Written Answers Nos. 494-516
494. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when all outstanding agricultural payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53407/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis was a case involving a deceased herd owner who was part of a Farm Partnership under the herd number shown. It was necessary for my Department to contact the Legal Personal Representatives to request the required testamentary documents and bank account details in order to finalise arrangements regarding payments outstanding for 2015. My Department has received the required documentation and payment in respect of 2015 has issued.
The person named does not currently have any payment entitlements in his name which has prevented the Basic Payment from issuing since 2016. My Department sent out the required forms and details of what was required to transfer the entitlements into the name of the person named on 6th December 2018. Once the completed forms are received my Department can begin processing the transfer of entitlements application. Outstanding applications for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme can be processed once the payment entitlements have transferred to the person named.
Payments due under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, which are not linked to payment entitlements, are currently being finalised and payment will issue to the person named as soon as possible.
495. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) regarding an outstanding debt for an ANC and repayments schedule that has been verbally set up; the steps required to receive refunds issued relating to same in view of the fact that the outstanding debt has been recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn cases where there is no agreement in place to repay an outstanding debt, my Department is obliged, under EU Regulations, to offset payments due to the client against any outstanding debt. The person named still has outstanding debt arising from an overpayment notified to him under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme in 2018.
An inquiry in respect of debt repayment options was made on behalf of that person in November 2018 but no repayment plan was agreed at that time. A standing order form was issued to the person and he was requested to advise when the first instalment would be due to the Department so that it could be noted as a repayment plan.
That person was due a payment in respect of Direct Payment Scheme on 3rd December 2018 and, as there was no repayment plan in place at that time, the amount due was offset against this overpayment. Subsequently on 6 December, a completed Standing Order form was received in the Department. This form was returned to the person advising him to present it to his bank for processing. The details of the Standing Order were also recorded on the person's account as a repayment plan. This will mean that any further payments due to that person will issue to him as long as the repayment plan, as agreed by way of the Standing Order, is maintained.
496. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there will be sufficient fodder available to last over the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53475/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, 2018 presented the agriculture community with some very challenging conditions in terms of a prolonged wet Spring period followed almost immediately by a period of exceptionally dry, hot weather. Notwithstanding these events there was a return in the third quarter of the year to more normal climatic conditions which benefitted the agriculture sector in terms of a late season grass growth.
My priority throughout the year has been to support measures to assist in the conservation of as much fodder for this Winter as possible from within our own resources and to supplement this with necessary imports as required. To this end I introduced a number of targeted measures including:
- a €2.75 million Fodder Production Incentive for Tillage Farmers to encourage tillage growers to actively engage in the fodder market and there has been positive engagement with this measure.
- a €4.25 million Fodder Import Support Measure for Autumn 2018. The measure seeks to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage. The measure operates through the Co-operatives/registered importers and will cover forage imported from 12th August 2018 to 31st December 2018.
In July I secured agreement from EU Commissioner Hogan to pay higher advance Pillar 1 and 2 payments, increased to 70% and 85% respectively. In excess of €1.5 billion has been paid to farmers to date under Pillar 1 and 2 since mid September.
Following consultation with the EU Commission, my Department made some temporary adjustments to the GLAS scheme for this year which have the potential to add to the quantities of winter fodder available by bringing over 260,000 additional hectares into production. In addition, in consultation with my ministerial colleague Mr. Eoghan Murphy T.D., a two week extension of the closed period for the spreading of chemical and organic fertilisers was implemented that allowed farmers capitalise on autumn grass growth for fodder production.
The most recent national fodder survey conducted on my behalf by Teagasc last October indicated that the national fodder shortfall has been reduced to 1% nationally. It is clear that the various support interventions I have introduced have worked and continue to help alleviate what was a very serious fodder conservation issue on many farms during the dry summer period.
It is important to stress that while the deficit nationally has been reduced significantly there still remains a fodder deficit on some farms and there is a need for farmers to remain vigilant and avoid complacency. I have urged Teagasc and the other Stakeholders to continue their individual efforts in support of those farmers worst affected and in need of help.
Whilst it is not possible to predict the duration or severity of the coming winter and its resultant impact on the farming community, I can assure the Deputy that I together my officials will continue to closely monitor the fodder situation.
497. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a series of matters (details supplied) relating to draft net fishing on the River Feale will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52740/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon.
IFI is supported in its management role by scientific advice from Ireland’s independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. IFI also has to regard EU legislation, most notably the Habitats Directive under which salmon habitats are protected.
Scientific and management assessments of each of the distinct stocks, including the river Feale, are carried out every year with IFI engaged in extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the SSC's annual reviews. The SSC analyses data from the previous five years and an average of the 5 years of data is used to estimate expected returns for the coming year. The use of a 5 year average ensures that a good or bad year does not have a disproportionate impact on the stock assessment in any single year.
The SSC uses a number of data sets in assessing the salmon stock on the river Feale. The stock is assessed using the fish counter located at Scartleigh dam. In addition, the commercial catch in the Feale and the rod caught salmon killed figure below the counter are added to fish counter numbers to calculate the total annual salmon return to the river.
This is the consistent methodology used each year by the SSC and has underpinned the status of the river as "open for harvest" over recent years. The average of the most recent 5 years of data 2014-2018 used for this years review has, however, demonstrated that the river is regarded as below its established conservation limit. This has resulted in the proposal to close the river to all harvest fishing (either commercial or rod and line), in line with the conservation imperative. It is proposed to open the Feale for catch and release angling.
The counter is a one channel counter operated on the crump weir which was installed to assist fish passage over the large weir. I am advised that this counter provides consistently accurate data. A new camera was installed early in the summer of 2017 for counter verification purposes. A very small number of salmon may by-pass the counter by going over the weir in high water conditions or ascend an old fish pass channel on the north bank and therefore, as part of the assessment, the counter figure is increased to take account of this, as advised by local Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) staff who monitor the operation of counter. It is the experience of local IFI staff that salmon generally do not ascend the weir in high water conditions. It should be noted that 2018 was a very dry year and there were very few occasions when the Scartleigh weir was overtopped.
A number of submissions relating to the proposals on the Feale were made to the statutory consultation process. Detailed responses will be made to those submissions following the closure of the consultation.
498. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated cost in 2019 if the budget for the electric vehicle home charger grant scheme increased by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53276/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of electric vehicle charging takes place at home. In order to support this, an Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant was introduced in January of this year. This supports the cost of installing a home charger up to a maximum of €600 for buyers of both new and second-hand electric vehicles.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), who administer the scheme, inform me that to the end of November, 957 grants to the value of €573,060 had been drawn down. SEAI estimate the final spend under the grant scheme for 2018 will be in the region of €700,000.
I intend to maintain the Home Charger Grant Scheme in 2019 and I estimate that it will support the installation of 2,000 home charge points at a cost of circa €1.2m.
If the grant of €600 was increased by 20% to €720, this would lead to the grant supporting 2,000 home charge points costing an estimated €1.44m in 2019
I would note that increasing the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant would not necessarily lead to any increased take-up in electric vehicles.
499. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when work will commence on the new whole-of-Government climate action plan; the timeframe for the report to be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52711/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra538. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans in the context of climate action with a view to meeting the various challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53453/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra539. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the five most important issues by which he can positively impact on the issue of climate change with particular reference to greenhouse gas reduction in public and private transport, energy conservation in the home, domestic motoring, agriculture and forestry while continuing to protect economic output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53454/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 538 and 539 together.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have secured Government approval to prepare an All of Government Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I will work with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives in electricity, transport, heat, agriculture and other relevant sectors. The new plan will have a strong focus on implementation, including actions with specific timelines and steps needed to achieve each action, assigning clear lines of responsibility for delivery. The new plan will also be informed by successful approaches in other countries, where such approaches could be adapted for implementation in Ireland.
This plan will build on the previous actions taken by Government, including in the National Mitigation Plan and the National Development Plan, and is to be completed by early new year.
500. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a broadband service will be available under the national broadband scheme at a location (details supplied). [52725/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network.
This procurement process is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.
501. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of used cooking oil used in the production of biodiesel here annually; the volume of used cooking oil collected; and the volume of such oil that was imported by country of origin since 2010, in tabular form. [52742/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question no. 500 of 26 November 2018. The position is unchanged.
502. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the options available to a person (details supplied) to insulate the person's home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe SEAI administers a number of residential energy efficiency schemes on my Department’s behalf. These include grant schemes for insulation, heat pumps and heating controls which can cover up to 30% of the cost. The insulation grants are available to all homeowners whose properties were built before 2006. More information is available by calling SEAI on 1800 250 204 or visiting https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/.
Housing Adaptation Grants are also available from the Local Authorities which can cover insulation in some circumstances. Each Local Authority has their own terms and conditions for these grants.
The aim of the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is to deliver a range of energy efficiency measures in a way which represents the best possible use of Exchequer funding. As this is a free scheme with no cost to the homeowner, eligibility is necessarily limited to maximise the benefit of the scheme and is currently confined to those in receipt of certain Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection allowances, such as the Fuel Allowance, and limiting each home to one visit for an energy efficiency upgrade.
My Department collaborates with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to set the eligibility criteria for the Warmer Homes scheme to target programmes in order to have the greatest impact. The criteria are kept under on-going review to ensure that they are consistent with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection's data on social inclusion.
503. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are circumstances in which the home energy grant can issue in a scenario in which the applicant applies for the grant after the work is done due to a particular reason (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52771/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. As Minister I have no function in relation to individual grant applications.
The terms and conditions of the Better Energy Homes programme are in place to ensure the transparent administration of public monies. Achieving this requires that the processes and systems are clear and efficient and operate in a manner which is fair to all applicants. As a publicly funded programme, the rules around grant application are necessarily strict and must be adhered to by SEAI in all cases
The fundamental rules of the scheme, as per the terms and conditions are that:
- In order to be eligible for an insulation grant, the home must have been built and occupied before 2006.
- Grant approval must be in place before any works are carried out.
- An SEAI registered contractor must be employed for the grant-funded works.
Any homeowner can request that their case is referred to the SEAI Appeals Panel. As part of this appeal process, all the relevant details surrounding the case can be sent to info@betterenergyhomes.ie for review. More information is available at https://www.seai.ie/customer-charter/
If a homeowner is unhappy with how SEAI address their appeal they can take the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman which has been established specifically to examine complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by public bodies. More information is available at https://www.ombudsman.ie/making-a-complaint/make-a-complaint/
504. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure that broadband coverage is extended to provide cover for a property (details supplied). [52775/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.
I note that there is some deployment of infrastructure by eir as part of that company’s rural fibre rollout in the area referred to by the Deputy.
eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking, and not part of the planned State Intervention network. Although the deployment is monitored under the terms of a Commitment Agreement signed between the company and my Department, it is not funded by the State and it is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.
The selection of what premises are to be served under eir’s deployment is an internal and commercial decision for the company.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.
505. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if waste operators will be directed to install a clip on the lids of bins to prevent the bins being blown open during stormy weather and the escape of rubbish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52776/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach local authority has discretion to draw up its own bye-laws on waste presentation in accordance with: the Local Government Act, 2001; Section 35 of the Waste Management Act, 1996 and Section 21 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 (if necessary). The power to adopt such by-laws is a reserved function.
While the power to make a bye-law and its actual content remain matters exclusively for each individual local authority, it is Government policy that a regionalised approach to both waste management planning and regulatory enforcement is adopted. Accordingly, the three Regional Waste Management Offices were established in 2013, with formation of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) following in 2015.
One of the priority tasks contained in the three Regional Waste Management Plans 2015-2021 was to commence a project to attain a more unified approach to the content and making of waste presentation bye-laws.
A Template for a Bye-law on Waste Presentation has been prepared by the three Regional Waste Management Offices and circulated to local authorities with a view to standardising such bye-laws across the State. The template does contain a specific provision in relation to the maintenance and management of waste containers so as not to be a source of nuisance or litter, as well as provisions on the storage and presentation of waste containers.
506. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52853/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of regulation of domestic solid fuel use will be addressed in the context of the Clean Air Strategy, which will provide the framework for a set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality and public health to meet current and future EU and international obligations.
