Written Answers Nos. 800-828
800. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to help county councils deal with an increase in incidents of illegal dumping and fly-tipping during Covid-19 lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8321/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIllegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the Local Authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement. An allocation of €3 million has been made to support the 2020 Anti-Dumping Initiative. Since the introduction of the Anti-Dumping Initiative in 2017, funding of €6.3 million has been provided by my Department which has supported over 700 projects and removed 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste across the country. This is in addition to the €7.4m annual enforcement grant, which supports the recruitment and retention of 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel across the country.
I have ring-fenced and prioritised one million euro of the 2020 allocation to combat illegal dumping activities associated with these challenging times with funding being provided for monitoring and surveillance of dumping black-spots, removal of illegally deposited waste and other measures that will prevent this activity and catch the perpetrators involved.
A national anti-dumping awareness campaign has also been undertaken to highlight that household waste services are operating normally, that householders must use an authorised waste collector or their local civic amenity to dispose of household waste and that leaving waste, including recyclables, on the street close to waste collection amenities is considered illegal dumping.
It is important to note that Government has designated waste collection as an essential service and that measures taken by my Department, working in conjunction with industry and other regulatory authorities, has ensured the continued operation and availability of these services across all local authorities. The investment made by my Department in the network of waste enforcement officers has resulted in a robust waste system which has been able to operate effectively in these challenging times.
801. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the warmer homes scheme is taking up to 18 months to have applications processed; the waiting time for the scheme; the number waiting on the scheme; the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8326/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date, over 140,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. In 2019, €39.8 million was allocated to the Scheme with over 3,000 homes upgraded. Budget 2020 announced an allocation for the scheme of €52.8 million. This represents the biggest ever budget for the Warmer Homes Scheme.
Although the budget for the scheme has been significantly increased in recent times, the current very high level of demand does directly impact waiting times with the duration between applying for the scheme and having works carried out currently averaging at 18 months. This is partly due to changes to the scheme introduced in June 2018 which expanded and enhanced the range of energy efficiency measures available as well as an extension of the eligibility rules. Also, it should be noted that due to COVID-19 all SEAI grant-aided home upgrade works have been paused but will recommence in line with national guidance.
The Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to review ways to improve how current energy poverty schemes target those most in need, including how to reduce waiting times. The review has been carried out and recommendations for changes to the scheme will be made shortly.
There are currently 6,156 homes on the scheme waiting list. Some are awaiting allocation to a contractor while others are awaiting the initial survey of their home. The information requested in relation to the length of time on waiting lists is set out in the following table. It should be noted that some older applications may relate to non-standard situations, for example, an appeal about the works recommended or a request from the homeowner to pause the application for personal reasons.
2018 Warmer Homes Applications
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
63 |
153 |
223 |
2019 Warmer Homes Applications
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
97 |
288 |
199 |
593 |
846 |
450 |
538 |
340 |
305 |
300 |
450 |
251 |
4,657 |
2020 Warmer Homes Applications
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
379 |
467 |
269 |
112 |
49 |
1,276 |
Scheme Total = 6,156
802. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a licence application (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to concerns of the local community on the matter; his plans to address same; when a decision is likely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8327/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 1002 and 1005 of 5 March, 2020. The position is unchanged.
803. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of an application for an Eircode by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8355/20]
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 postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property 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 over 110,000 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
An Post have informed my officials they are currently updating the individual's address data on their systems and this information should then be issued from An Post GeoDirectory to Eircode. My Department has requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this new property address.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes to new builds is desirable, my officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), An Post GeoDirectory and Capita to improve and expedite the existing process.
804. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a person (details supplied) can expect good quality broadband. [8394/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. The Question refers to premises which are located in the AMBER area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed.
Further information on deployment activities associated with the roll out can be found at the NBI website www.nbi.ie.
