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Thursday, 24 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 35-54

Waste Disposal Charges

Ceisteanna (35, 38, 232)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

35. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a waiver will be issued for persons with disabilities and incontinence issues in regard to waste bills. [3375/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

38. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the annual support of €75 for persons with long-term and lifelong medical incontinence under the new waste collection charges announced in June 2017 will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3399/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Brady

Ceist:

232. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans to introduce the promised annual support of €75 for persons with long-term and lifelong medical incontinence under the new waste collection charges announced in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53330/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 38 and 232 together.

My Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

National Mitigation Plan Implementation

Ceisteanna (36)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

36. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Shannon LNG project and its impact on Ireland’s efforts to reduce fossil fuels over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3189/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Mitigation Plan, published in July 2017, restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Investment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, approved by government in July 2018, will provide for a renewable electricity ambition of 55% by 2030. Currently, 30% of our electricty is generatred from renewables.

I have secured Government approval to develop 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. This Plan will include the steps which we must take in order to reach this target. I will work with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives across electricity, transport and heat, as well as a range of other sectors.

In all projected transitions to a low carbon economy by 2050, gas will continue to play a role. It plays an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the power generation, industrial and commercial, residential and transport sectors by replacing more Co2-intensive fossil fuels. In Ireland gas powered generation also provides an important back-up for intermittent renewable wind generation.

So while gas useage will reduce significantly in the years ahead, Ireland will still need secure sources of gas. At present this is provided by both gas piped on shore from Irish gas fields and imports through gas pipelines from the UK.

The development of an LNG facility could further enhance Ireland’s gas security of supply by increasing import route diversity and would be compatible with the State’s commitments to tackle climate change.

Ireland’s energy policy is fully aligned with the EU’s climate and energy objectives on the transition to decarbonisation, which includes continuous and on-going review of policies to reduce harmful emissions, improve energy efficiency, incentivise efficient and sustainable infrastructure investment, integrate markets, and promote research and innovation while ensuring our energy security of supply is maintained and enhanced.

The project to which the Deputy refers is a private commercial project. Final investment decisions for the project and compliance with any legal and regulatory requirements in relation to consents or permits are the responsibility of the project promoter.

In relation to the production, sourcing, buying and selling of natural gas produced outside this jurisdiction, this is an operational matter for the undertakings involved. Any undertaking would be required to comply with EU law in this area.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (37)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

37. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement he has had with his counterparts in the United Kingdom Government, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Assembly on environmental issues since his appointment in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3376/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland continues to work on preparedness and contingency planning as part of the EU27 with the full support of the European Commission and other Member States. Many of the actions aimed at mitigating the effects of a no deal outcome will be taken at the EU level, as they involve sectors regulated by EU law. The Government’s Contingency Action Plan is the culmination of many months of work in this context and gives an overview of the comprehensive, cross-Government preparations that have been in place since even before the Brexit vote. This work continues at both a national and EU level and further updates on no deal preparedness will follow throughout January and February.

In December 2018, on the margins of the EU Environment Council of Ministers, I met with Ms Thérèse Coffey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss environmental matters generally. Brexit was among the matters raised. I have had no engagement to date on Brexit matters with the other two administrations.

My Department, however, engages with these administrations on an ongoing basis through the British-Irish Council, set up under the Good Friday Agreement. The Council meets in different formats, including summits involving Heads of Government/Administrations and sectoral meetings at Ministerial and official level.The Council provides a forum for discussion on areas of common interest and member administrations exchange information, consult and endeavour to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the relevant administrations.

Question No. 38 answered with Question No. 35.

Energy Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (39)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

39. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to roll out smart meters; and his views on whether smart meters can be a tool to address Ireland's climate commitments. [3174/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Smart Meter Upgrade is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, and ESB Networks are responsible for rolling out smart electricity meters. This is a significant energy infrastructure project, involving the installation of new meters to over 2 million customers nationwide. The rollout will occur in a phased basis, commencing with an initial delivery of 250,000 meters across the latter half of 2019 and 2020 and approximately 500,000 meters in each of the four subsequent years. By 2020 almost three quarters of a million of existing meters will be more than 40 years old and in need of replacement.

