Written Answers Nos. 79-102
79. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to introduce a deposit and return scheme for beverage containers in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40290/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, launched last September, sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a national Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans in the third quarter of 2022. This process is well under way with the completion of two public consultations on the design of a DRS for Ireland and on the legislative framework to underpin it. The final legislative framework will be introduced in the coming weeks. A working group, chaired by my Department and consisting of beverage producers, retailers, eNGOs and waste collectors, has been set up to progress the design of the system by the date set out in the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy.
80. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when County Cavan will avail of high-speed broadband throughout the entire county. [40357/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of the national broadband plan for County Cavan in 2021; the specific measures that will be implemented to offset the delays that have occurred in the roll-out to date of this essential infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40823/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 132 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.
There are 42,335 premises in County Cavan of which 26,061 are in the commercial area and 16,274 premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 21 July 2021, over 236,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cavan, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun and Erne Hill. I am advised by NBI that build works in the Cavan area have recently been completed and approximately 3,520 premises are passed by fibre and can order a high speed broadband connection.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project.
Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties including Cavan at the end of August.
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 21 July, 336 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. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband include Bunnoe Community Centre, Mullahoran Community Centre, Glengevlin Community Hall, Templeport Community Centre, Drumavaddy Community Centre, Cornafean Community Centre, Gallonray House, Gallonreagh, Kildallan Parish Hall, Castlerahan Community Centre, Killenkere Leisure Centre and Castle Saunderson Scout Centre.
Kilmore National School, Corlea National School, Saint Patrick's School, Laragh National School, Kildallan National School and Greaghrahan National School are installed 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 this aspect of the National Broadband Plan 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 /nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
81. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will lift the restrictions on peat harvesting for 2021 to avoid a shortage of supply in 2021 and to reduce the further importation of peat from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40362/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no restriction on peat extraction other than the requirement that operators have the necessary consents in place.
82. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether the new fortress energy project in Tarbert and Ballylongford will be important in addressing the projected shortage of energy to meet the basic needs of Ireland in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40442/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will issue guidance to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities that reflects the policy position on the importation of fracked gas produced on 18 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40661/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 90 together.
The Programme for Government set out that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and committed to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. On 18 May, the Government's Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was published and it has been communicated to a number of relevant State bodies including An Bord Pleanala and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
The policy statement provides that pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems being carried out by my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. My Department has made, and will continue to make, this position clear to developers of potential LNG projects and in response to any consultations with my Department that are required as part of planning and permitting processes.
The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation. It is planned that the technical analysis will be published and the public consultation undertaken in the second half of this year. The review, once completed, will be submitted to Government.
83. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of warmer home scheme applications received, completed and disallowed in the past three years from applicants in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme, leaving the occupants better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided to households under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme was €14,800 in 2020. A total of €221.5 million in capital funding has been provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes in 2021. Of this amount, €109 million is provided to support lower income households to retrofit their homes, with €100 million allocated to the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. This represents an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation for energy poverty schemes and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. The funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of warmer home scheme applications received and completed in the past three years for County Clare has been provided by the SEAI and is set out in the Table below. SEAI does not record county detail for ineligible applications and as such I have provided the nationwide figures:
|
Warmer Homes Scheme (Co. Clare) |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
New applications |
141 |
92 |
59 |
|
Homes completed |
147 |
68 |
22 |
|
Warmer Homes scheme Ineligible** Applications Nationwide |
Not available |
324 |
276 |
**The SEAI uses the term "ineligible" rather than "disallowed" to classify applications which were not successful in meeting the eligibility requirements of the scheme.
It is important to note that the number of retrofits last year were unfortunately, negatively impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions. Enhanced COVID restrictions between January and April also had a significant impact on activity this year. Every effort is being made to maximise activity now that construction activity in the residential sector has recommenced.
84. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a person (details supplied) cannot get broadband at their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40530/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as 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. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with 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.
I appreciate people's frustration when they cannot get minimum broadband speeds, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. My Department has investigated the matter raised and has established that a service provider operating in the area has plans to roll out high speed broadband to Ballyjamesduff and that the premises referred to in the Question is due to be served by this rollout. As this is a commercial operator my Department does not have visibility on the dates for the roll out.
85. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the last occasion on which a Department-wide review of all funding within his Department took place; the frequency of such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40634/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Programme for Government, the Government committed to a review of the National Development Plan (NDP) to better reflect the major priorities set out in the Programme for Government including, insofar as my Department is concerned: 51% greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050; delivery of high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland; major investment in residential retrofit; at least 70% renewable electricity on the grid by 2030. Delivering these commitments will require both public and private investment, complimented by taxation, regulatory and behavioural change. As part of that NDP review my Department has completed a comprehensive assessment of the funding programmes for which it is responsible and the capital investment required to deliver major Government priorities. Exchequer capital investment by the Department over the next decade will be set out in the updated NDP which will be published in the coming months.
Annual exchequer investment by the Department is settled as part of the Budget/Estimates process.
86. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a review of broadband and internet coverage in Dublin identifying blackspots has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40656/21]
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 over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. In July 2019, in order to finalise the mapping exercise required under the State Aid Guidelines on Broadband and to ensure the NBP High Speed Broadband Map was up to date, my Department conducted a consultation in relation to the High Speed Broadband Map. This consultation sought submissions from operators who wished to have their existing high speed broadband networks or plans to invest in high speed broadband networks over the following 7 years to be included on the Department’s High Speed Broadband Map. The Map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The High Speed Broadband Map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie and is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
This consultation was part of a significant engagement with industry initiated in July 2013 where my Department engaged in an extensive process of mapping and monitoring broadband availability in Ireland. This has been supported by a number of public consultations conducted from 2013 to 2019. As part of the 2019 consultation, over 180 submissions were received from a variety of stakeholders including 30 from large and small telecoms operators with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public. All operator submissions were fully assessed against my Department’s published assessment criteria and operators were informed of the outcome of this assessment in November 2019. The mapping exercise was conducted across all counties, including Dublin, to ensure the map is up to date.
My Department continues to engage with consumers and industry in relation to broadband availability. The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area, if appropriate to do so.
87. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an assessment of increased demand of data centre on Ireland’s electricity supply has been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40657/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to ensure that any new data centres will be carbon neutral data centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40658/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of efficiency standards for data centres as outlined in the programme for government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40777/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the predicted increase in gas demand by data centres by 2030. [41117/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason increased demand for gas, for example, from data centres is not included in the relevant factors in the energy security technical analysis request for tender. [41121/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 88, 103, 148 and 152 together.
The Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy (2018) acknowledges the role of data centres as part of the digital and communications infrastructure for many sectors of our economy. The statement also notes that data centres pose considerable challenges to the future planning and operation of Ireland’s power system.
EirGrid, Ireland's electricity transmission system operator, and Gas Networks Ireland, Ireland's natural gas transmission system operator, publish regular projections of electricity and natural gas demand which include the impact of data centres on the demand growth in both sectors. The gas demand projections include provision for electricity growth as a whole but do not differentiate between the sub-sectors of electricity demand.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has statutory responsibility, under S.I. 60 of 2005, to monitor security of supply of electricity and to take such measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply. On 8 June 2021, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities published a proposed direction related to data centre grid connections. This direction proposes to prioritise the processing of data centre applications to connect to the electricity grid based on a number of criteria which are focused on security of supply. These criteria include location relative to grid constraints, ability to provide onsite dispatchable generation and/or storage and the ability reduce consumption when requested by the system operator. A public consultation on this direction closed on the 7 July 2021.
In addition, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to net zero emissions by 2050. The review is considering the impact of increased electricity demand, including from data centres.
The Programme for Government commits to developing efficiency standards for equipment and processes, particularly those set to grow rapidly, such as data centres. Earlier this year, the European Commission adopted Shaping Europe's Digital Future, which includes an objective to foster an open, democratic and sustainable society. Key actions include initiatives to achieve climate-neutral, highly energy efficient and sustainable data centres by no later than 2030. The EU Ecodesign Regulation on servers and data storage products sets minimum standards around the environmental impact of these products and requires that circular economy principles will be mandatory for suppliers of this type of equipment, from next year.
My Department is also evaluating policies to encourage the development of renewable energy projects by the data centre sector to meet their own demand and to contribute to the target set out in the Climate Action Plan of meeting 15% of electricity demand through Corporate Power Purchase Agreements by 2030. The SEAI launched a public consultation on policy options for meeting the target, which closed on 14 April 2021. Based on the consultation feedback and other considerations, a recommendations paper on a roadmap for Corporate Power Purchase Agreements will be developed later in 2021. We have seen recently a number of unsubsidized Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, purchased by data centre operators, in the Irish market and I hope we can encourage more.
89. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on progress on commitments under the Climate Action Plan 2019 in tabular form if possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40660/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March of this year, I published a set of Interim Climate Actions, building on the Climate Action Plan 2019. The most recently published quarterly progress report on the Interim Climate Actions, which continues the reporting of the Climate Action Plan 2019, shows an average delivery rate of approximately 80%. Quarterly reports on the implementation of Climate Action Plan 2019 and the Interim Climate Actions can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment 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. The signing into law of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act represents a significant milestone in achieving these climate goals. The Act significantly strengthens the overarching climate governance framework, places in law a national climate objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, and embeds a process of carbon budgeting, including sectoral emission ceilings. The plans and strategies established on a statutory footing under the Act will require that policies are put in place to ensure carbon budget ceilings are not breached. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.
Later this year we will publish Climate Action Plan 2021, the first plan adopted under the new Act. This will set out the programme of actions to achieve our climate goals.
91. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has examined the impact of delays to the preparation of new planning regulations regarding solar panels on the delivery of related commitments in the Climate Action Plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40662/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a Micro-generation Working Group, established under action 30 of the Climate Action Plan, there has been extensive engagement between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a proposed revision to the exemptions for solar installations under the Planning Regulations. The proposed revised exemptions could reduce the barriers to micro and small-scale rooftop solar PV and open up exemptions to new building types including educational, community and apartment buildings. A Strategic Environmental Assessment of the proposed revisions is underway, after which it is expected that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring revised Regulations to the relevant Oireachtas Committee later this year.
In the meantime, domestic solar PV capacity in Ireland is continuing to expand. Supports for domestic rooftop micro-generation have been in place since July 2018 as part of the solar PV scheme administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and applications in 2021 are increasing at a rate of 75% from 2020. At the end of June this year, 6,718 applications have received grant support under the scheme. Additionally, estimates based on the BER database from the SEAI indicate an installed capacity of 75MW across approximately 30,000 micro-generators, the majority of which are solar PV installations.
92. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide information on licences for prospecting and extraction of offshore gas granted in the past year in tabular form if possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40667/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo petroleum authorisations for prospecting or extraction have been granted in the past year.Information on all current petroleum authorisations is updated and published on a quarterly basis on gov.ie (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/10d43-acreage-reports-and-concession-maps/). The most recent such report was published in respect of the three month period ending 30 June 2021.In addition, Section 57 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act 1960 requires that I lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas every six months a report detailing all petroleum authorisations extant and granted during the period of the report. The last such report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas was in respect of the six-month period ending 30 June 2021.
93. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of all current and planned legislative amendments and statutory instruments in order to give effect to the transposition of the EU Directive 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40668/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticles 4 and 6 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 ('the recast Renewable Energy Directive') have been transposed into Irish law through the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 365 of 2020). The European Commission has been notified of the transposition of the Articles.
My Department is working intensively with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to finalise regulations transposing the following Articles, which constitute the majority of the Directive which must be transposed into Irish law:
- Articles 7, Annex II and Annex III which provide for the detailed rules for calculating the share of energy from renewable sources;
- Articles 3 and 7 which provide for technical rules regarding the operation of support schemes;
- Article 19 which provides the legal basis for the issuance of guarantees of origin for electricity and gas;
- Articles 21 and 22 which provide the legal basis for renewables self-consumers and renewable energy communities;
- Articles 25- 28 and Annex IX which provide for rules relating to the calculation of the minimum share of energy from renewable transport, which forms a separate sub-target under the Directive;
- Articles 29- 31 which provide for detailed rules for the application and administration of sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria to biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels.
A further statutory instrument will be required to transpose, inter alia, Article 16 of the Directive, which relates to the permitting and planning of renewable energy installations. Full transposition of this Article is complex and is dependant on a number of factors including the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Bill, which will put in place a new legal basis for granting consents for offshore renewable energy.
94. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the breakdown of spending under the Community Benefit Fund in local communities this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40669/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is the principal government support vehicle to deliver on Ireland’s 70% renewable electricity target by 2030 and it includes provisions for community participation and benefit. All projects successful in a RESS auction must establish a Community Benefit Fund and the contribution for each project is set at €2 per Megawatt-hour. For the first RESS auction alone this means almost €4 million being made available annually for the benefit of the local community. These funds will be aligned to incentivise investment in local renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and climate action initiatives in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as other worthy local causes. It is anticipated that the first RESS projects will commence operation by the end of this year following which communities can look forward to receiving project dividends in their areas.
Earlier this month my Department published the RESS Community Benefit Fund Good Practice Principles Handbook which lays out how the new funds will be managed and administered and the need to ensure community participation in fund decision-making via the establishment of a local committee.
In addition, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) activated the Community Benefit Fund National Register. This register will track all projects and payments made over the lifetimes of the Community Benefit Funds and it will be publicly available. This will provide clarity and transparency as to how Community Benefit Funds are being allocated in communities across the country.
Information in relation to existing community benefit funds is not available in my Department. I understand, however, that Wind Energy Ireland publishes details of pre-existing community benefit funds annually.
95. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will clarify the approach he will take to producing regulations in a transparent and consistent manner for determining greenhouse gas emissions to be taken into account for carbon budgets in view of amendments to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 at report stage in Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40670/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, establishes a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, and provides that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations in the near and long term.
The Act enacts a number of commitments set out in the Programme for Government, including providing that the first two carbon budgets should achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and gives statutory effect to a commitment to achieve a climate neutral economy by not later than 2050.
The original Bill introduced to the Oireachtas provided that carbon removals would be taken into account as part of our transition to achieve a climate neutral economy. To maximise the transparency and legal robustness of the Act, and following further consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, it was considered prudent to clarify further the intent of the Bill with regard to the use of removals, and more specifically, the process of how they will be determined and used in complying with carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings.
The most appropriate and comprehensive statutory approach to achieve this was to provide for detailed Statutory Instruments to be prepared by the Government. These Statutory Instruments are currently being prepared. As required by the Act, the Government will have regard to the rules applied by the European Union in respect of determining how the removal of greenhouse gas emissions may be taken into account, and in particular the method of calculating and accounting for such removals, including the base year to be applied to such removals, when preparing these Statutory Instruments. I expect to consult with the Advisory Council on Climate Change in preparing these regulations.
96. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views regarding the importance of climate action and awareness in relation to the RTÉ public service broadcasting charter and services; the current or planned steps his Department plans to take together with RTÉ and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to improve climate awareness, content and programming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40671/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government recognises that we all have a part to play to achieve our climate goals. We need to ensure that citizens and communities are informed, engaged, and able to contribute to delivering on climate action.
In May of this year, my Department held a series of climate conversations, including a broad public consultation where we heard from 4,000 people, communities and organisations capturing their views on the climate challenge, how empowered they are to act to combat climate change, and what Government needs to do to make it easier to live in a sustainable way. The results of that conversation are informing the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Following a pilot in 2017 – 2019, a revised structure for the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) is being finalised and will be published in the coming months. The National Dialogue will set out how we will engage in a two-way conversation with the public. We will be doing this through large national stakeholder forums, national and local climate conversations, and funding innovation at the local level.
My officials have also approached colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to discuss how the broadcast sector can contribute to promoting national climate awareness and engagement.
97. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have been connected in County Kerry to date under the national broadband plan; the percentage of the overall number of homes in the county that have been connected to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40677/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra99. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises in County Kerry that will be connected to high-speed broadband under the national broadband plan; the number and percentage of these that have been surveyed for connection to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40693/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 99 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.
There are 90,408 premises in County Kerry of which 63,413 are in the commercial area and 26,995 premises are within the NBP Intervention Area and will be connected to high speed broadband under the NBP. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 21 July 2021, over 236,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Kerry, 16,382 (c. 61% of Kerry premises in the Intervention Area) premises have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or ongoing in the townlands around Killarney including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies and Ballyhar, in townlands around Tralee including Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine, and Ardfert, and in Rathmore, Knocknacopple, Mounthorgan, Kilquane Upper, Barraduff, Cloonteens, Gneevgullia, Tureenamult, Renasup, Castlegregory, Aughacasla, Camp, Knockbrack, Maum, Lougher, Inch, Annascaul, Derrygorman, Ballyglasheen, Brackluin, Ballintarmon, Drom, An Clochan, Kilshannig, Fahamore, Candeehy, Breanainn, Ballyheigue, Glenderry, Ladywell, Banna, Lerrig, Ballymacandrew, Causeway, Foxfort, Ballymacaquinn, Ballincloher, Dromartin and Beenconeen.
