Written Answers Nos. 170-196
170. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed broadband will be available in the Walterstown, Nurney area of County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra171. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed broadband will be available in the Ellistown area of County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 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 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living 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. Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Broadband Ireland has made steady progress on delivery of the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan with over 290,000 premises surveyed or with survey underway and over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 11 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and over 54,000 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties, as of 14 January. There are over 97,000 premises in County Kildare of which over 83,000 are in the commercial area and over 14,000 are within the NBP Intervention Area.
I am advised by NBI that, over 7,000 premises in County Kildare have been surveyed with over 1,200 premises available for order or pre order. Surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Donadea. Surveying is also complete in the Curragh Camp Deployment Area which includes premises located in the Walterstown and Ellistown Intervention Areas, ensuring that these premises will be delivered with high speed broadband under the NBP. Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare 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.
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 14 January, 453 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. BCP’s are installed in County Kildare at Crookstown Further Education and Training and Community Centre, Bigstone Community Hall, and Lullymore Heritage Park. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Rathmore National School, and Saint David's 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. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
172. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the hydrogen strategy will be published; if persons will be able to make observations on this strategy; if persons have already been invited to make observations on the strategy; the way persons will get an opportunity to make observations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2979/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason Ireland has no national hydrogen strategy; when work will be completed on ensuring its publication and implementation given that the Climate Action Plan 2019 requires such a policy to be in place to integrate green hydrogen into the gas grid or the electricity network by the start of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 185 together.
Scenarios for net zero emissions by 2050 include a potentially significant role for the use of zero-emissions gases, including green hydrogen, and, in planning for the longer-term, we will ensure that they can meet their potential.
The Climate Action Plan 2021, published in November, identifies green hydrogen as having the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors and, in particular, in high-temperature heat for industry and in electricity generation. The Climate Action Plan 2021 already includes actions relating to green hydrogen in the electricity, enterprise and transport sectors. It also sets out how green hydrogen could address some of the challenges faced by the energy sector, such as providing a back-up for intermittent renewables. A key target set out in the Climate Action Plan is to carry out a work programme to identify a route to deliver one to three terra-watt hours of zero emissions gas (including green hydrogen) by 2030.
The Climate Action Plan is a living document and will be updated on an annual basis to reflect ongoing developments and targets achieved. My Department continues to work with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to carry out research and develop policies to support the uptake of green hydrogen. I expect a strategy focussing on the development of green hydrogen to be included in Climate Action Plan 2022. A large public consultation process was undertaken as part of the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021 and, going forward, there will be on-going dialogue with citizens and stakeholders, including public consultation.
173. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Government approval in the November 2021 Policy statement on Electricity Supply (details supplied) does not include LNG terminals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2985/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply was approved by Government and published in November 2021. This policy statement sets out that the development of new conventional generation is a national priority and should be permitted and supported in order to ensure security of electricity supply and support the growth of renewable electricity generation. This Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply sets out a number of updates to national policy in the context of the Programme for Government commitments relevant to the electricity sector, planning authorities and developers. In relation to LNG, this policy statement does not change what was set out in the Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas published in May 2021. In particular, I would note where it sets out that “pending the outcome of the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with ”. While a project involving an LNG terminal may also include gas-fired generation, it is still an LNG terminal and so it would not be appropriate for the project to be permitted or proceeded with pending the outcome of the review.
The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems is expected to complete in mid-2022, following which the results will be brought to Government.
The clarification set out above has been provided to An Bord Pleanála via the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.
174. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Local Energy Assessment Fund funding for sustainable energy communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. The Programme supports the low carbon energy transition by developing skills and capacity, at a community level, in determining how to use less energy, adopting lower carbon options for transport and heating, shifting energy use to off-peak times or investing in smart technologies. In 2021, SEAI and nine local authorities co-funded €700,000 in support to 44 communities to undertake energy master plans. These plans allow a community to assess and understand it’s current and future energy needs (in electricity, heat and transport) in order for the community to make informed decisions and prioritise actions. It helps communities to identify opportunities so they can become more energy efficient, use renewable energy where possible, and use smart energy technology if appropriate.
SECs will continue to be supported by Government to expand their roles as ‘activators’ in their community. There are currently over 580 SECs in the SEC Network with a target to grow this number to 1,500 by 2030.
