Written Answers Nos. 304-316
304. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the proposed annual support of €75 for life-long and long-term medical incontinence will be introduced in the context of the new household waste collection charging arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44600/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details of the annual support of €75 for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence (to help meet the average annual cost of the disposal of medical incontinence pads), including the arrangements for its administration, will be finalised by year end, after further consultation with the stakeholder groups.
305. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the national mitigation plan is due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan (NMP) was published on 19 July 2017 and is available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie. The Plan is an important initial step to enable the transition to a low carbon economy and society, and identifies over 70 mitigation measures and 106 related actions to address the immediate challenge to 2020 and to prepare for the EU targets that Ireland will take on for 2030.
While this first National Mitigation Plan does not provide a complete roadmap to achieve the national transition objective to 2050, it begins the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades.
The NMP will be subject to formal review at least once every five years and will also become a living document, accessible on my Department's website, where it will be updated on an ongoing basis as analysis, dialogue and technological innovation generate further cost-effective sectorial mitigation options.
This continuous review process reflects the broad and evolving nature of the sectorial challenges outlined in the Plan, coupled with the continued development and deployment of emerging low carbon and cost-effective technologies across different sectors of the economy. As this first Plan moves into the implementation phase, the review process will enable it to be amended, refined and strengthened over time and assist in keeping Ireland on target to meet our obligations.
306. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the report will be published on the costing to the undergrounding of the proposed EirGrid North-South interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the motions calling for an updated independent study that were passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann earlier this year, I have commissioned two independent studies designed to address the main points of the motions as well as key concerns expressed by parties opposed to the development of an overhead line.
The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. I have approved the appointment of independent experts to carry out this study and their work commenced in August. The consultants are Bo Normark, who will Chair the Group, Professor Ronnie Belmans and Professor Keith Bell. This Independent Expert Group is expected to deliver its final report by the end of January 2018.
I have also commissioned a study on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context. Work is also underway on this study and its results are expected in Q1 2018.
307. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 10 October 2017, if the formal request was to meet officials or him; if it was made before the appointment to the board of the SEAI; and if the request was in his capacity as a member of the SEAI or in another capacity. [44678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe request for a meeting was made to meet my officials in September 2017. The appointment to the board of the SEAI took place on 14 July 2017 for a period of 5 years. The subsequent meeting request was not in the capacity as a member of the SEAI but in the context of on-going engagement by the Department with energy sector stakeholders. No arrangements for this meeting have yet been made.
308. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the pricing watchdog monitoring unit has been established; the make-up of the unit; the number of times it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44737/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group has been established and has begun the process of monitoring the rates charged by household waste collectors. The Household Waste Collection Price Monitoring Group has met on two occasions, 13 September, 2017 and 11 October, 2017. The Group comprises representatives from the Waste Policy and Resource Efficiency Division and an economist from my Department, the Central Statistics Office and a company with expertise in price monitoring. The company made a presentation to the Group at the meeting on 11 October, 2017 based on the data it had collected as part of the first data sweep of the market. They will report back to the Group on a monthly basis and a report on the data collected will be published.
309. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the renewable heat incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44829/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Renewable Heat Incentive addresses key objectives set out in the National Mitigation Plan, the Energy White Paper and the Programme for Government. The development of the scheme has involved detailed economic analysis, extensive engagement with industry and two public consultations.
In Budget 2018, €7m was allocated for the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive. I intend to seek Government approval for the scheme in the coming weeks. European Commission State Aid approval will also be required in advance of the scheme commencing operation.
I expect the scheme to come into operation in 2018.
310. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has examined the sustainability of repeated biomass removals on soil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44830/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBiomass production must, in common with all crops, be managed sustainably in order to mitigate the potential negative impacts on soil and biodiversity.
It is important to note that a substantial amount of biomass currently used for heat comes from waste products rather than energy crops. The Energy in Ireland Report, published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, found that wood waste (such as wood chips, barks, sawdust etc.) accounts for nearly half (49%) of the solid biomass used in 2015.
The Bioenergy Plan which is currently in development will highlight the full range of supply-side and demand-side measures that are needed to release the full potential of the domestic biomass sector in Ireland. The Plan will also set out the actions necessary to ensure the sustainability of biomass, in terms of its impact on soil and other aspects such as climate, air quality, biodiversity and watershed protection.
311. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the phasing out of coal burning at Moneypoint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44831/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Energy White Paper, 'Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030', published in December 2015, notes that Moneypoint, Ireland’s only coal burning power station, contributes to diversifying Ireland’s fuel mix and the provision of competitively priced electricity. The station is owned by the ESB and the White Paper recognises that key decisions on its future will have to be taken before 2020 as the station will reach the end of its operating life in its current configuration in 2025.
In addition, the White Paper recognises that increasing ‘cost of carbon’ charges on Green House Gas emissions will drive up the cost of carbon-intensive energy sources and lead firms and consumers to adopt low carbon fuels and energy efficient technologies. It is anticipated therefore that the phasing out of higher carbon fuels will be achieved by a combination of sustainable policy measures and consumer reaction to the higher price of carbon intensive fuels.
The future of Moneypoint is multifaceted and requires consideration of issues such as security of supply, system stability, competitiveness and sustainability. My Department is examining the key considerations in relation to the future of Moneypoint, including the overall fuel mix in the energy sector, analysis undertaken to date in relation to Moneypoint, and appropriate further research if considered necessary.
312. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for the State to directly supply infrastructure for renewable energies, namely solar, wind, wave and tidal power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44832/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, including Solar PV, Wind (both onshore and offshore) and Ocean technologies (including Wave and Tidal), at various scales, to ensure that the new scheme delivers value for money for energy users whilst also delivering on the energy pillars of sustainability and security of supply. The assessment also included analysis of the optimum financial support mechanisms for renewable technologies, in line with the 2014 EU State Aid Guidelines.
The new RESS will also provide opportunities to deliver on the 2015 Energy White Paper commitment to ensure communities and citizens are at the centre of the future energy transition in Ireland. Communities are effectively being designed into the fabric of the new scheme and a comprehensive assessment of polices and support measures to increase community ownership from renewable electricity projects has been undertaken. The most effective policies to increase community ownership and participation in renewable electricity projects have been assessed and examined within an Irish context.
A public consultation on the design principles of the proposed new RESS was launched on 4 September and submissions are invited from the public. All submissions received by the closing date of 3 November will be considered and following on from this final public consultation, a design proposal will be brought to Government for approval. Full details of the consultation are available on my Department’s website at: www.dccae.gov.ie
Electricity grid connections are an operational matter for the national grid system operators in conjunction with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). I do not have any function in the matter. However, I note that the CRU has been working closely with system operators to develop a new connection process and will be consulting on the proposed new rules in the next number of weeks.
313. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received correspondence or had discussions with his EU counterpart with regard to the UK's decision to exit from EURATOM; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45018/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing Brexit negotiations, including matters relating to the UK's decision to leave the EURATOM Treaty, are being conducted bilaterally between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the UK. Ireland contributes to the process through its representation at the European Council Article 50 Working Party which meets regularly to discuss Brexit related issues, including EURATOM.
While I have not had correspondence or discussions directly with my UK counterpart regarding the UK's decision to exit from the EURATOM Community, officials from my Department continue to engage on this, and other related matters, with their UK counterparts through the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. The Group met most recently on 10 October, 2017 and that meeting included a briefing from the UK on measures being developed to ensure that the UK meets its obligations under international conventions on nuclear safety post-Brexit.
314. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has recently met the CEO of An Post to discuss media reports that 400 post offices could be set to close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45026/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that I have not met with the CEO of An Post to discuss recent media reports on post office closures. My officials, however, are in regular contact with An Post management on a strategic plan for the company which involves reform of the post office network. However, I am advised that no definitive decision has been made by An Post regarding post office closures.
315. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate that the views and findings of the IAA should be deemed permissible to be considered by the new competent authority in view of the fact that a clear potential conflict of interest in its assuming of that role has now been accepted and, therefore, information as part of that process could be undermined if forwarded to the new authority. [44551/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conflict of interest referred to by the Deputy arose from the most recent legal opinion received in relation to the interpretation of European case law as it pertains to “functional separation” within an organisation. Another public body is now to be nominated as the Competent Authority for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/2014 and therefore the conflict of interest issue referred to by the Deputy is no longer pertinent.
Regulation 598/2014 requires that the IAA, in its role as Ireland’s air navigation service provider, is consulted by the Competent Authority as part of the broader noise management consultation process with all relevant stakeholders when assessing noise at airports and when implementing the “Balanced Approach” to aircraft noise management.
316. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus drivers who have left Bus Éireann in 2016 and to date in 2017. [44554/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
