Written Answers Nos. 1109-1130
1109. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a briefing on the role of An Bord Pleanála in fast-tracking European Union renewable energy projects of common interest; the number and identity of applicants to any part of that process to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulation 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (TEN-E Regulation) lays down rules for the timely development of energy networks in Member States. The Regulation gives priority to twelve strategic trans-European energy corridors and areas (for electricity, gas, oil or thematic areas, such as smart grids or a carbon dioxide network) and provides criteria to identify projects of common interest (PCIs). To be eligible for EU funding under the Connecting Europe Facility financing instrument, a project must first be selected as a PCI by the EU regional groups for inclusion on the Union List. An Bord Pleanála itself has no role in determining which projects get placed on the EU list. The PCI eligibility criteria includes a requirement that projects must be cross-border projects or projects which benefit two or more Member States.
The Regulation also provides for new, more transparent and accelerated permitting processes for such projects, which should generally not exceed 3.5 years. Member States are required to appoint a Competent Authority responsible for making the comprehensive permitting decision and to ensure that the decision is made within the time limits specified in the Regulation. An Bord Pleanála has been designated as the Competent Authority in Ireland. It is a matter for developers to pursue applications under the permit granting process applicable to PCIs with An Bord Pleanála. I have no function in this matter.
The Commission adopted the first EU-wide list of PCIs in October 2013. Of the seven projects relevant to Ireland, two were renewable energy projects. It is understood from An Bord Pleanála that to date only one project promoter has initiated the PCI permit granting process. Documents relating to PCI matters and the permit granting process are available on the website of An Bord Pleanála at the following link http://www.pleanala.ie/PCIoverview.htm.
Regulation 347/2013 provides that the list of projects will be updated every two years and the process to adopt the second list of PCIs is expected to be completed before the end of 2015.
1110. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made in further interconnectivity north-south and east-west to facilitate security of supply and enhanced competition, arising from the joint statement by the Irish and British Governments in March 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22301/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government remains committed to the principle of renewed and strengthened co-operation between Great Britain and Ireland, as set out in the March 2012 Statement referred to by the Deputy. On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy ‘Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow’, which allows for the achievement of an optimal balance between the competing demands of publicly consulting on necessary network development, choosing the best emerging technology options for that development, and minimising new build.
The draft strategy noted the fact that Northern Ireland is likely to need to import more generation from Ireland during times of peak demand in the next decade, in order to balance supply and demand and to maintain security of supply. Accordingly, the draft strategy found that there remains a clear need for the North South transmission line, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project. I understand that EirGrid intends to lodge the planning application with An Bord Pleanála today (9 June).
In the context of Ireland’s transition to a competitive, low carbon energy system, the draft strategy states that investment in the electricity grid within Ireland will need to be complemented by EirGrid exploring opportunities for increased regional interconnection to other countries. The 260km East West Interconnector, which is a 500 MW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link between the electricity transmission grids of Ireland and Great Britain, has been in full commercial operation since May 2013. EirGrid reports that the interconnector has performed very well to date and that the company’s customer base has expanded to include energy traders between the all-island and Great Britain electricity markets. The East West Interconnector has also opened up the Single Electricity Market (SEM) to enhanced competition, delivering downward pressure on the wholesale market price of electricity.
There was detailed analysis of the potential for renewable energy trading between Ireland and the UK following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the issue in 2013 between my Department and the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the UK. The signing of the MOU represented the first step towards an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on the issue. However, by April 2014, it had become apparent that, given the economic policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK, any potential renewable energy trading could only occur post 2020.
1111. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to tackle the inadequate broadband service in a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21253/15]
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 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 area shows the target areas for the State intervention and includes Headford, Killarney, Co Kerry. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention. Last week Eircom announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from Eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 27,582 premises to date in Co Kerry with a further 11,242 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 51,180 premises in Co Kerry will be covered by commercial investment or will be 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.
1112. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the policy used by Inland Fisheries Ireland when selecting companies to be part of its promotions, both nationally and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21368/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOrganisation of promotions relevant to the remit of any State Agency is a day to day operational matter for the Agency itself. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have requested that Inland Fisheries Ireland contact the Deputy directly to address any specific issue that he might have in this regard.
