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Thursday, 24 Feb 2022

Written Answers Nos. 188-202

Renewable Energy Generation

Ceisteanna (188)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

188. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the upfront cost of installing solar PV, which still makes it inaccessible to many households; if he plans to increase the financial support for households to install solar PV; when households with solar PV already installed will begin to receive a payment or credits for excess electricity sent back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10742/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department bought forward the final design of the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) which was approved by Government in December 2021, targeting 380MW of new generation from renewables self-consumers to contribute to an overall target for solar PV of 2.5GW by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan..On the 15 February this year I signed the Regulations that transpose Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive which brings these Articles into force. These Regulations provide an obligation on electricity suppliers to remunerate micro-and small-scale generators for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, reflective of the market value.

The phased introduction of supports has already begun with the commencement of the MSS domestic solar PV grant on 16 February last, which provides a capital grant towards the costs of solar PV installations, with grant amounts available up to €2,400. Additionally, the new scheme has removed the minimum BER requirement and increased access to include homes built before 2021.

The grants are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and more information is available on their website www.seai.ie/grants. My Department has made €14 million available for solar PV grants in 2022, an increase of 21% on the previous year, as part of an overall capital allocation to the SEAI.

Broadband Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (189, 190, 191, 192, 193)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which the provision of broadband on a nationwide basis is progressing; if any particular shortcomings have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10767/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the provision of broadband continues in such a way as to ensure that all areas throughout the country are beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10768/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to accelerate the provision of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10769/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which efforts are being made to ensure that the provision of broadband does not leave intermittent patches of poor or no service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10770/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the efforts being made to ensure that broadband is provided in such a way as to eliminate the possibility of leaving areas without service at a time when digital hubs are necessary throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10771/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 193, inclusive, 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, no matter how remote the location.

I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 11 February, over 301,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 157,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 16 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow and over 54,500 premises are available to order and pre-order across 22 counties.

Further details are available on specific areas 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.

It remains the ambition of the Government to rollout the National Broadband Plan as quickly as possible. My Department continues to engage with NBI to explore the feasibility of accelerating aspects of the NBP rollout to establish the possibility of bringing forward premises which are currently scheduled in years 6 and 7 of the current plan to an earlier date. However, the primary focus must be on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the National Broadband Ireland build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.

The NBP Contract allows National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to explore alternative technologies if they are deemed necessary to assist delivery of the contract requirements. In doing so NBI must ensure that any alternative technologies utilised do not negatively impact on having a reliable and robust network available for all premises within the Intervention Area and that minimum contracted speeds are achieved. These considerations are a matter for NBI in the first instance given its responsibility to deliver the State led intervention under the contract with the State.

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 11 February 2022, 486 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. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.

My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.

The Government launched its digital strategy “ Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework” earlier this month. The strategy will ensure that benefits are achieved by making connectivity available to everyone, including via the National Broadband Plan, Remote Working Hubs and Broadband Connection Points, with a target of ensuring all Irish households and businesses are covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028 and all populated areas covered by 5G no later than 2030. An outline of the Framework is available at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3a922-online-launch-of-harnessing-digital-the-digital-ireland-framework/.

Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 192 answered with Question No. 189.
Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 189.

Climate Action Plan

Ceisteanna (194, 195)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which carbon reduction measures continue at pace while avoiding damage to the agrifood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10772/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which carbon reduction measures can be best served without damage in the agrifood sector given the extent of hunger and starvation worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10773/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets an ambitious emissions reduction target for the agriculture sector of between 22% and 30% by 2030, compared against 2018. While the achievement of this target will require significant effort, I am confident in the sector's ability to achieve its climate targets without compromising food production.

The high proportion of national emissions represented by agriculture means that for Ireland to meet its overall emissions reduction targets, the agriculture sector must make a positive contribution to combating climate change, supporting our transition to a climate resilient and low carbon economy. The core measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2021 for the agriculture sector will increase both the efficiency of the sector and its diversification, including into organic production and the production of biomethane. Further measures will also be required to meet the emissions reduction target, which will include the introduction of a model for carbon farming, exploring feed-related methane reduction solutions, and conducting a diversification review which will include an assessment on the wider production of biomethane.

