Written Answers Nos. 982-998
982. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the progress of the national planning framework, which is integral to balanced development on a regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recently approved the commencement of the preparation of a new National Planning Framework to act as a new long-term national planning and regional development framework as a successor to the 2002 National Spatial Strategy which was Ireland’s first national strategic spatial planning framework.
I intend that the new National Planning Framework will be developed to ensure the optimal development of the country as a whole while maximising Ireland’s economic recovery and on-going growth at national, regional and local level, thus further contributing to sustainable national recovery through an inclusive and participative approach with all relevant national, regional and local interests and acting as the strategic context for:
1) planning in Ireland at national level, in relation to relevant Government policies and investment concerning national and regional development with particular emphasis on economic development and investment in housing, water services, transport, communications, energy, health and education infrastructure;
2) development, by the three new regional assemblies, of their new regional spatial and economic strategies; and
3) planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála discharging their statutory planning functions.
Arrangements are currently being put in place to advance the Government’s decision in this regard. I will make a further statement in the near future on broader arrangements in relation to the preparation of the Framework.
983. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the number of public and civil servants who were recruited under the aegis of his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21107/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of four staff were recruited to my Department in 2014. The information requested in relation to the number of staff recruited in 2014 in each of the local authorities or the state agencies is not available in my Department.
984. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the number of public and civil servants under the aegis of his Department who were seconded abroad or to another Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21122/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 25 staff members from my Department were on secondment to other Government Departments, State Agencies or abroad in 2014.
The number of staff seconded from local authorities and state agencies is not available in my Department.
986. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has examined the recent submission made in respect of the calculation and methodology employed in determining the public service obligation levy calculation (details supplied); if he will examine the alternative method submitted, which would acknowledge the distinction between domestic and small accounts with MIC less than 30 KVA, as is the existing practice, but which also allows the medium and large accounts be levied at the same fee rate of up to 29 KVA, and only per KVA on the balance that exceeds 30 KVA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. I am currently in the process of developing a new Energy Policy Paper which will set out Ireland’s energy policy out to 2030. The Public Service Obligation (PSO), and the levy associated with it, are matters for consideration, along with many others, in the context of developing the forthcoming policy document. However, given the total amount of the PSO has to be recovered by the levy, it should be noted that changes to it which would have the effect of reducing the amount paid by some users, as proposed in the paper submitted by the Deputy, would result in some, or all, other users paying more. This is acknowledged in the paper.
The PSO levy has been in place since 2001 and is the overall support mechanism for generation constructed for security of supply purposes, including peat generation, and for the development of renewable electricity. It is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers. The PSO levy is vital to enable Ireland to meet its 40% target for electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020, which in turn is important for the achievement of Ireland's 16% EU 2020 target for renewable energy.
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) determines the PSO levy which is a charge on all electricity customers without exception. The legal basis for the PSO levy and its method of calculation are set out in Regulations made under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (S.I. No. 217 of 2002). The annual PSO levy amount for 2014/2015 is €335.4 million. This equates to €64.37 per annum for residential customers, €221.66 per annum for small to medium sized business customers and €34.20/kVA for medium and large customers.
The biggest driver for the levy rise for this year is the lower predicted wholesale market electricity price, which is estimated to be around 10% lower than last year. This results in lower predicted market income for the PSO plants and, therefore, a higher levy is required to cover their allowed costs. The lower wholesale electricity price is currently being driven by lower international gas prices in evidence since mid-2013. This drives up the proposed PSO levy. However, if these lower gas and wholesale prices are sustained, it will reduce the wholesale cost of electricity that suppliers pay. In turn, suppliers should be in a position to reduce their retail prices and potentially offset the PSO levy increase. I note increased competition in the retail electricity sector recently which should help offset some of the PSO increase. The CER is tasked with retail market monitoring and executes this role vigorously to ensure competition leads to the fairest prices for customers.
987. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when fibre broadband will be rolled out to an area (details supplied) in County Cork; and when local residents in this area will be able to access the Internet through a high-speed broadband connection. [19927/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016.
The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention.
Based on information provided by commercial operators, 99% of the townland of Dunmanway North will be covered by the commercial sector. The remaining 1% of Dunmanway North will be part of the State intervention. Members of the public should consult the map to establish for themselves the precise location and status of their individual premises.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to over 118,000 premises to date in Co Cork with a further 64,000 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 86,000 premises in Co Cork are the target for the proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
I expect the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take between three and five years to fully complete–depending on the details of the bid or bids selected.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.
988. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that his Department has engaged consultants (details supplied) to independently assess and audit the monitoring regime which is believed to be in place for past and current phases of the proposed Corrib gas project; if he will provide to Dáil Éireann a copy of his Department's terms of reference to this company in its role as independent consultant; if the terms of reference set had due regard to all European Union environmental laws and regulations, and if he will provide clarity on whether, should undiscovered, leading to unprosecuted, breaches of European Union environmental law or regulations occur during the monitoring phases of the proposed project, liability for such breaches is covered by the company's indemnity insurance, or if it would revert to the State's taxpayers; if he will provide details of all payments to date from his Department to the company; and if he will provide all details of payments to his Department from Shell E and P Ireland Limited (Shell), in respect of the project monitoring committee, which has held 26 meetings to date. [20118/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a public procurement process, my Department appointed Environ UK Ltd to assist the Department in monitoring compliance by the developers of the Corrib gas project with the conditions of the consents granted in February 2011 to construct the Corrib gas pipeline and an addendum of modifications to the already approved Corrib Plan of Development. Environ’s role includes, but is not limited to:
- the carrying out of onsite monitoring including spot checks on the construction activities of the Corrib Partners to determine compliance with the consent conditions;
- reporting on a regular basis to my Department;
- attending meetings of the Consent Conditions Monitoring Committee established pursuant to the above consents; and
- liaising with other relevant authorities with respect to ensuring the implementation of the consent conditions.
Responsibility for adherence to the conditions of the mentioned consents is a matter for the developer and Environ’s role is to assist my Department in monitoring compliance by the developer. I will arrange to have a copy of the Terms of Reference for this consultancy to be forwarded to the Deputy.
The contract, awarded to Environ UK Limited, commenced in June 2011. The total sum of payments made to date under the contract in respect of invoices submitted by Environ to the Department for the period June 2011 to March 2015 inclusive, is €772,624.80 (including VAT).
To date the Department has recouped from Shell Exploration and Production Ireland Ltd (SEPIL) a total of €738,961 in respect of fees/VAT payable in respect of the Environ contract for the period June 2011 to January 2015 inclusive. A request for a further reimbursement of fees covering the period February to June 2015 will be issued to SEPIL in mid July 2015.
989. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form and by year the total amount of grants paid out to householders under the warmer homes scheme, the better energy homes scheme, the greener homes scheme and the area and community based schemes from 2007 to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20166/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Homes Scheme, Warmer Homes Scheme, and the Better Energy Areas and Communities Scheme are all administered on behalf of my Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the Better Energy Programme.
Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes. Fixed grants are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Ratings (BER).
In March of this year I announced increases of between 25% and 50% in the grant levels awarded to householders under the scheme. In addition, a bonus payment has been introduced for householders that complete three or more energy efficiency improvements.
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. Recipients of the scheme do not receive grants but have measures installed free of charge. Since the commencement of the scheme in 2000, almost 123,150 homes around the country have received energy efficiency measures under the Scheme. €15.8m has been allocated to the Scheme for 2015.
The Better Energy Areas and Communities Scheme supports sustainable energy upgrades to existing buildings and facilities in the community sector as well as clusters of homes likely to be at risk of energy poverty. The Areas and Communities scheme was amalgamated last year and €14.2 million in Exchequer funding has been allocated for 2015.
Over the period 2012-2014 the two schemes provided €46.8m in direct grant assistance. This supported 230 individual projects, resulting in the upgrade of a total of 9,644 homes, the majority of them in energy poverty.
From 2006-2011 the Greener Homes Scheme supported householders wishing to install renewable energy heating technologies, including wood pellet/chip stoves and boilers, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps. The programme facilitated the wider deployment of renewable energy heating technologies in the residential sector, and supported the development of a sustainable market, resulting in reduced dependence on fossil fuels and lower CO2 emissions.
The Home Energy Saving (HES) Scheme provided assistance to homeowners interested in improving the energy efficiency of their houses in order to reduce energy use, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme was piloted in 2008 and fully deployed on a national basis in 2009. HES supported the installation of over 33,400 energy efficiency measures in over 18,100 homes in 2009.