Based on feedback from the network of SECs, and in order to facilitate more local sustainable energy activation, my Department and the SEAI are also working to finalise the development of an approach to enhance community activation in the first half of 2022.
175. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagement of his Department to date with other Departments and stakeholders regarding the enhancement of the National Cyber Security Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2280/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 is a whole-of-Government strategy to. The Strategy defines the role of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – situated in my Department – as being to support Government Departments and other public bodies to improve the resilience and security of their IT systems, to better protect services that people rely upon and their data. A key objective of the 2019 Strategy is the continued development of the NCSC. At the beginning of last year, external consultants were commissioned to conduct a Capacity Review and to benchmark the NCSC with similar agencies in Europe and internationally. Minister Ryan and I received the consultants’ report in June and in July the Government agreed a number of measures to support the continued development of the NCSC over the coming five years, including: - Increasing the overall fulltime staffing complement of the NCSC to at least 70 over the next 5 years with a first tranche of an additional 20 staff recruited by end 2022 bringing the serving complement to 45.
- That the General Scheme of a Bill be prepared for Government approval, to establish the NCSC on a statutory basis and provide for related matters including clarity around its mandate.
- That the new role of Director of the NCSC be established at a salary level equivalent to that of Deputy Secretary in the Civil Service.
- That the future capital budget for the NCSC be informed by a 5-year NCSC technology strategy.
- The NCSC will be accommodated within the Department’s new Headquarters (HQ) in Beggars Bush.
- In addition to the creation of 20 new permanent posts in the NCSC, a cyber security graduate training programme will be initiated, with four computer science graduates recruited each year on contracts of a three year duration.
The Government agreed that the existing cross-Government group overseeing the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications be tasked with developing an action plan for key elements of the capacity review, sponsoring implementation of the review, and reporting to the Minister/Government as necessary. In addition, my officials are in direct contact with relevant Departments and agencies including an Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces to progress key deliverables including the proposed legislation.
176. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of Ireland’s fuel security at Whitegate Oil Refinery east County Cork; if the industry is protected and preserved into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his Department has been in discussion with a company (details supplied) in County Cork to discuss preserving Ireland’s only oil refinery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland’s only oil refinery (details supplied) at Whitegate, east County Cork will be nationalised in the event of the refinery facing closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 177 and 178 together.
The oil refinery at Whitegate is in the private sector and is owned by Irving Oil. While I have no role in the operation of the facility, in October 2021 I met with the company's senior management team, where they outlined the refinery's operations and their future development options.
The region of 60%-70% of Ireland’s refined oil product demand is currently imported through 6 principal oil ports on the island of Ireland from a range of countries. Whitegate’s refined product output meets the remainder of Ireland’s inland demand.
The National Oil Reserve Agency (NORA) has responsibility for maintaining transport fuel security in Ireland. As a member of both the European Union and the International Energy Agency, Ireland maintains a 90 day fuel security reserve, the vast bulk of which is held physically at different regional locations on the island of Ireland. NORA provide monthly updates to the Department on the amount of stock held to show that it is meeting the 90 day requirement.
179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a river (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reopened for salmon fishing in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe River Feale is open for salmon angling on a Catch and Release basis for the 2022 season, in accordance with the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations 2021 and the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Catch and Release) Bye-law 2021.
180. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the additional measures his Department is undertaking to supply the expected demand for energy in Ireland over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3428/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also facilitate the achievement of the goal 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. Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. Planning conditions for particular projects are a matter for the relevant planning authority.
The motions passed by Monaghan County Council include several allegations that fall well outside my remit, are material to the national planning process and some appear to be material to the Council itself, as a relevant planning authority. A reply will issue to the formal correspondence from Monaghan County Council on matters for which my Department is responsible.
181. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on extending the ban on data centres to counties outside Dublin on a temporary basis following recent announcements on data centre restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3429/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function in the matter of grid connections such as data centres, which is the responsibility of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) the independent energy regulator. Under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, CRU may give directions to EirGrid, the transmission system operator (TSO) and ESB Networks, the distribution system operator (DSO), collectively the “system operators” (SOs), on the terms and conditions of access to the transmission and distribution systems (the electricity system). CRU issued direction to the System Operators related to Data Centre grid connection processing on 23 November 2021, reference CRU/21/124. The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out the policies and actions for Ireland to deliver on its emissions and renewable targets and includes specific actions for large energy users, including data centres.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is committed to reviewing the 2018 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' to align with our renewable energy targets, sectoral emissions and climate priorities.This is part of a suite of actions to ensure that Ireland is planning appropriately for new energy demand in the context of our electrification and decarbonisation ambitions, while facilitating growth in digitalisation and our technology sector.