1113. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha cé na bearta atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun an pobal a chur ar an eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ón Roinn agus ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21518/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá oifigeach Gaeilge ag mo Roinn atá ar fáil le maoirsiú a dhéanamh ar aistriúchán cháipéisí go Gaeilge. Tá leaganacha Gaeilge agus Béarla ag an Roinn dá suíomh gréasáin le Ceisteanna Coitianta sa dá theanga maidir le gach rannóg de chuid na Roinne. Cuirtear na treoirlínte, na bileoga eolais agus na foirmeacha iarratais go léir a bhaineann le scéimeanna, cláir agus próisis na Roinne ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla ar aon.
Tá na cáipéisí seo a leanas foilsithe freisin ag mo Roinn i nGaeilge:
- Leabhar Geolaíochta i nGaeilge, dar teideal 'An Gheolaíocht ó Bhun go Barr' le húsáid i mbunscoileanna agus i meánscoileanna;
- Leagan Gaeilge den bpóstaer 'The Bedrock Map of Ireland', dar teideal 'Geolaíocht Bhuncharraige na hÉireann'; agus
- Leagan Gaeilge de 'The Real Map of Ireland' dar teideal 'Fíor Léarscáil na hÉireann.'
Tá leagan Gaeilge den suíomh gréasáin oideachas geolaíochta 'Geoschol' á chur le chéile faoi láthair.
Cuirtear oiliúint sa Ghaeilge ar fáil don bhfoireann ar iarratas inár n-aonad foghlama agus forbartha.
Maidir leis na comhlachtaí atá faoi choimirce mo Roinne, is ceist oibriúcháin í seo do na comhlachtaí féin.
1114. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of community engagement in the process of the rolling out of high-speed broadband in remote areas thus far; the way he will ensure community engagement continues once high-speed broadband is rolled out; the training supports that will be available to communities wanting to maximise the use of broadband in the community setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21638/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1115. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered alternative schemes facilitating remote communities with high-speed broadband in the event that it is deemed commercially unviable, such as three-way agreements between local authorities, private firms and the State, co-operative-led schemes or not-for-profit led schemes, successfully used in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21639/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1114 and 1115 together.
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.
On 24 November 2014, a public consultation was launched on a national high speed coverage map 2016. This consultation concluded on 12 February 2015. 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 area shows the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention. Last week Eircom announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from Eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
I intend publishing a draft Intervention Strategy for public consultation in July. Following completion of that public consultation I hope to be in a position to move to formal procurement later in the year. 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.
I would add that stakeholder engagement is central to the delivery of the NBP and as part of the planning phase significant stakeholder engagement has been undertaken by my Department. This includes a number of public consultations including on the published national coverage map referred to above. The engagement process also included meetings with Local Authorities, Leader Groups, Irish Rural Link, the Western Development Commission and others. In addition, my Department publishes a monthly update on progress in relation to the NBP.
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 with a view to ensuring that all citizens and businesses can participate fully in a digitally enabled society.
There is a potential role for communities to aggregate demand for services in their areas and in so doing accelerate the deployment and adoption of such services. At least one operator has successfully piloted this model with businesses in rural towns.
The BenefIT Programme, which aims to get more people online, provides Government funding to support community, voluntary & not for profit organisations to provide basic digital literacy training. Since its introduction in 2008, over 120,000 training places have been availed of and training will be available at over 700 locations across Ireland during 2015.
1116. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount of money paid to Raidió Teilifís Éireann in respect of revenue from television licences in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21649/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTelevision Licence revenue is distributed in accordance with Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 to both RTÉ and TG4 in order to facilitate the pursuit of their public service objectives, which are also set out in the 2009 Act. An Post pays the Department all revenues collected from Television Licence sales and the Department of Social Protection currently pays an annual sum of €52m in respect of free Television Licences issued. From these gross receipts, the Department deducts commission payable to An Post for its agency role and TG4 currently receives €9.245m. In addition, 7% of the revenue goes towards the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, which is operated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
The remaining revenues are paid to RTÉ. The total amount of money paid per annum to RTÉ in respect of Television Licence revenue is set out in the table below. Figures for 2015 are not yet available.
|
Year |
RTÉ €000 |
|
2011 |
182.4 |
|
2012 |
179.2 |
|
2013 |
181.5 |
|
2014 |
178.8 |
1117. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the contracts his Department has with Capita Ireland; the amounts of money involved in any such contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21791/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 8th October 2013, the Government approved the appointment of Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited as the company which will develop, roll-out and operate the National Postcode System following the conclusion of the public procurement process. This company will operate Eircode, the National Postcode System, under licence for an initial ten year period extendable at the discretion of the Minister for Communications by a further five years. The contract for these services was signed in December 2013. The postcodes contract is expected to cost around €16m (excluding VAT) as the postcode system is developed and rolled out over the first 2 years and there will be a cost of about €1.2m per year over the remainder of the licence period. Capita have been paid a total of €12.224m (excl VAT) to date.