A breakdown on the amount of grants awarded under the Better Energy Programme is provided in the following table (for 2015 the figure relates to spend to date).
SEAI Programme Spend 2006-2015 (to date)
|
Programme (Spend in €m) |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Greener Homes Scheme |
4.3m |
26.7 |
22.5 |
11.6 |
6.5 |
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings scheme took its place which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011 |
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings scheme took its place which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011 |
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings scheme took its place which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011 |
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings scheme took its place which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011 |
Greener Homes Scheme phased out in 2010. Home Energy Savings scheme took its place which became known as Better Energy Homes in 2011 |
|
Home Energy Savings Scheme |
n/a |
n/a |
1.5 (Pilot) |
17.9 |
47.4 |
|||||
|
Better Energy Homes |
16.3 |
45.2 |
57.6 |
28.95 |
13.16 |
9.9 |
3.3 |
|||
|
BE Warmer Homes |
12 |
30 |
21.4 |
20.5 |
17.55 |
20.7 |
0.55 |
|||
|
BE Communities |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
1.8 (Pilot) |
10.7 |
14.6 |
n/a |
|||
|
BE Communities - Area Based |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
4.1 |
6.9 |
9.05 |
n/a |
|||
|
Totals (€m) |
4.3 |
26.7 |
24 |
57.8 |
129.1 |
79 |
55.35 |
48.31 |
54.25 |
3.85 |
990. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of all official foreign trips he and Ministers of State in his Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if he will provide details of who he and the Ministers of State in his Department will be meeting on these trips; the purpose of these trips; the duration of these trips; his plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have set out in the following table details of all official foreign trips currently scheduled that I will be undertaking between now and end 2015.
|
Date |
Location |
Duration |
Purpose |
|
8 June |
Luxembourg |
1.5 Days |
Attendance at EU Energy Council |
|
22 – 23 September |
Luxembourg |
2 days |
Attendance at Informal Meeting of EU Energy Ministers |
|
26 November |
Brussels |
1.5 Days |
Attendance at EU Energy Council |
|
11 December |
Luxembourg |
1.5 Days |
Attendance at EU Telecoms Council |
At present, Minister of State McHugh does not have any foreign trips scheduled for 2015 related to this Department. As a matter of course, and where appropriate, we both take the opportunities presented by official foreign trips to promote Ireland as a good place for investment and for doing business.
991. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the Government's energy policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20576/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching objective of the Government's energy policy is to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. A new Energy Policy Paper, which will set out Ireland’s energy policy up to 2030, is being developed. To facilitate the development of the new Policy Paper, a Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland was published in May 2014 opening a written public consultation process that concluded on 31 July 2014. The Green Paper sets out six policy priority areas in respect of which submissions were sought. Over 1,200 submissions were received in the written consultation process. In addition, there was a targeted stakeholder consultation process involving 11 seminars, six of which focused on the priorities identified in the Green Paper, four regional seminars and a seminar on costs. My Department is carrying out the detailed work needed to develop the new Policy Paper which I aim to publish in October.
A central focus of discussions arising from the consultations and stakeholder engagement process has been the need to place the citizen at the heart of our energy policy and the need to address local community and rural concerns, particularly those that are focused on the building of new infrastructure. This has coincided with initiatives such as those undertaken by Eirgrid in revising its approach to public engagement. For instance, in March of this year Eirgrid published, for public comment, a discussion paper on Ireland's grid development strategy - "Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow."
The discussion document presents an ideal opportunity for all communities, both rural and urban, to provide their views on any future development of electricity transmission infrastructure.
992. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the Digital Hub Development Agency property portfolio has been enhanced arising from its collaboration with a company (details supplied); if he will report on progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20600/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) is the State agency dedicated to creating an international centre of innovative, technology-based enterprise in the Liberties area of Dublin 8. Its property portfolio comprises circa 9 acres, on which it has over 100,000 sq. feet of commercial office space, as well as a number of derelict, protected buildings fronting onto several streets in this historic area. Currently, it is home to some 86 digital enterprises, employing more than 930 people.