Government is working with the relevant state agencies to ensure that there is a plan-led, regionally balanced approach to large developments such as data centres in future taking into account existing grid availability and the opportunity to co-locate significant renewable energy opportunities.
182. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the roll-out of the clean export premium; the date the required payment mechanism will be determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 21st December 2021 the Government approved the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS). The Government is developing a framework of supports to enable homes, businesses, farms and communities to install renewable generation for their own consumption and receive a payment for any residual electricity they export to the grid. Micro-generation has an important role to play in empowering and driving engagement and participation. It creates opportunities for domestic, community, farming and small commercial customers to take the first steps towards investment in renewable technologies, which can play a role in shaping electricity demand and decarbonising homes and businesses.The MSS is targeting support for 380MW of installed micro-generation capacity, to contribute to the target of up to 2.5GW of solar renewables under the Climate Action Plan. Depending on panel size, that equates to over 1 million solar panels, on approximately 70,000 buildings.Non-domestic applicants will be eligible to receive the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff, for any exported electricity, at a competitive market rate from their electricity supplier. Projects between 6kW and 50kW will receive a Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff per kWh exported, for a period of 15 years, from their electricity supplier. The CEP will be €0.135/kWh in 2022, which is higher than the current average wholesale electricity price. Any difference between the CEP tariff and wholesale electricity prices will be supported by the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy. Exported volumes of electricity eligible for the Clean Export Premium (CEP) tariff will be capped at 80% of generation capacity to incentivise self-consumption.It is expected that the Clean Export Premium (CEP) will commence in the third quarter of 2022, when a payment mechanism will be determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
183. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a targeted roll-out of sectoral specific grants for microgeneration of wind and solar for SMEs that consume large quantities of energy such as dairy farms and supermarkets as a method of reducing demand on the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3431/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pending introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland that will allow them to receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, which reflects the market value of the electricity.The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on 1 December 2021 outlining the interim arrangements for implementation of the CEG, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. The CEG will become available upon the transposition of Article 21 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) into Irish law and will be available to both new and existing micro- and small-scale generators who comply with the CRU decision.Businesses that use a large amount of electricity, particularly supermarkets, will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. The financial business case for micro-generation for these high electricity users is already very strong and the CEG will only benefit the small amount of spilled electricity, if any, that these businesses generate.The second phase of the enabling framework is the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) which was approved by Government on 21 December 2021 and will open on a phased basis in 2022. Under the MSS, homes, farms, businesses and community organisations generating up to 6.0kW will be eligible for a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant at the same levels as domestic customers (max €2,400), in addition to the CEG. This grant will become available later in 2022.Solar PV is also one of a range of measures funded under the SEAI 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. For farm enterprises, grant supports for solar PV are also available from the Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
184. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years in tabular form. [3498/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a capital or current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
186. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available regarding broadband at a location (details supplied): the steps taken in relation to full capacity fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband to this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the options available regarding satellite or mobile broadband at a location (details supplied); the steps taken to engage with satellite and mobile companies to provide a quality broadband connectivity to this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
The Questions refer 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 am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 14 January, over 290,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. In County Tipperary surveying is underway in the Deployment Area of Cahir, surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Nenagh and Mullinahone, pre works are underway in the Deployment Areas of Cashel and Roscrea and main works are ongoing in the Deployment Areas of Tipperary and Clonmel. To date over 16,700 premises in County Tipperary have been surveyed and over 2,700 premises are now available to order or pre-order.
Further details are available on specific areas within County 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 as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
The premises is located in the Intervention Area and will be delivered with high speed fibre broadband under the NBP. My Department is not aware of any commercial operator providing a high speed broad service at this location.
188. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that the target of 500,000 homes to be retrofitted by 2030 and with 400,000 heat pump installations was calculated; the carbon reduction that each proposal is expected to deliver in each year until 2030; the alternative targets and estimated carbon reduction savings that were considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3558/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe target of retrofitting 500,000 homes and 400,000 heat pump installations was initially set out in the 2019 Climate Action Plan. That plan was underpinned by marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis that provided the analytical basis for the identification of the most cost-effective pathway to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions across all sectors of the economy. Inputs into the MACC at the time included GHG emissions projections data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Teagasc analysis on emissions from Agriculture and globally-sourced data on mitigation technologies.