Comprehensive analysis of the replies received to the public consultation on the Strategy has been completed, and my officials have been engaging with other Departments, Agencies and stakeholders, in order to finalise the strategy by the end of February next. A key focus of the current work is to ensure that there is maximum synergy between the Clean Air Strategy and the forthcoming National Air Pollution Control Programme mandated under the National Emission Ceilings Directive.
In relation to cost, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has published figures comparing the respective costs of domestic fuels. These are available online at https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Domestic-Fuel-Cost-Comparison.pdf and show that while low smoke fuels are typically more expensive to buy on a weight-by-weight basis, they have a higher heat output than coal or lignite nuggets and, therefore, represent good value for money.
In addition, relief from solid fuel carbon tax for certain fuels has been provided. Relief is available at 50% of the solid fuel carbon tax rate for products with a verified biomass content of at least 50%, and at 30% of the solid fuel carbon tax rate for products with a verified biomass content of between 30% and 50%. The relief has been restricted to clean or ‘low smoke’ solid fuels to avoid unintended health impacts, particularly from particulate emissions of ‘smoky’ products. This should incentivise the promotion of cleaner and lower carbon fuels.
507. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if revelations of an energy surplus in Northern Ireland for the next decade will affect the construction of the North-South interconnector, the purpose of which was to alleviate an energy deficit in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe single electricity market for the island of Ireland has brought many economic and social benefits, both north and south.
The enduring success of the single electricity market depends critically on the degree of interconnection. Currently just 300MW of electricity supply across the existing north south interconnector is permitted so as to ensure that electricity is securely provided to customers. The new north south interconnector will facilitate substantial increases in capacity transfers, thereby facilitating a more effective single electricity market.
Interconnection helps ensure that only the most efficient and low carbon generation is brought onto the grid. The interconnector also substantially increases the capacity to connect up to an estimated 900 MW of renewables to our grid. Currently 30% of our electricity comes from renewables but as part of our strategy to meet our climate commitments we need to almost double that proportion.
The North South interconnector has been subject to economic analysis and the benefit to cost ratio is very positive. The interconnector is expected to bring savings in the single electricity market of €20 million per annum from its inception, rising to between €40 million and €60 million per annum by 2030. Much of these savings result from reductions in network constraints that will accrue from its delivery.
The project has received planning consent in Ireland and Northern Ireland, however these decisions are the subject of ongoing legal challenges in both jurisdictions. The development of the interconnector including associated procurement activities are operational matters for EirGrid and ESB Networks.
The Generation Capacity Statement (GCS) 2018 covers both Northern Ireland and Ireland, and is produced jointly between the System Operator for Northern Ireland and EirGrid. This is in line with their regulatory requirements to publish forecast information about the power system including an assessment of the balance between supply and demand. The Generation Capacity Statement is updated annually to ensure adequate capacity is available in the market on an all-island basis and to plan accordingly.
I am advised that the increase in generation capacity as shown in the Generation Capacity Statement published by the Transmission System Operators does not impact on the need for the interconnector. It is also important to note that the increase in Northern Ireland generation capacity shown is likely to be temporary in nature. The main increase is from the assumed continued availability of the coal fired Kilroot generating units and two of the older less efficient Ballylumford units. The long term continued operation of these generators is not sustainable in the context of decarbonisation of the industry.
In fact since the Generation Capacity Statement was published, the Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland granted derogation requests on 9 November to AES for the two Ballylumford units, totalling 250MW, from the requirement to give three years notice of closure.
508. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties receiving an Eircode; if he will increase the frequency of periodical issuing of Eircodes to new build houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52917/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, in accordance with their licence agreement.
Each new address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licensed businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that 22,503 new addresses were assigned an Eircode in 2017.
My officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new build properties.
509. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a feed in tariff to roll out domestic and commercial rooftop solar power; if he officially met with the CEO of SEAI since his appointment; if he met with the senior management of companies (details supplied) to discuss the barriers that are preventing deployment of renewables on the grid; and if he has appointed a senior official in his Department to oversee the approach to climate change. [52981/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI strongly support a route to market for citizens and communities to generate their own renewable energy and to receive a fair price for doing so, but equally recognise the importance of finding an appropriate balance between costs to electricity consumers and the level of subsidy provided.