The DHDA's property portfolio has been significantly enhanced as a result of the strategic partnership arrangement between DHDA and Knightsbridge Student Housing Ltd (KSH), entered into in March 2014. Under this agreement, the DHDA’s derelict 19th century Grainstore building has been refurbished by KSH, to provide the Digital Hub with an additional 10,650 square feet of enterprise office. The DHDA is now undertaking the fit-out of the building to office standard, with a view to the first tenants occupying the building this autumn. This expansion in its office capacity will allow the DHDA to continue to grow its enterprise cluster, while contributing to the economic sustainability and regeneration of the Liberties area.
The arrangement will also see KSH develop high quality student accommodation on an acre site, formerly part of the Digital Hub campus. Construction work on this 500-bed student accommodation development is on target for completion in September 2016.
I am pleased to say that this strategic partnership is delivering a quantum of office space for the Digital Hub, and in turn will bring new activity and renewed energy of both young students and digital entrepreneurs to the area.
993. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline the broadband service that is currently available to the population of Cloughjordan in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20635/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions relating to the location and the technology platform to be used in commercial investments are a matter for the individual commercial operators to make. Details of commercial services available in each county can be found on the Communications Regulator, ComReg’s website (www.callcosts.ie) and on the websites of commercial operators.
The area of Cloughjordan is in the AMBER area on my Department's national high-speed broadband coverage map (www.broadband.gov.ie) and is therefore part of the State's proposed intervention area under the National Broadband Plan.
I expect the physical build of the network to begin in late 2016, and it will take between three and five years to fully complete – depending on the details of the bid or bids selected.
994. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the British Government's commitment to abolish onshore wind farm subsidies and growing public resistance to wind farm development, if his Department will follow suit and review the high level of subsidies provided for wind farm development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20662/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive set Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. To meet this target, Ireland is committed to meeting 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources.
To date onshore wind energy has been the most cost effective renewable technology in the Irish electricity market, contributing most towards the achievement of the 2020 target. The existing feed-in tariff schemes supporting onshore wind are a very cost effective tool to support renewable energy development relative to other EU Member States. Ireland's approach was confirmed as one of the most cost effective within the EU by a report published by the Council of European Energy Regulators in January this year.
The cost effectiveness of support for renewables is a key consideration in the work now underway in my Department to consider the appropriateness and design of any new support scheme for renewable electricity. Any scheme would be subject to EU rules on State Aid. The commercial success of onshore wind means that we are now at the point where a gradual move to a more market based support for the technology is appropriate. Taking account of developments in EU electricity market integration, my Department will be engaging with stakeholders in this work, a key component of which will be consideration of the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of any support required.
995. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter regarding the broadband service in an area (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans to address the serious concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20674/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Scheme (NBS) expired in August last, in line with EU State Aid clearance for the Scheme. The NBS, combined with private sector investment in the broadband market over recent years, means that there is now a choice of commercial operators offering basic broadband services, over a diverse range of technology platforms throughout Ireland.
With reference to the particular quality of service issues outlined in the Question, since the customer is being served by “3” in its commercial capacity, my department no longer has a role in the resolution of performance issues. The provision of electronic communications services occurs within a fully liberalised market, regulated by the independent market regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). If, after having exhausted the service provider’s complaint handling procedures, a customer is not happy, they may contact the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, on 1890 229 668, online at http://www.askcomreg.ie/ or by email at Consumerline@comreg.ie for further assistance and guidance.
The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.
The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention.
Based on information provided by commercial operators, 100% of premises in the Athy area will be covered by the commercial sector by the end of 2016. Members of the public should access the map for themselves to establish the precise status of their individual premises. I note that other mobile services providers are also upgrading 3G and 4G services across Ireland with at least one operator already having 94% population coverage of 4G.
Intensive design and planning work is underway in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.
I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 3 to 5 year period.
This complex and ambitious project is a key priority for Government and aims to conclusively address current broadband connectivity issues in mainly rural parts of the country.
996. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail the number of public and civil servants who were recruited under the aegis of his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21104/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra997. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail the number of public and civil servants under the aegis of his Department who were seconded abroad or to another Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21119/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra998. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to detail the number of public servants under the aegis of his Department who retired in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21140/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 996 to 998, inclusive, together.
Eight staff members were recruited to my Department in 2014, one staff member was seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to take up a position in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels and two staff members retired.
Overall staff numbers in the Department were reduced from 246 in 2013 to 245 in 2014 due to a number of factors including redeployment, career breaks, resignations, retirements, etc.