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
805. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the carbon sequestration potential of forests and the forestry sector will be included in the revised model of assessing carbon emissions compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8482/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LULUCF Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/841) has established the mechanisms whereby from 2021 onwards emissions and removals from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry will be integrated into the EU Framework for compliance with national emissions targets. It is important to note that emissions and removals of greenhouse gases associated with land-based activities are reported in a different category to those associated with agricultural activity, in line with international reporting guidelines. Under the Effort Sharing Regulation (Regulation (EU) 842/2018), Ireland can avail of credits of up to 26.8MtCO2eq associated with land use, including forestry, over the period 2021 to 2030. Thus for 2030, under EU legislation, Ireland will be able to use a limited amount of removals associated with land-based activities, including forestry, in meeting our 2030 emissions reductions target under the Effort Sharing Regulation.
Forestry provides verifiable removal and storage of CO2 from the atmosphere and will help Ireland in meeting our EU commitments over the period 2021 to 2030. The Government's Climate Action Plan identifies how Ireland will achieve its 2030 targets for carbon emissions, and sets us on a trajectory which would be consistent with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Under the Climate Action Plan, it is estimated that afforestation and the sustainable management of existing forests will result in a cumulative abatement of 21 MtCO2eq over the period 2021-2030, based on a target afforestation rate of 8,000 hectares per annum.
806. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if contractors, installers, suppliers and service providers undertaking activities within SEAI funded works and funded administered schemes can return to work as part of phase 1 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, the phase under which they will be allowed to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8484/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile noting that the Government's Roadmap permits a phased return of outdoor workers in phase 1 (18 May 2020), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has determined that grant-aided home upgrade works could not be undertaken in compliance with the guidelines. This determination was informed by the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business and the Return to Work Safely Protocol.
It is important to note that some of the schemes administered by the SEAI are designed to provide retrofits for households in energy poverty, many of whom are older people and/or have chronic respiratory conditions. It is also the case that while elements of individual house retrofits may be outdoors, such projects require workers gaining indoor access.
The situation is being reviewed by the SEAI in the context of guidelines for Phase 2.
807. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he remains committed to introducing a ban on the sale of fossil-fuelled internal combustion engine cars and to have 840,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030; if his attention has been drawn to the fact there is a significant gap between EU emission reduction targets for cars and emission reduction targets contained within the Climate Action Plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8517/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to introducing a ban on the sale of fossil-fuelled internal combustion engine cars and to the targets set out in the Climate Action Plan for electric and low emissions vehicles by 2030. The transition to alternatively-fuelled vehicles and away from fossil-fuelled vehicles is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the passenger car fleet which accounts for 52% of transport emissions, or approximately 10% of Ireland’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions.
The Climate Action Plan sets out a pathway for the uptake of electric vehicles over the next decade based on analysis prepared by consultants to identify key emissions abatement technologies. That analysis concludes that the most cost-effective abatement opportunities for transport are in its electrification. It is widely expected that, over the next number of years, the combination of improvements in technology, reductions in vehicle purchase prices, increasing driving ranges and model availabilities, coupled with Government incentives and new investment in the recharging network will maintain the current positive policy environment under which electric vehicle sales have risen steeply in recent years, albeit from a low base.
The Climate Action Plan therefore sets targets for electric and low emissions vehicles by 2030 as follows:
- Increasing the number of passenger EVs on the road to 840,000 (split between 550,000 BEVs and 290,000 PHEVs)
- Reaching 95,000 electric vans and trucks
- Procuring 1,200 low-emissions buses for public transport in cities
Critically, the Plan expects the bulk of the shift to EVs (and the resulting emissions reduction) to occur in the second half of the next decade, when prices have fallen in line with technology development, and purchasing behaviour patterns have changed. These targets are challenging but indicative of the scale of the transformation required if Ireland is to reach its legally binding emission ceilings in future years.
Achieving the Climate Action Plan targets will likely require a suite of policy and regulatory interventions at national and EU level. Action 79 of the Climate Action Plan committed to the development of a roadmap on the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies to drive significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales from very early in the next decade. To meet this commitment, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has established an Electric Vehicle Optimum Policy Pathway Group in which my Department is participating. I understand this group expects to conclude its work and report to Government in Q3 2020.
The General Scheme of the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill, approved by Government on 17 December 2019, proposes to include a provision to ban the sale of fossil fuel cars by 2030 and to stop the granting of NCTs by 2045 to address the commitments in the Climate Action Plan. Work on the drafting of this legislation is ongoing in my Department.
