Written Answers Nos. 101-125
101. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to support remote working through the roll-out of high-speed fibre broadband connections in internet blackspot-prone rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44160/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives he plans to take to expedite the availability of reliable, effective, high-speed broadband nationally with particular reference to the need to facilitate those forced to work or study at home arising from the Covid-19 crisis; if he remains satisfied that everything is being done that can be done to facilitate the workforce in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1499/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 174 together.
The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working, education and other essential online facilities. This is reflected in the commitments in the Programme for Government where delivery of the National Broadband Plan will be a key enabler to many of the policies envisaged particularly around increased levels of remote working.
Design work on the National Broadband Plan is complete or ongoing in target townlands across every county in Ireland with over 186,000 premises surveyed as of the 3 March. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and the first fibre to the home connections are connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork. They will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. Over the coming months retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network. A test and trial phase in Cavan and Galway will also commence shortly.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 March, 287 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools.
The Programme for Government has committed to seek to accelerate the roll out of the National Broadband Plan. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of this rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date.
NBI has established a dedicated team to investigate acceleration of the rollout from its current contracted schedule of seven years. Exploring the potential to accelerate the network rollout is being undertaken in parallel with the measures required to mitigate delays arising as a result of Covid-19.
102. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had engagement with Government colleagues and other Departments regarding the way to alleviate the financial burden that retrofitting poses for householders in a way that will encourage and facilitate greater levels of retrofitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1578/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years. In order to achieve these targets, we will need to address a range of issues including long payback periods and homeowners’ ability to pay the upfront costs associated with retrofit. That is why financing will be a key pillar of our national retrofit plan.
Government has signalled its commitment to achieving these targets and to supporting the cost of retrofit through allocations of €3.7 billion in the National Development Plan and €5 billion in the Programme for Government.
These allocations have helped to deliver increased budgets for SEAI grant schemes, which play a crucial role in assisting homeowners to fund retrofits. This year’s budget for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes is €221.5 million. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes.
It is clear however, that it will not be possible to meet the full cost of retrofit programme over the decade to come through Exchequer funding alone. Additional action is required to mobilise private capital and develop financial models that are suitable for each householder group. In this regard, my Department are engaging with the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland in relation to alternative measures that could further reduce the financing cost of retrofit for homeowners. I have also worked closely with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on financing matters and will continue to do so as part of the NDP review. My Department has also engaged with a range of other Government Departments and agencies, both bilaterally and as part of the Retrofit Taskforce.
104. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has identified the main categories for new ambition beyond the existing Climate Action Plan in order to achieve the enhanced target of 51% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030. [12893/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government, we are committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with EU ambitions. I am currently working with colleagues across Government on a new Climate Action Plan which will include additional policies and measures in every sector to bring about the significant changes needed to transform our society. Preparation of the plan will involve extensive and ongoing collaboration with Government Departments and Bodies and consultation with the public. I will launch a public consultation on the new plan in the coming weeks.
There are several categories under which our climate ambition will need to be delivered:
- identifying actions/measures undelivered from the Climate Action Plan 2019;
- proposing actions that naturally fall out of the work of Climate Action Plan 2019;
- examining actions and commitments contained in the Programme for Government; and
- outlining possible additional sectoral actions/measures.
As with the Climate Action Plan 2019, the new plan will have a strong focus on implementation, including actions with specific timelines and steps needed to achieve each action and assigning clear lines of responsibility for delivery. Implementation of the Climate Action Plan will be monitored closely and the plan will be updated annually to adjust and refocus existing actions and set out new policy actions to ensure we remain on track and within our emission limits.
105. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement he has had with National Broadband Ireland to escalate the roll-out of fibre broadband for areas in County Cork still awaiting survey stage given that surveys are ongoing in certain areas in the county by National Broadband Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13254/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of broadband roll-out in Rathpeacon, Old Mallow Road, Cork. [13258/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 a and 124 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. The deployment plan forecasts construction commenced in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
There are some 273,548 premises in Co Cork of which approximately 71% have access to high speed broadband through commercial operators. The remaining 79,424 premises, including premises in the area of Rathpeacon, are located in the Intervention Area in County Cork.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 3 March 2021, over 186,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys have been completed or are underway in Co Cork in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Pre-build works are underway in Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. The first fibre to the home connections are successfully connected in Carrigaline and construction work is continuing with technical testing and validation taking place prior to wider release of the area.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP and will provide high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 March, 287 sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and by the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Cork BCP sites are installed and connected with high speed broadband at Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, T.O. Park Labbamollaga and Whitechurch Community Centre (which is located 5.45 Kilometres from Rathpeacon, County Cork). Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
106. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of his plans to enhance the community energy sector. [12895/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government notes the importance of community energy in delivering on our 70% renewable electricity target by 2030. The first auction in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) included a dedicated community projects category in which seven community projects were selected for support. In future onshore RESS auctions, there will be further capacity allocated to the community category and I have decided that only fully community-owned projects will be eligible.
