Written Answers Nos. 572-593
572. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the allocations of funding from his Department to promote hatcheries and spawning beds to facilitate restocking native fish species in each of the years from 2008 to 2016 in tabular form. [21432/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources was established in July 2010 following an amalgamation of the former Central and 7 Regional Fishery Boards.
Details of overall out-turns from Exchequer allocations to IFI, in the period 2011 (IFI's first full year of operation) to date, to support its wide range of functions are set out in the following table.
The allocation is not disaggregated between operational functions and there is, consequently, no specific allocation for hatcheries and spawning beds. The support of all functions is a day to day operational matter for the Board of IFI.
In addition, IFI generates own income, which is used to contribute to its overall spend.
Details of own income are also detailed in the following table.
|
Year |
Exchequer Allocation |
Own Income |
|
2011 |
€24,945,000 |
€4,994,312 |
|
2012 |
€25,448,000 |
€5,224,981 |
|
2013 |
€28,258,604 |
€4,573,509 |
|
2014 |
€24,417,000 |
€4,177,793 |
|
2015 |
€23,875,624 |
€2,954,681 |
|
2016 |
€26,803,338 |
€2,636,127 |
|
2017 |
€26,578,000 |
€2,900,000 (estimated) |
573. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the Ministers who have responsibilities relating to the environment; and the details of the responsibilities those Ministers have relating to the environment. [21514/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 1251 and 1252 of 2 May 2017.
574. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address the issues associated with unused mines in the Silvermines area of County Tipperary; if he will address the ownership of the mine at Shalee, County Tipperary which is for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21922/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2007, my Department in co-operation with Tipperary County Council has undertaken an extensive programme of remediation works at a number of former mining sites at Silvermines, Co. Tipperary with expenditure on the works totalling €11.2 million to date.
The last substantive phase of the programme of remediation works to be completed is the work at the Garryard site. Progression of this phase of the programme is under consideration by my Department.
The Gortmore Tailings Management Facility was the largest site remediated at a cost of approximately €6 million. This work included drawing up proposals for its future maintenance having regard to the protection of the integrity of the work carried out. Since a negotiated approach with the landowner proved unsuccessful, arrangements were commenced for acquisition of the site by Compulsory Purchase Order, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This process stalled following the untimely death of the land owner and following the advice of the CSSO it was agreed to negotiate with the family of the landowner. This negotiation process is ongoing.
Environmental monitoring of the Silvermines sites has been undertaken for the Department by CDM Smith Ireland Ltd since 2013. The purpose of such monitoring is to ensure no significant change in the conditions occurs at the remediation sites without detection.
An Inter-Agency Group has recently been established to investigate recent unexplained cattle deaths and the presence of elevated metal levels in milk from farms in the area. The Inter-Agency Group is led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine with participation from my Department along with other relevant state agencies. The findings of the Inter-Agency Group will help inform decisions in respect of remediation efforts at the former mining sites at Silvermines.
I am aware that lands are currently being offered for sale at Shallee in the Silvermines area. My Department has no plans to acquire these lands.
575. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a detailed analysis to support the claim that 90% of households will pay less under the new pay-by-weight pricing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
I have indicated quite clearly that any system under consideration to encourage householders to prevent and segregate waste will encompass more than the previously proposed pay-by-weight per-kilogramme model. A review, which is ongoing, is seeking to facilitate the provision of options to householders on how they manage their waste costs, while still encouraging the reduction and recycling of waste. It is important to acknowledge that many people are already on plans which encourage waste prevention and segregation, including models which include an element of weight-based charging.
The figure quoted by the Deputy for the number of households that could do better under a pay-by-weight system was based on a study of a pay-by-weight model which was in operation in the south-west of the country, when compared to other pricing structures in that particular area. The area chosen had a mix of urban and rural customers and pay-by-weight was long established, so that the customers in that particular area already had time and opportunity to adapt their behaviour to preventing and segregating waste. The figures showed that households of 4 people or less in that area were better off under pay-by-weight and those figures were extrapolated, using CSO data on household size, to give an indication of the savings which were achievable.
As previously pointed out, I do not and will not have a role in setting the level of charges for waste collection. I would, however, like to see a system in operation whereby the prevention and segregation of waste was encouraged so that we reduce our reliance on landfills around the country.
576. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the allocations from his Department to support research and development in renewable maritime energy such as wave and tidal power and offshore wind in each of the years 2012 to 2016 in tabular form. [21431/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2014 Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) sets out the Government’s policy in the ocean energy area. The plan identifies the sustainable economic opportunity for Ireland in the period to 2030 of realising the potential of our indigenous offshore wind, wave and tidal energy resources.