There is no inconsistency between EU emission reduction targets for cars and emission reduction targets contained within the Climate Action Plan. Since 2009, EU legislation sets mandatory emission reduction targets for all new passenger cars and vans registered in the EU. The legislation is the cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to improve vehicle fuel economy and has driven car manufacturers to develop innovative energy efficient technologies. The regulations have iteratively been made more stringent, progressively decreasing EU fleet-wide average emissions along with increasing the availability of lower emission vehicles across the EU.
In relation to the coming decade, Regulation (EU) 2019/631 sets CO2 emission performance standards to ensure that, by 2025 and 2030, the average emissions from new cars will be 15% and 37.5% lower, respectively, compared to 2021 levels. The Regulation is also structured to incentivise manufacturers to increase the production of zero- and low-emission vehicles.
Achievement of these targets by manufactures will make an important contribution to both the EU and individual Member State emissions reductions targets for 2030. Due to the absence of vehicle manufacturing here, Ireland will remain strongly dependent on continued action at an EU level in this respect. Notwithstanding this, Member States may introduce additional domestic policies and measures and impose more ambitious targets for specific sectors. The Climate Action Plan adopted by Government imposes specific and differentiated targets for individual sectors, based on an analysis of the most cost-effective split of emissions reductions across the economy in order to meet Ireland's emissions reduction targets for the 2021 - 2030 period. The Plan targets a 45% - 50% reduction in transport sector emissions by 2030 relative to existing projections.
The new European Green Deal proposes that, by June 2021, the Commission will revise the legislation on CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans, to ensure a clear pathway from 2025 onwards towards zero-emission mobility.
808. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the next tranche of funding will be made available under a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8526/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra820. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to local authorities that are oversubscribed and-or have exhausted grants regarding the €2,500 trading online voucher (details supplied); if he will release further funding to local enterprise offices; if local enterprise offices have requested further funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9010/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra822. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will issue local enterprise offices with an additional and increased allocation of trading online vouchers in view of the fact that there is a significant demand for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9043/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 808, 820 and 822 together.
The Trading Online Voucher Scheme is funded by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. The Scheme offers skills training, mentoring and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability.
In April the Government provided an additional €3.3m to the scheme bringing the total available in 2020 to €5.6m. In addition, new flexibilities to the Scheme were introduced including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one.
There has been a positive response to these changes and significant uptake of the Scheme. In that context my Department is currently reviewing the funding requirements of the Scheme.
809. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the appropriate action will be taken to ensure that future policies setting out the limitations of so-called renewable energies will take research into consideration in view of recent reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8597/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan sets out how Ireland will achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets as well as putting Ireland on a trajectory consistent with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Achieving 70% renewable electricity by 2030 will require significant build out in infrastructure and deployment of new technologies. It will involve phasing out coal-fired and peat-fired electricity generation plants, increasing our renewable electricity, reinforcing our grid (including greater interconnection to allow electricity to flow between Ireland and other countries), and putting systems in place to manage intermittent sources of power, especially from wind.
The Plan includes a number of actions to deliver this target, including regulatory streamlining of renewables and grid development; development of the offshore renewables sector, implementation of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS); and development of an enabling framework for micro-generation.
Deployment of renewable energy in Ireland will continue to be based on sound scientific and economic evidence in order to deliver a sustainable and low carbon energy future.
810. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason SEAI grants and similar grants for energy efficient systems in sports facilities, clubhouses and club buildings are excluded from application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8751/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises that all types of building and facilities can benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. These upgrades benefit the building users and deliver important climate and environmental improvements by reducing energy use and associated emissions. Two schemes funded by my Department and operated by the SEAI are relevant to facilities such as those listed by the Deputy. The Better Energy Communities (BEC) Scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area. It covers homes, community facilities (including sports clubs) and businesses. Grant funding of over €20.5 million was provided in 2019 to support the energy efficiency improvement of more than 650 homes and over 570 non-residential buildings under the scheme. The budget for the BEC Scheme for 2020 has been increased to €22 million (capital) and the successful applicants for 2020 are being notified by SEAI. It is currently envisaged that this scheme will open for new applications later this year. In the meantime prospective applicants might review the existing scheme details and requirements which could be helpful to them if they are considering availing of the scheme in future. The Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) scheme could also support upgrades to club houses and buildings.
