Written Answers Nos. 224-244
224. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the new public sector strategy to achieve at least a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and 50% improvement in public sector energy efficiency by 2030 due to be approved by quarter 1 of 2022 as set out in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4315/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraClimate Action Plan 2021 includes a suite of policies and measures to ensure that the public sector will lead by example, inspiring the necessary climate action in wider society to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 51% by 2030, and to become climate neutral no later than 2050. Although the sector’s share of emissions is relatively small, it will play a broader leadership role as a catalyst for ambitious climate action.
One of the measures included is the preparation of a new Public Sector Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Strategy. The Annex of Actions published alongside the Climate Action Plan has set a target delivery date for this strategy of Q1 2022. My Department is working to deliver this action on schedule.
225. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the development of an approach to cost-effectively retrofit public sector building stock by 2030 as set out in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4316/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan set specific targets and commitments for the public sector to achieve – namely 50% energy efficiency improvement (increased from 33% by 2020) and 51% emissions reduction target by 2030, and the development of an approach to cost effectively retrofit the public sector building stock. Work is currently underway to identify and evaluate potential options for the cost effective retrofit of public buildings, with a key focus being placed on developing an approach that will result in delivering deep retrofit with renewable heat solutions, thus supporting the decarbonisation of the building stock. In addition, the use of non-exchequer funding options, including EU funding and privately funded energy performance contracts, is being explored.
The Public Sector Retrofit Pathfinder Programme, which is co-funded by my Department and a number of key sectors, is currently testing building retrofit approaches with the objective of developing a scalable model that can be replicated across the wider public sector. The learnings and outcomes from this programme are helping to inform the development of the overall approach to cost effectively retrofit public sector building stock. At end 2021, over 340 retrofit projects were supported with funding of over €50 million from my Department.
The latest published Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency shows that, at end 2019, the sector had achieved 29% improvement in energy efficiency since 2009. The 2020 report will be published shortly.
226. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the annual transition statement for 2020 will be published; and the reason that it has not been published to date. [4320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Annual Transition Statement (ATS), established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, served an important function in providing an overview of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy measures adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the effects of climate change in order to enable the achievement of Ireland's National Transition Objective. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge. The new framework ensures delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral targets with appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas and a new Climate Change Advisory Council. Under the 2021 Act, Ministers will have to give an account of their performance in relation to their sectoral targets and actions before an Oireachtas Committee each year. This framework replaces the previous ATS process.
Notwithstanding the changes introduced by the 2021 Act, I intend to publish an ATS for 2020. This ATS will set out information on developments in respect of 2019, as was required under the 2015 Act before it was amended. My Department is currently undertaking the preparation of this Statement through engagement with the relevant stakeholders; it will be published in the coming weeks.
227. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that Ireland has not yet submitted a mandatory long-term strategy to the EU due at the beginning of January 2022 as set out in the Climate Action Plan; when he will submit this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4322/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Long-term Climate Action Strategy (LTS) will be completed in quarter one 2022 as set out in the Annex of Actions, published on 14 December last, to support the delivery of the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Ireland prepared a draft of the LTS in 2019 in line with the then climate ambition set out in Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. However, with the Programme for Government commitment to substantially increase our climate ambition, including our 2050 objective, submission of Ireland’s draft LTS to the European Commission was paused to ensure it fully aligned with our enhanced climate ambition.
In July 2021, Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted giving legal effect to a 2050 climate neutrality target. The Act also provides for a 51% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030, compared to 2018 levels, and puts in place a rigorous governance structure, including a requirement for Government to prepare a National Long Term Climate Action Strategy at least once every five-years.
As we finalise Ireland’s LTS, we will ensure that the ambition aligns with our recently legislated for climate targets, as well as making a strong contribution to the overall EU ambition of achieving climate neutrality no later than 2050 and achieving an interim reduction in overall EU greenhouse gas emissions of 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Similarly, the LTS will support our commitment to the international objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°c relative to pre-industrial levels, as established under the Paris Climate Accords and recently reaffirmed in the Glasgow Climate Pact.
Ireland, as one of several Member States still to submit its Long-term Climate Strategy, has continued to engage with the European Commission on this issue, and has fully appraised the Commission of the approach as set out above.
228. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if recommendations have been finalised on the implementation of changes to ensure that the warmer homes scheme better targets the people most in need as set out in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4323/22]
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 lower income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 146,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. During the first 9 months of 2021, the approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was €17,100. Budget 2022 has allocated €202 million for SEAI residential and community retrofit schemes. Over half of this (€109 million) will be used to provide free energy efficiency upgrades to households that are in, or at risk of, energy poverty through the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme.