1118. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware that the proposed Bord Gáis pipeline into County Kerry has bypassed the Shannon Estuary, which has an approved route agreed with all landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21832/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no statutory function in relation to either the routing of pipelines or the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network.
1119. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has engaged with the Irish oil industry and appropriate public bodies to determine any policy option that might facilitate the commercial future of refining; the policy options available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21913/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a single refinery at Whitegate, Cork that is owned and operated by Phillips 66. My Department is in regular contact with the company and I have met with Irish and US executives of Phillips 66 as well as with union representatives. I visited the refinery in November 2014. My Department has been engaging with Phillips 66 on the future of refining in Ireland. In early 2014, both the Department and Phillips 66 met with other relevant Government Departments and public bodies to discuss the matter. Later in 2014, my officials met with the Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA), of which Philips 66 is a member. The industry views on the matter are varied and companies indicated a preference to discuss it further without other members present. My officials subsequently spoke with five of the companies on an individual basis.
I understand that there are a number of options for the refinery under consideration by the company. I intend to engage with my Ministerial colleagues in the near future on these and other policy options that might facilitate the commercial future of refining in Ireland.
1120. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to complete the enactment of the minerals development Bill in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21974/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft Minerals Development Bill was considered by Government today and approved for publication subject to such legal or technical amendments as may be agreed with the Attorney General. The purpose of the Bill is to make better provision for the prospecting for, and development, management and control of the mineral resources of the State. It does not deal with oil or gas.
I hope the Bill can be progressed through the Oireachtas during the remainder of this Dáil term and in the autumn.
1121. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a reasonable standard of broadband will be available in Fennagh, County Carlow. [21979/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1122. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a reasonable standard of broadband will be available in the Tinnegarney-Wells area, Bagenalstown, County Carlow. [21980/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1145. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when a reasonable standard broadband service will be available in Ballymurphy, Tullow, County Carlow. [22297/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1121, 1122 and 1145 together.
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 and includes Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention and includes Feenagh, Tinnegarney, Wells and Ballymurphy Co Carlow. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention. Last week Eircom announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from Eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 14,198 premises to date in Co Carlow with a further 2,653 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 10,555 premises in Co Carlow will be covered by commercial investment or will be 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.
1123. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding broadband upgrade provisions at a location (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22086/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1124. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, as part of the broadband roll-out strategy, areas due for upgrades will be ensured basic broadband access in the interim. [22087/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1124 together.
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 and includes Hackballscross, Co Louth.
The AMBER area shows the target areas for the State intervention. All premises within the AMBER areas will be included in the State's intervention. Last week Eircom announced an investment that may address a further 300,000 premises with fibre-to-the-premises technology. My Department will be rigorously examining the assurances from Eircom in relation to these new plans, which is a requirement for all operators, and will review how this impacts the proposed intervention area.
More generally I can confirm that next generation broadband services have been rolled out to 43,963 premises to date in Co Louth with a further 1,052 expected to be served over the next 18 months. The remaining 15,129 premises in Co Louth will be covered by commercial investment or be 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.
1125. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the offshore renewable energy development plan implementation, with particular emphasis on the status of planned wind farms off the east coast of Ireland, in view of the lack of an import export energy agreement with the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future and the growth of alternative energy sources to meet the United Kingdom's renewable and energy security demands, including Scottish wind energy, increased energy connectivity between England and Scotland and the planned increase in domestic nuclear power capacity in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22163/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), published in February 2014, sets out the Government’s policy in relation to the sustainable development of our offshore energy potential. It provides the mechanism through which action across Government Departments and Agencies to support the development of offshore renewable electricity generation can be fully coordinated in areas such as environmental monitoring and protection, research and development, consenting procedures, infrastructure requirements and enterprise development. A steering group, which draws on the support of relevant Government departments and agencies, oversees the implementation of the OREDP via three work streams: (i) Environment, (ii) Infrastructure and (iii) Job Creation.