Last week’s announcement by ESB Networks lays out the details of three procurement processes related to the Smart Meter Upgrade – the smart meters themselves, their deployment and the communications technology they will use. The announcement of the awards of contracts followed a rigorous tendering process carried out by ESB Networks in 2018.

The national installation of smart meters is a key enabler of Ireland's transition to a low carbon energy system that will help deliver on our climate action goals. There will be no need for estimated bills with smart meters. Accurate energy usage information across the day will enable consumers to be more efficient in their use of electricity and save money (e.g. by using appliances off peak). This will, in turn, reduce the need for less efficient and more costly generation at peak times and support the increase in renewable power on the electricity system. Smart meters will also support greater uptake of electric vehicles and micro-generation.

Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 31.

Renewable Energy Generation

Ceisteanna (41)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which the electricity generating capacity reliance on fossil fuels has been reduced in the past five years; the degree to which clean energy alternatives have been developed in the same period; the current and expected capacity in this regard in the foreseeable future with particular reference to the development of realistic and reliable alternatives to conventional fuels with a view to meeting carbon target reductions and avoidance of internationally set penalties or fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3378/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

EirGrid have estimated that renewable electricity as a percentage of demand has risen from 23.5% in 2014 to approximately 35% in 2018. Details in relation to All-Island electricity system demand and fuel mix are publicly available on the EirGrid website at www.eirgridgroup.com/. This includes information on the number, type and generating capacity of plants on the system. EirGrid’s recent “All-Island Generation Capacity Statement” published in 2018 also gives further details of the electricity fuel mix (2017) from different energy sources for both Ireland and Northern Ireland. The total amount of renewable generation connected to the electricity grid at November 2018 was 3,938 Mega Watts (MW), of which wind generation was approximately 3,610 MW, hydro was 238 MW and biomass was 91 MW. EirGrid estimates that a total of between 3,900 MW and 4,300 MW of onshore renewable generation capacity will be required to allow Ireland to achieve 40% renewable electricity by 2020.

The Energy in Ireland 2018 Report (Table 11, page 34) from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) published in December 2018 shows the degree to which electricity production from renewable energy sources has increased over the last five years. Looking forward to the projected renewable electricity capacity needed to meet Ireland's energy and climate ambitions, EirGrid's “Tomorrow’s Energy Scenarios 2017 (July 2017) maps out possible four future scenarios covering the years 2020 to 2040.

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Ceisteanna (42)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

42. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to increase the amount of electricity being generated from renewable sources; and the steps he is taking to develop micro generation. [3176/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In achieving our renewable energy targets under the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009, Ireland has set a national sub target of meeting 40% electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this and the latest data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicate that 30.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources in 2017. The Government has adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable electricity including the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. In addition, my Department is developing the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable electricity ambition of 55% out to 2030. 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. A review of the pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro generation. As I outlined in the Dáil on 27 November last, in response to the Micro Generation Support Scheme Bill, I am supportive in principle of providing a route to market for citizens and communities to generate their own renewable energy and receive a fair and efficient price for doing so. This very much aligns with Ireland's energy policy as set out in the Energy White Paper 2015 and wider EU energy policy goals.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (43)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

43. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to develop a modern EV charging network; and the location of new EV chargers being funded by the climate action fund. [3181/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The majority of the existing publicly accessible electric vehicle infrastructure was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes 77 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the charge points, including the status and availability of the charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. Under the Climate Action Fund, I approved funding of up to €10 million to a project from ESB eCars that will develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake over the next decade. The project successfully completed the assessment stage and is now going through the validation stage. On completion of this stage further detail on the project, including information in relation to the location of chargers, will be set out.

Funding for public charging in local communities is also available through the Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, supports community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area.