The MACC identified the most cost-effective technological solutions necessary to reduce emission. Retrofitting existing dwellings to BER B2 or cost optimal equivalent and replacing fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps were among the solutions identified. The MACC also provided the most cost-effective sectoral split of emissions reduction across all sectors of the economy and was used to generate specific targets, including those for retrofit and heat pump installation.
The 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21), which replaces the 2019 plan, committed to reducing emissions from the residential and commercial buildings sectors to between 3.5 - 4.5 Mt CO2eq. by 2030, from 7.9 Mt in 2018. CAP21 also set out an ambitious National Retrofit Plan detailing how the targets to retrofit 500,000 dwellings and to deploy 600,000 heat pump installations, in both new and existing dwellings, would be met.
The National Retrofit Plan estimates that, between 2019 and 2025, almost 185,000 home energy upgrades will be delivered with over 83,000 to a B2/cost optimal level. When the emissions savings from the non-B2 upgrades are included, this is the equivalent of 120,000 B2 upgrades over the period. As a result, there will a need to deliver, on average, approximately 75,000 B2-equivalent home upgrades per year from 2026 to 2030 to achieve the overall target of 500,000 by 2030.
Aside from reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, residential retrofit brings additional benefits, including reduced energy costs, improved comfort and health, less dependency on fossil fuels, and improvements in indoor and outdoor air quality.
The 2021 Climate Action Plan contain a range of measures and targets across all sectors of the economy, including targets for increased renewable electricity generation, an increase in sustainable mobility and the built environment in general. Other targets in the built environment sector include:
· Strengthening the existing Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) requirements for new dwellings to effectively ban fossil fuels in new dwellings;
· Ramp-up of zero emissions heat in commercial buildings; and
· Increased targets for the roll-out of district heating.
Reaching the targets set out in our Climate Action Plans and reducing our GHG emissions will only be achieved by all sectors of the economy and society working together to reach a common goal.
189. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of external reports commissioned in 2021; the cost of each; the external reports that were received by his Department in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a very diverse, complex and technical brief across critical and strategic sectors of the Irish economy. Studies, reviews and research are commissioned by my Department to contribute to project delivery and informed, robust and evidence based policy making. Details of reports commissioned in 2021 are set out in the table below.
|
Details of Reports commissioned in 2021 |
Cost |
Date final report received by Department/ date due to be completed |
|
The Department has a multi-annual contract with EnvEcon for the provision of Air Quality and Climate Modelling Services to inform climate policy development and implementation. Reports include: a. ETS Plus Paper (An assessment of considerations in regard to various proposals relating to the use of an emissions trading system in regard to the Transport, Built Environment and Agriculture sectors.) b. Challenge and Compliance Report |
€469,261*
* = cost covers a contract of broader work, including model development and maintenance |
April – December 2021 |
|
The Department has a multi-annual contract with UCD for the provision of Electricity Systems Modelling Services to inform climate policy development and implementation. Reports include: a. Report on Higher Climate Ambition Energy Research b. Report on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
|
€339,876*
*= cost covers a contract of broader work, including model development and maintenance |
April – June 2021 |
|
The Department has a multi-annual contract with UCC for the provision of Climate Energy Modelling Services to inform climate policy development and implementation. Reports include: a. REPORT: Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action Report on reducing emissions in the transport sector by 51% by 2030 b. REPORT: Emissions Reduction in Transport: Submission to Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action
|
€587,954*
* = cost covers a contract of broader work, including model development and maintenance |
July 2021 |
|
McKinsey and Company Ireland Inc were contracted in 2021 to inter alia provide “Appropriate Economic Analysis and Report to: identify actions for inclusion in the Climate Action Plan 2021”
|
€924,525*
* = This is the total cost of the contract in 2021 and covers a broader work program including economic analysis and modelling |
September 2021 |
|
Provision of Operational Management Advisory Services for the National Postcode System |
€164,565 |
January 2022 |
|
Update to 2018 Report on North South Interconnector |
€23,000 |
Jan/Feb 2022 |
|
Strategic Review of the structure and staffing of the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) |
€3,000 |
04/08/2021 |
|
A Policy Review of the Geoscience Ireland business cluster by Indecon International Economic Consultants |
€59,532 |
29/10/21 |
|
Scoping Report for the Environmental Assessment of the emerging Draft Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining in Ireland |
24/05/2021 |
|
|
SEA Environmental Report for the Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining |
29/07/2021 |
|
|
Natura Impact Statement for the Policy Statement for Mineral Exploration and Mining |
Expected Q1 2022 |
|
|
SEA Statement for the Policy Statement on Mineral Exploration and Mining |