Work is focussing on the ongoing development of national ocean energy test facilities in Cork, Galway and Mayo (Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site). Preparatory work is also underway, building on the SEA for the OREDP, on scoping a more detailed environmental study to map constraints and opportunities and identify suitable areas for offshore renewable developments. In addition, work is progressing on the development of guidance documents for offshore developers on (i) information to be contained in Environmental Impact Statements and Natura Impact Statements (ii) environmental monitoring requirements and (iii) available data sources, to include a gap analysis.
A total of €8.1 million in Exchequer funding has been provided over the two years 2014/2015 to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the Ocean Energy Programme, which includes the Ocean Energy Prototype Fund. Over 20 projects have received grant offers from the Prototype Fund since the launch of the OREDP.
The OREDP identifies export as the route to market for offshore wind. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Co-operation with the UK Government in January 2013, a joint programme of work was undertaken to consider how Irish renewable energy resources, offshore and onshore, might be developed to the mutual benefit of both Ireland and the UK. Economic analysis undertaken by my Department clearly indicates that under agreed policy and regulatory conditions, renewable energy trading would deliver significant economic benefits to Ireland and the UK, and would also be attractive to developers. However, given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and some key decisions that the UK is not yet in a position to take, delivery by 2020 of renewable energy trading is not a realistic proposition.
In the context of a European Internal Energy Market, it would appear that greater trade in energy between Britain and Ireland is likely in the post-2020 scenario.
1126. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on his Department's knowledge about the progress of the Codling Windpark project; if this project still retains European Union common interest status; if so, the reason this is the case, in view of the lack of the necessary import-export plans to the United Kingdom; if the Codling proposal is still seeking support for interconnection via the Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study; if the Government is supporting any of these initiatives in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the proposed Codling Windpark project, I understand that the developer holds a foreshore lease from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Securing a grid connection for the project is ultimately a matter for the project developer and the relevant statutory bodies. All applications to EirGrid and ESB Networks seeking connection to the Irish grid are listed on the EirGrid website at the following link: http://www.eirgrid.com/customers/gridconnections/completedgenerationapplications/. The processing of all applications for connection to the Irish Grid is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The CER has statutory responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market.
Separately, to help create an integrated EU energy market, the European Commission has drawn up a list of projects of common interest (PCIs) across the EU. These projects may, subject to certain requirements, benefit from accelerated licensing procedures, improved regulatory conditions, and access to financial support from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) between 2014 and 2020.
EU Regulation No. 1391/2013 lists the projects of common interest adopted in October 2013 by the European Commission. None of the adopted projects of common interest are related to the connection for Codling Bank wind farm.
The Regulation provides that the list of projects will be updated every two years, and a process is currently underway to adopt the second list of PCIs. A decision is expected before end 2015.
PCI projects associated with renewable energy trading to the United Kingdom would be subject to an appropriate framework that would be set out in an Inter-Governmental Agreement. It should be noted that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and some key decisions that the UK is not yet in a position to take, delivery before 2020 of renewable energy trading is not a realistic proposition. Further information on the PCI process and the projects involved can be found at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/infrastructure/projects-common-interest.
It should be noted that the objective of ISLES is to investigate the feasibility of an offshore interconnected grid, and identify steps to reducing barriers to delivering this grid. The nature of work to date has been exploratory and focused on the potential for the region as a whole, rather than developing specific transmission projects.
1127. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason there is no grant aid or other incentive available for the installation of photovoltaic solar systems to households, when there are such incentives for solar thermal heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22205/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy notes, under the Better Energy Homes scheme, a grant of €800 was available to homeowners who wish to install a solar thermal heating system in their home. In March of this year I announced a 50% increase to the grant support available for solar thermal heating solutions; homeowners can now, therefore, receive a grant of €1,200 for solar thermal heating systems. Separately, while it is a matter in which I, as Minister, have no statutory function, I am aware that Electric Ireland had been offering a micro-generation feed-in tariff since February 2009. On 31 December 2014 the pilot scheme was closed to new customers.