In addition, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Ceisteanna (44)

James Browne

Ceist:

44. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the roll out of the national broadband plan with specific reference to County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across the country, and a State intervention in those areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. There are approximately 82,407 premises in County Wexford. Since December 2015, the number of premises with access to high speed broadband in Wexford has increased by 17,289, a 10% increase. In total, the number of premises in Wexford with access to high speech broadband is 58,379, or 71% of total premises in the county. Another 2,306 will be served by eir under that company’s ongoing rural deployment.

The remaining 21,722 homes, schools and businesses in Wexford will be connected under the government’s NBP State led intervention.

In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address or Eircode.

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 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (45, 53, 57)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a further call for applications for the climate action fund will be made in the future in view of the announcement of the first successful projects in late November 2018. [3179/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

53. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the development of the climate action fund will be prioritised to include community based projects. [3178/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

57. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role which local authorities nationally will play as applicants or project partners in the seven projects recently announced under the climate action fund. [3186/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 53 and 57 together.

The Local Authorities have been major players in the recent competition for support from the Climate Action Fund. Among the seven successful projects, two Local Authorities are the lead applicants and, in respect of another, 27 different Local Authorities are participating as project partners.

Local Authorities have also been involved in a number of the 90 applicant projects which were not successful on this occasion.

The two District Heating projects, that are led by Local Authorities, have the potential to heat the equivalent of up to 60,000 homes and deliver major improvements in energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

The 27 Local Authorities are participating in a public lighting efficiency project to retrofit all remaining 326,000 non-LED public lights in their areas which could save in excess of 300 thousand tonnes of carbon emissions over a ten year period.

The scope, structure and timeframe of future calls for applications have not yet been determined. To assist development of future calls, my Department plans to hold a workshop with all those who applied under the first call. This workshop, which will be held at the end of this month, will provide the opportunity to provide feedback to applicants and also to inform the next call.

Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 30.

Broadband Service Provision

Ceisteanna (47, 48, 54)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding progress in the provision of high speed, high quality broadband in all areas nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3379/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

48. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress to date with the approval of the national broadband scheme; when it is likely a contract will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3146/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

54. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date in the roll out of rural broadband by a company (details supplied) which is subject to a contract with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48 and 54 together.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access 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 has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.3 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. When this Government came into office, this had risen to 52%. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.

In April 2017 my Department published an updated version of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map. This is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/Eircode:

- The AMBER area represents the parts of the country where commercial operators have no plans to build high speed broadband networks. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high Speed Broadband through a State Intervention.

- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

- The LIGHT BLUE area represents eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

Information on categories of specific premises can be accessed on my Department’s website, www.broadband.gov.ie, by entering the relevant Eircode into the High Speed Broadband Map. For those premises which fall within eir's commercial deployment to 300,000 premises further detail is provided on that company’s website, www.fibrerollout.ie.

Under a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017, eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. According to information submitted by eir to my Department, as of Quarter 4 2018 the company has passed some 225,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. This is in the process of verification by officials in my Department.

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 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in this regard 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. 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.

Broadcasting Sector

Ceisteanna (49)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

49. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered the recommendations of an organisation (details supplied) and the need for support for Irish independent productions through television licence fee reforms. [3190/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am aware of Screen Producers Ireland's role as the representative body for independent producers. Both Public Service Broadcasters spend millions of euro each year on independently produced programming. This is vital in supporting a vibrant independent sector, including in the regions. Section 116 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides that RTÉ make specific amounts available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent production sector. In 2017, RTE spent €39.7m on independent productions. TG4 commissions the majority of its Irish language programmes from independent production companies throughout Ireland. In 2017, the broadcaster spent over €21.6m on independent productions, which was 88% of its annual programme budget for that year.

In addition, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is responsible for the administration of the Broadcasting Fund which includes the Sound and Vision Scheme. This scheme, which is financed from the TV Licence fee, provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, programmes to improve adult literacy, and archiving of programme material. Revenue from this fund can be applied for by independent producers and broadcasters for specific projects of a public service nature. In 2017, €12m in funding supported 63 television and 176 radio projects.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment examined the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media. The Committee published their report at the end of November 2017.