In July 2018, a new pilot scheme to support micro generation was introduced, initially targeting domestic self-consumption through a grant scheme for solar PV installation and battery storage. Over 3,000 applicants have expressed an interest to date and approximately 200 rebate claims are in process for payment by the SEAI who are administering the scheme on behalf of my Department. A review next year of the pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro-generation. However further work needs to be done to develop this sector.
Addressing climate change and our targets to 2030 and beyond is one of the key policy priorities for this Government. I have secured Government approval to prepare an All of Government Plan which will set out the actions which must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I will work with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives in electricity, transport, heat, agriculture and other relevant sectors. This effort is being overseen by the Climate Action and Environment area of my Department, which is headed up at Assistant Secretary level.
Since my appointment I have met with the SEAI, EirGrid, the ESB and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and I have emphasised the importance of prioritising the climate action agenda and increasing our ambition in this area.
In addition, officials in my Department are working closely with ESB Networks, EirGrid and the CRU to ensure that renewable electricity projects are connected as soon as possible to the electricity grid and that the current deadlines are met in order to maximise their contribution to the 2020 target.
510. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review under way regarding the option to give him the legislative basis on which to screen mineral exploration drilling under EIA directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53001/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA regulation, amending the Minerals Development Acts and which provides the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with the statutory authority to undertake screening for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), in line with EU Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU, was signed on 28 September 2018. The regulation, which is entitled the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) Minerals Development Act 1940) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (SI 384 of 2018), is available at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/384/made/en/print
A related regulation, amending the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 and which is entitled the European Union (Planning and Development) Environmental Impact Assessment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (SI 404 of 2018), was signed on 8 October 2018. This regulation is available at:
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/404/made/en/print
Following the introduction of these regulations, all applications for mineral exploration drilling are screened in line with the requirements of the EIA Directive and the Minister’s determinations are available on the Department’s website: https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/natural-resources/topics/Minerals-Exploration-Mining/statutory-notices/Pages/Appropriate-Assessment-.aspx
511. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the original broadband tender of 800,000 households was in contravention of state aid rules as stated by the Secretary General of his Department when attending the Committee of Public Accounts on 6 December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53055/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role the European Commission played in the decision to amend the broadband tender to assign over 300,000 households to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53095/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 511 and 516 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The NBP State led Intervention focuses on areas where industry investment has not been demonstrated.
Under EU State Aid Guidelines, it is a requirement that Member States thoroughly evaluate commercial plans so as to ensure that State Aid is confined to those areas of well-defined market failure, where investment is unlikely to occur in the near future.
In March 2015 my Department published and issued a request for supplementary information to operators on commercial plans for investment in high speed broadband. In October 2015 my Department published the process to assess commercial operators' investment plans. Plans received from commercial operators were subsequently assessed under these published technical, deployment and financial criteria. Both the request for supplementary information and the criteria for assessment of commercial plans are available on my Department’s website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
Following this exercise, my Department published the High Speed Broadband Map in December 2015. The Map sets out the extent of planned commercial investment in high speed broadband (BLUE and LIGHT BLUE on the current map), and the areas where commercial operators have indicated they will not be investing (AMBER on the current map).
Between November 2016 and March 2017, my Department received and assessed plans from eir regarding proposals to roll out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in the AMBER area on a commercial basis.
In the context of this assessment, my Department also engaged with the European Commission on State Aid implications, and consulted with ComReg regarding pricing on eir’s proposed network.
My Department concluded that the proposal represented a credible investment plan to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises that at the time were included in the intervention area. On the basis that eir had provided credible plans for investment there was no basis for a State intervention for those premises. In April 2017, my Department signed a Commitment Agreement with eir regarding their deployment.
The NBP High Speed Broadband Map was amended to reflect eir’s deployment, as well as the moving of some 84,500 premises into the AMBER area, as it had become clear that commercial operators were unlikely to deliver high speed broadband services to them.
The Intervention Area therefore changed from 757,000 (at end 2015) to 542,000 (April 2017). Following that development, the Intervention Area was finalised for the duration of the procurement process.
512. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of households that have availed of the warmer homes scheme in each of the years since its commencement, by county or local authority; and the number and value of grants in each year issued by each local authority. [53079/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Warmer Homes scheme has been in operation since 2000 and provides free energy efficiency upgrades to low income homeowners living in or at risk of energy poverty. The number of homes and overall funding for each year is set out in Table 1. A county breakdown is available for the years 2015-2018 and is set out in Table 2.
Table 1
|
Year |
Homes |
Cost (incl VAT) €M |
|
2000 |
1430 |
0.200 |
|
2001 |
1500 |
0.200 |
|
2002 |
1600 |
0.200 |
|
2003 |
1768 |
0.600 |
|
2004 |
1947 |
0.600 |
|
2005 |
1813 |
1.000 |
|
2006 |
2102 |
2.000 |
|
2007 |
3378 |
4.300 |
|
2008 |
5343 |
5.600 |
|
2009 |
16240 |
12.000 |
|
2010 |
24291 |
30.000 |
|
2011 |
20388 |
21.400 |
|
2012 |
12175 |
20.500 |
|
2013 |
9802 |
17.500 |
|
2014 |
9056 |
20.700 |
|
2015 |
6503 |
14.900 |
|
2016 |
6839 |
17.100 |
|
2017 |
6532 |
19.800 |
|
2018 YTD |
5044 |
29.792 |
|
TOTAL to date |
137751 |
218.392 |
Table 2
|
2015 |
2015 |
2016 |
2016 |
2017 |
2017 |
2018 YTD |
||
|
County |
Homes |
Cost (incl VAT) |
Homes |
Cost (incl VAT) |
Homes |
Cost (incl VAT) |
Homes |
Cost (incl VAT) |
|
Co. Carlow |
233 |
€523,961.22 |
94 |
€200,344 |
81 |
€250,051 |
56 |
€276,820 |
|
Co. Cavan |
143 |
€409,985.42 |
90 |
€272,327 |
88 |
€380,766 |
178 |
€851,023 |
|
Co. Clare |
70 |
€209,069.64 |
121 |
€335,272 |
220 |
€652,857 |
142 |
€637,281 |
|
Co. Cork |
417 |
€1,045,762.10 |
482 |
€1,463,903 |
599 |
€1,622,243 |
507 |
€3,098,258 |
|
Co. Donegal |
349 |
€985,560.09 |
294 |
€865,165 |
264 |
€1,011,083 |
573 |
€2,818,657 |
|
Co. Dublin |
1675 |
€2,432,752.14 |
867 |
€1,333,654 |
1574 |
€3,167,986 |
792 |
€5,951,882 |
|
Co. Galway |
299 |
€895,183.82 |
248 |
€774,751 |
516 |
€1,763,729 |
231 |
€1,282,419 |
|
Co. Kerry |
154 |
€442,009.32 |
127 |
€421,904 |
135 |
€535,545 |
319 |
€2,162,157 |
|
Co. Kildare |
564 |
€1,176,299.91 |
281 |
€693,232 |
152 |
€347,646 |
163 |
€844,434 |
|
Co. Kilkenny |
112 |
€279,677.00 |
246 |
€660,772 |
65 |
€165,509 |
59 |
€254,825 |
|
Co. Laois |
79 |
€201,612.83 |
302 |
€765,453 |
82 |
€280,083 |
80 |
€354,771 |
|
Co. Leitrim |
65 |
€218,732.30 |
47 |
€157,928 |
55 |
€204,544 |
55 |
€363,694 |
|
Co. Limerick |
73 |
€209,665.15 |
205 |
€495,583 |
231 |
€743,277 |
153 |
€742,842 |
|
Co. Longford |
111 |
€298,805.09 |
88 |
€206,281 |
61 |
€144,708 |
69 |
€289,090 |
|
Co. Louth |
158 |
€393,031.33 |
531 |
€1,168,614 |
153 |
€433,733 |
114 |
€466,233 |
|
Co. Mayo |
285 |
€885,291.82 |
290 |
€860,383 |
455 |
€1,704,754 |
209 |
€1,052,454 |
|
Co. Meath |
214 |
€484,551.36 |
697 |
€1,547,615 |
175 |
€497,041 |
118 |
€813,638 |
|
Co. Monaghan |
70 |
€187,811.25 |
45 |
€129,735 |
38 |
€209,127 |
102 |
€425,840 |
|
Co. Offaly |
118 |
€297,958.86 |
337 |
€936,966 |
100 |
€277,491 |
87 |
€395,309 |
|
Co. Roscommon |
105 |
€316,828.00 |
82 |
€257,299 |
83 |
€303,279 |
115 |
€736,392 |
|
Co. Sligo |
68 |
€187,010.34 |
139 |
€400,866 |
190 |
€703,149 |
104 |
€562,173 |
|
Co. Tipperary |
148 |
€389,003.26 |
203 |
€513,979 |
303 |
€870,511 |
132 |
€916,965 |
|
Co. Waterford |
141 |
€364,183.32 |
106 |
€327,691 |
233 |
€1,078,988 |
112 |
€978,242 |
|
Co. Westmeath |
394 |
€936,281.66 |
182 |
€510,733 |
127 |
€462,076 |
135 |
€686,072 |
|
Co. Wexford |
290 |
€799,088.75 |
297 |
€849,173 |