In addition to the SEAI schemes, my Department has also put in place the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme. This scheme places an obligation on energy suppliers to deliver energy savings. As a result of this scheme, obligated parties (Energy Suppliers) are also seeking energy saving projects to meet their energy saving targets.
Further information on these schemes including how and when applications can be made are available on the SEAI website.
811. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress being made with regard to the planned €75 annual support for waste collection to those with lifelong and long-term medical incontinence; and the date for the roll-out of same. [8757/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been examining this issue in detail and has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and the HSE, in an effort to see how best to provide a financial support to persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. However, there are complex issues at play in this area, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question. Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste. This provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability. Results from the PMG are available on my Department's website.
812. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the arrangements in place to introduce a scheme to compensate persons that have been historically cutting turf on Bord na Móna bogs and are prevented from doing so at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra834. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the arrangements and compensation scheme which will be put in place for persons that rely on turf harvested by contractors and individuals and not directly by Bord na Móna on Bord na Móna bogs that will not be able to obtain such turf for heating in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9331/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 812 and 834 together.
The management of Bord na Mona bogs is an operational matter for the Board and management of the company.
813. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8801/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra814. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of broadband for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8802/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 813 and 814 together.
The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland.
The Questions refer to premises which will be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). Further detail on the locations included in the National Broadband Plan are available on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the roll out.
The most up to date information regarding deployment activities is available on National Broadband Ireland’s website www.nbi.ie.
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations which include schools, libraries, hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
815. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the provisions in place for consumers to sell excess solar generated electricity back to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8803/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan sets out how Ireland will achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and cut emissions by 35%, and put Ireland on a trajectory which is consistent with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key part of the Plan is a move to 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Action 30 of the Climate Action Plan commits to the delivery of a framework for micro-generation from renewable technologies with a view to commencement of a support scheme by 2021, at the latest, to ensure that people can sell excess electricity they produce back to the grid, whilst ensuring principles of equity, self-consumption and energy efficiency first are incorporated.
A Microgeneration Working Group, chaired by my Department, has been established and a detailed work programme is underway examining the main steps necessary to facilitate the feeding of electricity generation of private residence or commercial premises into the national grid.
The proposed supports mechanisms will be outlined in a public consultation in 2020 and a suitable support payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro-generators by 2021.
816. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a grant (details supplied) available from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8817/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently provide a support for the type of works indicated. However, there is a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy supports available to businesses via the SEAI including: - The SEAI Energy Academy is a new online resource that gives businesses free access to high quality energy training. The SEAI provides information and advisory services to businesses including briefings, workshops, workplace resources, access to energy auditing services and case studies of best practice. The organisations in SEAI’s Large Industry Energy Network, that account for over 20% of Ireland’s energy use, work together to improve energy performance and share experiences. Project Assistance Grants are provided to businesses with large energy expenditure to help fund the development of feasibility studies and business cases for energy performance improvements. Accelerated Capital Allowances allow businesses to reduce their taxable profits by the full level of expenditure on energy efficient equipment in the year the investment is made.
Funding is provided to businesses that undertake design, construction and commissioning projects that use the Excellence in Energy Efficient Design (EXEED) certification process. The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat financially supports businesses in the adoption of renewable energy for heat including heat pumps and heating systems that use biomass or biogas. The Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community based partnerships (which can include homes, community facilities and businesses) to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Further information on these supports is available at https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/
817. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if supplementary plans to ramp up the construction and delivery of offshore wind farms are being discussed or formulated within his Department; if guidance is available in terms of the preferred construction options for offshore farms; if they will be made available; the way in which Irish companies can prepare appropriately for future tender processes in the area of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8820/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan includes, inter alia, a suite of actions to decarbonise the electricity sector and boost the quantity of renewable generation in order to meet our target of 70% of demand from renewable sources by 2030; the Plan commits to connecting at least 3.5GW of offshore wind by 2030. At present, only offshore renewable energy projects within the limits of the foreshore (12 nautical miles) may be licensed under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended.
