Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail his engagement with youth groups on climate action issues, their role in policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27392/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to engaging with young people through the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) which has been established under my Department to engage, inform and empower everyone in society to address climate change. In 2021 we engaged young people in the Climate Conversations through the Comhairle na nÓg network. In February 2022, in partnership with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, we held the first National Youth Assembly on Climate where 38 young delegates met through deliberative workshops, agreed key priority areas, and presented these recommendations for consideration in the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan. In March 2022, we invited 4 members of the National Youth Assembly on Climate to represent the voice of young people at the National Climate Stakeholder Forum. We have two more assemblies planned for 2022. We will shortly be launching the Climate Conversations 2022, where we will engage actively with young people through focus groups and local workshops, as well as providing an opportunity for everyone over 16 to provide input into the an online consultation. Through An Taisce my Department continues to support the Green Schools, Young Environmental Ambassadors, Young Reporters for the Environment and Green Campus. We will also work with the Department of Education to build climate action into the national curricula. We are also supporting research to better understand how different age groups are experiencing the challenge of the transition to carbon neutrality which will help us target policies and initiatives. These initiatives ensure the views of our young people are systematically embedded in climate action and policy.
122. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to carry out an investigation into irregularities identified by the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland into matters involving procurement, dormant accounts funding, uninsured vehicles and the leasing of property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that the allegations raised in the Seanad and in a number of media reports, including those relating to insurance for vehicles in the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) fleet have been previously considered and addressed through, inter alia, the former Chair’s statutory Statement of Internal Control and audit reviews. The Statement of Internal Control is part of the annual report and accounts, submitted on 31 March last to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), and will be examined by the C&AG as standard for all public bodies that come within the remit of the C&AG. I and my Department have accepted the former Chair’s assurances offered on behalf of the Board, both in relation to these allegations and that IFI assets are being appropriately managed. I therefore do not intend to carry out a further examination.
123. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the District Heating Steering Group. [28447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitment in the Climate Action Plan 2021, a District Heating Steering Group has been established to resolve barriers to expansion of district heating. The District Heating Steering Group has met four times since its establishment in February 2022 and it oversees a number of Working Groups that are conducting in-depth, solutions-based analysis of the key areas that must be addressed in order to support district heating, namely: planning; regulation and standards; finance; and research. The Steering Group is expected to bring its report to Government in Q4 2022.
124. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the commencement of operations of the deposit return scheme; the steps that have been taken by his Department in order to engage with local businesses for the setting-up of local facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, published in September 2020, sets out a clear roadmap for the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans. The scheme will be launched later this year. My Department has established a Deposit Return Scheme sub-group of the Waste Advisory Group with representatives from the producers, retailers, environmental NGOs and the waste sector and will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to meet the target date for the introduction of this scheme.
A public consultation on the design options for the scheme was carried out in October 2020 and a second public consultation, focusing on the preferred model, was carried out in March 2021. In November last year, the Separate Collection (Deposit Return Scheme) Regulations 2021 were signed, providing the legal framework for the establishment of the scheme, the terms under which a scheme operator may be approved and the obligations that will fall to producers, retailers and return point operators under the scheme.
The next step in the process is the appointment of an approved body to operate the scheme. Engagement with businesses and local community groups will build on previous engagements carried out by my Department through the DRS sub-group and public consultation processes, and will be further considered along with other operational issues by the operator during the design of the scheme.
125. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the new solid fuel regulations; the date that the regulations will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain committed to introducing new regulations on the use of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland as announced last September. These regulations will introduce minimum quality standards that will apply across all solid fuels, to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. The new regulations are necessary as each year some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution.
Throughout the course of three different forms of public consultation, undertaken over the past 18 months, the direction of travel has been made clear. To address this public health and environmental crisis, new solid fuel regulations will be introduced across a range of fuels to ensure that the most polluting will no longer be available for general sale on the Irish market and that as particulate matter comes from burning not only bituminous coal but other solid fuels, that we must now regulate to improve the standards of all fuels available on our market.
Government has been equally clear that turf cutting by citizens for use in their own homes is a traditional activity across many peatlands and that measures are required to reduce the emissions associated with burning peat, but which respect these traditions.
The regulations which will ultimately be agreed by Government will ensure, that while measures are introduced to enhance the quality of our air, they will not impinge upon traditional local practices associated with sod peat.
126. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in Cork South West. [28395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the engagements that he has had with an organisation (details supplied) to expedite the roll-out of broadband in mid-Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28338/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 135 together.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that as of 20 May 2022, over 327,600 premises have now been surveyed and over 175,300 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties, demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. I am further advised that almost 67,700 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 56,600 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection.
NBI has advised that almost 5,800 premises have been passed in County Cork. Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence.
NBI has made recent improvements to its website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie/reps. NBI also 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 20 May, 584 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Cork 23 BCP’s have been installed to date. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Cork 45 schools have been installed by NBI to date. 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/.
With regard to engagement with NBI, my Department as the contracting authority manages all of the elements of contract governance and engages with NBI on an ongoing basis across all elements of the programme to deliver the new high speed broadband network. It remains the ambition of the Government to rollout the National Broadband Plan State led intervention as quickly as possible in all areas, including mid and South West Cork, and to achieve this NBI will continue its focus on addressing the delays which have arisen and ensuring that the build programme gets back on track and is building momentum month on month.
127. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 26 April 2022, if the Government Policy Statement on importing fracked gas also precludes LNG imports from non-fracked sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28006/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Policy Statement on the Importation of Fracked Gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems, which is currently being carried out by my Department, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. In this regard, this policy statement does not differentiate between fracked or non-fracked LNG sources. It is planned to complete the review in the coming months, following which the results will be submitted to Government.
128. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to deal with issues with communal heating systems such as Carlinn Hall, Dundalk. [28527/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the commitment in the Climate Action Plan 2021, a District Heating Steering Group has been established to resolve barriers to expansion of district heating. This Steering Group will ensure that there is a robust governance framework put in place for district heating, and it will also bring forward recommendations for an optimum regulatory framework, along with any legislation that may be required. Considerations in this regard will also encompass legacy district heating and local heating schemes that are already in operation in Ireland.
The Steering Group has met on four occasions since its establishment in February 2022 and is expected to bring its report to Government in Q4 2022.
129. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan considering many persons in counties Longford and Westmeath are still without access to fibre optic broadband. [28534/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that as of 20 May 2022, over 327,600 premises have now been surveyed and over 175,300 premises are under construction or complete across 26 counties, demonstrating that the project is reaching scale. I am further advised that almost 67,700 premises are now available to order or pre-order a high-speed broadband connection across 23 counties, with over 56,600 premises passed across 22 counties and available for immediate connection. NBI has advised that over 3,000 premises are under construction in County Longford and over 1,200 premises have already been passed in County Westmeath. Further details are available on specific areas within Counties Longford and Westmeath 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 made recent improvements to their website to enhance the provision of information to Oireachtas members. NBI has now completed a suite of changes, creating a portal that will serve as a means for Oireachtas members to proactively search for information relevant to their county/local area. The portal provides an up-to-date picture of NBI’s deployment schedule across the 227 Deployment Areas (DAs) in all 26 counties. A particular county can be selected to view an update of the overall number of premises in the Intervention Area, the overall NBP investment in the county, the number of premises passed to date and the status of each of the Deployment Areas with the anticipated date for connection over the lifetime of the project. The dedicated webpage can be accessed here: www.nbi.ie/reps. NBI also 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 20 May, 584 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. In County Longford 8 BCP’s have been installed to date, with 7 installed in County Westmeath. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
In County Longford 7 schools have been installed by NBI to date for educational access, with 5 installed in County Westmeath. 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/.
130. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that he has chosen to investigate the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland given that it was the Board that identified irregularities with regard to dormant accounts funding, uninsured vehicles, procurement and the leasing of property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to matters identified by the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland that have been sent to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28391/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 134 together.
I have initiated a review under Section 18 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (which section is entitled, ‘Removal of Members from Office’, ‘Members’ being members of the Board). The provisions of section 18 are very specific and the review relates to issues raised in correspondence between my Department and Board members of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) during the period 1 February and 27 April 2022. The review is entirely unconnected with claims made in Seanad Eireann on 5 May which would not fall within the scope of the section. It is important to note that the allegations raised in the Seanad and in a number of media reports have been previously considered and addressed through, inter alia, the former Chair’s statutory Statement of Internal Control and audit reviews. The Statement of Internal Control is part of the annual report and accounts, submitted on 31 March last to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), and will be examined by the C&AG as standard for all public bodies that come within the remit of the C&AG. I and my Department have accepted the former Chair’s assurances offered on behalf of the Board, both in relation to these allegations and that IFI assets are being appropriately managed.
131. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the nature of any agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom with respect to the supply of natural gas to Ireland through the Moffat entry point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two existing UK/Ireland treaties, or intergovernmental agreements, relating to the natural gas interconnectors from Scotland to Ireland.The two intergovernmental agreements were drawn up in respect of the construction and operation of the undersea gas interconnector pipelines between Scotland and Ireland that came into operation in 1993 and 2002 respectively. The intergovernmental agreements also provide for a capacity allocation to Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man within the pipeline to Ireland.
132. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for public engagement in relation to offshore renewable energy projects; the intended framework for that community engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28444/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCitizen engagement is central to Ireland’s offshore renewable energy transformation. The Maritime Area Planning Act (2021) establishes a new planning regime for the sustainable development of our offshore resources and it provides that public participation is a priority in plan and policy-making and in the assessment of development proposals. In accordance with the Aarhus Convention, there is full public participation in planning applications and decisions in respect of planning applications in the maritime area. All applications by offshore wind energy projects for development consent to An Bord Pleanála will involve full public consultation.My Department is considering all submissions on the public consultation on draft terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction under the Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS); a formal consultation response, to include local communities’ submissions, will issue in the coming weeks. Successful projects under the ORESS will be required to make significant community benefit fund contributions from an early stage in the lifecycle of an offshore wind project. My Department is also progressing work on the second Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan. This will set out a pathway for the long-term sustainable development of Ireland's offshore renewable energy resources. As work on this plan is progressed during 2022, public participation will be sought, particularly from those in coastal communities, in addition to key stakeholders to ensure a wide variety of views are captured in the development of this plan.
136. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the detail regarding the implementation of the Iberian exception will be published; if he considered the applicability of this approach in the Irish context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28482/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 18 May 2022, the European Commission published a communication “Short-Term Energy Market Interventions and Long Term Improvements to the Electricity Market Design – a course for action”. The communication proposes further short-term measures in the gas and electricity sectors to tackle effectively the impact of sustained high energy prices on consumers and companies. One measure identified within the communication relates to subsidising the cost of gas used for power generation, which the Commission highlights, depending on their design may entail significant costs. However, while this measure has been identified in regions with very limited interconnection and where gas has a strong influence on the price of electricity, as is the case in the all-island Single Electricity Market (SEM), it is also considered most effective where consumers are particularly exposed to pass-through wholesale electricity prices. While this is the case in Spain, for example, where a considerable proportion of consumers are on electricity tariffs that are directly linked to the wholesale price, this is not true of the SEM, where very few consumers are on such pass-through tariffs. Irish domestic customer contracts are almost exclusively based on hedged contracts by suppliers, limiting the exposure of customers to sudden increases in wholesale gas costs. We await further detail from the Commission regarding the implementation of this option in Spain and Portugal, which will allow for further consideration by Member States.
137. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way that he can support the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with the increased number of queries that it is receiving regarding retrofit schemes. [28416/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, Government announced a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in pace and scale of delivery – to build toward achieving our ambitious target of 500,000 home energy upgrades, to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard, in this decade. The changes represent an important step in delivery of the National Retrofit Plan, which identifies a range of measures aimed at driving demand for retrofit, expanding the size and capacity of the supply chain, as well as making retrofits more affordable.
Following the announcements, demand for the SEAI residential energy efficiency schemes has been very strong. The SEAI advise that to the end of April over 13,500 applications have been received across a range of its residential schemes including Better Energy Homes Scheme; Warmer Homes Scheme; Solar PV scheme; and National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme. This represents approximately 65% of all applications received throughout 2021.
The SEAI has been designated as the National Retrofit Delivery Body. In this role, the SEAI will act as the lead agency in driving the delivery of Ireland’s retrofit targets.
While a cohort of staff within SEAI are involved in a range of administrative functions that support schemes, the agency is also assisted by a service provider that provides the front-end customer service.
Significant additional funding is being provided by the Government to continue to increase the capacity of the Agency. The process of developing, restructuring and recruiting the necessary expertise commenced in 2021 and will continue in parallel with the delivery of the National Retrofit Plan.