In order to ensure an adequate pipeline I have allocated an additional €3 million in capital funding this year for the SEAI to stimulate locally-owned community energy projects. This funding will enable SEAI to deploy a range of capacity-building supports including information dissemination, trusted intermediary and advisor services and financial supports such as enabling grants. I will announce further details of this enabling framework shortly.
All projects successful in a RESS auction must establish a Community Benefit Fund. For the first auction alone this amounts to close to €4 million in funding annually. These funds will be aligned to incentivise investment in local renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and climate action initiatives.
Under the proposed new microgeneration support scheme to help citizens generate their own renewable electricity, for example from solar panels on their roofs, and receive a fair price when they sell the excess into the grid, renewable energy communities will be eligible for the Clean Export Premium, in addition to the Clean Export Guarantee, for a period of 15 years.
In addition, the Communities Energy Grant Scheme funded by my Department and operated by the SEAI, now with a budget of €30 million, is designed to encourage and support home retrofit to a BER B2 standard, as well as energy efficiency upgrades in commercial, public, community and voluntary sector facilities.
107. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a tax on single use plastics. [13196/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of new taxes is a matter for the Minister for Finance. However the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, launched last September, sets out our national strategy for single use plastics and contains a range of ambitious measures for dealing with these items. The Plan details the measures Ireland is taking under the Single Use Plastics Directive to prohibit certain items from being placed on the market. Under the provisions of this Directive single use plastic cutlery, plates, straws, balloons and cotton bud sticks may not be placed on the Irish market from 3rd July this year. This also applies to expanded polystyrene cups and food containers and all products containing oxo-degradable plastic.
The Plan also contains our commitment to introduce a Deposit and Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and to lead EU efforts on dealing with disposable coffee cups through a prohibition on the use of these cups for sit-in purposes, a latte levy and an eventual ban on disposable coffee cups and cold drinks cups.
108. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address the recent developments in the ability of the electrical grid to accommodate renewable energy from large scale and domestic sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13276/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall objective of the Programme for Government climate and energy commitments is to underpin Ireland’s long-term, sustainable competitiveness as we transition from a fossil-fuel based economic model to a carbon-neutral one. Decarbonisation of our electricity system and upgrading our grid infrastructure will be critical to achieving this ambition. It will mean making far-reaching changes to our electricity system that will affect everyone. EirGrid have this week launched a detailed consultation entitled Shaping Ireland’s Electricity Future which outlines innovative approaches to developing the grid in order to meet our ambitious 2030 renewable energy targets. Details on the public consultation and how to have your say are available at: consult.eirgrid.ie
Domestic sources of renewable energy will also necessitate significant grid infrastructure upgrades over the coming decade as microgeneration becomes more commonplace.
The recent Price Review decision from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on the allowable spend on our electricity grid over the next five years signalled a dramatic increase in funds for grid enhancement. For example, ESB Networks' allowable capital expenditure has been increased by 84% over the previous period.
The major ramp up in the levels of renewables on our power grid to achieve the Government's 70% renewable electricity target by 2030 and the move to a highly electrified economy will give rise to challenges in ensuring security of supply and maintaining a reliable system for all customers during the transition. The winter capacity margin of available electricity supply over demand has reduced every year over the past five years mainly due to increasing demand, including from data centres, and peat generation exiting the market. The CRU and EirGrid, which both have statutory responsibilities to ensure security of electricity supply, are actively monitoring matters.
My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. It is planned that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.
109. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the impact that the National Broadband Plan will have on Ireland's carbon emissions' profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44948/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA sustained reduction of commuters and commuting time will, over time, bring a reduction in transport carbon emissions. Previous work in this area indicated that, for each new full-time remote worker, estimated average daily transport-related emissions savings of approximately 2.6-2.9 kg CO2, depending on petrol/diesel fuel mix, could be achieved. My Department is currently in the process of updating this analysis to inform the development of new actions to support Ireland’s emissions reductions to 2030 under Ireland’s Climate Action Pan.
The National Broadband Plan State led intervention has been designed to ensure that as much as possible of the network infrastructure will comprise the re-use of existing poles and ducts, which NBI will lease from existing infrastructure owners. Infrastructure re-use in this manner ensures the State complies with State Aid guidelines and environmental sustainability best practice.
Deployment of the NBP has the potential to deliver a range of environmental benefits linked to Government policy and cloud services as well as reduced emissions from teleworking and business travel. The Cost Benefit Analysis behind the business case for the Government decision to proceed with the NBP highlighted environmental benefits among a variety of other economic and social benefits. However it did not set out to specifically forecast the impact of the NBP on emissions. My Department will be looking at this in more detail in due course, when assessing the benefits that are being delivered on foot of the ramping up of investment in the NBP.
110. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Galway; the number of premises in County Galway that are now connected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1597/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.
Design work is complete or ongoing in target townlands across every county in Ireland with over 186,000 premises surveyed as of 3 March.
There are 38,714 premises within the intervention area for County Galway for the National Broadband Plan. As of 3 March some 14,914 (39%) have been surveyed in the areas of Oranmore, Clarinbrige, Claregalway, Furbo and Barna. In the east of the county works are underway in areas around Ballinasloe such as Kiltomer, Oatfield, Annagh, Kilconnell, and Ahascragh. Further details are available on specific areas across the country including County Galway through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence.
NBI currently has construction underway on the first 40,000 premises, covering townlands in Carrigaline, Ballinasloe, Cavan, Clare, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary, Tralee and Ballinasloe. The first connections to the NBI network have already been made as part of a test and trial phase in Carrigaline and Cavan with a test and trial phase also commencing shortly in Galway. Over the coming months retailers will be able to resell the service and householders will be able to order high speed broadband via the NBP network. NBI is targeting construction of the fibre network to commence in all 26 counties by the end of 2021.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 March, 287 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. Lettermullen Community Centre, Comhar Na nOileán, Cortoon Community Centre and Leitrim Community Centre have now been connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, with more locations planned over the coming months. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Saint Joesph's National School and Brownsgrove National School have also been connected for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise other schools with no high speed broadband, within the intervention area for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan has been announced which will see almost 700 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
111. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce illegal dumping nationwide; if he is satisfied that current measures to prevent dumping are sufficient; the role of CCTV in any prevention measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13088/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to work closely with the EPA and the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities through the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee to ensure that the legislation in place is robust and effective in assisting their enforcement efforts. The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy published in September 2020 contains a range of actions designed to enhance existing waste enforcement activity. These include:
- an enhanced role for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs),
- the development of an anti-dumping toolkit for use by local authorities,
- the development of an illegal and unauthorised sites action plan to assist local authorities,
- greater use of fixed penalty notices,
- data-proofing of waste legislation to facilitate the use of available and emerging technologies in a manner which is GDPR-compliant;
These will build on existing actions to combat illegal dumping such as the Anti-Dumping Initiative, which was launched by my Department in 2017, and has provided funding of €9.3 million to local authorities in support of over 1,000 projects. Last year €3m was allocated to local authorities in support of the Anti-Dumping Initiative, €1 million of which was ring-fenced to combat illegal dumping activities arising from the COVID-19 crisis. This funding supported over 300 projects nationwide during 2020, including a national anti-dumping awareness communications campaign, "Your Country - Your Waste", which I launched in November 2020.
My Department also funds local authorities and the WERLAs through the annual Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant scheme, which supports the recruitment and retention of over 150 local authority waste enforcement personnel nationwide.
The use of CCTV and other audio-visual recording (AVR) equipment to assist waste enforcement efforts is primarily an operational matter for local authorities, but I intend to amend the Waste Management Acts to data-proof waste enforcement legislation.
112. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress INFOMAR has made in mapping the south-west coast of Ireland; and the way in which this data can be used to support renewable energy goals. [13294/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on INFOMAR progress to date and operational plans for 2021 can be found on the INFOMAR website, www.infomar.ie.