In order to achieve the Climate Action Plan commitment to connect at least 3.5GW of offshore wind by 2030 my Department is working closely with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the development of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill (MPDM). The enactment of the MPDM Bill will provide a modern, up-to-date regulatory and marine planning framework for offshore renewable energy developments beyond the limits of the foreshore (12 nautical miles). This new regime will replace existing State and development consent regimes and streamline arrangements on the basis of a single consent principle. The General Scheme of the Bill was approved by Government on 17 December 2019. It has since been published and, subject to being taken up by the new Dáil, will go to pre-legislative scrutiny as soon as the new Committee structures are set up.
A Working Group on the Framework for Offshore Electricity Grid was established in late 2019. It is chaired by my Department, and its membership includes Eirgrid, the CRU and ESB Networks. The objective of the group is to assess the options available for a suitable offshore grid model for Ireland. On behalf of the group, Eirgrid commissioned Navigant Consultants to deliver an Options Paper to look at how other Member States approach offshore grid planning and using that evidence base, to examine potential approaches that may be suitable for an Irish context. The Working Group have produced a draft Industry Consultation Paper which is due to be published for public consultation shortly. The options paper and feedback from the consultation will serve to inform a Government decision on Offshore Grid Framework in alignment with national policy including the National Marine Planning Framework.
My Department is also developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy objectives to 2030 by providing supports to a range of technologies including offshore wind projects. Pending state aid clearance, this scheme will include a number of auctions exclusive to offshore wind.
Finally, together with the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, I announced on 19 May the seven offshore renewable energy projects that have been designated as Relevant Projects under the Transition Protocol. These are offshore wind projects that either applied for or were granted a lease under the Foreshore Act 1933, or offshore wind projects that are eligible to be processed to receive a valid grid connection offer. The announcement of the transition of these projects means that they can continue to work and update a number of aspects of their projects so that they will be in a position to apply under the new marine planning regime, once enacted, which will be introduced under the MPDM Bill.
The transition protocol for relevant offshore wind projects is outlined at appendix 4 of the document at the following link:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/2020_01_24_mpdm_faqs_document.pdf
818. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review the decision to exclude accommodation and food service providers from availing of the trading online voucher scheme administered by local enterprise offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Trading Online Voucher Scheme is funded by my Department and delivered nationwide in partnership with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and the 31 Local Enterprise Offices. The Scheme offers skills training, mentoring and a grant of up to €2,500 to help small and micro-businesses to develop their ecommerce capability. In April the Government provided an additional €3.3m to the scheme bringing the total available in 2020 to €5.6m. In addition, new flexibilities to the Scheme were introduced including reducing the requirement for co-funding from 50% to 10% and allowing businesses to apply for a second voucher of up to €2,500 where they have successfully utilised their first one.
There has been a positive response to these changes and significant uptake of the Scheme. In that context my Department is currently reviewing the funding requirements of the Scheme.
Since the initiation of the Scheme small and micro-businesses in the accommodation and food service sector have not been eligible to apply to the Scheme. The rationale for this was that the requirement to physically attend the service meant transactions were likely to take place offline, or the nature of the industry would require them to already be operating in the online space and did not appear to require state intervention. In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic my Department is reviewing this position.
819. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan in counties Sligo and Leitrim; the timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8916/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland. The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie , shows the areas in Sligo and Leitrim which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
- Premises in the AMBER area of Sligo and Leitrim will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
- 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, including Sligo and Leitrim, as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.
|
County |
AMBER Premises within the NBP State Intervention Area |
BLUE Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
LIGHT BLUE Premises within eir's commercial rural deployment |
|
SLIGO |
37% (14,809) |
63% (25,143) |
<1% (187) |
|
LEITRIM |
52% (11,555) |
47% (10,448) |
1% (336) |
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this roll out.
Further information on deployment activities associated with the roll out can be found on the NBI website www.nbi.ie
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. There are 12 BCP's planned for Co. Leitrim and 13 planned for Co. Sligo. Proposed BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie . The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
821. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high-speed broadband will be available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9039/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra833. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high-speed broadband will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9325/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 821 and 833 together.
The government is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every home, farm, business and school in Ireland.