The National Retrofit Plan includes a commitment to finalise recommendations on the implementation of changes to ensure that the Warmer Homes Scheme better targets those most in need. I will shortly finalise proposals in that regard.
229. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits delivered in local authority homes in each retrofitting scheme for each county to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4324/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide the vast majority of support for the retrofitting of local authority homes. I understand that 1,730 local authority homes were upgraded under that Department's retrofit programme in 2021. More broadly, my Department funds a number of SEAI grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Partial grants are available for individuals that can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency retrofits for people at risk of energy poverty.
Since 2000, over 465,000 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 and cheaper to heat and light.
The SEAI advise that since 2017, support has been provided to retrofit a total of 102 Local Authority homes through schemes funded by my Department. All of these homes have received energy upgrades to a minimum post-works Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2.
The table below provides a breakdown of the homes delivered by SEAI Scheme, by year of delivery and by county:
|
Scheme |
Retrofits delivered in local authority homes per Scheme per county |
County |
|
14 (8 delivered in 2020 and 6 delivered in 2021) |
Tipperary |
|
|
Community Energy Grant |
8 (all delivered in 2020) |
Cork |
|
National Retrofit Scheme (Once Stop Shop Development Call) |
23 (all delivered in 2021) |
Cork |
|
34 (12 delivered in 2019 and 22 delivered in 2018) |
Dublin |
|
|
Deep Retrofit |
23 (6 delivered in 2019, 15 delivered in 2018 and 2 delivered in 2017) |
Wexford |
230. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the recent report carried out by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on the use of energy by data centres, and the potential threat to security of energy supplies here; the actions he proposes to take to improve the security of energy supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4418/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, the independent energy regulator, has issued a direction to EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator, and ESB Networks, the electricity distribution system operator, that requires each of the system operators to prioritise data centre connections based on location, the availability of on-site generation and flexibility in reducing demand when required. This will reduce the potential impact of data centres on security of electricity supply.
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. This includes a review of 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.
The 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 of existing grid availability and the opportunity to co-locate significant renewable energy opportunities.
231. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if persons with multiple homes, including non-principal private residences, holiday homes, property types (details supplied) and so on will be eligible for the €100 energy voucher for each of those homes; if the voucher is confined to the principal private residence; if this has been factored into the budget for the provision of €100 to all domestic accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA €215m Scheme has been approved by Government to credit all domestic electricity account holders with up to €100 in 2022.Approximately 2.1 million domestic electricity accounts will benefit from the scheme for a one-off, exceptional payment. The scheme will apply to every domestic electricity account. The scheme uses the eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number, to enable payments to be made at the earliest possible opportunity in 2022.
The scheme will become operational following the passing of underpinning legislation, the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill, through the Oireachtas. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will be charged with oversight of the scheme. The scheme will be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) because of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESB Networks will make payments to energy suppliers, who in turn will credit all their domestic electricity account holders with €100.
Full details on the precise mechanism for payment are being finalised as part of these processes and will be announced later in Q1. The Deputy may also wish to note that regular information updates, including frequently asked questions, are being made available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/4ae14-electricity-costs-emergency-benefit-scheme/.
232. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications , further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 30 November 2021, when a reply will issue. [4476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will receive an answer to Question No. 158 of 30 November 2021 no later than 18th February. A comprehensive response is being finalised that takes account of the end 2021 financials.
233. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new premises available to order and passed under the national broadband plan; the number of new premises available to pre-order; the number of connections to date, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4495/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 554,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 679 schools.
NBI has advised that as of 21 January almost 294,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway and over 154,000 premises are constructed or under construction across all counties, with over 54,400 premises available to order or pre-order across 21 counties. Over 34,000 premises have been passed with over 5,800 premises now connected across 11 counties: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary. To date the level of connections on the NBI network are in line with, or exceeding projections.
234. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the intended timelines with regard to the publication of expert guidance on the regulation of peat extraction in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe guidance referred to was commissioned by my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and relates to the regulatory framework (primarily that aspect which relates to the planning system) which applies to peat extraction at the time of publication.
The guidance was published on 17 January 2022 and is available here www.gov.ie/en/publication/d7651-the-regulatory-framework-applying-to-peat-extraction-a-guidance-document/.
235. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has had engagements with Bord na Móna on the provision of access to extraction equipment or mixing plant to the commercial peat extraction for the horticultural use sector in the State; the timeline for implementing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the question refers to actions included in the Working Paper to Address Challenges Related to Peat Supply in the Horticulture Sector, recently published by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
That Working Paper was prepared by officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and my Department. As part of that process, officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine engaged with Bord na Mona in relation to the proposed actions relevant to the Company.
Oversight of the implementation of the actions included in the Working Paper is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
236. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date with the strategy to combat energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4511/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnergy poverty or fuel poverty is influenced by a person’s income, the energy efficiency of their home and the cost of the energy they use in their home. The Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty was published in 2016 and good progress has since been made including:
Funding for SEAI's free energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased dramatically over the period from €15 million in 2015 to €109 million for 2022;
Free upgrades were carried out in over 24,000 lower income homes under the main Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) energy poverty retrofit schemes;
The Housing for All Strategy has committed to introducing minimum Building Energy Ratings for rented properties from 2025; and
The allocations for retrofit of social housing have also increased significantly with an allocation of €85 million for 2022.
Research published in 2016 found that 28% of households in Ireland would need to spend more than 10% of their income on their energy needs. More recently, the ESRI carried out an analysis of the number of households at risk of experiencing energy poverty. This showed that the share of households needing to spend more than 10% of their income on their energy needs was 17.5% in 2020. The Survey on Income and Living Conditions indicates that the proportion of people who report that they are unable to afford to keep the home adequately warm, had fallen from 9% in 2015 to 3.4% in 2020.
A review of the implementation of the Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty will be completed in the coming months and will inform next steps in relation to the development of a new strategy. Measures to support those least able to afford to retrofit their homes have also be included in the new National Residential Retrofit Plan, published as part of the Climate Action Plan last November.
A range of schemes to assist low-income households with energy costs are also available from the Department of Social Protection. Budget 2022 has provided for a €5 increase to the Fuel Allowance to €33 per week, or €924 per year, as well as an extension of the eligibility criteria for the payment.
Protections are also in place for customers falling into arrears on their energy bills. Under the supplier led voluntary Energy Engage Code, suppliers will not disconnect a customer who is engaging with them. Suppliers must also provide every opportunity to customers to avoid disconnection and must identify customers at risk of disconnection and encourage them to engage as early as possible.
A scheme to credit all domestic electricity account holders with €100 in 2022 was approved by Government in December 2021. This payment is one of a suite of measures to mitigate the effects of the recent significant rises in electricity prices, which includes support through the social protection system. Approximately 2.1 million domestic electricity account holders will benefit from the scheme for a one-off, exceptional payment to their electricity accounts. The scheme will apply to all domestic accounts, including pay as you go customers.
237. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider designating Lough Ennell as a wild brown trout fishery in the western lakes plan; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this lake is one of the finest brown trout fishing lakes in Europe and that the status needs to be preserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have, at my request, set out a draft Management Plan specifically for the 7 Western Lakes, in the context of the Programme for Government. Management of other waters may be considered separately. Management is a day to day operational matter for IFI and they will be happy to address the Deputy's queries on Lough Ennell in that context. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI's objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
238. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed in his Department; the reason for the delay; when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4759/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently two Acts for which all sections have yet to be formally commenced by my Department. The details are set out in the following table.
|
Title of Act |
Section(s) not yet commenced |
Purpose of section(s) |
Reason for delay in commencement |
Proposed future date of commencement |
|
Telecommunications Services (Ducting and Cables) Act 2018 |
All |
To provide for the vesting in the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications of ownership of certain ducting and cables; to provide for the vesting in the Minister of certain legal interests relating to ducting and cables for the purposes of the performance of any of his or her functions for telecommunications purposes; to provide for compensation; to provide for certain obligations; and to provide for related matters. |
Enactment of the legislation was required to provide the requisite access rights across land through which the Galway Mayo telecommunications duct runs so that a Managed Service Entity can be appointed to operate, maintain and access the network. The procurement process is under development. The sections of the Act are expected to be commenced on appointment of the Management Services Entity. |
Contingent on appointment of MSE
|
|
Minerals Development Act 2017 |
Section 212 in relation to deemed cancellation of registration of excepted minerals took effect on the date of passage of the Act, all other sections have not yet commenced. (256 Sections). |
The Minerals Development Act 2017, which was enacted on the 26 July 2017, will make further and better provisions for the development of minerals in the State and repeal the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999. |
Priority in 2022 is being given to developing a policy and regulatory framework for the geothermal sector. The Minerals Development Act 2017 will require the drafting of detailed Regulations to facilitate its commencement. Furthermore, primary legislation is required to update the Act to include Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment provisions. |
An assessment of the necessary detailed regulations and primary legislation required to commence the Act will be undertaken in 2022. |
239. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated carbon emission reduction savings, as modelled by his Department, by bringing 100,000 poorly insulated homes up to each of the following building energy ratings of C3, C2, C1, B3, B2 and B1, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) 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. My Department has not separately modelled the emissions savings associated with less ambitious building energy ratings.
A significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector resulting from the National Retrofit Plan is not likely to be seen until the latter half of the decade, as numbers of dwellings retrofitted increase as set out above.
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.
CAP21 contains a range of measures and targets across all sectors of the economy, including targets for increased renewable electricity generation, increased in sustainable mobility, and for 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 building; and Increased targets for the roll-out of district heating.
Reaching the targets set out in our Climate Action Plans and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions will only be achieved by all sectors of the economy and society working together to reach our common goal.
240. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the projected 8GW of onshore wind capacity by 2030 as envisaged by the 2021 Climate Action Plan that will be owned by Irish semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4797/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out Ireland's increased ambition to generate up to 80% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030, contributing to our overall 51% greenhouse gas emission reduction target. To enable this, delivery of up to 8 GW of onshore wind, at least 5 GW of offshore wind and between 1.5 – 2.5 solar PV capacity will be required by 2030. Electricity technologies will compete through regular auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to supply these volumes, as well as through other routes to market such as corporate power purchase agreements. As the RESS auctions are competitive processes, it is not possible to predict which projects may be successful in future auction rounds.
241. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the projected 5GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 as envisaged by the 2021 Climate Action Plan that will be owned by Irish semi-State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is taking a phased approach to offshore wind deployment and participating projects and companies will be finalised through competitive auctions with some attrition expected during the process.
Following enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act in December 2021, I will have the responsibility for granting the first Maritime Area Consents (MACs) to an initial batch of offshore energy projects. The granting of MACs this year will represent a significant milestone in reaching our 2030 targets, and I recently launched a consultation on the proposed MAC assessment regime for these first projects, the ‘Relevant Projects’. A separate public consultation is also underway regarding the process for Phase Two projects to participate in subsequent offshore wind auctions which will be necessary to meet Government's 5GW target by the end of this decade.
The process to procure 5 GW of installed offshore wind generation by 2030 is expected to primarily take place through competitive auctions. It is not possible to forecast either the outcome of these future competitive auctions, or the prospects of projects subsequently securing all required consents, including planning permission.
242. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish in full the report by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5031/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 provides a detailed pathway for taking decisive action to achieve our national economy-wide climate targets for 2030 and 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Act 2021. The referenced work was one of a number of pieces of analysis that helped to inform the development and delivery of the Climate Action Plan 2021. Its analysis is particularly reflected in Chapter 4 of the Plan.
The Department is currently in the process of introducing the carbon budget programme and sectoral ceilings, as set out in the Climate Act 2021 and expressed in the Climate Action Plan 2021. Therefore, analysis, including reports from consultants, is still ongoing and, once completed, it can be published, subject to redaction of any commercially sensitive information.
243. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will maintain the 2021 duties in respect of a special local draft net licence to fish the Owenea and Owentocker tidal waters of Loughros Mór Estuary in view of the restricted total allowable catch for the fishery in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory licence duties are provided for under the Fisheries Acts. In line with the recommendations of the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland, the revised duty for Special Local Licences was provided for in the Special Tidal Waters (Special Local Licences) (Alteration of Duties) Order 2021 - SI No. 733 of 2021. Duties were reduced ahead of the 2010 fishing season, in the light of prevailing economic circumstances, and have not been altered since. The revised duty is a restoration to pre-reduction levels. For the Deputy’s information, the available harvestable surplus on the fishery in question has increased by 71% for the 2022 season.
The local Fisheries District Committee, which includes both angling and commercial interests will meet shortly to recommend the division of the surplus available to each sector.
244. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the development of the new policy and regulatory framework for inland fisheries in Ireland; the way in which traditional net fishers and local communities will be involved in developing this framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5080/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of draft policy papers are currently being finalised in my Department in the context of creating a new modern policy framework for the inland fisheries sector with a focus on protection and conservation. I expect that the first of these draft policy papers will be submitted for public consultation and stakeholder inputs very shortly.In relation to consultation and contribution arrangements for stakeholders, I would refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. [46904/21] of 29 September last.