The INFOMAR programme is an important source of accurate information on seafloor conditions for Ireland’s marine territory. This knowledge is of crucial importance for the development of Offshore Renewable Energy in Ireland as it provides a unique source of data and knowledge forming a reliable baseline and reference for key activities in the sector, including preliminary assessment of seafloor conditions for site selection.
114. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date with the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the expected percentage take-up of this broadband per house or business passed; the current expected cost of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1011/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDesign work on the National Broadband Plan is complete or ongoing in target townlands across every county in Ireland with over 186,000 premises surveyed as of 3 March. This survey work is feeding into detailed designs for each deployment area and the first fibre to the home connections are connected and in a test and trial phase in Carrigaline, Co Cork. They will be subject to technical testing and validation prior to a wider release of the area. In the coming months retailers will be able to resell the service and householders in these areas will be able to order high speed broadband provided via the NBI network. A test and trial phase in Cavan and Galway will also commence shortly.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 March, 287 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools.
School BCPs will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use only and 106 schools have been connected as of 3 March. An acceleration of this aspect of the project has been announced which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by end-2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Recent indicators from commercial deployment suggest a high level of take up can be expected of the high speed broadband services that will be provided by the NBP. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance and value of high speed broadband across Ireland and it is expected that future demand for remote working and other services will further drive early take up of services provided over the NBP network.
The maximum possible cost to the State will be €2.7bn over 25 years. This includes up to €500m for conditional/contingency subsidy and approximately €100m in VAT. The Revenue Commissioners have determined that VAT will not apply to core subsidy payments to NBI hence the reduction in the overall project cost of about €270m to approximately €2.7bn as compared to €2.977 billion when the contract was signed.
117. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will liaise with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to remove the planning restrictions and therefore financial barriers to schools that wish to use solar panels and contribute to the Just Transition of energy within Ireland’s climate need and commitments; and if so, the speed with which schools can expect such removal and assistance given the urgent circumstances of climate change. [12762/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning policy is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My Department, under Action 30 of the Climate Action Plan, has engaged extensively with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the existing planning exemptions for rooftop solar PV micro-generation. That Department has agreed to update the existing exemptions that will include provision for apartments, community and educational buildings including schools and expect that these interim regulations will be completed and submitted to the relevant Oireachtas Committee in Quarter 2 this year.
These regulations will need to be accompanied by Aviation Safeguarding Maps related to the construction of solar installations in the vicinity of aviation sites including heli-pads, aerodromes and major airports. In recognition of the length of time that it is expected to take to complete the aviation safeguarding maps, the Department of Housing has decided to adopt the interim measure outlined above which would allow the revised regulations to be introduced prior to the completion of these maps, but with defined exclusion zones around airports and aerodromes for solar installations.The overall process for updating the solar panel planning exemptions to include the completed aviation safeguarding maps for airports and aerodromes along with the finalized Statutory Instrument will be brought through the legislative process as provided for under section 262(4) of the Planning and Development Act requiring the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, which it is anticipated will be completed later in 2021.
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism was outlined in a public consultation (now closed) last month and the submissions received are currently being reviewed.
The Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation of electricity primarily for self-consumption, and a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro-generators in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive.
118. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress of the new national digital strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13293/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to developing a new National Digital Strategy which will utilise the increased level of national connectivity that is being delivered by the National Broadband Plan. Preliminary work, co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, had been undertaken on a draft strategy in the lifetime of the previous Government and the experience of Covid-19 has only emphasised the importance of digital technologies to people’s daily lives.
It is anticipated that further work on digitalisation will be undertaken as the plans for economic recovery are developed and lessons are learnt from how Irish society has deployed and relied upon digital technology during the pandemic.
119. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that wood pellets are being imported from Australia; his views on the carbon footprint involved in importing such products over such a distance; the level of the importation of such alternatives; his views on the way this is compatible with environmental policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13076/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. A key aspect of delivering on this ambition will be enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, which will underpin the on-going development of policies and measures. If Ireland is to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments, it is essential that we continue to drive the diversification of our energy mix away from fossil fuels. The requirement to diversify energy supply must be balanced with the need to secure indigenous supply and the carbon footprint associated with importing fuels.