The Questions refer to premises in Kerry which are located in the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). Further detail on the locations included in the National Broadband Plan are available on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
All counties will see premises passed in the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within the next four years. The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 150Mbps from the outset. By the end of next year, NBI plans to pass in the region of 115,000 premises, with 70,000 - 100,000 passed each year thereafter until rollout is completed. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the roll out.
Up to date information regarding deployment activities is available on National Broadband Ireland’s website www.nbi.ie.
To support remote working and connected communities, approximately 300 Broadband Connections Points (BCPs) were identified by Local Authorities to be connected to high speed broadband this year. This will assist communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband in advance of the main NBP deployment. The planned BCP locations, including schools, library hubs, local sports facilities and other public places are available to view on the High Speed Broadband Map on the Department’s website www.broadband.gov.ie. The BCP delivery project is well underway and surveying of the BCP locations is progressing which will facilitate detailed design and installation. BCP locations are subject to change and a number of the premises initially identified are in the process of being replaced with alternative locations. The remaining BCPs remain on track for delivery by the end of 2020.
The BCPs in identified public places will leverage the high speed broadband connection through a range of measures and initiatives, for example providing free public Wi-Fi, some will also have hot-desks, and some will be digital hub business centres where digital training, business information events and other SME supports are organised.
823. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the volume of complaints about the customer service of a company (details supplied) during the Covid-19 crisis; if he has discussed the matter with the Commission for Communications Regulation; his views on whether prompt customer service regarding broadband is particularly important while persons are working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9056/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTelecommunications service providers, are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of this Department. The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires each telecommunications services provider to establish and operate a code of practice, including requirements for complaint handling. Service Providers must implement these measures, at a minimum, to assist consumers (including businesses) when they need to contact them with a complaint. A copy of the code of practice, which includes the three ways in which consumers can contact service providers, can be accessed at https://www.comreg.ie/code-practice-handling-complaints/
Any operator failing to comply with any of these requirements is a matter to be pursued by ComReg.
I recognise how vital telecommunications services are to citizens for so many aspects of their daily lives, including for working and studying from home. Officials from my Department have been engaging intensively with ComReg and with the telecommunications industry in this regard.
As the Deputy may be aware, on 15 April 2020, I announced that all major telecommunications providers have committed to a number of measures to help people stay in touch and work from home during Covid-19, including: 1 - Any fixed broadband customers who do not have unlimited usage already as standard will be given the opportunity, if they require, to upgrade their package (which may be on a temporary basis), with their current service provider; 2 -Any customer who does not have fixed broadband and who relies solely on mobile access to the Internet will have the opportunity to avail of affordable unlimited mobile data access/package from their service provider; 3 - Fair usage policies will not be automatically applied to unlimited fixed and mobile data packages; 4 - Service providers may implement appropriate permitted traffic management measures to avoid network congestion; 5 - Access to healthcare and educational resource websites identified by the Government will be zero-rated for all customers where technically feasible; 6 - So that customers can remain connected during the crisis, service providers will engage with any customer that contacts them who is in financial difficulty as a result of Covid-19 and has difficulty paying their bills to agree the best way of keeping them connected to voice and data; 7 - Service Providers will work with ComReg in the event of complaints raised to ComReg by consumers, who consider they are not being treated in accordance with these commitments.
The commitments will remain available to consumers until 30 June 2020 and will be reviewed in advance of that date, if needed.
As mentioned above, Service Providers have committed to working with ComReg in the event of complaints raised to ComReg by consumers, who consider they are not being treated in accordance with Covid-19 commitments.
824. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of megawatts of solar power that have been put onto the national grid in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the projection for 2020; the number of grid connection applications granted in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9061/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Climate Action Plan sets out how Ireland will achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and put Ireland on a trajectory which consistent with net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key part of the Plan is a move to 70% renewable electricity by 2030 including grid scale solar energy. The number of megawatts of solar power that have been connected to the national grid in each of the years 2015 to 2019 are set out in the following table:
|
Years |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 (provisional.) |
|
Total Photovoltaic installed capacity (MW) |
5.02 |
9.15 |
16.41 |
24.23 |
31.06 |
|
Of which installed in each year (MW) |
1.45 |
4.13 |
7.26 |
7.82 |
6.83 |
The most recent national energy projections for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) installation assumptions are informed by the EirGrid Generation Capacity Statement 2019-2028 (available at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/) which projects between 50 and 60 MW installed solar PV by the end of 2020.
