Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2128. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €209 million in 2018 to his Vote group; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €256 million in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35280/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key capital programmes and schemes funded by my Department in 2018 include:
|
Programme/Scheme |
2018 Capital allocation € million |
|
National Broadband Plan |
15.0 |
|
Energy Efficiency Schemes - Residential |
79.0 |
|
Energy Efficiency Schemes - Public Sector/Commercial |
22.4 |
|
Deep Retrofit Pilot |
5.0 |
|
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat |
6.0 |
|
Electric Vehicles Grant Scheme |
9.0 |
|
Energy Research |
8.3 |
|
Geoscience Initiatives |
11.7 |
|
EPA Research & Development |
10.1 |
|
Climate Initiatives |
5.8 |
|
Landfill Remediation |
11.0 |
|
Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
3.0 |
|
National Digital Research Centre |
3.5 |
The 2018 capital allocation also includes operational capital for my Department and a number of its agencies including TG4, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the EPA.
Programme allocations for 2019 will be agreed in the context of the Estimates process and will be made public on Budget Day, while detailed programme allocations will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume in December next.
In 2019, my Department will continue to progress projects in areas of strategic national importance, encompassing climate action, energy efficiency, communications, broadcasting, environment, waste management, natural resources and inland fisheries. In the Communications area, the new high speed broadband network under the National Broadband Plan and continued support for digital adoption among businesses and citizens will ensure that the opportunities presented by the digital transformation are available to every community in Ireland.
Focus will be maintained on advancing the critical climate action agenda, in line with the whole-of-Government National Mitigation Plan. Expanded investment in energy efficiency upgrades in the residential, commercial and public sectors will deliver significant energy savings and reductions in emissions. Development of renewable energy across the electricity, heat and transport sectors is central to Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy. The rollout of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat will promote the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable energy technologies, while incentivising the uptake of electric vehicles will continue to be a priority for my Department.
In the environmental area, the EPA will continue to deliver on its legislative mandate and research commitments in relation to ambient air quality, noise and non-ionising radiation monitoring, as well as the areas of climate mitigation and adaptation.
My Department will continue to provide grant funding for the remediation of landfill sites, as well as supports for the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy and protection of our natural environment. Continued investment in INFOMAR and TELLUS mapping projects will provide reliable geoscience support, underpinning the sustainable development of Ireland’s natural resources.