Total cost €93,197 |
Expected Q1 2022 |
|
SEA Screening Report for emerging draft Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy |
18/10/2021 |
|
|
Scoping Report for the Environmental Assessment of the emerging Draft Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy |
20/10/2021 |
|
|
SEA environmental report for the draft Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy |
21/12/2021 |
|
|
Draft Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy Appropriate Assessment Screening Report |
21/12/2021 |
|
|
Natura Impact Statement for Draft Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy |
Total cost €97,004 |
Expected Q2 2022 |
|
SEA Screening Report for Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment 6 |
Expected Q1 2022 |
|
|
AA Screening Report for Irish Offshore Strategic Environmental Assessment 6 |
Total cost €36,948 |
Expected Q1 2022 |
|
People and Place: Services to Support the EU Just Transition Fund-Regional Statistical Analysis and Profile |
€29,090 |
Q1 2022 |
|
Native Events Limited – Pilot DRS Scheme for outdoor events |
€28,745 |
23 July 2021 |
|
Reports associated with the design and implementation of the technical assessment component of the new Maritime Area Consent regime for a first batch of Offshore Renewable Energy projects. These projects will be assessed by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in 2022. |
Report costs are built into a wider contract which was tendered for and awarded on 14th September 2021. Tender cost is €413,280 |
Contract ends 2023. |
|
Reports associated with the financial assessment of a first batch of Offshore Renewable Energy projects to apply for Maritime Area Consent to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in 2022 |
Report costs are built into a wider contract which was tendered for and awarded on 7th December 2021. Tender cost is a fixed daily rate of €1,321 applies for services provided.
|
Contract ends 2023. |
190. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of a prospecting licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application to renew the prospecting licence in question remains under consideration by my Department.
191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of civilian and Garda Ministerial drivers in his current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications does not currently have a driver and did not have a driver in 2021.
192. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the legislation under which cycle lanes and cycle bollards are installed; and if the management of the council require consents to install such facilities. [3113/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the Covid-19 pandemic, many local authorities sought to implement certain transport related measures on roads and streets. The types of measures developed included widening of footpaths to accommodate social distancing, developing of temporary cycling facilities, enhancing pedestrian movement including additional pedestrianisation, alterations to bus stops/routes, plus the introduction of lower speed limits. Most of the interventions were implemented through temporary construction involving bollards, pencil cones, plastic barriers, road markings and signage.
Under the Road Traffic Act (as amended) the making of speed limit bye-laws is a reserved function (it requires the approval of the Elected Council Members).
The two main legislative provisions to enable the implementation of the above physical measures are: Section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended by Section 37 of the Road Traffic Act 1994) and Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. Neither of these require approval by Councillors as the power to implement them lies with the Council Executive.
Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act of 2000 outlines the procedures that must be followed for local authority own development, the application of which is then prescribed in Part VIII of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. Measures introduced under Part VIII do require approval by Councillors.
193. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if any public servants working for a group (details supplied) were put on short time working during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3202/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for this question.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on Shannon Group and as a result measures were required to taken across the Group to control costs in response to the reduction in its revenues. These measures included amongst other measures the temporary lay-off and reduced working hours for certain employees. The Group has continued to work closely with employees to enable where possible the return to work of employees on temporary lay-off and for resumption of full working hours.
194. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when he will reinstate the EU rules on driving time and resting time for hauliers; the safety and impact assessments that were carried out in advance of the relaxing of these rules; if he will publish the findings of these assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAfter due consideration of a request made by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) for an urgent derogation to the driving and resting time rules arising from a high level of driver absence due to confirmed covid cases and the observance by drivers of covid close contact isolation rules, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Department of Transport jointly agreed to allow a temporary and urgent derogation in respect of certain provisions of the EU driving and resting time rules. In addition to the IRHA request, the Department and the RSA were also in receipt of a number of similar queries from several other individual transport operators.