Details of solar PV grid connection offers to the Transmission System (issued and accepted/contracted) are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
No. of solar offers issued |
No. of solar offers contracted |
|
2016 |
0 |
0 |
|
2017 |
2 |
1 |
|
2018 |
14 |
12 |
|
2019 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020 |
9 |
0 |
Details of solar PV grid connection offers to the Distribution System (issued and accepted/contracted) are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
No. of solar offers issued |
No. of solar offers contracted |
|
2016 |
66 |
45 |
|
2017 |
47 |
32 |
|
2018 |
33 |
14 |
|
2019 |
26 |
14 |
|
2020 (ongoing) |
40 |
4 |
The Climate Action Plan envisages up to 1.5 GW of solar PV on the grid by 2030 and solar projects are eligible to compete this year in the first competition under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
825. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason a provider (details supplied) is refusing to provide broadband at an address, when this area is eligible for broadband under the national broadband plan; the actions the owner of the property should take to get access to broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9092/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises which is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at http://www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area under the National Broadband Plan as these locations are where commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Commercial activities of operators delivering high speed broadband are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that process. There may be a choice of operators offering this service in the area referred to and further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
Complaints about service provision are a matter between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
826. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider returning fees paid in respect of salmon fishing licences for the 2020 season due to the fact that anglers had little time on the water due to Covid-19 restrictions. [9131/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on 27 March last Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) issued angling guidance, based on public health advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) which facilitates angling while complying with Covid-19 social distancing, exercise and travel distance limitations. These guidelines were revised with effect from 6 May in the light of updates to NPHET advice.
The Fisheries Consolidation Act (1959) prescribes a licence duty, not a fee or a price, and this is set in secondary legislation as required. The last change (a reduction) to licence duty occurred in 2011 by statutory instrument. Successive Ministers have consented to maintaining that reduction every year since.
There are no circumstances, including those pertaining currently, which facilitate refunds within the primary legislation. In that regard I would emphasise that a licence is for an entire period/season and logbook records demonstrate that licences are generally only used for a very small proportion of the time they cover. Licences remain usable and I would reiterate that angling has been allowed for the duration of the NPHET advised restrictions.
827. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the North-South interconnector; if he will meet with representatives of the campaign groups that wish to see the project proceed using underground technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9185/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra828. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the North-South interconnector is still considered an EU project of common interest following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra831. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if approval issued in January 2020 by the CER on the procurement process for the proposed North-South interconnector; his views on such approval issuing prior to the planning process being completed here or in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9291/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 827, 828 and 831 together.
The North South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply across the island of Ireland. It will also help us to move towards 70% renewable electricity. A resilient and well connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers.
I have previously met public representatives in relation to the possible undergrounding of the north south interconnector and my Department has published an independent study on this in October 2018. It found that an overhead line remained the most appropriate option for the proposed interconnector. The study report is available on the Department's website at
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/energy/publications/Documents/20/IEC%20Final%20Report%20North%20South%20Interconnector.pdf.
EirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. The construction of the North South Interconnector, and all related procurement activities, is an operational matter for EirGrid and ESB Networks and one in which I have no function. I am advised that due to the very long lead times that can arise in relation to projects of this nature and the benefits of a single joint procurement process to be undertaken and managed by ESB Networks, EirGrid sought approval from the regulators in Ireland and Northern Ireland to commence procurement. Following this approval, in September 2017, ESB Networks commenced a number of procurement processes in relation to the project. In June 2019, ESB Networks awarded a framework contract for the design, test and supply of steelwork in relation to the project. However, under this framework there will be no supply of materials and no critical procurement process for construction will be concluded until the planning process in Northern Ireland is complete.
The EU Projects of Common Interest (PCI) process seeks to encourage interconnection between Member States. The process is updated every two years and in the current, fourth, instalment, the UK was a full participant in the process as it reached its conclusion in late 2019.