A climate resilient agriculture sector should be able to grow sustainably, resist climate shocks and pursue climate-change related opportunities concurrently. Having a robust and sustainable agri-food sector is important for our national economy and international trade. Farmers will benefit from climate action by harnessing new opportunities, as well as reducing the harmful impacts that climate change has on their land and livelihood. Farming communities are already experiencing these impacts today, with prolonged droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. The Government is committed to striking a balance between our environmental, climate, and biodiversity needs, and supporting our farmers and agri-food industries, which is reflected in Climate Action Plan 2021.

Question No. 195 answered with Question No. 194.

Environmental Policy

Ceisteanna (196, 198)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the various programmes for carbon sequestration have advanced; the methods most commonly used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10774/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which methods of carbon sequestration have grown in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10776/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 198 together.

The land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector consists of the categories forest land, cropland, grassland, wetlands, settlements, other land and harvested wood products. It is currently the only sector which has the potential to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. In 2015, the EU LULUCF sector reported a net carbon sink of about 309 Mt CO2-eq. This was dominated by CO2 sequestered by existing and new forests. In contrast, Ireland is currently a net emitter of greenhouse gasses (GHG) from the LULUCF sector to the order of 4.8 MtCO2-eq. in 2018.

This is largely due to the GHG emissions from grasslands and wetlands, resulting from drainage of organic soils, being greater than the sink from forest land and harvested wood products. All our LULUCF categories have the potential to be managed as net sinks for GHG.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 set out a range of LULUCF policies and measures which will establish a pathway for this sector to become a sustainable net sink in the long term, supporting our transition to a carbon-neutral economy and society no later than 2050. Actions to reduce Ireland’s net LULUCF emissions include:

- Increasing our annual afforestation rates and promoting forest management initiatives to increase carbon sinks and stores.

- Reducing management intensity (water table management) of grasslands on drained organic soils.

- Improving the management grasslands on mineral soils for carbon sequestration.

- Increasing the inclusion of cover crops in tillage and increasing the incorporation of straw to at least 10% of the tillage (cereal) area.

- Rehabilitating 65,000 hectares of peatlands across numerous landowners and projects.

In addition, the national land-use review, committed to in the Programme for Government, is under way and will consider options for how we might improve the management our land to address all our environmental challenges while supporting a sustainable agri-food sector.

Climate Action Plan

Ceisteanna (197)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he and his Department continue to take to incentivise carbon reduction without penalising the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2021, my Department undertook a series of interlinked public consultations, the Climate Conversations, as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action. These consultations provided information on where financial support is required for local climate action, where capacity building is needed and the types of projects and initiatives that are being considered at local level. The Conversations helped to inform the development of the Community Climate Action Programme. The Community Climate Action Programme was launched on 10 November, 2021. Under this programme €60 million from the Climate Action Fund will be invested in community climate action projects and initiatives, as well as capacity building, over the next three years. The overall aim of this Programme is to support and empower communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets. Phase 1 involves the allocation of an initial €30 million over an 18-month period for two strands of the Programme.

Under Strand 1, €24 million is being provided to all local authorities to support communities to build low carbon communities in a considered and structured way. This strand is currently being finalised with the local authorities. Further information will be available from the websites of the local authorities and my Department shortly.

Under Strand 2, a total of €6 million will be provided to build community capacity in relation to climate action. €1 million of this has already been allocated for 14 projects under the Creative Climate Action Fund. The remaining €5 million has been allocated for an open call for projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and learning by doing, which is being run by Pobal on behalf of the Department. A total of 72 applications were received in response to this call and are currently being assessed.

Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 196.

Renewable Energy Generation

Ceisteanna (199, 202)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which it is intended to use renewable energy as a means of carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10777/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which it is intended to use wind energy as a means of carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10782/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 202 together.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 establishes a system of carbon budgeting with a ‘carbon budget programme’ comprising three five-year economy-wide budgets that set a limit, on an economy wide basis, for the amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions that can be emitted in that period. The  carbon budgets will be supplemented by sectoral emissions ceilings, setting the maximum amount of GHG emissions that are permitted in a given sector of the economy during each five-year carbon budget.