In contrast to offshore wind, wave and tidal energy is still at the R&D stage globally. Notwithstanding the development of promising experimental devices, much more research, development and trials are required to bring wave and tidal energy technology to commercial viability.
Exchequer support in terms of research, development and demonstration was increased under the OREDP. This funding supports Ireland’s commitment to world class test facilities including the Lir National Ocean Test Facility in Cork, the quarter scale Galway Bay test site, and the full scale Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), off the coast of Mayo. This funding also supports the Prototype Development Fund, which is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and provides grant aid to support developers in bringing their devices from prototype to full scale commercial viability.
A breakdown of the funding allocated by my Department to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for ocean energy research and development in each of the years 2012 to 2016 is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Allocation |
|
2012 |
2.9 Million |
|
2013 |
5.7 Million |
|
2014 |
5.5 Million |
|
2015 |
4.75 Million |
|
2016 |
4.75 Million |
|
2014 |
5.5 Million |
In addition, my Department provided grant aid of €3 million over the period 2012-2015 towards the rebuilding of the Beaufort Laboratory at the IMERC campus, which now houses the Lir Ocean Test facilities.
577. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a project to support a course (details supplied) in counties Cavan and Monaghan with a view to boosting tourism and creating local employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21785/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) supports and sponsors Angling and Community Groups in undertaking coaching events for novice anglers nationwide. The groups apply for funding to workshops and other events and applications from the Cavan and Monaghan area are welcome.
IFI has already committed sponsorship to one juvenile coaching event in Carrickmacross in July and details are set out in the following table.
|
Event |
County |
Details |
|
Carrickmacross Coarse Angling and Junior Development Club’s Summer Camp |
Co. Monaghan |
The Summer Camp will take place at Lisanisk Lake in July 2017. The initiative will see junior anglers learning the basics of angling from equipment set-up to fish care and is open to interested novice anglers in the area. Co. Monaghan |
IFI is also sponsoring numerous festivals and competitions for expert domestic and international competitors as well as juvenile anglers, 13 of which are in locations in Cavan and Monaghan. Details of all sponsored events are listed on the IFI website at the following link: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Angling-Information/sponsorship-programme.html.
In addition, I also expect that IFI will make a call for projects under the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) in 2017 and applications from Cavan and Monaghan are anticipated.
The NSAD identifies 3 high level strategic objectives;
- Making angling accessible and attractive through information, infrastructure and support.
- Tourism development through promotion of our angling resource.
- Recognition of angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit.
578. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he will take to ensure that Inland Fisheries Ireland will have the resources and expertise necessary to facilitate an international event (details supplied) in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21500/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland fisheries Ireland (IFI) provides a significant logistical support for a broad range of angling events each year including international, national, regional and local competitions.
This support is dependent on available resources and the number of events in each year. The event referred to by the Deputy coincides with a long-running major Angling Festival for which IFI support has been sought and given over the years. IFI intend to provide logistical support for both events from its professional fisheries staff.
IFI recognises the importance of the competition and its benefit to the local economy and community. In that regard, IFI has already undertaken that 8 IFI staff members, involving a contribution of some 160 person hours over the five days of the event, will be allocated to assist with the draw each day and biosecurity measures at the two competition venues. IFI will also provide six sets of scales and dipping tanks for disinfection and will supervise same.
This is a significant input from IFI and will underpin the organisation and running of the event.
579. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of changes to EU telephone and Internet data coverage rules and charges for those travelling abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission is currently collaborating with National Regulatory Authorities to provide detailed guidance on how Roam Like at Home (RLAH) can be introduced at retail level and is also working closely with consumer organisations across the EU (BEUC, the European Consumer Organisation).
The Irish Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the competent statutorily independent regulatory authority for Telecoms and as such will be the authority which will regulate the Roam Like At Homeregime in Ireland from 15 June 2017. In this regard, ComReg will have a role in ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance. I expect that all mobile operators will be fully compliant with Irish and EU legislation, including RLAH from 15 June 2017.
EU Roam Like at Home will give Irish and EU consumers the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to Fair Use Policy, from 15 June 2017.
Throughout negotiations at EU level on this initiative, including at the EU Council of Ministers, Ireland has been fully supportive of the Roam Like at Home principle, and, in particular, the importance of obtaining a sustainable agreement for business and consumers alike.
The new EU rules clearly cover data services, along with voice and SMS. There is no exemption for the data services, only exceptional limits in case of unlimited or very competitive offers.
580. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the outcome of the 27 April 2017 meeting of the UK-Ireland contact group on radiological matters. [21661/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra581. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has held discussions or correspondence with the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy or the Office for Nuclear Regulation on the UK's decision to leave the EURATOM treaty. [21662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 together.
The UK Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters met in Dublin on 27 April. The meeting was attended by officials from my Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United Kingdom’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Office for Nuclear Regulation, and National Decommissioning Authority (NDA), as well as officials from the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland administrations.
The NDA, who manage the decommissioning and reprocessing of nuclear fuel stocks throughout the UK, provided a progress report on activities in these areas while an update on developments regarding the UK’s New Build programme was provided by BEIS officials.
Discussions on the implications of the UK exiting the terms of the Euratom Treaty were limited in the light of the upcoming UK general election on 8 June.
More detailed discussions on this topic will take place at the next meeting of the Group in October 2017, or in the interim, as required.
582. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been in contact with Bord na Móna to ensure there will be no job losses at the Bord na Móna plant in Littleton, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra583. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been in contact with Bord na Móna to ensure there will be no job losses at the Bord na Móna plant in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.
While Bord na Móna is a commercial State company operating under the Turf Development Acts 1946 to 1998, and while the matters raised by the Deputy are operational in nature and not ones in which I, as Minister, have any function, they are nonetheless matters of concern to me. In the first instance I have encouraged the company to maintain engagement with employees and Unions as this matter progresses. Although I have no function with regard to employment within the company, I have nonetheless urged the company to consider all opportunities for redeployment, phased reductions in employment numbers, and all renewable technology opportunities which may offer the potential of sustainable and long-term regional employment alternatives.
586. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role his Department has in combatting illegal dumping in local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21946/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role, as Minister, is to provide the legislative and policy framework under which both local authority and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action against illegal dumping is initiated.
In accordance with section 59(1) of the Waste Management Act, 1996, each local authority is responsible for the supervision and the enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Act in relation to the holding, recovery and disposal of waste within its functional area. Local authorities have specific powers under sections 55 and 56 of the Act to require measures to be taken, or to take measures directly, to prevent or limit environmental pollution caused or likely to be caused by the holding, recovery or disposal of waste, and to mitigate or remedy the effects on the environment of any such activity.
Underpinning waste enforcement is state funding for waste enforcement officers. I have made €9 million available from the Environment Fund this year to support the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and the recruitment and continued employment of a network of local authority waste enforcement officers. This investment is critical in tackling issues such as illegal dumping in local communities and in providing an enhanced response on the ground to other infractions of the waste code.
My Department has also developed an Anti-Dumping Initiative to work in partnership with local authorities and community organisations in identifying high risk or problem areas, developing appropriate enforcement responses and carrying out clean-up operations.
Applications for funding from local authorities were invited for consideration by the relevant WERLA with an initial allocation of €650,000 made available to support this initiative. Funding is being prioritised for projects where community groups and other state agencies work in partnership to clean-up and prevent illegal dumping and where effective enforcement actions are being undertaken by local authorities.
I have been advised that 111 applications have been received from all over the country and given this very positive response it is my intention to make further funds available to support a second phase of this initiative in 2017. I will be making an announcement in this regard shortly.
587. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status and preparation of the geothermal energy Bill. [21975/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Geothermal Energy Development Bill is largely modelled on the approach taken in respect of minerals exploration and development. Many of the provisions proposed are based on aspects of the Minerals Development Bill, which in turn updates and consolidates a range of Acts dating from 1940.
It was decided therefore that it would be logical to proceed with publication of the Minerals Development Bill first. The Minerals Development Bill 2015 has completed all stages in Seanad Éireann and completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 22 February 2017. It is expected that it will proceed to enactment in 2017. Final drafting of the Geothermal Energy Development Bill will then follow on, as legislative priorities permit.
588. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress of the Tellus programme; and the amount of the country expected to be surveyed and analysed by the end of 2017. [21976/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTellus is a ground and airborne geoscience mapping programme, collecting chemical and geophysical data that is informing the management of Ireland’s environment and natural resources. Tellus is undertaken by the Geological Survey and funded by my Department. All results and data from Tellus are made available free of charge online.
The objectives of the programme are to ensure that policy and decision-making with respect to Ireland’s environmental, agricultural and natural resources management is supported by world class national geophysical and geochemical datasets and products, specifically in the areas of radon and human health, soil chemistry and nutrients, mineral exploration, land use planning and groundwater protection.
The programme involves two types of surveying: airborne geophysical surveying using a low-flying aircraft; and ground-based geochemical surveying of soil, stream water and stream sediment.
