Written Answers Nos. 133-150
133. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to participate himself or send a representative on behalf of his Department to engage with the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Consultation Forum currently under way that has been organised by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52172/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) attend the European Commission's fora as representatives of the Market Surveillance Authority for Ecodesign and Energy Labelling. The most recent consultation forum attended focussed on space and water heaters, and was held virtually in September of this year.
134. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are grants available to purify water systems for drinking water under the BEH scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52238/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since 2000, over 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.
The Better Energy Homes scheme provides grants to homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Fixed grants covering around 30% of the works are provided towards the cost of a range of measures including attic insulation, wall insulation, heating systems upgrades, solar thermal panels and accompanying Building Energy Rating (BER). Further information on the Better Energy Homes grants available to private homeowners can be found at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-energy-grants/.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
Water purifying systems are not an energy efficiency measure and therefore, there are no grants for these systems under the Better Energy Homes scheme.
The Deputy may wish to note that there are other grants and schemes available from Government that may be relevant. This includes Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Grant for the Improvement to a Private Water Supply which is administered by housing authorities. More information can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1d9d8-private-wells/.
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the roll out of the national broadband plan in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52241/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to an area located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on 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. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 21 October premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Kerry in townlands around Killarney and Tralee including Muckross, Fossa, Kilcummin, Lissivigeen, Ballycasheen, Faha, Firies, Ballyhar, Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Castlemaine, Ardfert, 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 has started in the areas around Tralee in Curraheen, Abbeydorney, Kilflynn, Firies, Castlemaine and Ardfert and in the Kilarney area.
Further details are available on specific areas within County 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 as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
NBI's fibre network architecture is centred around existing Open Eir exchanges and the State owned Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). This strategy is based on engineering design principles that allows every premises to be passed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The fibre network is divided up into 227 Deployment Areas (DA). Each Deployment Area is centred around existing Regional or Local Exchanges. NBI started the rollout in the 33 Deployment Areas across Ireland (at least 1 per county) that have regional exchanges as these exchanges already have an established connection back to existing data centres. Regional exchanges are mostly located near urban areas. Once NBI install their equipment in the regional exchange and from there to the data centres, they can then install their equipment in the neighbouring local exchanges and connect them back to the regional exchange.
In County Kerry, the regional exchanges are located in the Tralee and Killarney Deployment Areas with local exchanges in Ballydavid, Ballyheigue, Castlegregory, Castleisland, Glencar, Kells, Kilgarvan, Listowel, Rathmore, Sneem, Valentia and Waterville DAs. In line with the rollout of the regional exchanges, NBI started works in the Tralee and Killarney DAs in County Kerry. To date, NBI have surveyed more than 16,000 premises and have commenced fibre build works to pass over 6,400 premises within those Deployment Areas. I am advised by NBI that the anticipated surveys dates for Valentia Island are currently within the first half of 2022. Further details can be found at www.nbi.ie/where-are-we-working/.
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 October, 386 BCP 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 the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Kerry, publicly accessible BCP’s are live in the Cable Station on Valentia Island, Valentia Community Centre and Sports Hall (Valentia Island), An Chillíneach (Killeenagh), Gneeveguilla, Cillín Liath, Kielduff Community Centre, Saint Fiachna's Church and Community Centre in Bonane and the Railway Station Heritage Centre and Community Space outside Kells. The BCP in Kilmoyley Community Centre is also installed and awaits a live connection. Further details can be found at www.nbi.ie/broadband-connection-points/.
In County Kerry, Primary School BCPs for educational access only are already live in Boheeshil National School (Glencar), The Black Valley National School (Gap of Dunloe) and Coars National School (Mastergeehy). 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 was announced in December which 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/.
136. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when Article 8 of the Broadband Cost Reduction EU Directive will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52250/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will implement Article 8 of the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive; the reason it has remained unimplemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52604/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his officials have had engagements with the European Commission regarding the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive 2014/61/EU, specifically in regard to article 8 and new buildings being broadband ready; if he has plans to implement this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53330/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 148 and 164 together.
Directive 2014/61/EU (‘the Broadband Cost Reduction Directive’) on measures to reduce the cost of deploying high-speed electronic communications networks requires operators of communications, district heating, electricity including public lighting, gas, transport and waste water networks to negotiate agreements to share their network physical infrastructure with public communications networks operators, if requested, unless there are objective reasons not to do so in any particular case.
The Directive provides, among other things, for infrastructure sharing requirements and a requirement to establish a dispute settlement body to adjudicate in disputes regarding access to other networks and the terms and conditions of such access. The European Union (Reduction of Cost of Deploying High Speed Public Communications Networks) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 391 of 2016) transposing these requirements of the Directive were signed into law on 20 July 2016.
It remains the case that Article 8 of the Directive has yet to be transposed. Article 8 requires that that all newly constructed buildings at the end-user's location, with certain exceptions, or buildings undergoing major renovation works, for which applications for building permits have been submitted after 31 December 2016, are equipped with a high-speed-ready in-building physical infrastructure. An amendment to the Building Control Acts is required to effect its transposition, and Officials in my Department have engaged with the European Commission on the matter. My Department is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the necessary measures to transpose this provision, in order that they can be finalised as a matter of urgency.
137. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when broadband will be brought to an address (details supplied); the reason for the difficulty in delivering broadband in view of the fact that adjacent houses have been provided with high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52321/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 21 October almost 268,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed and over 115,000 premises are under construction across 30 Deployment Areas. The first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan. Surveys are complete or underway in County Dublin in Skerries, Balbriggan, North County Dublin, Fingal, Castleknock, Blanchardstown, Clonsilla, Ongar, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot, Cabra, Bluebell and Finglas. Pre works are ongoing in the Skerries area.
I understand that the premises referred to in the Question is a new build and has recently been added to the Intervention Area through a GeoDirectory update. The NBI website 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. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.
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 October, 385 BCP 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 the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCPs are installed at Glenasmole Community Centre, Fingal Ravens GAA Club, Tyrrelstown Community Centre, Stars of Erin GAA Club, Dublin Mountain Community Centre, Man O War GAA Club (6.4km from the premises) and Newbridge House and Farm. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Balscadden National School has been installed by NBI for educational access. 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 was announced in December which 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/.
138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are available for persons, farmers or community groups that want to establish a solar farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52358/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons, farmers or community groups that establish a solar farm are permitted to sell renewable energy to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52359/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to promote the use of solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52561/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he is taking to promote the use of solar photo voltaic, PV, technology on Irish farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52755/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a feed-in tariff for homes that produce their own energy. [53355/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 139, 147, 152 and 167 together.
In respect of grid-scale solar PV installations, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for licensing generators who wish to sell electricity in the wholesale electricity market. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) provides support to grid-scale renewable generators, including solar PV installations, through a guaranteed fixed price, determined through a competitive auction, provided for a period of up to 16.5 years. Under the RESS, an enabling framework of supports is available for community groups that are developing renewable energy projects for the dedicated community category. These supports include financial grants, information guides, trusted intermediaries and expert advice for community projects to alleviate the significant challenges they may face in developing grid-scale renewable electricity projects.
Further to a public consultation held earlier this year, my Department is also developing a final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from the consultation and subsequent additional analysis. It is expected that a proposal on the supports to be offered to citizens, groups, farms, schools and businesses under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year.
An upcoming Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro- and small-scale generators in Ireland, allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid which reflects the market value of that electricity. The CRU published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. A decision is expected to be published this month with a compensation regime to follow shortly afterwards.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of supports to assist in the installation of solar PV panels. Supports for domestic solar PV are currently available under the standalone solar PV capital grant scheme and as one of a range of measures supported under the National Home Retrofit Scheme for complete home energy upgrades.
Solar PV is also funded under the Communities Energy Grant Scheme, which makes grant funding available to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock, and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications.
Other financial supports are available for solar energy micro-generation projects. These include tax based incentives for the development of renewable technologies such as the Accelerated Capital Allowances Scheme and the Employment and Investment Incentive as well as improvements for farm enterprises supported by the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
140. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the provision of fibre broadband to a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52366/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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.
National Broadband Ireland has advised that the premises referred in the Question can now pre-order a connection to the NBI high speed broadband network. Further details are available 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. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
I am advised by NBI that, as of 21 October, almost 268,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys are complete or underway in County Clare in Cratloe, Ballycannan, Ballyglas, Cloghrea, Kilkishen, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Broadford and Clontra. Main works has started in the areas around Cratloe, Ballycannon and areas close to country boundary of Limerick.
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 October, 385 BCP 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 the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCPs are installed at Loop Head Lighthouse, Caherconnell Stone Fort, Obair Family Centre, Loughraney Kids Playschool, Michael Cusack Visitor Centre and Cree Community Centre. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Kilmurry McMahon National School, Shragh National School, Ennistymon National School and Stonehall National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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 was announced in December which 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/.
141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the name of the international expert or consultants appointed to undertake the review of the North-South interconnector; the estimated cost of the review; the timeline of the review; and when its report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52468/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also facilitate the achievement of the target, set out in the National Development Plan, 2021 - 2030, to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. 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. The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently, the key finding from the International Expert Commission's report of October 2018 was that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this critical electricity infrastructure.
Notwithstanding this, I decided to commission a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remains valid. The terms of reference for this study were published on my Department's website on 21 April. On 7 May, my Department initiated a procurement process to appoint an independent expert to undertake the review.
Two leading Italian consultants in transmission grid infrastructure are now engaged on the review and their work is well advanced at this stage. The estimated cost of the review is just over €23,000.
142. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the criteria and selection process for appointment to the board of the North-South implementation body of the Loughs Agency given that the board positions are not publicly advertised; the person or body that decides same; the basis on which candidates either from expressions of interest or otherwise are put before him for consideration; the person in his Department who makes these selections; the person who oversees and checks these selections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52474/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the detail of the appointment process to the board of the Loughs Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52522/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will hold an independent external inquiry into the process by which the appointments to the board of the Loughs Agency in October 2021 were made, particularly as the positions and the selection criteria are not publicly advertised; the way and the reason candidates were appointed to the board for the first time who had not made written expressions of interest prior to 1 July 2021; the process by which this occurred; the dates on which his office became involved in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52627/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 146 and 149 together.
