in the transition to a carbon neutral future have been captured through these activities. These insights were subsequently conveyed to relevant officials in my Department and have been considered in the drafting of Climate Action Plan 2024.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of local authority climate action plans that have been completed to-date; the details of any engagement his Department has had with Galway City and County Councils in 2024 with regard to the development of their respective local authority climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11058/24]
View answerLocal government has a key role to play in implementing mitigation and adaptation measures to meet Ireland’s national climate targets. Local authorities have been given an expanded mandate to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions through the statutory requirement to prepare Local Authority Climate Action Plans (LA CAPs).
The LA CAPs represent a new opportunity to further embed climate mitigation and adaptation at the local level and will enhance Local Authorities’ capacity to lead, coordinate and become agents of change in response to ongoing climate breakdown.
I made a request to each Local Authority to begin preparation of their plans in February 2023 and issued statutory guidelines to support them in this work in March 2023. These plans are due to be adopted in Q1 2024.
I am aware that all Local Authorities have now completed the public consultation process for the LA CAPS and that, to date, 29 of the 31 Local Authorities have formally adopted their plans. I understand that my Department has not had any specific engagement with Galway City or Galway County Councils in relation to the development of their LA CAPs to date in 2024.
100. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the recent negative impact surrounding reverse vending machines at retail locations not accepting some plastic bottles under the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11111/24]
View answerRe-turn, the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) operator, has introduced an end-to-end IT system to support the DRS and provide real-time data on how the scheme is operating. Data being collected by Re-turn from reverse vending machines includes information on rejections and this is being closely monitored to understand the reasons why containers are being rejected and to ensure any issues are being addressed. To date, the vast majority of containers are being rejected because a deposit has not been paid on the container.
A transition period is currently in place to manage the selling off of old stock and the introduction of new stock. The transition period will last for 4 months and from 1st June 2024 retailers can only sell drinks containers which include the Re-turn logo.
During the transition period, there will continue to be drinks containers sold without a deposit being charged and these will not be accepted by reverse vending machines. Customers who are charged a deposit on a drinks container will get their deposit back when they return the empty container to a reverse vending machine.
Should retailer refuse to take-back or refund an empty container on which a deposit has been paid, Re-turn, the DRS operator, has advised that consumers should contact it by email at info@re-turn.ie or by phone at (LoCall) 1800 852 752.
Consumers can use the barcode checker on Re-turn’s website to confirm whether a refund is eligible on their container. Containers which are not eligible can continue to be recycled in recycling bins or at civic amenity sites.
101. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the implementation of the LGMA guidelines on the use of CCTV to tackle illegal dumping and litter. [7022/24]
View answerThe Codes of Practice were formally approved on the 14th December 2023 by my colleague Ossian Smyth TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications.
The relevant sections of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act allowing for the use of CCTV under the Waste Management Act and Litter Pollution Act and the use of other Mobile Recording Devices under the Waste Management Act were commenced from the 15th February.
It is therefore now open to any local authority to begin the process of putting the required procedures in place to allow for the use of such technologies to combat littering and illegal dumping, subject to adherence with the relevant Code of Practice.
The approved Codes of Practice are available at Codes of Practice for CCTV & MRD - Gov.ie
102. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is concerned with reported abuses of the deposit return scheme through the use of photocopied labels; if he can clarify if this is a widespread practice, and if it can be deterred or prevented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11126/24]
View answerProducing or attempting to produce counterfeit barcodes or labels is against the law and will be treated as attempted fraud, with any evidence passed to the relevant authorities for further investigation.
Re-turn, the DRS operator, works alongside producers and retailers to ensure the integrity and smooth operation of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme.
In the specific case of a social media video from last week, I understand this was a once-off occurrence. The matter was reported to the relevant platform and the video has since been removed.
103. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in overcoming barriers to the deployment of 100% population 5G coverage by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3828/24]
View answerAs telecoms technologies advance and evolve at pace, there is a need for guidelines and regulations to be regularly updated to reflect this. This is of particular importance in relation to innovative technologies like 5G, which requires infrastructure that is vastly different to what preceding technologies required and consequent different legislative treatment in some cases.
The Digital Connectivity Strategy, aligned with EU Digital Decade targets, aims for all populated areas to be covered by 5G no later than 2030. Irish telecoms operators provide services in a fully liberalised market independently regulated by ComReg, who stipulates coverage obligations in licences granted to operators. Operators advise that they are all exceeding current minimum coverage obligations.
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: Service Coverage - Commission for Communications Regulation (comreg.ie), which provides clear information on where operators have 5G coverage. ComReg will continue to improve the information available to consumers which can assist when considering moving to or visiting a particular area and in highlighting blackspots that need to be addressed.
My Department has worked with Member States to develop the EU Connectivity Toolbox, a collection of best practices to lower operational costs and foster better connectivity across the EU, including streamlining administrative and permitting granting procedures, and improving access to State assets. These are being implemented via the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce's work programme (2022-2025).
In 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.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has been in operation since 2016 and has been a driving force for improving access to telecommunications services nationwide. The Mobile Phone & Broadband Taskforce continues to implement actions specifically designed to remove barriers to telecoms infrastructure rollout.
104. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to make sure that people with defective concrete blocks and are engaging with the Government defective concrete block scheme can avail of SEAI funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11144/24]
View answerHomeowners eligible for works under the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) scheme may apply for energy upgrade grants administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Homeowners’ whose applications are in line with the existing SEAI Scheme criteria and guidelines can access SEAI grants in line with the usual application processes that apply. Further information in that regard is available at Energy Efficient Homes - Home Energy Upgrades And Grants | SEAI.
My Department and SEAI are aware however of the particular issues arising for DCB homeowners that do not currently comply with the SEAI scheme terms and conditions. Examples of such situations include homeowners that previously received SEAI grant support to upgrade a home which now needs to be demolished due to defective concrete block and wish to avail of further SEAI grant supports for their new home.
The Department is working with SEAI to develop an approach to address these matters. SEAI submitted its most recent proposals to the Department at the end of January regarding how such applications can be managed as seamlessly as possible. The Department is actively engaging with SEAI in relation to the proposals which are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
SEAI continues to engage directly with impacted homeowners on a case by case basis to discuss their particular circumstances. A specific page on the SEAI website provides further information for DCB affected homeowners (Defective Concrete Blocks Affected Homeowners | Individual Energy Upgrades | SEAI). Homeowners can also contact the SEAI at a dedicated DCB phone number 01-8082004 or by email at dcb@seai.ie.
105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will indicate the sectors for which a circular economy strategy is being prepared; if the values on key targets specified in the Circular Economy Act have been decided; and if he will indicate when each is likely to be published. [11129/24]
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 provides a statutory basis for future iterations of the Strategy, and also requires that such iterations include sectoral targets aimed at promoting circularity in relation to the following sectors of the economy:
• Construction
• Agriculture
• Retail
• Packaging
• Textiles
• Electronic Equipment.
My Department is currently preparing the next iteration of the Strategy. A Circular Gap Report for Ireland has been commissioned as part of this work. This 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.
106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the improvement in air quality since he introduced the Statewide ban on selling smoky fuels in retail outlets etc.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11068/24]
View answerThe Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022), which took effect from 31 October 2022, introduced minimum quality standards that apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This is to ensure that the most polluting fuels can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives.
Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the solid fuel regulations, identifying unauthorised fuels placed on the market and taking measures to counteract any illegal trade. Indications from Local Authorities to date are that there has been a high level of compliance. However, some small issues of illegal trading and non compliant fuel still remain. Officials from my Department are working with the Local Authorities on a number of enforcement projects to tackle this.
It is just over a year since the new regulations came into effect and it was anticipated that it would take some time for households to use old stock they may have purchased before the regulations. In addition, there are many factors that impact air quality as monitored through the monitoring network.
Although it is too early to say the exact impact the regulations have had on our air quality, initial indications from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are that there have been overall improvements in most of the areas where local air quality had been significantly impacted by solid fuel burning. More detail on this will be included in the annual Air Quality in Ireland report which will be published later in the year.
Officials from my Department meet regularly with EPA colleagues to discuss the findings from the network so that they feed into the evaluation of our air quality policy and future policy development through the implementation of the Clean Air Strategy.
It is important that we recognise that these regulations were a necessary step in improving our air, and the positive impact of the regulations on the air quality in our local areas will lead to a positive impact on the health of our communities.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which broadband provision throughout the country is progressing as intended; if efforts continue to bridge communication gaps that have become obvious; if he can see a means whereby the provision of broadband throughout all the regions can be maximised in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11061/24]
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 1.1 million homes. SIRO has recently reached a milestone of enabling over 545,000 premises for full fibre and is on track to reach 700,000 premises by 2026. Virgin Media recently announced a €200 million investment plan to upgrade its cable network to bring full fibre to up to 1 million premises over the next three years, to date it has passed 252,000 premises with full fibre.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is currently rolling out of a high speed and future-proofed broadband network to primarily rural areas through its Contract with the Minister. 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.
NBI believe they are now making up for delays encountered due to Covid restrictions and they will continue to seek to accelerate the rollout where possible. They expect to pass over 300,000 premises by the end of 2024.
Over 218,200 premises have now been passed with an average of 7,000 premises being passed each month across all counties.
To date over 71,400 full fibre connections have been made by NBI across all counties and demand remains very strong where fibre is available. Over 3,500 connections are being made each month.
In 2025 and 2026, NBI expect to pass over 100,000 premises per year and complete the rollout ahead of schedule and on or below budget.
My Department has engaged with NBII at every opportunity to explore options that might increase the pace of rollout. For example, my Department has been working with Directors of Service and Broadband Officers from each of the 31 Local Authorities, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the County and City Management Agency (CCMA), the Road Management Office (RMO) and other Government Departments, where appropriate, to ensure that any possible barriers that might delay the rollout are addressed as soon as possible. Engagement with other bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail and ComReg is also undertaken.
I understand that NBI are in regular discussions with eir, who are responsible for the remediation of eir poles, to increase the rate of pole replacement each month and eir have responded positively to these requests. NBII have also procured the necessary subcontractors, materials and equipment to support the programme into the foreseeable future to ensure there are no bottlenecks in the supply chain that could interfere with the rollout.
The network rollout for the NBP is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) across the country. These typically measure approximately 25km in radius and 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 quickly.
Recent ComReg data shows that Quarter 2 of 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 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 (576,856) or cable (359,669) infrastructure.