SEAI are enhancing their staffing levels this year consistent with the scaling up of capacity to support the significant policy developments announced earlier this year under the National Retrofit Plan. Up to 50 additional staff are to be employed by the agency by the end of the year bring staff levels close to 190.
138. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the negotiations with An Post and an organisation (details supplied) to secure a public-service obligation for post offices. [28397/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. It has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and management of the company. An Post will continue to actively seek and win new business and to explore opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines for the network. The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. In line with this commitment in the Programme for Government, I secured Government approval this week for a funding intervention which will see €10m/annum distributed by An Post to the Post Office Network for the next three years, subject to state aid approval.
This is the first time Government has agreed to introduce such a package. The funding will aim to ensure access for all our communities to important services of social value across the Post Office network. These include banking services, social welfare and State savings as well as SME services and support. It will also seek to support a network of sufficient scale across the country; with currently around 900 Post Offices providing these essential services nationwide.
This intervention by Government will provide certainty for Postmasters, their families and their communities in terms of any business decisions Postmasters need to make about their future. The funding will afford An Post more time to develop new commercial strategies and services that can support the viability of the network. The Transformation Agreement reached between An Post and the IPU in 2018 will continue be implemented and this proposal is without prejudice to the terms of that agreement.
139. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the progress his Department is making to tackle littering and fly-tipping. [28415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides support to local authority efforts to tackle litter on a number of fronts. A once off allocation of €5m was provided in 2021 to assist local authorities with the provision and upgrade of their litter infrastructure. A further €750,000 was provided under the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grant Scheme, which will again be supported in 2022. Funding is also provided in support of a number of important anti-litter initiatives such as National Spring Clean, Picker Pals, the PURE Project and Irish Business against Litter.
The Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) was introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, communities, and other State Agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping. Funding of over €12m has been provided by my Department under the Initiative, which has supported the delivery of over 1,250 projects nationwide. Details of funding, broken down by local authority and individual project, for each of the years 2017-2021 are available on the gov.ie website at the following link - https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e27ac-anti-dumping-initiative/
A further €3m has been made available in support of the Initiative in 2022.
My Department also continues to invest significantly in the local authority waste enforcement network through the Local Authority Waste Enforcement Measures Grant Scheme, with the intention of maintaining a visible presence of waste enforcement personnel on the ground across the State. Over €7.7m was provided to local authorities under the scheme in 2021, with a similar amount committed for 2022. The Circular Economy Bill, currently progressing through the Oireachtas, will advance a number of priority provisions which will provide valuable support in this area including providing for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV for both waste and litter enforcement purposes.
140. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that he intends taking to ensure that the indigenous supply of biodiesel, ethanol and biomethane is increased to ensure the security of Irish fuel supplies and also to reduce Ireland’s carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28306/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy (November 2021) sets out the pathway for increasing the supply and use of renewable fuels in transport. The Policy and the proposed measures contained in it apply to both imported and indigenous supply of fuels. The Policy supports the decarbonising transport actions under the Climate Action Plan 2021 and the envisaged increase in the share of renewable fuels in transport use under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
The measures in the policy seek to implement the Climate Action Plan target for 2030, by means of annual increases in biofuel blending obligations on transport fuel suppliers leading to increases in ethanol blending in petrol (of 10% from the current 5%) and biodiesel in diesel up to 20% by 2030. Incentives for supply of biomethane and green hydrogen supply and use in transport is proposed by means of multiplier credits for supply of such fuels which can be offset against the higher biofuel blending obligation.
The Policy reiterates Ireland’s commitment to ensure maintenance of the highest standards of sustainability of fuel supply in transport. In this regard the Department is carrying out a study in 2022 concerning the sustainability and availability of biofuels and development of renewable fuels to 2030, which will equally address imported and indigenous supply.
More generally in relation to ensuring the security of Irish fuel supplies, under its membership of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Union, Ireland is required to hold strategic oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of net imports. The National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, is the State Agency with responsibility for ensuring that Ireland meets its obligations in relation to maintaining a minimum of 90 days reserve stocks of petroleum products which may be utilised in the event of a physical shortage of supplies.
The oil supply position on the Irish markets is kept under constant review.