To date, surveying has been completed in Northern Ireland (2004-2008), the border region of Ireland (2011-2013), the north midlands region of Ireland (2014-2015), the eastern midlands region (2015), and most recently the west (2016). In 2016, over 43,000 kilometres were flown during the four month surveying period over counties Galway, southern Mayo and neighbouring parts of Roscommon, Offaly, Clare and Tipperary .
Surveying activities for 2017 consist of airborne surveys in counties Mayo and Donegal, and a ground geochemical survey in the central west of the midlands of Ireland. Both surveys commenced in early spring and will finish in autumn this year. By the end of 2017, approximately 50% of national coverage will be achieved.
589. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are areas in County Limerick that will come under the new national broadband plan. [22144/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which the delivery of broadband nationwide is likely to stop short of some marginal areas; his plans to ensure provision of service to such areas and to put in place the necessary procedures to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22152/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra596. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the emerging extended map in regard to the provision of broadband is keeping ahead or short of expectations to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22158/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra601. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has identified the existence of particular black spots throughout the country regarding the availability of broadband services; when he expects such issues to be addressed in full with particular reference to meeting the needs of the business, domestic and commercial sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22163/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 589, 590, 596 and 601 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
A key principle of the NBP is to support and stimulate commercial investment through policy and regulatory measures. Commercial investment since the publication of the NBP has considerably exceeded expectations. To date, the commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
There has been significant progress in relation to broadband roll-out so that today, approximately 1.4m or 61% of premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband of a minimum of 30 Megabits per second. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector, which is continuing to expand this footprint.
On the 4 April, I signed a commitment agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide broadband to an additional 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Eir has committed to concluding this work over a 90 week period, an average of nearly 500 premises per day. My Department will be monitoring this roll-out to ensure that eir meets its obligations under the Agreement. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department's website.
Quarterly updates will be published on the Departments website. The Q1 2017 update will be published shortly and I am pleased to announce that the eir roll-out is in line with the Commitment Agreement. My Department has informed me that in the period from 1 January to end March 2017, 30,064 premises have been passed. This brings to 40,114 the total subset of the 300k premises that eir has passed since they commenced work in late 2016. Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/.
On the same day I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which finalises the State Intervention area. The updated Map shows the following categories of areas for delivery of broadband:
- The BLUE areas represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services,
- The AMBER areas on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the areas that will require State Intervention and are the subject of the current procurement process.
It is intended that all premises will have access to services of at least 30 megabits per second when the procurement process is completed and the network rolled out.
The map provides information on a county by county basis together with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in Ireland’s 26 counties. There are c2.3m premises of which c542,000 premises including some 22,000 in County Limerick are located within the AMBER area on the map and will require State Intervention. The remaining 1.8m premises including c76,000 premises in Co Limerick are located in the BLUE areas and will be/are served by commercial operators. Of the c76,000 premises, c15,000 premises are part of eir’s plans to deliver rural high speed broadband between now and end of 2018.
Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie. Consumers in BLUE areas who cannot access High Speed Broadband are encouraged to notify the Department at NBPBroadband@DCCAE.gov.ie, quoting their eircode. The Department is working with the operators, the local authorities and other key stakeholders on resolutions for black spot areas.
A formal procurement process is in train to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area. The procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future-proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The finalisation of the State Intervention Area for the procurement process is an important milestone as it means that bidders can progress their business plans and the Department can move to the next stage of the procurement. The three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution. A fibre-to-the-home solution means that householders and businesses may get speeds not just of 30 Megabits per second but much higher, potentially up to 1000 Megabits per second.
The timeframe for the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team and bidders, during the procurement process. During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated a 3-5 year timeline to roll-out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP once contracts are in place.
The Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and/or high demand and a prioritisation programme.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded.
In this regard, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force in July 2016 together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on my Department's website.
In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers.
The work of the Task Force is being led by an Implementation Group. This group brings together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery of actions. This group will formally report every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys. I am expecting the first such quarterly report shortly.
In addition, I have signed regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with a 2017 allocation of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.
In my Department's Estimates for 2017, I have secured an €8 million provision for RTE to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.
591. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which alternative energy currently provides an adequate portion of the energy requirement in line with previously indicated targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22153/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra592. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which each alternative energy sector contributes to the national grid as a percentage of total energy requirements, in tabular form; the extent to which further progress is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22154/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra595. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he foresees an ability to achieve the targets in the alternative energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22157/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 591, 592 and 595 together.
A well balanced fuel mix that provides reliable and sustainable energy, minimises costs and protects against supply disruptions and price volatility, is essential to Irish consumers and businesses.