412 |
€1,518,067 |
324 |
€2,056,649 |
|
Co. Wicklow |
168 |
€322,083.18 |
438 |
€977,271 |
140 |
€427,931 |
115 |
€774,211 |
|
Total |
6503 |
€14,892,199.15 |
6839 |
€17,126,896 |
6532 |
€19,756,172 |
5044 |
€29,792,332 |
513. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the energy upgrade work funded to date in 2018 by programme; the planned or budgeted expenditure per programme for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to energy efficiency schemes to end November 2018 is set out in the tables below.
Funding for energy efficiency programmes next year will be provided from within the overall capital funding envelope of €142.6 million for the Energy Programme in Budget 2019, with individual programme allocations still to be finalised and published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services later this month.
1. Residential schemes
|
2018 (to end November) |
||
|
Programme |
Grant Spend (€M) |
Number of Homes |
|
Better Energy Homes |
15.5 |
12,936 |
|
Better Energy Warmer Homes |
29.4 |
5,238 |
|
Better Energy Communities |
13.0 |
1,189 |
|
Deep Retrofit |
2.9 |
183 |
|
Warmth and Wellbeing |
9.8 |
451 |
|
Total |
70.6 |
19,997 |
2. Commercial schemes
|
2018 (to end November) |
||
|
Programme |
Grant Spent (€M) |
No of beneficiaries |
|
Dairy Farmers Pilot |
€0.3 |
69 |
|
Smart Lighting Scheme |
€1.1 |
100 |
|
EXEED |
€2.2 |
54 |
|
Total |
€3.6 |
223 |
3. Public Sector Schemes
|
2018 (to end November) |
||
|
Programme |
Capital Spent (€M) |
No of buildings |
|
OPW Public building upgrade |
11* |
63* |
|
Schools Programme |
2.75 |
6 |
|
Total |
13.75* |
69* |
*Provisional
514. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding eligibility for the warmer homes scheme in respect of persons who receive a carer’s payment; if carers will now have an entitlement to the scheme; and the specific conditions attached in this regard. [53081/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures at no cost to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty who meet the defined eligibility criteria.
In August this year, the scheme was expanded to recipients of the Carer’s Allowance who are living with the person they are caring for. Any individual who is in receipt of the Carer’s Allowance and would like to apply for the Warmer Homes scheme will have to complete a “Carers Allowance Confirmation Form” signed and stamped by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
This form, along with further information regarding the Warmer Homes scheme, and how to apply can be found on SEAI’s website below or Freephone 1800 250 204.
https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/free-upgrades-for-eligible-homes/
515. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date in 2019 from which persons who previously benefitted from the warmer homes scheme can be eligible for the expanded range of benefits under the scheme announced earlier in 2018. [53082/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). In March this year, a decision was taken to expand the scheme to cover internal and external wall insulation and replacement of single-glazed windows. Homes that previously received works are not currently eligible to receive additional works having regard to the available exchequer funding.
The SEAI, working with my Department, will review the scheme in 2019 having regard to its operation since the new measures were introduced. Any changes to the eligibility criteria for the scheme will be set out following the review.