Under the Climate Action Plan 2021, Ireland has a target to increase the proportion of renewable electricity to up to 80% by 2030. This will contribute to Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by substituting primarily wind and solar electricity generation for fossil fuel electricity generation, as well as displacing emissions in other sectors, including household heating and car transport.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland’s flagship policy to deliver on the Government’s target of up to 80% renewable electricity by the end of the decade.  The first Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) auction for onshore wind and solar projects was held in 2020 and the first RESS 1 projects have now reached commercial operation with further projects to reach commercial operation throughout 2022. The second RESS auction process has begun with the qualification application window having closed in January and the auction is scheduled to take place in May.

As well as this, Government has recently approved a Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) which supports deployment of an expected 260 MW of new micro (<50 kW) renewable generation by 2030.  My Department is also developing a small-scale generator scheme for farmers, business, and communities to generate their own electricity and feed into the grid.

Ireland has considerable offshore renewable energy (ORE) potential with a target of 5 GW by 2030. Ireland’s intention is to move to a plan-led approach to the development of the ORE sector. A new Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP II) will be completed by the end of 2022.

This year, my Department opened a consultation on the proposed assessment criteria for the first batch of Maritime Area Consent (MAC) applications from a set of seven qualified ORE projects. Consultation is also currently open on how the second batch of projects (Phase 2) will be selected to enter the new consenting system. My Department is also finalising the terms and conditions on the first of three planned auctions this decade for the offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS).

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (200)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which plastic reduction measures have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10780/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Plastic is a valuable material in modern society however when it is not properly managed, it can have serious negative effects on the environment and human health. In 2017, the impact of plastics rose to a new level of prominence following David Attenborough’s “Blue Planet” series. Since then, there have been significant developments in plastics policy both in Ireland and at EU level, most notably the EU’s Plastic Strategy, 2018 and Single Use Plastics Directive, 2019 as well as Ireland’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, 2020. Measuring the impact of these policies is key to success.

Ireland transposed the SUP (Single Use Plastic) Directive last year. It banned a range of single-use items from July 2021. Further measures will be introduced this year and in coming years which will significantly reduce the impact of SUP items in use, including:

- A Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans which will be introduced later this year;

- Measures to reduce disposable beverage cups and food containers; starting with the introduction of a so-called ‘latte levy’; and

- A number of new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for tobacco products, balloons, wet wipes and fishing gear.New data collection arrangements to capture the volume of SUPs placed on the market and disposed of at end of life take effect this year. The outputs from this will provide essential insights into the success or otherwise of the reduction measures in place and will be used to inform the design of future interventions.

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (201)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which waste management is being utilised in the context of carbon reduction and waste to heat combinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10781/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In Ireland, the management and treatment of waste is carried out in accordance with national and European legislation, and in line with policy frameworks such as the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, 2020. These policies and laws set out a hierarchy for the management and treatment of waste generated within the country.  The preferred treatment option for residual municipal waste is management via high efficiency thermal treatment, which includes energy production in line with national and European policies.

In Ireland, there are currently two dedicated recovery facilities which are classified as high efficiency thermal treatment or Energy from Waste facilities; one operated by Covanta in Dublin and the other by Indaver in County Meath.  Together these plants are licensed to treat 835,000 tonnes of non-hazardous municipal waste for energy recovery.  The two facilities currently produce electricity, which is exported to the national grid. The Energy from Waste facility located in Dublin is also designed and capable of operating as a high efficiency Combined Heat and Power Facility, which can utilise some of the heat produced at the facility as a heat source for a district heating network.  Dublin City Council is currently in the process of developing a district heating network to utilise this heat for space and hot water within the city displacing alternative higher carbon generators.  In addition, three cement kilns are currently licensed to accept solid recovered fuel (SRF) derived from waste for co-incineration at their plants.  In 2021, these cement kilns processed in excess of 237,000 tonnes of SRF, which replaced fossil fuels such as gas.

Question No. 202 answered with Question No. 199.
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