The derogation was designed to assist in ensuring that key supply chains for food and essential goods were kept open. My Department and the RSA duly considered driver welfare, road safety, operational flexibility and supply chain aspects and reached a decision balancing all of these elements. The flexibilities which were provided are limited in scope and were provided for a limited 21-day period only, applied retrospectively from 9th January 2022 up to 30th January 2022.
Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 provides a common set of EU rules for maximum daily and fortnightly driving times, as well as daily and weekly minimum rest periods for all drivers of road haulage and passenger transport vehicles. The aim of this set of rules is to avoid distortion of competition, improve road safety and ensure drivers' good working conditions within the European Union. Article 14(2) of the Regulation lays down that Member States may grant, in urgent cases, exceptions from the application of the rules for up to 30 days to transport operations carried out in exceptional circumstances. There is no requirement for a safety or impact assessment to be undertaken as part of the temporary derogation process allowed under Regulation No. 561/2006.
The decision to grant the derogation reflects past approaches for dealing with driver shortages during the pandemic. Ireland, like all Member States, is entitled to grant temporary derogations from the EU driving and resting time rules for periods of up to 30 days when dealing with exceptional circumstances such as those caused by Covid. Other EU member states have granted similar derogations at various points during the crisis to alleviate any supply chain blockages. Information on these can be found on the European Commission website here - transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/4b5a1e1c-3260-4f1f-a208-611e7007154f_en -
Nothing in the derogation changes the rules relating to weekly working time (Working Time Directive for Mobile Workers Directive 2002/15/EC) which must continue to be adhered to. This was highlighted clearly by the RSA in their press release on the matter. In addition, the RSA reminded of the following key points for the implementation of the derogation -
- Driver safety or other road user’s safety must not be compromised. Drivers should not deviate from the rules if it jeopardises road safety nor should they be expected to drive whilst tired.
- Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of their employees and other road users.
- The practical implementation of this temporary relaxation of the rules should be agreed by employers with their drivers.
The derogation is due to expire on 30 January. Since the omicron wave of Covid has now subsided and driver absence levels have reduced, it is not proposed to extend the derogation beyond this date.
195. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the status of the search and rescue aviation tender; the timeline for a decision and expected milestones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3023/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 27 July 2021, the Government agreed to commence the formal procurement process for a new Coast Guard aviation service. The decision was based on a detailed appraisal and business case prepared in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
On 20th December 2021, the first stage of the process commenced, the release on eTenders of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Response document for candidates to complete. The PQQ sets out certain criteria to determine which Operators have the capacity to perform the contract.
On 25 January, my Department announced that the PQQ will be amended to specify the number and location of Search and Rescue (SAR) bases to reflect the existing configuration, namely four bases at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford.
The information released in the PQQ listed the IRCG’s minimum requirements. The detailed specification will be available at the next stage of the competition i.e when the Request for Tender (RFT) is released to the market by end of March 2022. The indicative date for award of contract is March 2023.
Please visit our dedicated SAR Webpage for all relevant information and any further clarity on the PQQ that will be also be posted via eTenders.
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ed653-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-sar-aviation-project/
196. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his plans to remove the Irish Coast Guard all-weather search and rescue helicopter from Waterford; the reason for this proposal; if he will ensure that the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter will be retained in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the pre-qualification questionnaire published on E-Tenders for the new Coast Guard Aviation Service does not specify the number of bases and their locations; his plans to reduce the number of bases; the reason the number of Irish Coast Guard bases that will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 198 together.
I can confirm that a Search and Rescue Base will continue to be located in Waterford.
On 27 July 2021, the Government agreed to commence the formal procurement process for a new Coast Guard aviation service. The decision was based on a detailed appraisal and business case prepared in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
On 20th December 2021, the first stage of the process commenced, the release on eTenders of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Response document for candidates to complete. The PQQ sets out certain criteria to determine which Operators have the capacity to perform the contract.
On 25 January, my Department announced that the PQQ will be amended to specify the number and location of Search and Rescue (SAR) bases to reflect the existing configuration, namely four bases at Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford.
The information released in the PQQ listed the IRCG’s minimum requirements. The detailed specification will be available at the next stage of the competition, that is when the Request for Tender (RFT) is released to the market by end of March 2022. The indicative date for award of contract is March 2023.
Please visit our dedicated SAR Webpage for all relevant information and any further clarity on the PQQ that will be also be posted via eTenders.
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ed653-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-sar-aviation-project/