Following consideration of the recommendations made in that report, Government approval was received in July 2018 to establish a Working Group on the Future Funding of Public Service Broadcasting. The Working Group, which is chaired by my Department, is currently deliberating on a number of options for the reform of the TV Licence Fee and its collection. It is due to report to me by the end of March.

Better Energy Communities Programme

Ceisteanna (50)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

50. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the schemes available for homes and business to reduce carbon emitted through buildings; and the number that have benefitted to date. [3180/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is funded by my Department to administer energy efficiency grant schemes for both homes and businesses. Details of these grants are provided below and further information is available on SEAI’s website https://www.seai.ie/. Homes:

- A range of grants are available to householders to suit their circumstances and scale of work they wish to undertake.

- Better Energy Homes provides a financial incentive (typically covering 30% of the cost of works) to private homeowners who wish to improve the energy performance of their homes.

- Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme provides a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty who meet the defined eligibility criteria.

- Better Energy Communities encourages and supports community based partnerships to carry out energy efficiency upgrades to mixed projects of homes, community facilities and businesses within a local community.

- The Warmth and Wellbeing Pilot Scheme is a joint energy, social and health policy initiative aimed at validating the health impacts of improved energy efficiency in a home. The pilot scheme was established in HSE Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 7, specifically in Dublin 8, 10, 12, 22 & 24.

- The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme is available to homeowners who want to upgrade their house to an A BER while availing of grant support of up to 50%.

The majority of these grants are available to homeowners whose properties were built before 2006. Since the introduction of these grants nearly 400,000 homes across the country have received an energy efficiency upgrade, representing nearly one home in five across the country.

Businesses:

- The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) Certified Program focuses on lifecycle energy performance in the industrial, commercial and public sectors. It works by using grant offers to incentivise businesses or organisations to look at projects from the design stage, and consider the most efficient process when commissioning or designing a new project, process or asset. This scheme is applicable to any sector or organisation, and to projects of any scale or complexity. The EXEED Grant Scheme can provide grant support of up to €500,000. In 2018 56 projects have received grant funding through this program.

- The SEAI SME Programmes supports businesses to tackle their energy costs. SEAI have worked with over 3,000 businesses of all sizes and types, and delivered savings of up to 30% for participants through the programmes. Two pilot schemes operated in 2017 and 2018:

- Dairy Farm Grant Scheme provided in collaboration with Teagasc offered grants of 40% to support the installation of efficient vacuum and milk pump technology which can significantly reduce energy and costs to farmers – with 116 benefiting from this scheme.

- The Smart Lighting Pilot Scheme encourages and supports businesses to upgrade their lighting by providing grants of up to 30% which enables businesses to permanently reduce their future energy use and spend on lighting. To date 256 SMEs have availed of this scheme.

Gas Exploration Licences

Ceisteanna (51)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

51. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy in relation to the facilitation of new LNG facilities. [3263/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Natural Gas, the lowest carbon-emitting fossil fuel, is an important transition fuel on the pathway to decarbonisation. The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2017 recognises the role which gas will play in the transition to 2050. In Ireland, gas powered electricity generation provides an important back-up for intermittent renewable wind generation. Natural Gas has the potential to play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the power generation, industrial and commercial, residential and transport sectors by replacing more CO2-intensive fossil fuels.

The potential for LNG was examined as part of a study carried out by Gas Networks Ireland and EirGrid, on Ireland’s resilience to a long-term gas disruption. While the study found that Ireland’s gas network is largely resilient to cope with a long duration gas disruption, it recommended, subject to a detailed cost benefit analysis, a floating LNG terminal may be the most appropriate option to further enhance Ireland’s security of gas supply.

There have been a number of announcements of private sector commercial proposals to build LNG facilities in Ireland. These are commercial projects and the location, development and final investment decisions for these projects are ultimately the responsibility of the project promoters. It is the responsibility of the respective project promoters to comply with any legal and regulatory requirements, including requirements for planning permission, consents, permits and related environmental impact assessments.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 21.
Question No. 53 answered with Question No. 45.
Question No. 54 answered with Question No. 47.
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