The Loughs Agency is an agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC), established as one of the North South Implementation Bodies under the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, constituted under the North South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the British Irish Agreement Acts 1999 and 2002. The Board of the Loughs Agency reports to and is appointed by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). As Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I am required to nominate six people for appointment by the NSMC to the Board. The remaining six nominations come from the Northern Ireland side.
There are no statutory criteria or qualifications specified for membership of the Board provided under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999. However, a spread of relevant expertise and sectoral / stakeholder experience among those nominated to the Board and gender balance within the nominations is considered optimal.
The terms of office of the current Board members nominated by my predecessor expire on 12 December 2021. I selected 6 individuals for nomination from a list of 10 candidates submitted to me following receipt of expressions of interest. All those who expressed an interest in appointment or reappointment were included in that list - there is no requirement to consider only expressions of interest received before a particular date such as 1 July 2021. I submitted the names of those six nominees to the NSMC on 8 October 2021, for consideration for appointment to the Board of the Loughs Agency. On 14 October 2021, the NSMC, as the statutory appointing authority, appointed these 6 nominees to the Board with effect from 13 December 2021. The record of the NSMC, made available to my Department, confirms the appointment of the 6 nominees and that of a nominee from Northern Ireland who was also appointed with effect from the same date.
143. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timescale for the introduction of the new micro-generation support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52479/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to help people generate renewable electricity for their own use and sell excess electricity back to the grid. A Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland, allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid which reflects the market value of that electricity.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment, including eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. I understand that the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
Further to a public consultation held earlier this year, my Department is developing a final scheme design for the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) that incorporates the feedback from the consultation and subsequent additional analysis. A proposal on the supports to be offered under the MSS, which may include grants or premium tariff payments for new installations, will be submitted to Government later this year. It is intended that a final scheme design will be published in Q1 2022.
Supports under the MSS will be introduced on a phased basis, taking account of the need to develop appropriate support mechanisms for relevant cohorts of micro-generators. Timelines for the steps necessary for the phased delivery of the MSS will be outlined in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, which will be published shortly.
144. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects a premises (details supplied) will receive a high-speed broadband connection under the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52494/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website 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. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 21 October, almost 268,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed and over 115,000 premises have build currently underway. The first premises are connected in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Monaghan. Surveys are complete or underway in County Cork in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick, Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Main works ongoing in Carrigaline, Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Preworks are ongoing in Midleton.
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. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond.
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 October, 385 BCP 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 the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCPs are connected at Ballydaly Community Hall, Aubane Community Centre, Mealagh Valley Community Centre, Clogagh Community Hall, Courtbrack Community Centre, Glash Community Centre, Laharn Heritage Centre, T.O. Park Labbamollaga, Coláiste Phobal Cléire, Ballindangan Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Bere Island Heritage Centre, Sherkin Island Community Hall, and Castletownkenneigh Community Centre. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Templebrady National School, Ballycroneen National School, Clogagh National School, Educate Together Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour National School, Scoil Naomh Fionán Na Reanna, Ballygarvan National School, and Shanbally National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. 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 was announced in December which 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/.
145. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current position with customers who have, on the advice of Government. installed solar power and await a system to receive payment on return of excess to the grid. [52506/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to expanding and incentivising micro-generation to help people generate renewable electricity for their own use and sell excess electricity back to the grid, in order to ensure that a greater share of our electricity needs is met through solar power.
A Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland, allowing them to receive remuneration from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity exported to the grid, reflective of the market value of that electricity.
The CEG will be available to all renewables self-consumers later this year, including those with solar PV installations, subject to regulatory arrangements and the transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a consultation on a draft enabling framework on 1 October which outlines the details for the introduction of the CEG payment, along with eligibility criteria and timescales for introduction. The CRU proposes that a competitive approach will apply to the CEG tariff. I understand the CRU consultation will last four weeks, with a decision expected to be published in November and a compensation regime expected to follow shortly afterwards.
150. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the negotiations taking place between National Broadband Ireland and other broadband infrastructure providers in respect of providing additional fibre broadband infrastructure to premises that do not have a fibre broadband connection in place and are located on the boundary between areas covered under the national broadband plan and areas that already have broadband infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52696/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt a recent hearing of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks, NBI advised the Committee that it is currently engaging with the market in relation to this matter through a procurement process which is ongoing. I am advised that if suitable solutions are identified through this process, they would be provided by third party licensed operators but would be branded and wholesaled as NBI network solutions that are provisioned, activated and assured via NBIs operating system and will be subject to the same contractual service level agreements as the rest of the NBI Network.
I am further advised by NBI that the prequalification process has been completed and a number of service providers have indicated that they are in a position to provide alternative solutions, which meet the contracted requirement. NBI will now move to the next stage of the tender process and will seek to establish a framework contract with providers. NBI expects that appropriate frameworks will be in place by the end of the year with a pilot implementation to be undertaken during Q1, 2022.