The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy, with the latter target also being legally binding. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has calculated that 25.3% of electricity, 6.5% of heat and 5.7% of transport energy requirements were met from renewable sources at end 2015. Overall, SEAI analysis shows that 9.1% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2015 were met from renewable sources.
The Government has a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy and although good progress towards the target has been made to date, meeting the 16% target remains challenging. The REFIT schemes underpin the development of a range of renewable electricity technologies. In addition, my Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme and a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme, designed to assist in meeting our RES-E and RES-H targets. The introduction of any new scheme - including the overall costs and technologies to be supported - will be subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission.
To date, wind energy has been the largest driver of growth in renewable electricity. At end January 2017, the total amount of renewable generation connected to the grid was 3,120 MW of which 2,796 MW was wind. A further 3,570 MW of renewable generation is contracted for connection to the grid. In addition, solar and biomass have the potential to also contribute to our renewable electricity target. Eirgrid estimates that a total of between 3,900 and 4,300 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to achieve 40% renewable electricity by 2020.
In the transport sector, Ireland aims to meet its renewable target mainly through the increased use of sustainable biofuels, with electric vehicles also making a small contribution. Further increases to the obligation rate in the Biofuels Obligation Scheme took effect from 1 January 2017 when the rate increased to 8% by volume. A public consultation on future increases to the Biofuels Obligation Scheme, required to meet the 2020 renewable transport target will take place later this year.
Details in regard to the sources of electricity generation in 2015 are publicly available in the report entitled Energy in Ireland 1990-2015, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in November 2016 and available on the SEAI website at www.seai.
The following table summarises those sources:
|
Electricity Outputs (GWh) |
2015 |
|
Coal |
16.9% |
|
Peat |
8.8% |
|
Oil |
1.4% |
|
Natural Gas |
43.0% |
|
Renewables |
27.3% |
|
Of which: |
|
|
Hydro |
2.8% |
|
Wind |
22.8% |
|
Landfill gas, biogas, biomass and renewable wastes |
1.7% |
|
Non-Renewable Wastes |
0.3% |
|
Net Imports |
2.3% |
593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he continues to monitor the quality and availability of high quality mobile telephony in all areas throughout the country; if services continue to make improvements in line with requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22155/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the service providers concerned which operate in a fully liberalised market regulated by the independent Regulator of the telecommunications sector, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
I am, however, critically aware of the frustration currently being experienced across Ireland where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Recognising this frustration, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force. In July 2016, I established the Task Force together with Minister Humphreys to identify immediate solutions to broadband and mobile phone coverage deficits and investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to the full build and roll-out of the network planned under the NBP State intervention. The report of the Task Force was published in December and is available on my Departments' website.
In producing this report, the Task Force worked with Departments, local authorities, ComReg, State agencies, the telecoms industry and other key stakeholders. The report contains 40 actions that will alleviate some of the telecommunications deficits across Ireland and the implementation programme on mobile phone and broadband access identifies 19 of these actions as areas where immediate and direct action by Departments and State agencies can ensure accelerated benefits to consumers. The work of the Task Force will also assist local authorities in preparing for the roll-out of the new NBP network once contracts are in place.
In order to maintain momentum created by the Task Force, I, together with Minister Humphreys, have established an Implementation Group. This group is driving and monitoring the implementation of the actions, bringing together all key stakeholders identified in the Task Force report with responsibility for delivery. This group will be formally reporting every 90 days on progress made on all actions to both myself and Minister Humphreys.
The first meeting of the Implementation Group took place on 8 March, and was followed by a series of bilateral meetings with action holders. These discussions have formed the basis of the first quarterly progress report, which I, together with Minister Humphreys expect to publish shortly. This report will show that considerable progress has been made, particularly in relation to the implementation of actions identified for Q1 2017.
In addition to the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force, other initiatives are underway to enhance services across the State. I have signed regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with a 2017 allocation of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz radio spectrum band. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services.
In my Department's Estimates for 2017, I have secured an €8 million provision for RTE to allow it to free up the 700 MHz spectrum band. ComReg in turn will make plans to allocate this spectrum to provide for significantly enhanced mobile coverage. The 700 MHz band is particularly suited to rural environments where the signal can travel long distances.
In terms of commercial investment, mobile operators have invested significantly in rolling out improved services, following ComReg's multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage. However, as mobile services are a radio based technology, services can be affected by topography, quality of handsets and the capacity of the network, as well as by and proximity to mobile telephone antennas.
These initiatives should assist in enhancing the quality of mobile phone and data services across Ireland and particularly in rural Ireland.