In this context, Ireland operates within the framework of European Union legislation. The EU has recently revised the Renewable Energy Directive to include strict criteria in relation to the sustainability of biomass fuels. These criteria are due to be transposed into national legislation later this year.
While my Department does not gather data in relation to the import of wood pellets, the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) has been developed to financially support and stimulate the adoption of renewable heating systems by commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating and other non-domestic heat users. The SSRH, which is operated by the SEAI, provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems. Eligible renewable energy technologies are supported through a multi-annual payment, for a period of up to 15 years, on the basis of prescribed tariffs. The National Development Plan sets out an allocation of €300 million for the roll-out of the scheme for the period up to 2027. The introduction of these schemes provides an indirect stimulus to the indigenous wood pellet industry.
More broadly, the 2019 Climate Action Plan included a number of commitments to support the use of biomass to increase the level of renewable energy in the heat sector and, in the context of forestry policy, to seek to bridge the short term supply gap in indigenous biomass. Actions to further stimulate the promotion of the domestic biomass supply chain, as part of the overall development of a new strategy for the forestry sector, will form part of 2021 Climate Action Plan.
120. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for changes to the various SEAI schemes and grants available to private homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1466/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to incentivise and support households to undertake retrofitting and other energy efficiency measures to help combat climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1415/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 182 together.
The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating of B2/cost optimal and to install 400,000 heat pumps in existing buildings over the next 10 years.€221.5 million in capital funding has been provided this year for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest amount ever for the schemes. This allocation is kick-starting the first phase of our retrofit plan.Of this amount, €109 million is allocated to provide free upgrades for lower income households. This is a €47 million increase on the 2020 allocation. €112.5 million will be spent on expanding other existing SEAI grant schemes and introducing new and improved ones. The first of the new schemes was launched in September when a call for projects under the new National Retrofit (One-Stop-Shop Development) scheme issued. A €30 million call for projects under the Communities Energy Grant scheme was launched in November. Examples of other initiatives to commence in 2021 and now in development include a new National Retrofit scheme focused on achieving B2 retrofits; a heat-pump ready homes campaign and a new Community Activation Scheme.
Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 97.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 71.
123. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of broadband roll-out in Clogheen, County Tipperary. [13259/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 29,759 premises located within the National Broadband Plan State Led Intervention Area of County Tipperary. As of 3 March, some 8,643 (29%) of the premises have been surveyed. These include areas near to Tipperary Town and the surrounding townlands of Aherloe, Ballinalard and Bansha. Survey are progressing in the Roscea area and surrounding townlands, Cashel, Townspark, Boherlahan, Goolds Cross, Knockavilla, Garrenroe, Camus Bridge, Golden, Shanballa, Dogstown, Racecourse Cross, Rosegreen, Knockbrett, Mayfield, Boscobell and Dualla. Cloheen is in the Cahir deployment area which covers approximately 3,000 premises. Surveys are due to commence in the area in August and are due to be completed by the end of 2021.
Further details are available on specific areas within Tipperary through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 3 March, 287 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. Moyglass Community Hall, Killurney Community Centre and Aglish Community Centre have now been connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
125. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the just transition plan; when he will establish a just transition commissioner as a statutory office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45099/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government included a commitment to publish a Just Transition Plan to identify and prepare for challenges that will arise in a number of sectors and regions, recognising that there will be a variety of different transitions. A number of reports and plans focused on just transition, currently under development, will address this commitment. These include the implementation plan in relation to the Midlands to address the recommendations in the first report of the Just Transition Commissioner; the 2021 Climate Action Plan; and the Territorial Just Transition Plan to underpin the EU Just Transition Fund.
The Government appointed Mr Kieran Mulvey as the Just Transition Commissioner to facilitate discussions and work with stakeholders to develop, mobilise and deliver opportunities for the Midlands for both the workers directly affected and the wider community.
The Commissioner is undertaking his work with administrative support provided by my Department. The Commissioner is also being supported in his engagements with stakeholders in the Midlands, as required, by the Secretariat to the Midlands Regional Transition Team. The existing Interdepartmental Group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, is also available to provide any assistance necessary as the Commissioner's work proceeds.
While I am currently considering the ongoing role for the Just Transition Commissioner in the context of the Programme for Government commitments as well as the implementation of the respective plans referred to above, my objective is to continue to support this work on the basis of the arrangements currently in place.