No other electricity supplier had chosen to provide such a tariff, to either domestic or commercial customers, though they have been invited to do so by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is an independent statutory body. I am not aware of the reasons for the decision to discontinue the scheme which would have been a commercial matter for Electric Ireland
My Department is giving further policy consideration to the place of microgeneration in our energy mix. Analysis of the potential of micro-generation technologies such as small scale wind, solar and small scale hydro, has been carried out for the Department by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. It shows that while microgeneration has the technical potential to make a significant contribution to Irish electricity consumption, careful consideration would have to be given to the design of any potential future support scheme to ensure it is cost-effective. The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the recent consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, will be taken into consideration in preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be finalised in the autumn of this year.
My Department is also commencing the process of developing a new support scheme for electricity, to be available from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the available technologies, including microgeneration and solar PV, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required. The scheme will be subject to State Aid clearance and the initial public consultation on the new scheme will commence shortly.
1128. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide, in tabular form, the annual amount paid out in constraint payments to the hydro industry as a result of letting wind onto the system over the past five years; and the amount for each hydro plant. [22215/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of implementation of priority dispatch in the All-Island Electricity Market is a matter for the Single Electricity Market Committee. While it is a matter in which I have no function, it is important to note that EU Regulation 2009/28/EC requires Member States to give priority dispatch to renewable generation on the electricity grid. This includes hydro generators, unless the generator concerned has elected to forego priority dispatch and to actively trade in the market. It is the case that hydro electricity generators who have elected to avail of priority dispatch may have their output reduced under certain circumstances. In such instances, these hydro generators are compensated for this in the Single Electricity Market (i.e. constraint payments). Details in regard to constraint payments to hydro generators are available on the website of the Single Electricity Market Operator at www.sem-o.com.
1129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the National Strategic Environmental Assessment for Energy will be completed. [22216/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of Strategic Environmental Assessments which are either completed or at various stages of completion in relation to the energy sector. To ensure that the economic potential of offshore renewable energy is realised in a way that is environmentally sustainable, and takes into account the needs of other users of the marine environment, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was completed for the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP). The OREDP, and the documentation relating to the SEA, are on my Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie.
Separately my Department is in the process of assessing responses to its recent request for tenders for the provision of services to assist in the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment (AA), which will inform the content of the finalised Bioenergy Plan to be published later this year. The SEA/AA process, which will include a public consultation, will be managed by my Department and overseen by the Bioenergy Steering Group, which has been established to coordinate the implementation of the Draft Bioenergy Plan.
My Department is also preparing a Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework, which is to be underpinned by a Strategic Environmental Assessment and an Appropriate Assessment. The proposed Framework will be completed in early 2016, and will be a high level strategic policy, which is intended for the guidance of persons seeking development consent primarily in relation to large scale renewable electricity projects, as well as for the guidance of planning authorities, statutory authorities and the public. The next stage of public consultation will commence in the coming weeks with the publication of the Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report.
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government issued a request for tenders for the provision of Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment services for the development of the National Mitigation Plan setting out Ireland’s first statutory low carbon development strategy for the period to 2050. Sectoral Mitigation Plans are to be drafted for the four relevant sectors, including energy, and then incorporated into the National Mitigation Plans. The tenders are currently being assessed by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and it is understood that this process will be completed shortly.
1130. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the figures for output of electricity onto the grid from the semi-State wind farm at Mount Lucas, County Offaly, to include the actual output as opposed to the capacity. [22217/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Single Electricity Market (SEM) is the wholesale electricity market for the island of Ireland since 2007. The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Act, 2007 provides the legal framework for the establishment, operation and regulation of the SEM. The market is designed to provide for the least cost source of electricity generation to meet customer demand at any one time across the island, while also maximising the long-term sustainability and reliability of the market. The SEM is regulated by the SEM Committee while the operation and administration of the SEM is managed by the Single Electricity Market Operator. The Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) is a joint venture between the transmission system operator for Ireland, EirGrid plc., and the System Operator for Northern Ireland Limited, (SONI). SEMO is licensed and regulated by the Commission for Energy Regulation in Ireland and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Utility Regulator. I have no function in the day-to-day operational matters of the CER, of the SEM Operator or of the SEM Committee.
Data in regard to the generation of electricity by wind on an individual farm basis is publicly available on the website of the Single Electricity Market Operator at the following link www.sem-o.com.