Build works have commenced in the areas around Tralee in Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert. Pre-build works have commenced in the Killarney area. I am advised by NBI that it expects premises in these areas to be passed and available for connection towards the end of 2021 and in early 2022..
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project.
Further details are available on specific areas within Kerry 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 plan to update their website with further details on the NBP rollout plan for all counties including Kerry at the end of August.
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 21 July, 336 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. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband include Gneeveguilla (Tureencahill), Chapeltown, Railway Station Heritage Centre And Community Space, Inch Community Centre, Cillín Liath, Saint Fiachna's Church, Kielduff Community Centre and Cable Station.
Dunloe Upper, Boheeshil National School and Coars National School are installed 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 this aspect of the National Broadband Plan 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/.
98. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications the impact which the failure to reach an average of 8,000 ha per annum of newly planted forest as outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2019 will have on Ireland's climate mitigation plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40686/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraForestry plays an important role in climate change mitigation by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, substituting materials made from non-renewable fossil fuels, and storing carbon in long lived timber products. Ireland has increased the area under forest to 11% today, and these forests are already making a significant contribution to our national climate targets.
Afforestation rates have declined in recent years and have not matched the 8,000 ha per annum target set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019. Although afforestation over the next 10 years will contribute to achieving compliance against our 2030 climate targets, the forests planted within the last 30 years will provide the majority of the sequestration over this decade. Given the lead time for newly planted forests to become significant carbon sinks, we must ensure that afforestation rates match and exceed current levels over the next ten years and out to 2050 as we strive for climate neutrality.
The changes in the forest sink over time are due to a number of factors such as age, class, stock, levels of deforestation, and harvesting and forest management practices.
101. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will put in place plans to develop a real-time monitoring system for air quality with live alerts to minimise exacerbations and sudden ill-health of those with underlying conditions through education and awareness of current levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40775/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme, operated by the Environmental Protection Agency, has undergone significant investment and expansion in recent years, with the number of monitoring stations increasing from 30 in 2017 to 95 today.
All monitoring stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values. Real-time data from these monitoring stations is available online at all times at www.airquality.ie, and the air quality readings are illustrated according to the Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH).
While Ireland has traditionally focused on measurements from monitoring stations to assess air quality, there is a need to provide more local air quality information throughout the country. The intention is that the information generated through monitoring, will be augmented by a newly developed modelling and forecasting capability, which will provide an ongoing air quality forecast service to the public.
This work is being developed as part of a new EU LIFE funded project called LIFE EMERALD, which commenced in January 2021. By 2024, this modelling project will deliver a national air quality forecast, a near real-time nowcast, and historical modelled maps along with multiple awareness raising and citizen engagement elements.
In the interim, a further expansion of the network is scheduled during 2021 and 2022 to include another 15 stations, giving a 110 station network, and serving to increase the evidential base required to inform the policy measures necessary to improve the quality of our air.
102. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will immediately lower legal levels of air pollution to bring them in line with those recommended by the WHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40776/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall air quality in Ireland is good, with significant reductions in the levels of most pollutants recorded over the past three decades. Building on the progress that has been made to date, our ambition is to ensure that even greater improvements are realised in the years to come.
The national Clean Air Strategy, currently being finalised by my Department, will commit us to further cutting levels of the most damaging and dangerous pollutants in order to meet the current guideline limits recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Strategy will also identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.
Where exceedance of the WHO air quality guideline value levels have been observed, these have been primarily due to the burning of solid fuel in our cities, towns and villages. Each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short, and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I remain committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through a nationwide ban on smoky coal and enhanced regulation of other solid fuels.
The recent public consultation, which sought views on how we regulate all solid fuels that contribute to air pollution, was the first step in this process. My Department received more than 3,500 responses to the technical consultation, survey and questionnaire. A summary of the consultation along with the technical submissions are available on the Public Consultation webpage of Gov.ie.
Regulations, informed by the consultation process, are currently being drafted, and it is my intention to publish a new, legally robust, and evidence-based framework for how we regulate all solid fuels in the near future.
